Document: 367 U.S. 556 81 S.Ct. 1720 6 L.Ed.2d 1028 Armando PIEMONTE, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 122. Argued March 21, 1961. Decided June 19, Mr. Melvin B. Lewis, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. Theodore George Gilinsky, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner, Piemonte, while serving a six-year sentence sale and possession heroin, was brought by writ habeas corpus ad testificandum before federal grand jury inquiring into narcotics offenses. Having consulted his counsel prior to appearance, he refused answer all questions concerning crime as well other transactions in narcotics, under claim privilege against self-incrimination. Three days later, United States Attorney petitioned an order directing Piemonte put him. The petition stated that conducting investigation illegal activities, Piemonte's testimony required public interest, having been questioned on matters relating claimed self-incrimination, wherefore request made be testify pursuant 18 U.S.C. § 1406, U.S.C.A. 1406. That provision Narcotic Control Act 1956 gives immunity from future prosecution any witness who is compelled court or violations laws.1 2 section's breadth constitutionality were considered earlier this Term Reina v. States, 364 507, 260, 5 249. 3 district judge, granted 'prosecution which might arise answers you give Grand Jury matter their investigation,' ordered him 'relative aforementioned inquiry said * *.' opportunity consult lawyer duty appear delayed day. next morning renewed refusal propounded about activities again invoked Fifth Amendment privilege. 4 afternoon taken back District Court show cause why should not cited contempt deliberately disobeying previous testify. He represented at proceeding. examined transcript jury's proceedings, judge asked petitioner if persisted refusing questions, replied affirmative. gave four prepare plenary hearing charge contumacy, but denied motion trial. At subsequent hearing, Government stood its case based transcripts court's obey order. took stand own behalf, following explanation testify: 'Well. I am doing time penitentiary. fear my life. life wife, two stepchildren, family. can't do something like that. want live, too.' 7 After counsel's elaboration argument, would Upon refusal, declared guilty willful failure lawful argument sentence, once offered questions. definitive, fixed eighteen months, commence termination imprisonment serving. 8 judgment affirmed Appeals Seventh Circuit, 276 F.2d 148, we certiorari 811, 46, 44. 9 This record surely evinces utmost solicitude trial defendant's interests. His only reversal here upon alleged defects proceedings resulted conviction criminal contempt.2 10 Petitioner's first subjected so many differing interpretations whether had refrain testifying certain commanding lacked sufficient clarity. sheer afterthought. Neither nor ever confusion basis Nor facts reveal could have misled out-of-context statements pieces together purposes review. 11 jury, government attorney petitioner: 12 'Didn't your advise you, those pleaded indictment no Constitutional self-incrimination?' 13 However, Government, avoid argumentative opportunities scope area it sought immunity, did attempt secure particular involved former conviction. It requested broad cover entire what jury. told seeking compelling testimony: 14 '(S)o misconception idea matter, we, too, think constitutional matter.' 15 Petitioner plainly must known—and every indication knew—that return equivalent, compensating immunity. We find merit contradicted petitioner's assertion, supported solely because fear. 16 Secondly, argues oral grant null void, 'this now grants *' 'I such *,' when reality statute, court, puerility contention emphasized disregard judge's introductory pronouncement 'in accordance with provisions Act.' 17 remaining contentions are even less substantiality, accordingly below affirmed. Affirmed. 19 Chief WARREN, whom DOUGLAS concurs, dissenting. 20 represents another long step constantly expanding use judges summary power mete out severe prison sentences without according defendants benefit rights guaranteed Sixth Amendments.1 In ordinary nature, content myself saying reversed ground has impose punishment See Green 356 165, 193, 78 632, 648, 672 (dissenting opinion); 515, 265, 249 opinion). disquieting add few adi tional comments. 21 1958, convicted selling possessing violation laws sentenced Federal six years' imprisonment. 1959, Leavenworth Penitentiary, subpoenaed possible indicate where obtained possessed sold. Invoking question.2 then knew several named individuals individuals. Still relying privilege, each On authorized granting instructed being recalled identify constituted 1958 conviction.3 response held asserted, additional reason answering, lives wife children, life, endangered trial, summarily found months' imprisonment, served after completion imposed 1958. 22 opinion, unjustifiable harassment. admittedly conduct presently paying debt society conduct. satisfied punishment, extract petitioner, threat conviction, original knows endanger loved ones. view, Government's compel already punished, Court's imposition term penitentiary type harassment violates spirit Double Jeopardy Clause Amendment. Cf. Abbate 359 187, 196, 79 666, 671, 729 (separate Brennan); Ciucci State Illinois, 571, 573, 839, 840, 983 can fairly treatment received falls far short fundamental fairness Constitution guarantees basest prisoner entitled.4 Therefore, unwilling recognize prohibits proceeding, ought exercise supervisory over lower courts rectify abuse makes manifest. Offutt 348 11, 75 99 L.Ed. 11. 23 DOUGLAS, BLACK 24 summoned interrogated narcotics. I. 25 One series opened following: 'Mr. business 1954?' Following tender some them year. Among 'Have supplied Jeremiah Pullings heroin?' 26 These these refusals August 14, 1959. 18, date February 29, 1960, appeal, returned September 2, charged others conspiracy buy sell commencing 1954. overt acts conversation 1955 between one co-conspirators indictment. 1954 transactions, stands indicted, ones committed contempt. 27 Once returned, became part directed Counselman Hitchcock, 142 547, 562, 195, 197, 35 1110; Monia, 317 424, 427, 63 409, 410, 87 376. When citizen formally accused indictment, right mute refuse take transcends No pressure government, threats used deprive right. Wilson 149 60, 765, 37 650; Stewart 366 1, 941, 84. And unthinkable hold defendant thing here. But posture decided Appeals. For become form effect 28 There our free person talk indicted penalize so. say 29 advised dismissed lack evidence. seems irrelevant. truth indict fact proceeding permissible procedures society, whatever may ultimate fate II. 30 beyond view Black dissenting 672, agreed still agree. nothing permits defy decree tried way mandate Congress1 Executive2 way. Whatever be, entitled protections afforded Constitution—indictment petit sits determine guilt. Determination guilt safeguards interposed marks continuing erosion civil rights. evil compounded increase offense respects second returned. Criminal undermine one's peers also destroy protection double jeopardy. 31 Plainly stand. 'Whenever witness, production books, papers, evidence involving of— '(1) II subchapter A chapter 39 Internal Revenue Code penalty provided subsection (a) (b) section 7237 Code, '(2) (c), (h), (i) Drugs Import Export Act, amended (21 U.S.C., sec. 174), '(3) July 1941, 184a), necessary he, approval General, shall make application produce subject h section, excused producing tend incriminate forfeiture. prosecuted forfeiture account transaction, evidence, (except described sentence) court. exempt perjury giving compulsion section.' himself family urged valid excuse testifying. legal excuse. Every course owes aid enforcement law. Brown Walker, 161 591, 600, 644, 40 819. Lord Chancellor Hardwicke's pithy phrase cano t too often recalled: '(T)he man's evidence.' Hansard's Debates 693; Wigmore, Evidence (3d ed.), p. 64, 2192. If persons offense—one innocent bystander accomplice thereafter imprisoned participation—the latter more keep silent than former. obligation protect citizens harm. reprisal offers immunized dispensation does record. Only last years fashion device imposing terms See, e.g., (two imprisonment); 41, 539, 609 (fifteen (three Collins Cir., 269 745 Tedesco 255 Corona 250 578 imprisonment). Prior recent trend, seldom nominal fine supra, pages 58—59, 550—551 'Q. You incarcerated penitentiary, not, Piemonte? A. That's Which one? Penitentiary. years? Six years. heroin? Yes, sir. there sales, ounce 95 grains heroin sold $3100.00, sale—the November 23, 1957, 27, eight ounces 354 $3,000.00 Agent Davis; charges indictment? Right. Now, information narcotic business-Strike question. 'These sales $3,000.00, will tell Jury, please, got Sir, taking 5th decline Constitution, Amendment.' Now going go repeat you. 'Now convictd Chicago 1957 $3100 27th day $3,000 for. Leavenworth, right? question: me.' mean imply may, alone, believe cannot activity incarcerated. Watkins 178, 77 1173, 1273. Hirabayashi 320 81, 1375, 1774; Korematsu 323 214, 65 89 194.

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