Myers v. United States, 264 U.S. 95 (1924)

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Myers v. United States

No. 158

Submitted January 11, 1924
Decided February 18, 1924
264 U.S. 95

ERROR TO THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

Syllabus

1. The power to punish contempt to enforce obedience inheres in all courts, as essential to the performance of their functions. P. 103.

2. Contempt proceedings are sui generis -- neither civil actions nor criminal prosecutions, as ordinarily understood, nor criminal prosecutions within the Sixth Amendment. Id.

3. The contempts defined by § 21 of the Clayton Act (October 15, 1914, c. 323, 38 Stat. 730) -- disobedience of a lawful writ, etc., by an act such as to constitute also a criminal offense -- are not by the Act declared criminal. P. 104.

4. Proceedings to punish such a contempt, committed by disobedience of an injunction, are within the jurisdiction of the district court in the division where the main cause is pending, although the contempt was committed in another division of the district. Jud.Code §§ 51, 52, and 53, do not control the venue. Id.

Affirmed.

Error to an order of the district court sentencing the plaintiffs in error to fine and imprisonment for contumacious disobedience of an injunction.