Opinion ID: 1037023
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Treaty Violation

Text: Strausbaugh, for the first time on appeal, asserts that evidence presented at his trial was obtained in violation of the MLAT between the United States and Canada. We will review this issue for plain error. Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129 (2009). Under plain error review, in order to reverse, we must find (1) an error; (2) that is plain or obvious; and (3) that affected substantial rights. United States v. Dobson, 419 F.3d 231, 236 (3d Cir. 2005). 5 In this case, it is clear that there was no error. The treaty itself states that: This Treaty is intended solely for mutual legal assistance between the Parties. The provisions of this Treaty shall not give rise to a right on the part of a private party to obtain, suppress or exclude any evidence or to impede the execution of a request. 24 I.L.M. 1092. Under its very terms, Strausbaugh cannot use the treaty to suppress evidence used in his trial. Indeed, “under international law, it is the contracting foreign government, not the defendant, that would have the right to complain about a [treaty] violation.” United States v. Cordero, 668 F.2d 32, 38 (1st Cir. 1981). Thus, Strausbaugh’s argument has no merit.