Supreme Court of the United States

Green v. United States

March 31, 1958356 U.S. 165

Summary

The Court affirmed the district courts’ criminal contempt convictions and three‑year sentences for Green and Winston, holding that 18 U.S.C. § 401(3) authorizes contempt sanctions for failure to obey a surrender order, that the evidence proved knowledge beyond a reasonable doubt, that § 401 permits imprisonment exceeding one year, and that the sentences were not an abuse of discretion. Separate dissents (Justices Black and Brennan) argue the power is unconstitutional and the evidence insufficient.

Holding

  • Whether 18 U.S.C. § 401(3) authorizes federal courts to punish criminal contempt for failure to obey a surrender order.. Yes; the statute’s language covering "disobedience or resistance to any lawful ... order" includes surrender orders.
  • Whether the evidence established the petitioners' knowledge of the surrender order beyond a reasonable doubt.. Yes; the record shows the petitioners were notified of the order, failed to appear, and made statements at surrender indicating knowledge.
  • Whether § 401 permits imprisonment for criminal contempt exceeding one year.. Yes; the statute gives courts discretion to impose fine or imprisonment of any length, and the Clayton Act’s limitation does not apply to this class of contempt.
  • Whether the three‑year sentences constituted an abuse of discretion.. No; the sentences were within the statutory maximum, comparable to prior cases, and reflected the seriousness of the defendants’ conduct.

Docket 100

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