Source: https://www.legalcrystal.com/case/98734/united-states-vs-halseth
Timestamp: 2017-12-18 09:12:13
Document Index: 239806738

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 213', '§ 336', '§ 213', '§ 336', '§ 213', '§ 336', '§ 3731']

United States Vs Halseth - Citation 98734 - Court Judgment | LegalCrystal
United States Vs. Halseth - Court Judgment
LegalCrystal Citation legalcrystal.com/98734
Case Number 342 U.S. 277
Respondent Halseth
united states v. halseth - 342 u.s. 277 (1952) u.s. supreme court united states v. halseth, 342 u.s. 277 (1952) united states v. halseth no. 91 argued november 28, 1951 decided january 7, 1952 342 u.s. 277 appeal from the united states district court for the eastern district of wisconsin syllabus in § 213 of the criminal code of 1909, 18 u.s.c. (1946 ed.) § 336, which forbids the mailing of any letter, package, postal card, or circular "concerning any lottery" or similar scheme, the words "concerning any lottery" mean an existing, going lottery or gambling scheme, and the section is not applicable to the mailing of a punchboard with a letter suggesting how it might be used and an order blank for ordering.....
United States v. Halseth - 342 U.S. 277 (1952)
U.S. Supreme Court United States v. Halseth, 342 U.S. 277 (1952)
In § 213 of the Criminal Code of 1909, 18 U.S.C. (1946 ed.) § 336, which forbids the mailing of any letter, package, postal card, or circular "concerning any lottery" or similar scheme, the words "concerning any lottery" mean an existing, going lottery or gambling scheme, and the section is not applicable to the mailing of a punchboard with a letter suggesting how it might be used and an order blank for ordering merchandise to be used for prizes, when neither the sender nor the addressee was engaged in the operation of a lottery or similar scheme. Pp. 342 U. S. 277 -281.
The District Court dismissed an indictment of respondent for violation of § 213 of the Criminal Code of 1909, 18 U.S.C. (1946 ed.) § 336. On direct appeal to this Court under 18 U.S.C. § 3731, affirmed, p. 342 U. S. 281 .
For the purpose of the motion to dismiss, the parties stipulated as to particularity that a letter, a circular, an order blank, and a punchboard were sent to the addressee by mail. The letter subtly indicated how the addressee might obtain a radio free by selling the chances on the punchboard and how certain lucky numbers would reward the purchaser with prizes of a radio and three Rolpoint ball pens. [ Footnote 1 ] The punchboard contained an illustration of merchandise to be won. No merchandise was sent with the mailing. If the addressee desired to put the scheme into operation, the merchandise could be obtained by sending the full amount in cash, or by a downpayment of
The statute on which the indictment is based was passed in 1909, and, since that time, no reported case has been found construing it. However, in cases construing analogous lottery statutes, old in our law, the courts have held that they apply only to existing lotteries or schemes. [ Footnote 2 ]
In France v. United States, 164 U. S. 676 , a lottery had been conducted in Kentucky. After the drawing was over, persons who were interested in the outcome and who had taken money to the operators of the lottery for chances purchased were returning across the state line to Ohio; they had in their possession the official print of the lucky number that had been drawn, slips that corresponded with the lucky number, known as "hit slips," and money which was to be given to winners. They were arrested and charged with a conspiracy to violate a statute which prohibited the carrying across state lines of
164 U.S. at 164 U. S. 682 -683.
similar scheme. The lottery or scheme would come into existence only if the addressee put the paraphernalia into operation. The mere mailing of information concerning such schemes and how they may be set up or the mailing of paraphernalia for such schemes does not violate the statute in question. In fact, the Post Office Department itself did not regard the statute as covering the activity complained of here. Beginning in 1915, the Department has sought to amend the statute, without success. [ Footnote 3 ]
Congress has had before it many times the question of what gambling devices and paraphernalia it would exclude from the mails and interstate commerce, [ Footnote 4 ] and only recently has it passed an act concerning the subject. Act of January 2, 1951, P.L. No. 906, 64 Stat. 1134. If punchboards are to be added to the category of devices to be excluded, it is for Congress to make the addition.
France v. United States, 164 U. S. 676 ; Francis v. United States, 188 U. S. 375 ; United States v. Irvine, 156 F. 376.