Calling ahead for drug buys doesn’t support felony charge, court rules

The U.S. Supreme Court holds a cocaine user did not commit felony facilitation of a Virginia drug dealer’s business merely by using his cellphone to arrange small purchases for personal use.

The case, decided yesterday, arises out of an investigation of a drug dealer in the Northern Virginia suburbs.  The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year affirmed felony convictions for the hapless drug buyer, but – as reported by Lawyers USA – the high court said the use-of-telephone law was not intended to rake in such minor participants in the drug operation.

By Peter Vieth