Document: 350 U.S. 399 76 S.Ct. 456 100 L.Ed. 474 Harold I. CAMMER, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 110. Argued Jan. 24, 1956. Decided March 12, Mr. Charles E. Ford, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Gray Thoron, respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 18 U.S.C. § 401(2), U.S.C.A. 401(2) empowers a court United States to punish as contempt 'Misbehavior any its officers in their official transactions * *.'1 Petitioner, lawyer, sent questionnaire District Columbia grand jury. For this, Court found petitioner guilty and fined him $100. 122 F.Supp. 388. In so doing held that within meaning statute was one 'of officers' sending 'misbehavior' an 'official transaction.' The Appeals affirmed, Circuit Judge Fahy dissenting. 96 U.S.App.D.C. 30, 223 F.2d 322. construction raised such important questions we granted certiorari. 817, 55. A rather detailed statement facts, which are not dispute, will point up broad scope given sustaining this conviction. 2 jury returned indictment against Ben Gold, charging with having filed false non-Communist affidavit violation 1001, 1001. Petitioner promptly appeared his attorney. Shortly thereafter same summoned two Gold's associates, commanding them appear produce documents. moved quash vacate subpoenas. On day or next, mailed from New York identical letters questionnaires all members who were employees Federal Government. told jurors attorney he trying learn effect Government's loyalty program on federal employee jurors. Explaining wanted no information concerning proceedings deliberations jury, asked answer ground it duty citizens 'to help enlighten issue affects liberty citizen trial criminal case.' All directed toward learning whether government might be influenced by bias fear indict persons charged had some association Communist Party. basis these ordered show cause why should adjudged under 401(2). 3 answered charges. He admitted facts just stated but denied conduct constituted statute. His set out following additional disputed: 4 Prior return Gold Columbia, juries investigated alleged offense indictment. Immediately after arraigned Court, learned roster obtained clerk 13 jury—a majority—were employees. decided make motion challenging legal qualifications concluded could done Rule 6(b) Rules Criminal Procedure, U.S.C.A., relying part Court's Dennis v. States, 339 162, 171—172, 70 519, 523, 94 734, 'Preservation opportunity prove actual is guarantee defendant's right impartial jury.' 5 also led believe would necessary obtain statements because brief court's holding Emspak 91 378, 203 54. There Government successfully contested Emspak's efforts biased have served arguing 'there slightest indication long offer proof attempt has been made interview single persons.' argued there own investigation instead calling him. what taken place connection another case Columbia. district judge defendant Weinberg entitled hearing unless himself first undertaken contact ascertain existence bias. 'nothing prevent counsel, if sees fit, contacting those 15 (of jury) inquiring only subject, they personal toward' defendant. After counsel letter consulted Weinberg's lawyers without prior knowledge authority judge, action later known him, suggestion criticism either then substantially indicted client, Gold. 6 foregoing undisputed contempt. petitioner's act impropriety went say: 'There seems reason respondent may misconceived proprieties. What did open. opprobrious approach believed propound at time did, notwithstanding not.' page 389. 7 section here relied derives Contempt Act 2, 1831. Stat. 487. Nye 313 33, 52, 53, 61 810, 85 1172, reviewed history 1831 purpose greatly limit power courts.2 gave provision consideration narrow construction. Even though recognized 'highly reprehensible' conduct, punished summarily must 'afforded normal safeguards surrounding prosecutions.' Some considered re Michael, 326 224, 66 78, 90 30. trustee bankruptcy misbehavior officer transaction involved here. Again pointed 'represented deliberate Congressional drastically curtail range Courts contempt.' We construed embodying congressional plan "the least possible adequate end proposed." See Anderson Dunn, Wheat. 204, 231, 242. added, 'The exercise courts broader than permit too great inroads procedural Bill Rights, since contempts summary nature, leave determination guilt It Constitutional setting resolve issues raised.' 227, 79. consider judicial setting. Cf. ex rel. Toth Quarles, 11, 15—16, 1, 4—5. 8 contends Act, good faith discharge duties case. find unnecessary decide say rule specifically prohibits petitioner's. transaction' Act. However, assumed lawyer ordinary practice 'official' 'officer' hard draw line between 'unofficial' transactions. Indeed plausibility implication covered engaged whenever "practice profession." (96 325) But when hold 9 many times "officers' court.' One most frequently repeated appears Ex parte Garland, Wall. 333, 366. there, however, term. Certainly nothing said Garland other places attorneys category marshals, bailiffs, clerks judges. Unlike officials private profession, our system justice. general makes decisions, follows best judgment, collects fees runs business. word always applied conveys quite different people serving conventional term.3 National Labor Relations Board Coca-Cola Bottling Co., 264, 383. see 'officers' subject jurisdiction expanded beyond group serve regularly treated laws. 28 §§ 601—963, 601—963. 10 strong reasons As case, passed Congress impeachment Peck failed senatorial vote 22 21. jail away punishment consisted published Peck's convicted counsel; pending cases involving similar issues. Those directing proceedings, brought about passage expressed deep concern lest continue subjected trials judges regular procedure. Congressman James Buchanan last argument stated: 11 'But process contempts? Without indictment, merely simple cause, drawn form think proper, man put upon infamous offence, loss both property. deprived petit tried angry adversary prepared sacrifice rights altar vengeance. 12 'I wrong, I imperative protect interests client well court.'4 said: my mechanic follow trade, merchant engage pursuits commerce. public almost interest independence bar bench.'5 14 Such reported House Representatives immediately acquittal completely inconsistent treat court' punishment. cannot precise kind designedly exercising. Section ample punishing corrupt influence, intimidate impede juries.6 And expressly provided prosecution therefor Substantially law ever since. 1503, 1503. Fed.Rules Crim.Proc. 7(a). Of course does cover charge attempted improperly influence violate 1503 way. Had can 401(2).7 judgment therefore reversed. Reversed. 16 REED concurs solely circumstances leading enactment dictate otherwise unique reading term "officers court." 17 HARLAN took decision 401 entirety provides: 'A shall fine imprisonment, discretion, authority, none other, as— '(1) Misbehavior person presence near thereto obstruct administration justice; '(2) transactions; '(3) Disobedience resistance lawful writ, process, order, rule, decree, command.' discussion limits general, Frankfurter Landis, Power over Procedure Contempts 'Inferior' Courts—A Study Separation Powers, 37 Harv.L.Rev. 1010; Nelles King, Publication Col.L.Rev. 401, 525. Stansbury, Report Trial H. (1833). Illustrations confusion difficulty explaining meant called cases: Langen Borkowski, 188 Wis. 277, 301, 206 N.W. 181, 190, 43 A.L.R. 622; Galusha, 184 Cal. 697, 698, 195 P. 406; Sowers Wells, 150 Kan. 630, 635, 95 P.2d 281, 284—285; Bergeron, 220 Mass. 472, 476, 107 N.E. 1007, 1008. (1833), 445, 455. Id., 450. 'And further enacted, That shall, corruptly, threats force, endeavour intimidate, juror, witness, officer, duty, obstruct, impede, due justice therein, every persons, offending, liable therefor, conviction thereof, punished, exceeding five hundred dollars, three months, both, according nature aggravation offence.' 488. Bradley, 364, 374, 19 214, requires result. disbarred showing committed before court. use language profession. Bradley far became 'for commission dishonesty oppression.' However questionable be, made, out, respect contempts. referring generally exercised powers discipline attorneys. Robinson, 505, 512, 205, disbar proceeds very grounds' support

Category: 0