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No. 20-1410October Term 2020Decided Jun 27, 2022Updated May 24, 2026

Docket 20-1410October Term 2020 (2020–2021)

Ruan v. United States

Xiulu Ruan v. United States

This case asked what prosecutors must prove to convict a doctor under the federal drug law for prescribing controlled substances outside the bounds of legitimate medical practice.

Case status

Decided 9-0 · June 27, 2022 · Opinion by Justice Breyer

Read the opinion (PDF)
Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jun 27, 2022
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedJun 27, 2022
What it's about

This case asked what prosecutors must prove to convict a doctor under the federal drug law for prescribing controlled substances outside the bounds of legitimate medical practice. The Supreme Court held that the government must show the doctor knowingly or intentionally acted without authorization, not just that the prescriptions were objectively improper.

Question presented

Whether a physician alleged to have prescribed controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice may be convicted under Section 841(a)(1) without regard to whether, in good faith, he "reasonably believed" or "subjectively intended" that his prescriptions fall within that course of professional practice.

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit / Decision released Jun 27, 2022

Area

Decided Supreme Court case

Timing

Decided June 27, 2022

The Court released its decision on June 27, 2022 without hearing oral argument.

Activity

Docket activity3
  • Brief added: Questions Presented

    May 24, 2026 | Court records

  • Opinion added: opinion

    Jun 27, 2022 | Court records

  • Brief added: Petition

    Apr 5, 2021 | Court records