The Harmless Error Standard on a Silver Platter

January 23, 2019

In United States v. Stewart, in a 2-1 decision, the Second Circuit vacated defendant Sean Stewart’s insider-trading conviction, holding that the district court erroneously excluded a key piece of impeachment evidence and that this error could not be excused as harmless. Although the opinion focused on the admissibility of evidence that impeaches hearsay statements, the majority’s defense-friendly application of the harmless error standard could have a greater impact in future criminal appeals. [...]

Attorneys

Brian A. Jacobs