Document: 370 U.S. 230 82 S.Ct. 1288 8 L.Ed.2d 434 In the Matter of Criminal Contempt Thomas C. McCONNELL, Petitioner. No. 498. Argued April 10, 1962. Decided June 18, McConnell, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. Philip R. Monahan, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered opinion Court. 1 The petitioner a lawyer, was summarily found guilty contempt court statements made while representing Parmelee Transportation Company in an antitrust suit treble damages and injunction. complaint charged that number defendants had unlawfully conspired to destroy Parmelee's business by restraining monopolizing trade violation Sherman Act.1 Petitioner his co-counsel, Lee A. Freeman, done extensive pretrial preparation on issue conspiracy which heart their case. At very outset trial, however, district judge own motion refused permit counsel try prove charge, holding they must first wholly separate trial defendants' actions resulted economic injury public—an erroneous since we have held right recovery plaintiff damage case does not depend at all proving public.2 2 Cut off judge's ruling from basic wishing provide record would allow this be reviewed Court Appeals, asked stipulate introduced certain evidence it been allowed do so. Defense stipulate, insisting prepare following procedure set out Rule 43(c) Federal Rules Civil Procedure, 28 U.S.C.A., requires before offer proof is questions upon based presence jury.3 Unwilling risk dismissal appeal failure follow 43(c), proceeded produce question witnesses jury order lay proper foundation offers conspiracy. But during process questioning ordered stopped directed any further without having jury. This placed quite dilemma because defense still strict compliance with there no way knowing certainty whether Appeals treat court's dispense as excuse comply Rule. therefore only sought make clear he thought counsel's objection 'right'4 but also repeatedly insisted Rule.5 Following co-counsel Freeman specifications being contemptuous conduct course trial. After hearings both lawyers were specifications. Both appealed reversed Freeman's convictions,6 two McConnell's convictions, but, Judge Duffy dissenting, sustained conviction Specification 6—the specification petitioner's insistence 43(c).7 Even conviction, jail sentence imposed should reduced fine $100. As Offutt v. United States,8 'importance assuring alert self-restraint exercise judges summary power punishing contempt' prompted us bring here.9 3 statute under convicted 18 U.S.C. § 401, U.S.C.A. provides that: 4 'A States shall punish or imprisonment, its discretion, such authority, none other, as— 5 '(1) Misbehavior person so near thereto obstruct administration justice * *.' 6 section Act passed 183110 correct serious abuses grown up intended 'drastic delimitation broad undefined inferior federal courts 1789,'11 revealing 'a Congressional intent safeguard constitutional procedures limiting courts, Congress limited cases, 'the least possible adequate end proposed."12 'The broader than this,' said, 'would too great inroads procedural safeguards Bill Rights, contempts are nature, leave determination guilt rather jury.'13 And long ago, Ex parte Hudgings,14 undoubtedly shows purpose give powers protect against immediate interruption business, means drastic may invoked replace protections ordinary actual obstruction justice: 7 'An performance judicial duty resulting act is, then, characteristic rest. true, follows element clearly shown every where exerted Thus comes down can 'clearly shown' attempting actually obstructed duty.' 9 answered sustaining basis last colloquy specification. That reads: 10 'On 27, 1960, hearing jury, after instructed attorneys refrain asking subjects ruled (were) admissible, distinguished outside occurred: 11 "By McConnell: Now you trying tell can't ask these questions. We questions, until going them, our prerogative doing it. 12 Court: I am now stopping about conversations Cross, specifically, definitely completely 13 them. 14 You 15 issue, Your Honor sustain don't read answers, propose unless some bailiff stops us." (Emphasis added.) 16 short recess, recess did continue forbidden fact more again throughout remainder agree who dissented below nothing sufficiently disruptive justice. It true stated want 'we us.' remains, never interrupt arresting petitioner, simple reason statement along line forbidden. cannot mere lawyer intention press legal contention has stop him amount punished granted courts. arguments presenting client's strenuously persistently create blocks duty. created obstacle here. 17 While appreciate necessity himself courtroom, even justice, essential fair able honest good-faith efforts present clients' cases. An independent judiciary vigorous, bar indispensable parts system To preserve kind trials envisages, vested prevent think extend Reversed. 19 FRANKFURTER WHITE took part consideration decision 20 HARLAN, whom STEWART joins, dissenting. 21 With respect count involves District Court's aid maintaining discipline decorum courtroom. most, think, could appropriately said unlawyer-like merit sentence. removed criticism score reducing $100 fine. other respects displays regard undoubted always exercised circumspectly dispassionately, particularly when called into play attorney sharply contested litigation. 22 hardly believe intends mean physical pending proceedings punishable 401. For available sanction use abusive insulting language See, e.g., States, 348 11, 75 99 L.Ed. 11; Fisher Pace, 336 155, 159—160, 69 425, 427, 93 569; Terry, 128 289, 307—309, 77, 80—81, 32 405. scarcely supposed Congress' enactment 401 abrogate power, forerunner construed re Michael, 326 224, 228, 66 78, 80, 90 30. Cf. Hudgings, 249 378, 383, 39 337, 339, 63 656. 23 routine intracircuit affair presents calling supervisory much better left denial certiorari. 24 affirm. action brought Clayton Act, §§ 16, 38 Stat. 731, 737, 15, 26, 26 violations 209, amended, 1, 2, 2. Radiant Burners, Inc. Peoples Gas Light & Coke Co., 364 656, 660, 81 365, 367, 358; Klor's, Broadway-Hale Stores, Inc., 359 207, 79 705, 741. See Radovich National Football League, 352 445, 77 390, 456. part: 'In tried if propounded witness court, examining specific what expects answer witness. require add character evidence, form offered, made, thereon. *' Since disposition turn thinking absolutely express question. change ultimately gave judgment grounds proved public facts alleged offered constitute laws. 186 F.Supp. 533. Seventh Circuit affirmed latter ground. 292 F.2d 794. Cir., 806. 294 310. 13, 11. 368 936, 380, 337. 487. wording 1948 revision codification Title 18. 62 701. Nye 313 33, 45, 61 810, 814, 85 1172. 227, 79, Ibid.

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