Supreme Court of the United States
United States v. Enmons
February 22, 1973410 U.S. 396
Summary
The Supreme Court affirmed the district court’s dismissal of the Hobbs Act indictment, holding that the Act does not criminalize violence used during a lawful strike to obtain legitimate collective‑bargaining objectives. The Court’s reasoning was grounded in a textual reading of the term “wrongful” and extensive legislative history showing Congress did not intend to cover such conduct. Justice Douglas, dissenting, argued the opposite, while Justice Blackmun concurred in the judgment.
Holding
- Whether the Hobbs Act’s definition of extortion, including the term “wrongful,” applies to violence employed in a lawful strike to obtain legitimate union objectives. The Hobbs Act does not cover violence used during a lawful strike to achieve legitimate collective‑bargaining goals; therefore the indictment fails to state an offense.
Docket 71-1193
Cited authorities
- 84 Stat. 1890
- 18 U.S.C. § 1951
- 18 U.S.C. § 1951
- 48 Stat. 979
- 60 Stat. 420
- 48 Stat. 979
- 60 Stat. 420
- 18 U.S.C. § 1951
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