Opinion ID: 783949
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The conscious avoidance doctrine

Text: 15 The conscious avoidance doctrine provides that a defendant's knowledge of a fact required to prove the defendant's guilt may be found when the jury `is persuaded that the defendant consciously avoided learning that fact while aware of a high probability of its existence.' Samaria, 239 F.3d at 239 (quoting United States v. Finkelstein, 229 F.3d 90, 95 (2d Cir.2000)). In such circumstances, a conscious avoidance instruction to the jury `permits a finding of knowledge even where there is no evidence that the defendant possessed actual knowledge.' Id. (quoting United States v. Ferrarini, 219 F.3d 145, 154 (2d Cir.2000)). 16