Percy C. Reed, Appellant v. Martin W. Littleton, as District Attorney of Nassau County, Respondents

Summary

The Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division's decision that a declaratory judgment action is unavailable to challenge the validity of a criminal gambling statute when the statute is valid and the issue is whether the plaintiff's conduct violates it. The court held that equity courts will not intervene to adjudicate criminal liability absent a clear legal right and irreparable injury.