Legal Document

487 U.S. 72 108 S.Ct. 2268 101 L.Ed.2d 69 UNITED STATES CATHOLIC CONFERENCE, et al., Petitioners,v.ABORTION RIGHTS MOBILIZATION, INC., al. No. 87-416. Argued April 18, 1988. Decided June 20, Syllabus Abortion Rights Mobilization, Inc., and others (ARM) filed suit against Government officials petitioners, the United States Catholic Conference National of Bishops, to revoke Roman Church's tax-exempt status on ground that Church had violated antielectioneering provision 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) (1988 ed.). After petitioners were dismissed as parties, they refused comply with ARM's subpoenas seeking extensive documentary evidence, held in contempt. The Court Appeals affirmed contempt citation, ruling a nonparty witness' jurisdictional challenge is limited claim district court lacks even colorable jurisdiction, standard not met here. Held: A witness may defend civil adjudication by challenging court's subject-matter contention lacked jurisdiction hear suit. Since subpoena power cannot be more than its it issues aid determining merits are void if over underlying Moreover, has an unquestionable right appeal adjudication, notwithstanding absence final judgment action. permitting would invite collusion, allowing parties avoid restrictions interlocutory appeals test proxy, persuasive. Ample protections collusive exist courts appeals' decline treat for purposes question, usual provisions sanctioning frivolous or abuse processes. rule followed this case does apply criminal proceedings, affect inherent legitimate authority issue binding orders, including discovery witnesses, necessary determine upon own jurisdiction. Here, however, District Court's order was issued inquiry, since meant obtain merits, before twice ruled Accordingly, remand, must whether such If not, void, citation reversed. Pp. 76-80. 824 F.2d 156, reversed remanded. KENNEDY, J., delivered opinion Court, which REHNQUIST, C.J., BRENNAN, WHITE, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, JJ., joined. MARSHALL, dissenting opinion, post, p. 80. Kevin T. Baine, Washington, D.C., petitioners. Alan I. Horowitz, respondents supporting special leave Court. Marshall Beil, New York City, respondents. Justice KENNEDY 1 Bishops. Both organizations failure duces tecum Southern York. Conferences objected issuance process, arguing, inter alia, Second Circuit rejected argument, We granted certiorari resolve court. 484 975, 484, 98 482 (1987). hold raise claim, now reverse. 2 * In action, sued States. ARM alleged rules governing their participating political activities.* Specifically, claimed "the . ., violation clear language intent anti-electioneering 501(c)(3), engaged persistent regular pattern intervening elections nationwide favor candidates who support position abortion opposition opposing views." Brief Respondents 7-8. originally named suit, but later dismissed, leaving Secretary Treasury Commissioner Internal Revenue sole defendants. 3 served 1983, evidence claims. series orders produce, intertwined other procedural motions, objections refusals. These matters extensively reported See Inc. v. Regan, 544 F.Supp. 471 (1982) (ARM I); 552 364 ( II); 603 970 (1985) III); Baker, 110 F.R.D. 337 (1986) IV). informed could "in conscience, question," court, made detailed limiting at behest Conferences, found IV, supra, 337. assessed fines $50,000 each day further noncompliance. affirmed, stating witnesses have standing question only basis exercising subject matter ." re Conference, 158 stayed pending appeal, stay remains effect. II 4 can lack defense Federal Rule Civil Procedure 45 grants documents, It follows process then based refusal honor As we observed Morton Salt Co., 338 632, 642, 70 357, 363, 94 L.Ed. 401 (1950), "[t]he judicial specific constitutional limitations, also those limitations body them because Judiciary Article Constitution." Therefore, attack asserting issuing case. 5 questioned. finding appealable Ryan, 402 530, 532, 91 1580, 1581, 29 85 (1971); Cobbledick States, 309 323, 328, 60 540, 542, 84 783 (1940). Once acknowledged, arguments should so confined untested. confronted here attempting raising no interest, instance personal statute compel dismissal matters, ultimately determined allowed proceed, conduct litigation still valid. 6 goes hence order. distinction between waivable defenses mere nicety legal metaphysics. rests instead central principle free society finite bounds authority, some origin, protect citizens from very wrong asserted here, excessive use power. courts, less branches government, respect limits authority. 7 our decision Blair 250 273, 39 468, 63 979 (1919), controlled decision, think not. involved defiant grand jury investigation. testify, contending prohibited under investigation unconstitutional. Id., 277-279, 469-470. denial habeas corpus relief consider challenge. careful say, did depend validity statutes attacked witnesses. jury's investigative powers included wide-ranging existed independently challenged Blair, effect, addressed sufficient Salt, 642-643, S.Ct., 363-364. III raised whom seeks 8 Additionally, concerned proxy. Catlin 324 229, 236, 65 631, 635, 89 911 (1945). persuaded considerations alter To begin with, objection meet fundamental premise denied object exercise causes injury. Further, conclude there ample appeals. finds party acted collusion gain question. Cf. Karcher May, 72, 78, 388, 393, 327 (1987) (applying concept 'legal personage' " "practical means identifying real interests stake lawsuit"); Bender Williamsport Area School District, 475 534, 548, n. 9, 106 1326, 1335, 501 (assessing congruence "parties" appeal). generally Coordinated Pretrial Proceedings Petroleum Products Antitrust Litigation, 747 1303, 1305 (CA9 1984). remain Roadway Express, Piper, 447 752, 762, 100 2455, 2462, 488 (1980); Fed.Rule App.Proc. 38. 9 follow well understood. First, do undertake explore detail differences suffices note distinguished two Mine Workers, 330 258, 67 677, 884 (1947), noted different treatment accorded appellate review 10 "It follow, course, simply defendant punished disobedience set aside plaintiff action profit way fine imposed simultaneous proceeding same remedial falls injunction events prove erroneously issued, fortiori when restraining beyond court." 294-295, 696-697 (citations omitted; footnote omitted). 11 Though seem first denying granting one reverses priorities, sound; necessities types orders. Ibid. either appears efficacious, better practice enter persuade comply, reserving drastic, punitive sanction continues. Yates 355 66, 74-75, 78 128, 133, 95 (1957). That course always available times assert once preserve quo 18 §§ 401, 402. correctly recognized. When elects enforce compliance, consistent approach allow full consideration 12 second point closely related. Nothing said puts directed matter. Shipp, 203 563, 573, 27 165, 166, 51 319 (1906). 13 concurring indicated us might sustained inquiry matter, record shows litigation. recognized appropriate procedure limit proceedings outset determination see 13A C. Wright, A. Miller, & E. Cooper, Practice 3536, (1984 Supp. 1987), objective order, implication. Before 14 entirety." U.S., 295, 697. 15 erred Conferences' argument therefore reversed, remanded opinion. 16 ordered. 17 dissenting. I respectfully dissent. affirm much reasons forth majority written Judge Newman. Code, ed.), amended Pub.L. 100-203, 10711(a)(2), Stat. 1330-464, exempts payment income taxes certain criteria. pertinent part, section provides: "(c) List exempt organizations.—The following referred subsection (a) [as taxation]: "(3) Corporations, any community chest, fund, foundation, organized operated exclusively religious, charitable, scientific, testing public safety, literary, educational purposes, foster national international amateur sports competition (but part activities involve athletic facilities equipment), prevention cruelty children animals, net earnings inures benefit private shareholder individual, substantial carrying propaganda, otherwise attempting, influence legislation (except provided (h)), participate in, intervene (including publishing distributing statements), campaign behalf (or to) candidate office."

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