Legal Document

347 U.S. 179 74 Supreme Court Reporter 442 98 L.Ed. 608 ADAMSv.STATE OF MARYLAND. Number 271. Argued Jan. 7, 1954. Decided March 8, Messrs. Judge Francis Ford, Baltimore, Md., George E. C. Hayes, Washington, d.C., for petitioner. Mr. W. Giles Parker, respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In response to a summons petitioner Adams appeared testify before Senate Committee investigating crime. Answering questions he confessed having run gambling business in Maryland. That confession has been used this case convict conspiring violate Maryland's antilottery laws. The trial court sentenced pay fine $2,000 and serve seven years state penitentiary. Appeals Maryland affirmed, rejecting Adams' contention that use committee testimony against him was forbidden by provision federal statute. 97 Atlantic Reporter, 2nd Series 281. provision, now 18 United States Code KF62 § 3486, Annotated KF65 U5 set out full below, provides no given witness congressional inquiries 'shall be as evidence any criminal proceeding * *.'1 held had testified 'voluntarily' therefore not protected 3486. We granted certiorari because proper understanding scope Section is importance national government, states witnesses summoned committees. 346 864, 104. contends does bar because: (1) He waived statutory 'privilege' testifying 'voluntarily,' meaning failed object each question on ground its tendency incriminate him; (2) should construed so apply courts only. If these two contentions are rejected, we urged hold Congress without constitutional power courts. 2 Circumstances may conceivable under which statements made presence might For example, person voluntarily appear obtain permission make statement committee's presence, wholly his own advantage, ever being questioned at all. But did such circumstances. volunteer. summoned. Had could have fined sent jail. 192, 192. Nor record show spontaneous outpouring from him. brought repeated questions. It true attempt escape answering claiming privilege refuse himself. language Act requires claim order feel secure will Indeed, need statute protect self-incriminating compelled give over objection. Fifth Amendment takes care Consequently, construction 3486 here would limit protection already afforded Amendment, leaving with effect whatever. reject failure deprived 3 can bars but forbids 'in court'. Language plainer. Even if there legislative history sufficiently strong 'any court' mean only, history. few scraps pointed tend indicate well aware an ordinary read phrase include To construe other trap unwary. 4 suggested, however, regardless plain originally passed event since passage cause us it entirely different meaning. stems 1857 designed grant immunity prosecution compel them despite Amendment.2 Thirty-five later Counselman versus Hitchcock, 142 547, 12 195, 35 1110, act providing 'complete' broad enough permit grand jury incriminating testimony. provide immunity. original purpose thus frustrated.3 argued intended afford criminals unless thereby enabled about their crimes. Therefore, said, narrowest possible construction—made effective only when claimed, applicable Because get all hoped, deny promises. decision subsequent act's usually alter And implication general like private contract nullify upon showing partial or total consideration. Moreover, kept force more than sixty decision. 1938 reenacted making changes deemed desirable insure continued usefulness. 52 Statutes-at-Large 943. Our holding Hitchcock way impairs 5 (3) Little said lacks convicting crime basis help bodies carry governmental functions. summon either House McGrain Daugherty, 273 135, 47 319, 71 580. Article & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions Constitution permits pass laws 'necessary proper' into 8. unable say means adopted induce 'appropriate' 'plainly adapted end.' McCulloch State Maryland, Wheat. 316, 421, 579. And, legitimate exercise powers enacts 'the supreme Law Land,' bound even though affects rules practice. Brown Walker, 161 591, 606—608, 16 644, 650—651, 40 819. Cf. Testa Katt, 330 386, 67 810, 91 967. 6 judgment affirming conviction reversed remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 7 ordered. 8 Reversed directions. 9 FRANKFURTER concurs result. 10 JACKSON, concurring. 11 am substantial agreement Court's differ emphasis. controlling fact me books. What someone almost century ago passed, 1890's decided, do know. Since last event, some thirty Congresses come gone, something near 15,000 Congressmen elected, allowing re-election. How many knew how felt frustrated it, vented frustration repeal, know care. left books, testified. what reasonably well-informed lawyer reading it. 13 think important whether 'voluntary' 'involuntary' raised Amendment. No qualification appears Act. whole usefulness relieve risks withhold Congress. very customary one who asked information requiring formality subpoena. strip cooperative, interested, witness; indeed, encourage cooperation instead hesitation resistance. 14 seems unambiguous be. words anything, extends witnesses, testimony, easy see, illustrates, hazard otherwise. A warranted face advising nothing fear frank complete disclosure Thus wold accomplished obvious facilitating disclosure. 15 cannot see slightest doubt enact purpose. take anything prosecute petitioner; just says she shall put disadvantage reason leaves freedom work up her worked extend beyond actually received. case, convicted admissions Committee. violated, reversed. 'No House, joint established concurrent resolution Houses Congress, court, except perjury committed giving official paper produced within privilege.' 156, 333, 943, 62 833, 24, 1857, 156. See Bryan, 339 323, 335—337, 70 724, 732—733, 94 884.

Classification Label: 0