No. 19-796

Michael Cowels, et al. v. Federal Bureau of Investigation, et al.

Lower Court: First Circuit
Docketed: 2019-12-20
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: administrative-procedure-act agency-review arbitrary-and-capricious civil-rights dna-profile due-process fbi-determination federal-bureau-of-investigation national-dna-index-system pretext pretextual-basis pretextual-determination
Key Terms:
AdministrativeLaw JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2020-02-21
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the FBI's determination that a DNA profile is ineligible for upload to NDIS is arbitrary and capricious

Question Presented (from Petition)

QUESTIONS PRESENTED The questions presented are as follows: 1. Whether a determination by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (the “FBI”) that a DNA profile is ineligible for upload to the National DNA Index System (NDIS”) — the nationwide database of DNA profiles — is arbitrary and capricious and must be set aside pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act where the determination fails to consider the source of the DNA profile. 2. Whether a determination by the FBI that a DNA profile is ineligible for upload to NDIS must be remanded as pretextual where the determination is not based on the FBI’s independent review of relevant information but rather is based on limited information provided by an entity seeking a determination of ineligible. i

Docket Entries

2020-02-24
Petition DENIED.
2020-01-29
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/21/2020.
2020-01-21
Waiver of right of respondents Federal Bureau of Investigation, et al. to respond filed.
2019-12-20
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due January 21, 2020)
2019-11-08
Application (19A511) granted by Justice Breyer extending the time to file until December 20, 2019.
2019-11-06
Application (19A511) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from November 24, 2019 to December 20, 2019, submitted to Justice Breyer.

Attorneys

Federal Bureau of Investigation, et al.
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent
Michael Cowels and Michael Mims
David ApfelGoodwin Procter LLP, Petitioner
David ApfelGoodwin Procter LLP, Petitioner