Legal Document

346 U.S. 374 74 Supreme Court Reporter 113 98 L.Ed. 92 UNITED STATESv.DEBROW. STATES versus WILKINSON. BRASHIER. BOGERS. JACKSON. Nos. 51 to 55. Argued Oct. 20, 1953. Decided Nov. 16, Mr. John Federal KF105 F3 Davis, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mr.Ben Cameron, Jackson, Miss., W. S. Henley, R. Thompson, Jr., Gulfport, Albert Johnston, Biloxi, respondents. Justice MINTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The respondents here, defendants below, were charged by separate indictments with crime perjury, as defined in 18 United States Code KF62 § 1621, Annotated KF65 U5 1621.1 Each indictment read material part follows: 2 '(T)he defendant herein, having duly taken an oath before a competent tribunal, wit: subcommittee Senate Committee on Expenditures Executive Departments known Subcommittee Investigations, created and authorized conducting official hearings Southern District Mississippi, inquiring matter then there pending said which law authorizes that be administered, he would testify truly, did unlawfully, knowingly wilfully, contrary oath, state not believe true. * *' 3 filed motions dismiss, sustained ground allege name person who administered nor his authority do so.2 Appeals affirmed, one judge dissenting, 203 Reporter, 2nd Series 699, we granted certiorari, 345 991, 73 1134, because importance question administration federal criminal law. 4 An is required set forth elements offense sought charged. 5 'The true test sufficiency whether it could have been made more definite certain, but contains intended charged, 'and sufficiently apprises what must prepared meet, and, case any other proceedings are against him similar offense, record shows accuracy extent may plead former acquittal or conviction.' Cochran Sayre States, 157 286, 290, 15 628, 630, 39 704; Rosen 161 29, 34, 16 434, (435), 480, 40 606.' Hagner 285 427, 431, 52 417, 419, 76 861. 6 Rules Criminal Procedure, U.S.C.A., designed eliminate technicalities pleading construed secure simplicity procedure. Rule 2, F.R.Crim.Proc. 7(c) provides pertinent 7 shall plain, concise written statement essential facts constituting It need contain necessary such statement. 8 perjury (1) (2) officer person, (3) false wilfully hearing. was pursuing matters properly it, proceeding administer oaths, each took tribunal testified falsely facts. 9 States. This requirement met allegations had 'duly oath.' 'Duly taken' means according oath. See Robertson Perkins, 129 233, 236, 279, 280, 32 686. element perjury; identity goes only proof sworn. Therefore, all alleged. 10 source aver found R.S. 5396, (1940 ed.) §§ 558. worthy note this provision expressly repealed Congress 1948, 62 Statutes-at-Large 862, revision recodification Title 18. House Revision Laws assistance two special consultants members Advisory Procedure 'rendered invaluable service technical task singling out repeal statutory provisions obsolete new Procedure.' H.R.Rep. Number 304, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., Page 4. In tabulation laws omitted revision, stated 5396 'Covered rule Id., at A214. 11 charges followed substantially wording statute, embodies crime, clearly informed they accused, so enable them prepare their defense judgment bar further prosecutions same offense. inconceivable us how possibly misled stood certain. If wanted information them, obtained requesting bill particulars. 7(f), 12 judictments sufficient, dismissal thereof error. judgments reversed. 13 Reversed. 14 REED no consideration decision these cases. 'Perjury generally 'Whoever, officer, will testify, declare, depose, certify testimony, declaration, deposition, certificate subscribed, true, willfully states subscribes does guilty shall, except otherwise provided law, fined than $2,000 imprisoned five years, both.' Debrow, U.S.D.C.S.D.Miss., Feb. 11, 1952 (unreported).

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