Opinion ID: 797078
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Expert Testimony on Practices of Street Level Drug Dealers

Text: 13 Glover asks this Court to reverse his conviction because the trial court improperly allowed Officer Coleman to testify as an expert on the practices of street level drug dealers. Glover argues that Coleman's testimony was irrelevant because the jury did not need an expert to conclude that the drugs were packaged for distribution. Furthermore, Glover continues, Coleman's testimony violated Federal Rule of Evidence 704(b) because he made a final conclusion or inference about Glover's mental state, i.e., what Glover intended to do with the drugs. We review the trial court's admission of Coleman's expert testimony for an abuse of discretion. See United States v. Parra, 402 F.3d 752, 758 (7th Cir.2005). 14 This Circuit repeatedly has approved expert police testimony about the characteristics of drug dealers. See, e.g., United States v. Love, 336 F.3d 643, 646-48 (7th Cir.2003); United States v. Cruz-Velasco, 224 F.3d 654, 659-61 (7th Cir.2000) (collecting cases); United States v. Lipscomb, 14 F.3d 1236, 1239-40 (7th Cir.1994) (collecting cases). Given that Glover was being tried for selling drugs on the street, testimony regarding the practices of street level drug dealers was unquestionably relevant. See, e.g., United States v. Sanchez-Galvez, 33 F.3d 829, 832 (7th Cir.1994) ([B]ecause the clandestine nature of narcotics trafficking is likely to be outside the knowledge of the average layman, law enforcement officers may testify as experts in order to assist the jury in understanding these transactions.). 15 Glover's next claim—that Coleman improperly opined on Glover's mental state—is governed by our decision in Lipscomb: 16 [W]hen a law enforcement official states an opinion about the criminal nature of a defendant's activities, such testimony should not be excluded under Rule 704(b) as long as it is made clear, either by the court expressly or in the nature of the examination, that the opinion is based on the expert's knowledge of common criminal practices, and not on some special knowledge of defendant's mental processes. Relevant in this regard, though not determinative, is the degree to which the expert refers specifically to the `intent' of the defendant. 17 14 F.3d at 1242-43. In this case, Coleman made no reference to Glover's intent, and the structure of his examination made clear that he was speaking generally about the practices of street level drug dealers, not specifically about Glover. Indeed, the district court instructed the jury to that effect. Thus, the district court's decision to admit Coleman's testimony was within its discretion. 18 Glover also contends that even if Coleman's testimony was otherwise admissible, its probative value was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. This Court has previously upheld the admission of similar testimony against such an objection. See, e.g., United States v. Brown, 7 F.3d 648, 654-55 (7th Cir. 1993); United States v. Foster, 939 F.2d 445, 452 (7th Cir.1991). Nevertheless, as Foster instructed, we will freshly assesses the balance between probative value and unfair prejudice in this case. Id. 19 A court should exclude evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Fed. R.Evid. 403. Evidence is unfairly prejudicial if it has an undue tendency to suggest decision on an improper basis, commonly though not necessarily, an emotional one. Advisory Committee's Notes on Fed. R.Evid. 403. With regard to expert testimony, relevant factors include (1) whether the expert witness was also an eyewitness or involved in the defendant's arrest; (2) whether cautionary instructions were given; and (3) whether the defense had a full opportunity to cross-examine the expert. United States v. Doe, 149 F.3d 634, 637-38 (7th Cir.1998). 20 In light of these factors, the district court did not abuse its discretion by admitting Coleman's testimony. First, Coleman was not an eyewitness nor was he involved in Glover's arrest. Second, the district court instructed the jury that Coleman had no special knowledge of Glover's mental processes or intent. Third, Glover had an opportunity to cross-examine Coleman. In short, none of Glover's objections to Coleman's testimony warrant reversal. 21