Document: 366 U.S. 259 81 S.Ct. 1076 6 L.Ed.2d 277 Laverne SLAGLE et al., Appellants,v.STATE OF OHIO. No. 105. Argued Feb. 27 and 28, 1961. Decided May 15, Mrs. Thelma C. Furry, Akron, Ohio, for appellants. Mr. Norman J. Putman, Canton, appellee. Justice WHITTAKER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Pursuing its statutory powers duties to investigate subversive activities in Ohio,1 Ohio Un-American Activities Commission scheduled a hearing commence at Stark County Courthouse on morning October 21, 1953, subpoenaed these five appellants appear testify before it that time place. Each appeared with counsel, was sworn examined. Though having both constructive actual knowledge Ohio's immunity statute,2 each objected most questions propounded3 ground an answer would compel him be witness against himself, violation Constitution Fifth Amendment United States Constitution.4 Appellants were not, instances, directed answer, but few instances some them (Perry, Cooper Mladajan) question, yet flatly refused do so.5 2 Acting pursuant Rev.Code § 103.35,6 members who sat authorized chairman cause contempt proceedings initiated under §§ 2705.02 2705.09,7 December 24, appellant separately indicted court common pleas 10 counts—each count charging willful failure, 2705.02, question propounded by Commission. Upon joint trial court, convicted sentenced counts.8 On consolidated appeals, Court Appeals affirmed,9 Supreme finding no debatable constitutional presented, dismissed appellants' appeals 170 St. 216, 163 N.E.2d 177, and, this Court, we postponed further consideration our jurisdiction merits. 364 811, 44, 5 40. 3 simply assert have over 28 U.S.C. 1257(2), U.S.C.A. 1257(2). Despite plain import postponing order, see Rule 16, par. 4, U.S.C.A., they entirely failed show any 'timely insistence (was made) state courts statute, as applied, is repugnant federal Constitution, treaties or laws.' Charleston Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n v. Alderson, 324 182, 185, 65 624, 627, 89 L.Ed. 857. Accordingly, are dismissed. See Raley State 360 423, 435, 79 1257, 1264, 1344. But since various claims made below renewed here, 1257(3), consider appeal papers petitions certiorari view public importance least one grant certiorari, 2103, 2103. 4 Appellants' principal contention here judgments, guilty refusal Commission's although did not overrule their timely objections nor direct answered, sustain, acquiesce in, those objections, deprive due process Fourteenth Amendment. In peculiar factual situation limited which concluded right contention. Surely traditional notions fair play contemplate person summoned adjudicatory investigatory body, including legislative committee, may object put upon available ground, however tenuous. And Commission, several times many ways, clearly gave understand such hearing. Exercising right, if actually accepting invitation, appellants, except preliminary questions, them, principally (but note 4). With important exceptions noted, instead overruling objection way directing every indication sustained, acquiesced immediately passing next question. That scores repeated. But, lending emphasis normal acquiescence times, adopted another very different procedure. When counsel advised he considered particular competent asked it, chairman, instance, instance care taken, either record quorum then present sitting. manner, more fully shown 5, Slagle thereupon promptly answered other question; Bohus Perry thus two subjects Counts her indictment (she acquitted Count 2), eight counts based; four 1, 2, indictment, six Mladajan subject nine based. 7 No form words necessary sustain excuse require All tribunal make disposition whether expected required. If, frequently happens, after has been made, officer, addressing examiner, merely says, 'Pass your question,' indeed had, temporarily, sustained requiring given. almost precisely what happened here. Though, being formally pass his member fact Those must therefore regarded To hold witnesses, circumstances, willfully contumaciously deeply offend process. 8 'a clear witness' prerequisite prosecution supported long-standing tradition English-speaking nations. country uniformly recognized procedure courts.' Quinn States, 349 155, 167—168, 75 668, 675 676, 99 964, cases cited. also Emspak 190, 202, 687, 694, 997; Bart 219, 223, 712, 714, 1016. 'Because (Commission's) consistent failure advise (appellants) (its) position (their) (appellants were) left speculate about risk possible contempt; (they given choice between standing objection(s) compliance committee ruling.' supra, page 714. 9 witnesses As remaining contentions, including, (1) because statute (see 2) does afford from prosecution, could lawfully compelled (2) pertinent inquiry, (3) investigation without purpose, equally divided. 11 It follows judgments reversed; judgment reversed 3, 7, 9, affirmed, divided 1; 6; 10, 6. 12 granted. 13 writs Slage Bohus; part Perry, Mladajan. 14 FRANKFURTER took decision cases. Rev.Code, 103.34 provides: 'Powers duties. 'The un-American commission shall: '(A) Investigate, study, analyze: '(1) facts relating persons, groups, organizations whose membership includes persons objective suspected overthrow reform governments fraud, force, violence, unlawful means; '(2) concerning organizations, known dominated giving allegiance foreign power might adversely affect contribution national defense, safety security state, functioning agency government, industrial potential state; '(3) The operation effect laws states, purport outlaw control enumerated section recommend additional legislation revision existing seem advisable necessary; '(B) Maintain liaison federal, local devising promoting means disclosing groups seek alter destroy government intimidation, sabotage, threats same. rights, duties, enable exercise specifically set forth accomplish lawful objectives purposes.' 101.44 'Except who, writing, requests permission subcommittee general assembly, house thereof, waives privileges, immunities granted section, testimony examined shall used evidence criminal proceeding witness, prosecuted subjected penalty forfeiture account transaction, matter, thing, testifies, produces evidence. This exempt penalties perjury.' Except declined propounded—Slagle, 97 129 questions; Bohus, 110 118 Cooper, 76 103 Mladajan, 88 123 questions. addition grounds, based Amendment, invoked First Amendments, First, Fourth, Ninth Fourth Constitution. Appellant Slagle, too, it. He 'What husband's name?' her. She parents' names?' indictment. However, immaterial. following questions: 'Where you reside prior September, 1948?' (Count 1.) name born; baptism?' 2.) 'Did ever live City Louis, Missouri?' 5.) name, Cooper?' 6.) she nevertheless refusals 6, respectively, Although refused, when directed, refusal. 8, 'Mrs. meetings Croatian Hall capacity employee?' 103.35 provides, relevant part, '(i)n case * matters regarding interrogated majority sitting alleged offense committed, filed county sections 2705.03 2705.09, inclusive, Revised Code. *' part: 'A acts punished contempt: '(C) A required.' 2705.05 'Upon day fixed charge, hear accused makes offers. determine charge. If found guilty, fined than hundred dollars imprisoned ten days, both.' inclusive; 9; 10. imprisonment days count—the sentences all counts, run concurrently—and $500 count, fines, first one, remitted instance. reported.

Category: 2