Opinion ID: 714125
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The DOE Regulatory Scheme

Text: 41 At trial, Ross had offered to introduce into evidence a five-hundred-page exhibit setting out the text of applicable (as well as irrelevant) regulatory provisions. Some of the regulations detailed in the exhibit had been enacted after the period of Ross's alleged wrongdoing, and several of the regulations' reference numbers had changed over time. In light of the adequate testimonial evidence at trial concerning the regulations' relevant content, the district court in its discretion refused to admit the exhibit, reasoning that it would only confuse the jurors and would not aid in their understanding of the regulations. 42 Ross does not appeal this evidentiary ruling. Instead, Ross argues that the district court erred when it refused to instruct the jury as to the regulatory scheme, in its entirety. The district court, however, never refused to give such an exhaustive instruction because Ross never requested one. In fact, Ross actually submitted a limited request that the jury be instructed about only certain specific regulatory provisions, and the district court gave his requested instructions. 43 The Supreme Court has explained that forfeiture is the failure to make a timely assertion of a right, while waiver is the intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right. Olano, 507 U.S. at 733, 113 S.Ct. at 1777. Plain error analysis may be invoked to review a forfeited objection because mere forfeiture does not extinguish an error under FED.R.CRIM.P. 52(b). Id. Where there has been a valid waiver, however, plain error analysis does not apply because there is technically no error to correct. Id. Here Ross actually proposed (and thereby implicitly approved) the district court's instructions concerning the DOE regulatory scheme, rather than merely failing to object to them. As a result, he has voluntarily waived any objection that he might have to these instructions, and we will not review his argument even for plain error. Id.; United States v. Espino, 32 F.3d 253, 258-59 & n. 5 (7th Cir.1994); United States v. Lakich, 23 F.3d 1203, 1207-08 (7th Cir.1994).