No. 19-428

Ryan Courtade v. United States

Lower Court: Fourth Circuit
Docketed: 2019-10-01
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Experienced Counsel
Tags: 18-usc-2252 18-usc-2256 appellate-review child-pornography child-pornography-statute circuit-split due-process lascivious-exhibition standard-of-review statutory-interpretation subjective-intent
Key Terms:
FirstAmendment HabeasCorpus Privacy JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2020-01-10
Question Presented (AI Summary)

When reviewing a district court's conclusion that an image depicts a 'lascivious exhibition' under 18 U.S.C. 2256(2)(A), must the appellate court review that conclusion de novo or for clear error?

Question Presented (from Petition)

QUESTIONS PRESENTED This case implicates two longstanding circuit splits involving the interpretation and application of the federal child pornography statute’s definition of “a minor engaging sexually explicit conduct,” 18 U.S.C. 2252(a)(4)(B)— and, in particular, its use of the phrase “lascivious exhibition of the *** genitals[] or pubic area.” 18 U.S.C. 2256(2)(A). The Fourth Circuit upheld the district court’s determination that the video possessed by Petitioner showed a “lascivious exhibition” of a minor’s pubic area while she showered, and thus that the video depicted “a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.” The court of appeals reviewed the district court’s conclusion for clear error and did not independently review the video at issue. And the court of appeals upheld the district court’s conclusion even though the video depicted no sexual acts, sexual posing, or sexual statements by either Petitioner or the minor; in so doing, the court of appeals relied primarily on Petitioner’s motive for and means of recording Doe. The questions presented are: 1. When reviewing a district court’s conclusion that an image depicts a “lascivious exhibition” under 18 U.S.C. 2256(2)(A), must the appellate court review that conclusion de novo or for clear error? 2. When determining whether an image depicts “a lascivious exhibition” under 18 U.S.C. 2256(2)(A), may a court consider the subjective intent or motive of either the defendant or the person who created the video, or must the court focus on the objective content of the exhibition itself? (I)

Docket Entries

2020-01-13
Petition DENIED.
2019-12-18
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/10/2020.
2019-12-16
Reply of petitioner Ryan Courtade filed.
2019-12-02
Brief of respondent United States in opposition filed.
2019-10-25
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including December 2, 2019.
2019-10-24
Motion to extend the time to file a response from October 31, 2019 to December 2, 2019, submitted to The Clerk.
2019-10-01
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due October 31, 2019)

Attorneys

Ryan Courtade
Gregory M. LipperClinton & Peed, Petitioner
Gregory M. LipperClinton & Peed, Petitioner
United States
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent