Notable Trials and Court Cases - 1954 to 1962
Baker v. Carr - Significance, Charles Whittaker, Further Readings
Charles W. Baker, et al. Joe E. Carr, et al. That electoral districts which were drawn in such a way as to provide inadequate representation violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Charles S. Rhyme, Z. T. Osborn, Jr. Jack Wilson, Assistant Attorney General of Tennessee Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr. (writing for the Court), Tom C. Clark, William O. Douglas,…
Barenblatt v. United States - Significance, Government Interest In Self-preservation Found To Outweigh First Amendment Concerns, The Hollywood Ten
Lloyd Barenblatt United States That compelled testimony before Congress about Communist affiliations violates First Amendment rights. Edward J. Ennis Philip R. Monahan Tom C. Clark, Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan II (writing for the Court), Potter Stewart, Charles Evans Whittaker Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., William O. Douglas, Earl Warren Washington, D.C. 8 June 1958 By…
Bartkus v. Illinois - Significance, The Bill Of Rights Does Not Restrict The States, Double Jeopardy Is Wholly Uncivilized
Bartkus State of Illinois The Supreme Court should void his conviction for bank robbery by an Illinois court. A federal court already had tried and had acquitted him of the same crime. Walter R. Fisher William C. Wines, Latham Castle Tom C. Clark, Felix Frankfurter (writing for the Court), John Marshall Harlan II, Potter Stewart, Charles Evans Whittaker Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr…
Berman v. Parker - Significance, Rebuilding The Nation's Capital, There Are No Limits On The Public's Needs
Berman and other owners of a department store in Washington, D.C. The National Capital Planning Commission, the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency The government's taking of their store was unconstitutional because it was contrary to the guarantees of the Fifth Amendment. James C. Toomey, Joseph H. Schneider, Albert Ginsberg Simon Sobeloff…
Bibb v. Navajo Freight Lines - Significance, When May A State Regulate Interstate Commerce?, Illinois' Peculiar Mudguards, Small Benefits Do Not Justify Great Costs
State of Illinois Navajo Freight Lines and other interstate trucking companies Illinois should be allowed to require contoured mudguards on the rear fenders of trucks and trailers. Latham Castle David Axelrod Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, William O. Douglas (writing for the Court), Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan II, Potter Stewart, Earl Warren, Charles Evans…
Bolling v. Sharpe - Significance, Separate Can Never Be Equal, "due Process" Requires "equal Protection", Further Readings
Bolling and other African American children residents in the District of Columbia The District of Columbia public school system Because racial segregation in the public schools is unconstitutional, they should be allowed to attend white schools that had rejected them. George E. C. Hayes, James M. Nabrit, George M. Johnson, Herbert O. Reid, Charles W. Quick Milton D. Korman, Vernon E. West, Chester…
Boynton v. Virginia - Significance, Court Splits, But For Boynton
Bruce Boynton Commonwealth of Virginia That his arrest for refusing to leave a whites only section in a bus station restaurant violated the Interstate Commerce Act, and the Equal Protection, Due Process, and Commerce Clauses of the U.S. Constitution. Thurgood Marshall Walter E. Rogers Hugo Lafayette Black (writing for the Court), William J. Brennan, Jr., William O. Douglas, Felix Frankfurter, John…
Boynton v. Virginia: 1960 - Court Splits, But For Boynton
Appellant: Bruce Boynton. Defendant: Commonwealth of Virginia Appellant Claim: Unlawful arrest Chief Defense Lawyer: Walter E. Rogers Chief Lawyer for Appellant: Thurgood Marshall Justices: Hugo L. Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, William 0. Douglas, Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan, Potter Stewart, Earl Warren, Charles E. Whittaker. Place: Washington, D.C. Date of Decision: De…
Braunfeld v. Brown - Significance, Impact, Blue Laws/morality Laws
Abraham Braunfeld, et al. Albert N. Brown, Commissioner of Police of Philadelphia, et al. That Philadelphia's blue laws, which force the closing of stores on Sundays, interfere with the free exercise of religion. Theodore R. Mann David Berger Hugo Lafayette Black, Tom C. Clark, Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan II, Charles Evans Whittaker, Earl Warren (writing for the Court) William J. Brenn…
Brief for the Petitioners - On Writ Of Certiorari To The Supreme Court Of Alabamabrief For The Petitioner, Questions Presented, Statement
THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY, PETITIONER, V. L. B. SULLIVAN, RESPONDENT The opinion of the Supreme Court of Alabama (R. 1139) is reported in 273 Ala. 656, 144 So. 2d 25. The opinion of the Circuit Court, Montgomery County, on the petitioner's motion to quash service of process (R. 49) is unreported. There was no other opinion by the Circuit Court. The judgment of the Supreme Court of Alabama …
Brief for the Petitioners - On Writ Of Certiorari To The Supreme Court Of Alabamabrief For The Petitioners, Questions Presented2, Constitutional And Statutory Provisions Involved
RALPH D. ABERNATHY, FRED L. SHUTTLESWORTH, S. S. SEAY, SR., AND J. F. LOWERY, PETITIONERS, V. L. B. SULLIVAN, RESPONDENT The Trial Court (Circuit Court of Montgomery County) did not write an opinion. Its judgment is printed at R. 862. The Opinion of the Alabama Supreme Court (R. 1139) affirming said judgment is reported at 273 Ala. 656. The judgment of the Supreme Court of Alabama was entered on A…
Brown v. Board of Education - Significance, Naacp Takes On Topeka Board Of Education, Fight Goes To Supreme Court, Court Throws Out Plessy; Declares Segregation Illegal
Several parents of African American children of elementary school age in Topeka, Kansas Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas That the segregation of white and African American children in the public schools of Topeka solely on the basis of race denied the African American children equal protection under the law guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. Robert L. Carter, Thurgood Marshall, Spottswood…
Brown v. Board of Education: 1954 - Naacp Takes On Topeka Board Of Education, Fight Goes To Supreme Court, Court Throws Out Plessy; Declares Segregation Illegal
Appellants: Several parents of African-American children of elementary school age in Topeka, Kansas Defendant Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas Appellants Claim: That the segregation of white and African-American children in the public schools of Topeka solely on the basis of race denied the African-American children equal protection under the law guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment Chief De…
Kansas Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
Opinion of U.S. District Court, D. Kansas, August 3, 1951 . . . . . . . . .2 Initial Briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court Brief for Appellants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Appendix to Appellants' Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Brief for Appellees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …
Burton Abbott Trial: 1955 - Emotion Over Evidence, Amused Defendant
Defendant: Burton W. Abbott Crimes Charged: Murder and kidnapping Chief Defense Lawyer: Stanley D. Whitney Chief Prosecutors: Frank Coakley and Folger Emerson Judge: Wade Snook Place: Oakland, California Dates of Trial: November 7, 1955-January 25, 1956 Verdict: Guilty Sentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: Shrewd advocacy and the marshaling of highly charged emotions overcame evidential limitations in one…
Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate Trials: 1958 - Tough Background, Hostage Or Killer?
Defendants: Charles Starkweather, Caril Fugate Crime Charged: Murder Chief Defense Lawyers: T. Clement Gaughan, William F. Matschullat, John McArthur Chief Prosecutors: Elmer Scheele, Dale Fahrnbruch Judge: Harry A. Spencer Place: Lincoln, Nebraska Dates of Trials: Starkweather: May 5-23, 1958; Fugate: October 27-November 21, 1958 Verdict: Guilty Sentence: Starkweather: death; Fugate: life impriso…
Cheryl Christina Crane Inquest: 1958 - Tale Of Star-crossed Lovers, Cheryl's Statement Introduced
Defendant: Cheryl Christina Crane Crime Investigated: Homicide of Johnny Stompanato Chief Defense Lawyer: Jerry Geisler Chief Prosecutor: William B. McKesson Coroner: Theodore J. Curphey Place: Los Angeles, California Date of Inquest: April 11, 1958 Verdict: Justifiable homicide SIGNIFICANCE: The explosive plot and star-studded cast of this particular Hollywood spectacle once again showed that the…
Clarence Earl Gideon Trials: 1961 1963 - Gideon Appeals
Defendant: Clarence Earl Gideon Crime Charged: Breaking and entering Chief Defense Lawyers: First trial: None; Second trial: W. Fred Turner Chief Prosecutor: First trial: William E. Harris; Second trial: J. Frank Adams, J. Paul Griffith, and William E. Harris Judge: Robert L. McCrary, Jr. Place: Panama City, Florida Dates of Trials: First trial: August 4, 1961;Second trial: August 5, 1963 Verdict:…
Communist Party of the United States v. Subversive Activities Control Board - Significance
Communist Party of the United States of America Subversive Activities Control Board That provisions of the 1950 Internal Security Act (the McCarran Act) requiring Communist organizations to register with the attorney general are unconstitutional either as bills of attainder, imposing punishment without benefit of trial, or as violations of the First Amendment. John J. Abt and Joseph Forer J. Lee R…
Draper v. United States - Significance, Informant Provided "reasonable Grounds", Dissent Says Arrest Unlawful, Impact, Related Cases
James Draper United States That the search of petitioner and seizure of heroin following his warrantless arrest by a federal narcotics agent violated the Fourth Amendment because the arrest was based solely on information from a paid informant. Osmond K. Fraenkel Leonard B. Sand Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, John Marshall Harlan II, Potter Stewart, Charles Evans Whit…
Engel v. Vitale - Significance, Justice Black For The Majority Declares Public School Prayer Wholly Unconstitutional, Official State Prayer
Steven L. Engel, et al. William J. Vitale, et al. That an official state prayer, even though it is nondenominational and voluntary, violates the First Amendment prohibition against state establishment of religion. William J. Butler Bertram B. Daiker Hugo Lafayette Black (writing for the Court), William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, William O. Douglas, John Marshall Harlan II, Earl Warren Potter S…
Engel v. Vitale - Further Readings
Going out of their way to avoid trouble, the regents made the prayer entirely optional. Both local school boards and parents could decide if it would be used. Nevertheless, its authors had not written it only to try their hand at prayer making. "We believe," they wrote, "that this Statement will be subscribed to by all men and women of good will, and we call upon all of them t…
et al. Glidden Company v. Zdanok - Significance, Management Rights Vs. Seniority, Ruling On The Judge, Article I And Article Iii
Durkee Famous Foods Division of the Glidden Company Zdanok, et al. That the original ruling against Durkee was improperly constituted because a U.S. Court of Claims judge, rather than a Circuit Court judge, had sat on the court when it heard the case. Chester Bordeau Morris Shapiro William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, Arthur Goldberg, John Marshall Harlan II (writing for the Court), Potter Stewa…
Gomillion v. Lightfoot - Background, Supreme Court Reverses Decision, Redistricting
C. G. Gomillion, et al. Lightfoot, Mayor of Tuskegee, et al. That the state of Alabama re-created the Tuskegee City boundaries to eliminate most African American residents, preventing them from voting in city elections in violation of the Fifteenth Amendment. Fred D. Gray, Robert L. Carter James J. Carter Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, William O. Douglas, Felix Frankf…
Hoyt v. Florida - Significance, Court Upholds Double Standard Regarding Jury Service, First Use Of The Temporary Insanity Plea
Gwendolyn Hoyt State of Florida That a Florida law providing that women could serve on juries only at their own request deprived criminal defendants in the state from equal protection of the laws. Herbert B. Ehrmann George R. Georgieff Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, William O. Douglas, Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan II (writing for the Court), Potter Stewart,…
Huron Portland Cement Co. v. City of Detroit - Significance, Hand-fired Boilers And Coal Smoke, Regulating Interstate Commerce, "at War With The Federal License"
Huron Portland Cement Co. City of Detroit That the city of Detroit had no right to enforce a local anti-pollution ordinance against ships owned by the Huron Portland Cement Company, given that those ships had been "inspected, approved and licensed" by the Federal Government for interstate commerce; moreover, even if Detroit's law was not in conflict with federal law, enforcement of the statute was…
Inc. John Henry Faulk v. Aware et al: 1962 - The Cold War Climate, Faulk Leads Fight Against Blacklisting, Trial Witnesses Hard To Find, Suggestions For Further Reading
Plaintiff: John Henry Faulk Defendants: Aware, Inc., Vincent Hartnett, and Laurence A. Johnson Plaintiff Claim: Damages for libel and conspiracy Chief Defense Lawyer: Thomas A. Bolan Chief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Louis Nizer Judge: Abraham N. Geller Place: New York, New York Dates: April 23— July 29, 1962 Verdict: Award for compensatory damages in the amount of $1 million, plus $2.5 million i…
Kent v. Dulles - Significance, Supreme Court Recognizes A New Fundamental Right: Foreign Travel, The Right To Travel
Rockwell Kent John Foster Dulles, U.S. Secretary of State That the State Department's denial of a passport to an acknowledged communist violates the right to travel and the First Amendment right of free association. Leonard B. Boudin J. Lee Rankin, U.S. Solicitor General Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., William O. Douglas (writing for the Court), Felix Frankfurter, Earl Warren Harold…
Mallory v. United States - Significance, Supreme Court Formulates Mcnabb-mallory Rule, Omnibus Crime Control And Safe Street Acts Of 1968
Andrew R. Mallory United States That being arrested without probable cause and held for a prolonged period without being formally charged invalidated his confession. William B. Bryant Edward L. Barrett, Jr., Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney General Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Harold Burton, Tom C. Clark, William O. Douglas, Felix Frankfurter (writing for the Court), John M…
Mapp v. Ohio - Significance, Court Applies Exclusionary Rule To States, The Exclusionary Rule, Further Readings
Dollree Mapp State of Ohio That the state is barred from using evidence at trial that was obtained through an unlawful search and seizure. A. L. Kearns Gertrude Bauer Mahon Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark (writing for the Court), William O. Douglas, Potter Stewart, Earl Warren Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan II, Charles Evans Whittaker Washington, D.C. 19 June 1…
Matthew McKeon Court-Martial: 1956 - Panic In The Mud, Was The Drill Sergeant Drunk?
Defendant: Matthew McKeon Crimes Charged: Drinking in enlisted barracks, oppression of 74 recruits, culpable negligence in the deaths of six recruits, oppression of the six dead recruits, drinking in front of a recruit Chief Defense Lawyers: Emile Zola Berman, Thomas Costello Chief Prosecutors: Charles B. Sevier, Frederick M. Haden, William Otten, Jr. Judges: Edward L. Hutchinson (President), Nich…
Monroe v. Pape - Significance, A Turbulent Time, An Energetic Mistake, Equal Protection And The States, Impact
Monroe, et al. Pape, et al. That a warrantless search of their home by police, which included demeaning treatment of the entire family, gave the Monroe family cause to bring suit for civil damages against the city of Chicago and the police officers involved in the search. Donald Page Moore Sydney R. Drebin Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, John Marshall Harlan II, Willia…
Muskopf v. Corning Hospital District - Torts And Liability, Sovereign Immunity, The Narrowing Of Immunity, Tort Liability
Louisa C. Muskopf, et al. Corning Hospital District That the hospital district was liable for negligence in the appellant's injury, and not immune from tort liability on the grounds of it's government status. P. M. Barceloux, Burton J. Goldstein Glenn D. Newton, William W. Coshow Maurice P. Dooling, Jr., Phil S. Gibson, Raymond E. Peters, Roger J. Traynor (writing for the court), Thomas P. White M…
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People v. Alabama - Significance, Related Cases, Further Readings
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People State of Alabama That the state of Alabama could not force the association to produce a list including the names and addresses of its members and agents, and that a temporary restraining order barring the association from operation in Alabama was unconstitutional. Robert L. Carter Edmond L. Rinehart, Assistant Attorney General of Alabama H…
Pennsylvania v. Nelson - Significance, Cold Warriors Outraged By Court's Decision In Favor Of Communist Party Leader
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Steve Nelson That the Pennsylvania Supreme Court erred in overturning the conviction of Nelson, a Communist Party leader, under the state's antisedition law. Frank F. Truscott, Special Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania Herbert S. Thatcher Hugo Lafayette Black, Tom C. Clark, William O. Douglas, Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan II, Earl Warren (writing for t…
Poe v. Ullman - Appellant's Claim, Significance, Justiciability Of The Claim, Defining The Right To Privacy
Paul and Pauline Poe, et al. Ullman, State's Attorney Fowler W. Harper Raymond J. Cannon William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, Felix Frankfurter (writing for the Court), Earl Warren, Charles Evans Whittaker Hugo Lafayette Black, William O. Douglas, John Marshall Harlan II, Potter Stewart Washington, D.C. 19 June 1961 In a 5-4 decision, the Court dismissed the case with no determination upon the c…
Raymond Bernard Finch and Carole Tregoff Trials: 1960 1961 - Fatal Struggle, Dying Words, Stunning Verdict
Defendants: Raymond Bernard Finch and Carole Tregoff Crime Charged: Murder Chief Defense Lawyers: Don Bruggold, Grant Cooper, Rexford Egan, and Robert A. Neeb, Jr. Chief Prosecutors: First trial: Clifford C. Crail, William H. McKesson, and Fred N. Whichello; Second trial: Clifford C. Crail; Third trial: Clifford C. Crail Judges: First trial: Walter R. Evans; Second trial: LeRoy Dawson; Third trial…
Reid v. Covert - Significance, Two Cases, One Outcome, Time On Covert's Side?
Curtis Reid, Superintendent of the District of Columbia Jail Clarice B. Covert That a district court wrongfully issued a writ of habeas corpus for Covert, who was awaiting retrial on murder charges. Marvin E. Frankel Frederick Bernays Weiner Tom C. Clark (writing for the Court), Harold Burton, John Marshall Harlan II, Sherman Minton, Charles Evans Whittaker Hugo Lafayette Black, William O. Douglas…
Reynolds v. Pegler - Significance, Reynolds Sues For Libel, Libel: Are Large Settlements Deterrents?
Quentin Reynolds Westbrook Pegler, The Hearst Corporation, and Hearst Consolidated Publications That a certain column published by the defendants on 29 November 1949 libeled the plaintiff. Walter S. Beck, Paul Martinson, Louis Nizer Charles Henry Edward Weinfeld New York, New York 22 July 1954 Against all defendants: Reynolds awarded $1 in compensatory damages and $175,000 in punitive damages. Pre…
Reynolds v. Pegler: 1954 - Reynolds Sues For Libel
Plaintiff: Quentin Reynolds Defendants: Westbrook Pegler, The Hearst Corporation, and Hearst Consolidated Publications Plaintiff Claims: That a certain column published by the defendants on November 29, 1949 libeled the plaintiff Chief Defense Lawyer: Charles Henry Chief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Walter S. Beck, Paul Martinson, and Louis Nizer Judge: Edward Weinfeld Place: New York, New York Dates of…
Richard Hickock and Perry Smith Trial: 1960 - Trial Leaves Questions Over Sanity, Appeals Fail To Overturn Conviction, Suggestions For Further Reading
Defendants: Richard E. Hickock and Perry E. Smith Crime Charged: Murder Chief Defense Lawyers: Arthur Fleming and Harrison Smith Chief Prosecutors: Logan Greene and Duane West Judge: Roland H. Tate Place: Garden City, Kansas Dates of Trial: March 22-29, 1960 Verdict: Guilty Sentence: Death by hanging SIGNIFICANCE: The case provided a classic example of the limitations of the M'Naghten Test …
Robinson v. California - Decision, Significance, Cruel And Unusual Punishment, The Consequences, The Anti-drug Abuse Act Of 1986
Lawrence Robinson State of California That the state violated his Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights, which protect him from cruel and unusual punishment, because the state of California sentenced him to 90 days in jail for having a drug addiction. S. Carter McMorris William E. Doran Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., William O. Douglas, John Marshall Harlan II, Potter Stewart (wri…
Robinson v. California
Lawrence Robinson was stopped on a city street by a Los Angeles police officer, who had noticed that Robinson's arms were scabbed, discolored, and filled with needle marks. The officer arrested Robinson, who was sent to the Los Angeles central jail. The next day his arms were again examined, this time by a member of the narcotics division of the police department. Based on his examination, …
Roth v. United States - Further Readings
The Court consolidated the appeals of Samuel Roth and David Alberts. Roth had been convicted of violating a federal statute (18 U.S.C.A. § 1461) that made it a crime to mail obscene advertising and reading materials. Alberts, a California mail-order seller, was convicted for keeping obscene books in violation of California law. Both the federal and state courts of appeal had upheld their re…
Samuel Sheppard Trials: 1954 and 1966 - The Carnival Begins, Morals, Not Murder, A Second Chance, Suggestions For Further Reading
Defendant: Samuel Sheppard Crime Charged: Murder Chief Defense Lawyers: First trial: William J. Corrigan, William Corrigan, Jr., Fred Garmone, and Arthur E. Petersilge; Second trial: F. Lee Bailey Chief Prosecutors: First trial: Saul S. Danaceau, John J. Mahon, and Thomas J. Parrino; Second trial: John Corrigan Judges: First trial: Edward C. Blythin; Second trial: Francis J. Talty Place: Cleveland…
Scales v. United States - Significance, Supreme Court Reverses Course On Communism, The Smith Act
Junius Irving Scales United States That the membership clause of the Smith Act, which makes it a crime to belong "knowingly" to an organization advocating overthrow of the government, violates the rights of free speech and association, as well as due process. Telford Taylor John F. Davis Tom C. Clark, Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan II (writing for the Court), Potter Stewart, Charles Evans…
Shelton v. Tucker - Significance, Three Teachers Refuse To Comply, Other Naacp Cases, Further Readings
B. T. Shelton, et al. Everett Tucker, et al. That the state of Arkansas violated the constitutional rights of personal, associational, and academic liberty by requiring teachers to disclose all their organizational affiliations as a condition for employment. Robert L. Carter, Edwin E. Dunaway Herschel H. Friday Jr, Louis L. Ramsay Jr., Robert V. Light Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr.,…
Slochower v. Board of Education of New York - Significance, Court Upholds Privilege Against Self-incrimination And Reinstates Professor, The Fifth Amendment
Harry Slochower Board of Higher Education of the city of New York That a provision of the city's charter prohibiting the use by employees of the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination violated his due process rights. Ephraim S. London Daniel T. Scannell Tom C. Clark (writing for the Court), John Marshall Harlan II, Stanley Forman Reed, Sherman Minton, Earl Warren Hugo Lafayette Black…
Speiser v. Randall - Significance, Punishing Subversive Ideas, The Burden Of Proof, Justice Clark's Dissent, Impact
Lawrence Speiser Justin A. Randall, as Assessor of Contra Costa County, California That the California law denying property-tax exemption to veterans who refuse to sign a loyalty oath violates the Constitution. Lawrence Speiser George W. McClure Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr. (writing for the Court), Harold Burton, William O. Douglas Tom C. Clark (Earl Warren did not participate) Wa…
Tobacco Litigation Trials: 1954-present - Plaintiffs Find A New Argument, State Governments Seek Payback, The Feds Hop On Board, Suggestions For Further Reading
Plaintiffs: Smokers, their next of kin, and the state and federal governments Defendants: Philip Morris Company; R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation; Lorillard Tobacco Corporation; The Liggett Group, Inc.; American Tobacco Company; British American Tobacco, P.L.C.; and other tobacco-related entities Place: Various Dates of Trials: 1954-present SIGNIFICANCE:…
Toth v. Quarles - A Death In Korea, A Gap In Jurisdiction
Audrey M. Toth Donald A. Quarles, Secretary of the U.S. Air Force That the U.S. District Court of Appeals erred in holding Robert Toth liable to prosecution under Article 3(a) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. William A. Kehoe, Jr. Simon E. Sobeloff, Solicitor General; Lt. Col. Chester W. Wilson Hugo Lafayette Black (writing for the Court), Tom C. Clark, William O. Douglas, Felix Frankfurte…
Trop v. Dulles - Significance, Court Rules That Denaturalization Is Cruel And Unusual Punishment, Rescinding American Citizenship
Albert L. Trop John Foster Dulles, U.S. Secretary of State That taking away his American citizenship amounted to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. Osmond K. Fraenkel J. Lee Rankin, U.S. Solicitor General Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., William O. Douglas, Earl Warren (writing for the Court), Charles Evans Whittaker Harold Burton, Tom C. Clark, Felix …
Ullmann v. United States - Significance, Court Holds That The Privilege Against Self-incrimination Only Protects Against Criminal Prosecution, Prima Facie Evidence
William Ludwig Ullmann United States That the Immunity Act of 1954, making it a criminal offense to refuse to testify about matters of national security, violates the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. Leonard B. Boudin Charles F. Barber Harold Burton, Tom C. Clark, Felix Frankfurter (writing for the Court), John Marshall Harlan II, Sherman Minton, Stanley Forman Reed, Earl Warr…
Watkins v. United States - Significance, Supreme Court Rules That Congressional Power Of Investigation Is Not Unlimited, Further Readings
John T. Watkins United States That Congress does not have unlimited power to investigate the private lives of individual citizens. Joseph L. Rauh, Jr. J. Lee Rankin, U. S. Solicitor General Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., William O. Douglas, Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan II, Earl Warren (writing for the Court) Tom C. Clark (Harold Burton and Charles Evans Whittaker did not…
Wiener v. United States - A "quasi-judicial" Body, Shifting Precedents, Justice Felix Frankfurter
Myron Wiener United States That the court of claims erred by dismissing his suit for back salary, in the wake of his improper dismissal by the president. T. H. Wachtel J. Lee Rankin, U.S. Solicitor General Hugo Lafayette Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Harold Burton, Tom C. Clark, William O. Douglas, Felix Frankfurter (writing for the Court), John Marshall Harlan II, Earl Warren, Charles Evans Whi…
Wilhelm Reich Trial: 1956 - Discovers "orgone", Invents "accumulator", Builds "cloud-buster", Ignores Injunction, Suggestions For Further Reading
Defendants: Wilhelm Reich, Michael Silvert, the Wilhelm Reich Foundation Crime Charged: Criminal contempt of court Chief Defense Lawyers: Wilhelm Reich and Michael Silvert, representing themselves; William Moise, representing the Wilhelm Reich Foundation; on appeal, Charles Haydon Chief Prosecutors: Joseph L. Maguire, Peter Mills Judge: George C. Sweeney Place: Portland, Maine Date of Trial: May 3…
Williams v. Lee - A Question Of Jurisdiction, The Treaty Of 1868
Paul Williams, Lorena Williams Hugh Lee That the Supreme Court of Arizona had erred in claiming jurisdiction in a civil suit occurring on Navajo Indian reservation land. William W. Stevenson Norman M. Littell Hugo Lafayette Black (writing for the Court), William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, William O. Douglas, Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan II, Potter Stewart, Earl Warren, Charles Evans…
Williamson v. Lee Optical - Significance, A Vision Problem In Oklahoma, Substantive Due Process: From Slaughterhouse To Optician's Shop
Mac Q. Williamson, Attorney General of Oklahoma Lee Optical of Oklahoma That an Oklahoma law, which prohibited persons other than licensed optometrists and ophthalmologists from fitting lenses for eyeglasses, did not constitute a violation of the Due Process Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. James C. Harkin, Assistant Attorney General of Oklahoma Dick H. Woods Hugo Lafayette …