Business Law 1- Case Presentation

Business Law 1- Case Presentation Worksheet

Group 5

Chapter 5 & 6

Case 9 & 5

Chapter 5, Case 9

Facts: On many occasions Cowen has operated as a paid drug informant for the FBI, and the Ventura Police Department. The Ventura police asked Cowen to keep in touch with them, should he become involved in any deals. Subsequently, Cowen asked Busby to introduce him to any drug dealers he knew. Busby introduced Cowen to Mandell, who sold Cowen several samples of cocaine in anticipation of a $41,500 deal. Cowen then contacted the Ventura police. A ppolice officer posed as Cowen’s buyer, and both Busby and Mandell were arrested and eventually turned over to the federal authorities. Busby was convicted of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute it. He appealed this conviction, claiming that he had been entrapped by Cowen.

Issue/Problem: Will Busby’s entrapment defense succeed on appeal?

Summary of the Law: Entrapment is when a law enforcement officer induces a law-abiding citizen to commit a crime.

Decision/Reason: No, Busby’s entrapment defense will not succeed on appeal. Busby’s entrapment defense will not succeed because Cowen was not appointed to Busby for the sole purpose of enticing him. At the time he was talking to Busby, he was not operating as a paid informant for the FBI, or the Ventura Police Department. The Ventura police had only asked Cowen to keep in touch should he become involved in any deals. So his sole purpose was not to entrap Busby.

Chapter 6, Case 5

Facts: Five Commerce City Police officers were summoned to break up a disturbance at a local party of teenagers. At the party, Ralph Crowe, who had consumed eight cups of beer and three cups of alcoholic punch, became rowdy and had to be detained by the officers. The police released Ralph after receiving the assurances of his brother Eddie that he would drive Ralph home. After leaving the party, Eddie Crowe allowed Ralph drove to the site of another part, where he lost...