Legal Document

356 U.S. 148 78 Supreme Court Reporter 622 2 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 589 Stefena BROWN, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. Number 43. Reargued Oct. 22, 1957. Decided March 31, 1958. Rehearing Denied April 28, See 948, 776. Mr. George W. Crockett, Jr., Detroit, Mich., for petitioner. Ralph S. Spritzer, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is a proceeding summary disposition, under Rule 42(a) Federal Rules Criminal Procedure, 18 U.S.C.A.,1 finding criminal contempt committed in actual presence court, power to punish which given by Code KF62 § 401, Annotated KF65 U5 401.2 The grew out suit denaturalization brought against petitioner pursuant 340(a) Immigration and Nationality Act 1952, 66 Statutes-at-Large 260, as amended, 8 (Supp. IV) 1451(a), 1451(a). complaint charged that had fraudulently procured citizenship 1946 falsely swearing she was attached principles Constitution, not been ten years preceding opposed organized government or member affiliated with Communist Party any organization teaching opposition government, whereas fact been, from 1933 1937, Young League, both organizations advocating overthrow Government force violence. At trial proceeding, called an adverse witness 43(b) Civil 28 Petitioner admitted once but denied belonged period before 1946. She refused answer questions about activities associations were unlimited time directed after on ground her answers might tend incriminate her, District sustained claim privilege. close Government's examination, petitioner's counsel stated that, 'I won't cross-examine at this point. & N Dec. Decisions will put direct.'3 3 Thereafter took stand own behalf. comprehensively reaffirmed truth statements made naturalization, and, although membership League 1930, claimed resigned 1935 engaged until naturalization Not content rest there, went testify never taught advocated existing did so advocate, believed fighting country would take up arms its defense event hostilities Soviet Russia, Constitution good order happiness States.4 testimony present disposition towards States, limited 4 On cross-examination immediately question, 'Are you now have ever States?' It also asked numerous other relating since successfully when first examined. again answer, claiming privilege self-incrimination. ruled taking abandoned privilege, answer. However, persisted refusal establishing For cast court sentenced imprisonment six months. judgment conviction affirmed Appeals. 234 Reporter, 2nd 140. Deeming record raise important regarding scope self-incrimination federal make charge contempt, we case here. 352 908, 77 152, 116. Argument 1956 Term set down reargument Term. 354 907, 1292. 5 conduct found guilty disobedience court's direction pertinent overruled. argument Court, stood validity essential reversal here taken granted no less than party insistently block relevant inquiry subjects him punishment exercise vested courts throughout our history. Sept. 24, 1789, s 17, 83; Mar. 2, 1831, 487—488; R.S. 725; Judicial Code, 1911, 268, 36 1163; 401. 6 reargument, sides, responsive suggestion bench, discussed relevance Ex parte Hudgings, 249 378, 39 337, 63 L.Ed. 656, situation. That case, followed In re Michael, 326 224, 78, 90 30, held perjury alone may be summarily punished contempt. essence holding those cases specifically defined offense, subject prosecution all safeguards Fifth Sixth Amendments, falsity witness' ought left judge's unaided determination midst trial. Perjury one thing; testimonial recalcitrance another. He who offers himself freed duty testify. (except insofar it constitutionally limited), voluntary witness, defines duty. Judge Learned Hand versus Appel, 211 KF105 F3 495. 7 Such has unquestioned law judicial system mind. acted upon lower Whatever differences potentially drastic evoked, doubt uttered stubborn inquiries brings into Trial must guard confusing offenses their sensibilities obstruction administration justice. use self-restraint ultimate find gone beyond area can properly We are justified sliding mere disagreement way dealt particular matter, such condemnation action abuse discretion. thus reach constitutional issue. 9 contends testifying behalf forego right invoke matters direct examination. relies decisions witnesses civil proceedings congressional committees do waive denials partial disclosures, only itself incriminates. More particularly, reliance Arndstein McCarthy, 254 71, 41 26, 65 138; 262 355, 43 562, 67 1023; 266 34, 45 16, 69 158. litigation special commissioners bankruptcy filed schedules his assets liabilities certain disclosures respect financial condition, him. constitute contempt; evidence furnished 'did amount admission guilt furnish clear proof crime * *,' entitled 'stop short' further 'might him.' page 72, 26; 358, 563. admittedly 'an crime,' was, contrary, denial provide basis prosecution. 10 Our problem illumined situation defendant case. If he takes testifies credibility impeached assailed like breadth waiver determined cross-examination. '(H)e forth jury facts favor without laying open facts.' Fitzpatrick 178 304, 315, 20 944, 949, 44 1078; see Reagan 157 301, 304—305, 15 610, 611, 709. reasoning these applies voluntarily controls result us. 11 A compelled testify, type occasion sought elicited incriminate. indeed irrelevant so. benefit all, confronted waived even could invoked it, able bar point immunity becomes operative. permitted withdraw cross-fire interrogation reliability fully tested succeeded putting trier one-sided account dispute. argumentative curtailment normal regard fair claims protection compulsory 12 hand, testifies, amply respected need accepting antiseptic test adversary process. himself, certainly if party, determines disclosure therefore inquiry. choice, weighing advantage forward version all. cannot reasonably Amendment gives choice but, elects humane safeguard judicially coerced self-disclosure positive invitation mutilate tell. '(T)here hardly justification letting affirmatively resort perjurious disability challenge credibility.' Walder 347 62, 65, 74 354, 356, 98 503. interests function justice ascertain become relevant, prevail balance considerations determining limits self-incrimination.5 Petitioner, suit, witness. free raised 13 merely stand, Appeals testified did. argues distinction suggests reason misled legal question involved, assertions withdrawn answered Government. 14 does fairly support statement simply act stand. After 'the having defense, *.' view circumstances surrounding ruling preceded meant convey 'having defense' what said physically As expressly cautioned 'she privileges Amendment, behalf.' abandonment expressed wholly consistent affirming conviction, upholding Nice interpreting whether discharged appropriately framing issues litigation, least misframing them detrimental parties, presented. Taken context, conveyed correct law, adequately informed opened herself relevantly testimony. affirmed. Affirmed. 16 BLACK, whom CHIEF JUSTICE DOUGLAS concur, dissenting. 17 another decision eroding See, e.g., Feldman 322 487, 64 1082, 88 1408; Rogers 340 367, 71 438, 95 344. undoubtedly responses tended her. Nevertheless, holds imprisoned waives extent Thus substance majority extended rule heretofore applied prosecutions proceedings. think encroachment unwarranted. reverse general 158, forfeit unless makes incriminating 359, 563.* concededly disclosures. 19 my cases, long accepted, debatable should carried over new absent most compelling justification. By likening position accused unfortunately fails give due consideration material between two situations. example failure comment prosecutor judge, nor lawfully inference guilt. 3481, 3481; Wilson 149 60, 765, 37 650. hand freely commented draw inferences abstention sees fit Bilokumsky Tod, 263 149, 153—154, 54, 55—56, 68 221. apply place substantial dilemma. himself; unlike remains off silence used 'evidence persuasive character.' supra, 154, 56. brushes aside dilemma assuming control because 'determines inquiry.' believe assumption correct. While true determine permissible restricted include quite different they aid appraise probative value questions, range broad refer collateral main issues, foreclosed often anticipated Radio Cab, Inc., Houser, 76 U.S.App.D.C. 35, 128 604; Atkinson Atchison, Topeka Santa Fe R. Co., Cir., 197 244. Powers 223 303, 314—316, 32 281, 283—284, 56 448. 21 Furthermore action, forced (as illustrated case) where himself. well prejudice reasons unrelated merits. mitigate damage feel great compulsion, either later behalf, dispel some impression created But Court's thereby forfeiting 22 offered otherwise accept untested extend 'a tell.' method protecting one-sided, distorted somewhat more tolerable. not. example, obvious alternative, struck full part, warranted, appropriate directions judge disregard unreliable. And instances opposing extreme irremediable enter favor. Hammond Packing company State Arkansas, 212 322, 349—354, 29 370, 379 381, 53 530. Compare National Union Marine Cooks Arnold, 348 37, 75 92, 99 46. means protect same treated fine refusing 23 Since reversed above, unnecessary discuss Bill Rights My views detail dissenting opinions Sacher 343 1, 14, 72 451, 457, 96 717, Green 165, 193, 632, 648. 24 BRENNAN, 25 judgment. Courts untrammeled discretion every contemptuous basic 30. gainsaid danger extraordinary inheres absence usually prosecutions, notably self-imposed restraints punishment. required closely scrutinize exceeding bounds power. supervisory authority courts, McNabb 318 332, 340, 608, 612, 87 819, primarily 'importance assuring alert district judges power.' Offutt 11, 13, 11. 26 With principle mind, conclude proper convict Her consisted afforded refusals. concedes prove incorrect concludes 'Taken context (it) incorrect. advised Mrs. Brown simple developed historical corollary sworn Wigmore, Evidence (3d ed. 1940), 2268. application cases. direct. 27 final morning February 18, 1955. repeated stand.* petitioner, believing privileged, continued refuse No afternoon 'by clear, unequivocal convincing evidence, procure illegally fraudulently.' then proceeded hold little help coming sentence. circumstances, merit months' imprisonment. lawyer predict 'taken context' appellate sustain technically waiver. recognized criminal-contempt possible adequate end proposed,' 227, 79. 'end impose vengeance insult whose decree flouted, orderly deterring noncompliance lawful order. contempts, areas penal sanctions sparingly coercive devices harsh effect unavailing. words, there part considered feasibility alternatives hand. BLACK persuasively demonstrates resorted several corrective avoid delay Cf. Rubenstein Kleven, 150 F.Supp. 47; Fed.Rules Civ.Proc. 37(b). addition, appears ordinary civil-contempt power, cf. Yates 355 66, 128, 95, far shows, achieving ends requiring sanction. 30 affirmance Brown's actually disrespectful obstinately flouted authority. Indeed, rights manifestly merit, say Amendment's being circumstances. 31 situation, seems me, cried 'alert self-restraint' available correctives, particularly step sending jail gave thought view, exclusive arbitrary conviction. 'A certifies saw heard constituting court. orer shall recite signed entered record.' imprisonment, discretion, authority, none other, as— '(1) Misbehavior person near thereto obstruct justice; '(2) officers official transactions; '(3) Disobedience resistance writ, process, order, rule, decree, command.' Counsel represent 'Q. Are willing country, hostility Russia? Atlantic Yes. Regardless whatever Question asked: believer anarchy, unlawful damage, injury destruction property, sabotage'? 'No.' 'Was question? You petition, July 1946, today? true. perfectly question. overthrowing anything. country. told anybody didn't. Did teach advocate anarchy country? Teach? idea States? No, that? should? To your knowledge, belong much know, didn't belong, destroy helping people. life living, destroying things people up. disposed That, am. What understand words 'attached Constitution'? this, needs fight among people.' Striking testimony, relying unfairness allowing escape cross-examination, practice poor substitutes showing searching false. construe based incriminated subsequent concerning offense harm disappears. 'The permit just doing Amendment. counsel, you, Now, court.'

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