United States v. Hopkins
Opinion
Carl Eric Hopkins appeals from the revocation of his supervised release and the imposition of a three-year prison term. Hopkins contends that insufficient evidence supported the revocation of his supervised release, because the evidence presented consisted of unreliable hearsay. Finding sufficient evidence to support the revocation, we affirm.
A revocation hearing is not a part of a criminal prosecution and the full panoply of rights due a defendant under the Federal Rules of Evidence does not apply. See Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S. 471, 489, 92 S.Ct. 2593, 33 L.Ed.2d 484 (1972). Thus, hearsay testimony is admissible so long as it is reliable. See Fed.R.Evid. 1101(d)(3); United States v. McCollum, 677 F.2d 1024, 1026 (4th Cir. 1982) (permitting “demonstrably reliable” hearsay). Our review of the record reveals that the hearsay was sufficiently reliable to support the district court’s decision to revoke supervised release.
Accordingly, we affirm the revocation of Hopkins’ supervised release. We dispense with oral argument, because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
AFFIRMED.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Carl Eric HOPKINS, A/K/A Fat Daddy, Defendant-Appellant
- Status
- Unpublished