Document: 340 U.S. 159 71 S.Ct. 223 95 L.Ed. 170 BLAUv.UNITED STATES. No. 22. Argued Nov. 7, 1950. Decided Dec. 11, Mr. Samuel D. Menin, Denver, Colo., for petitioner. Philip B. Perlman, Solicitor Gen., Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In response to a subpoena, petitioner appeared as witness before United States District Court Grand Jury at Colorado. There she was asked several questions concerning Communist Party Colorado and her employment by it.1 Petitioner refused answer these on ground that answers might tend incriminate her. She then taken district judge where were again propounded claimed constitutional privilege against self-incrimination testify. The found guilty contempt court sentenced imprisonment one year. Appeals Tenth Circuit affirmed. 180 F.2d 103. We granted certiorari because decision deny rights guaranteed Fifth Amendment.2 holding below also in conflict with recent decisions Ninth Circuits. Estes v. Potter, 183 865; Alexander States, 181 480. 2 At time called grand jury, Smith Act statute books making it crime among other things advocate knowingly desirability overthrow Government force or violence; organize help any society group which teaches, advocates encourages such Government; be become member knowledge its purposes.3 These provisions made future prosecution far more than 'a mere imaginary possibility * *.' Mason 244 362, 366, 37 621, 622, 61 1198; reasonably could fear criminal charges brought if admitted intimate workings. Whether admissions themselves would support conviction under is immaterial. Answers jury have furnished link chain evidence needed violation (or conspiracy violate) Act. Prior this clearly established circumstances, Constitution gives remaining silent. attempt courts compel testify runs counter Amendment has been interpreted from beginning. Burr's Trial, (U.S. Burr) 25 Fed.Cas., p. 38, 14,692e, decided Chief Marshall Virginia; Counselman Hitchcock, 142 547, 12 195, 35 1110; Ballmann Fagin, 200 186, 26 212, 50 433; Arndstein McCarthy, 254 71, 41 26, 65 138; Boyd 116 616, 6 524, 29 746; cf. White, 322 694, 698, 699, 64 1248, 1251, 88 1542. 3 Reversed. 4 CLARK took no part consideration case. jury's follows: 'Mrs. Blau, do you know names State officers Colorado?' Do what organization is, table 'Were ever employed Colorado? did your possession custody records 'Did turn over particular person?' 'Do persons who now 'Could describe provides: 'No person shall compelled case himself U.S.Const., Amend V. 62 Stat. 808, 18 U.S.C. § 2385, U.S.C.A. 2385.

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