Legal Document

341 U.S. 214 71 Supreme Court Reporter 675 95 L.Ed. 879 BOWMAN DAIRY CO. et al.v.UNITED STATES al. Number 435. Decided April 30, 1951. Argued March 9, Mr. L. Edward Hart, of Chicago, Ill., for petitioners Bowman Dairy co., Walter Judge Cummings, Jr., Borden Co., Peyton Ford, Washington, D.C., respondents. Justice MINTON delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioners were indicted a violation § Sherman Act.1 Before case was set trial, each petitioner filed motion under Rule 16 Federal Rules Criminal Procedure2 an order requiring United States to produce inspection all books, papers, documents, or objects obtained from and by seizure process others. An agreed entered court Government fully complied therewith. The validity this is not in question. 2 also moved 17(c)3 directing at time place be specified therein certain other documents means than process. served on attorneys subpoena duces tecum, pertinent part which reads as follows: 3 'all papers (except memoranda prepared counsel, solicited volunteered counsel consist narrative statements persons interviews), any manner process, (a) course investigation Grand Jury 8949 resulted return indictment herein, (b) Government's preparation trial cause, if such objects, have been presented Jury; are offered evidence defendants, them, said indictment; (c) relevant allegations charges contained indictment, whether they might constitute with respect guilt innocence defendants * *.' 4 A hearing held petitioners' materials designated subpoena. 5 Thereafter quash aside order, contending that access defendant criminal proceeding custody limited rights granted District had erred ordering production subpoenaed materials. This denied. Respondent Hotchkiss, one whom addressed, possession called for, but refused them. After hearing, him contempt. Appeals reversed, 185 Reporter, 2nd Series 159. We certiorari because importance scope 17(c) federal practice. 340 919, 357. 6 During motions 17(c), respondent acting Government, produce, enter into stipulation therefor, evidentiary character, i.e., work product statements, interviews. However, offer did include furnished voluntary confidential informants. 7 broad enough informants 'consist interviews.' chief objection subpoena, stated 8 'Mr. Hotchkiss: There only objection—basic & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions would make form proposed: language proposed construe it does protect those who provided material feels basis very well established principles followed courts normally protected view litigants.' 9 It appears respondent's colloquy he except consisted 'documents without informants.' 10 intended rules give some measure discovery. adopted purpose. gave discovery otherwise beyond reach which, instant case, numerous difficult identify. rule apply belonging defendant, others departure what theretofore allowed cases.4 11 deals provides how may made available his information. In interest orderly procedure handling accumulated use before grand jury could copying photographing. way, control disturbed. way can so inform himself. 12 But them put strange indeed discovered going introduce yet require its 17(c). subject 16. No good reason us why reached long evidentiary. That say thus must actually used evidence. required good-faith effort obtain end power modify.5 13 right discovery, then 17 broadest terms. usual ad testificandum issued clerk, provision direct tecum produced defendant. provide additional Its innovation expedite providing versus Maryland Virginia Milk Producers Ass'n, F.R.D. 509. plain words ignored. They given their ordinary meaning carry out purpose establishing more liberal policy production, trial. no intention exclude short, document materials, admissible evidence, solicitation voluntarily third character unwilling stipulate obedience Such Where concludes ought produced, should, course, solicitous against disclosures identity informants, method, circumstances acquisition 14 Clause (c), last clause 15 'are catch-all provision, merely fishing expedition see turn up. therefore invalid. calls bound produce. said: 'Give all.' replied: 'We will you nothing.' Both wrong. should need anything (c). 18 One contempt bad. burden entirety upon person faces punishment cull 19 Accordingly, judgment vacated cause remanded further proceedings conformity opinion. ordered. 20 Judgment reversed directions. 21 BLACK affirm 22 CLARK took consideration decision case. 26 Statutes-at-Large 209, Code KF62 1, Annotated KF65 U5 1. 'Rule Discovery Inspection 'Upon after filing information, attorney government permit inspect copy photograph tangible showing items sought defense request reasonable. shall specify time, making taking copies photographs prescribe terms conditions just.' 17. Subpoena '(a) For Attendance Witnesses; Form; Issuance. clerk command directed attend testimony therein. issue signed sealed blank party requesting it, fill blanks served. '(c) Production Documentary Evidence Objects. promptly modify compliance unreasonable oppressive. prior when portions thereof inspected parties attorneys.' See Advisory Committee's Note 16, Page 1969, find same rule, documentary objects—the familiar tecum—and thinks oppressive Furthermore, while books things brought let immediately there may, proper advance advance, enabling wants it.' Statement G. Aaron Youngquist, Member Committee, Procedure, Proceedings Institute Procedure (New York University School Law, Proceedings, Vol. VI, 1946), Pages 167—168.

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