Court Opinion

ID: 9464273
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 23:29:28.175654+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:38:32.927294
License: Public Domain

CELEBREZZE, Circuit Judge,
dissenting.
I am able to agree with the majority on neither the threshold issue of mootness nor the merits of this case. I respectfully dissent.
The majority concedes that this case is moot, yet proposes to consider this appeal as coming within the “capable of repetition yet evading review” exception to the mootness doctrine. While the facts of this case are capable of repetition, they will not necessarily keep evading review. A stay by the district court or a Judge of this Court, as well as a contempt citation, could preserve an actual controversy for review in a future case. Thus this case does not come within the exception to the mootness doctrine claimed by the majority. Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Co. v. United States, 541 F.2d 1151 (5th Cir. 1976).
Since the majority reaches the merits, I feel compelled to register my views on the substantive issues presented herein. I believe the majority paints with too broad a brush in fashioning the powers of the district court. Compelling Michigan Bell to participate actively in a government investigation is a serious matter. I do not believe that such an intrusion upon a private entity can be justified by such questionable authority as the All Writs Act or by analogizing to the powers of a sheriff at the common law. Application of United States, 538 F.2d 956 (2d Cir. 1976), cert. granted 429 U.S. 1072, 97 S.Ct. 807, 50 L.Ed.2d 789 (1977); Application of United States, 546 F.2d 243, 247-50 (8th Cir. 1976) (Lay, J., dissenting), cert. petition pending 45 U.S. L.W. 3638 (1977). The government should address its pleas to the Congress, not the courts.