United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Hepner v. United States, 213 U.S. 103 (1909)

Hepner v. United States

No. 626

Argued March 2, 1909

Decided April 5, 1909

213 U.S. 103

Syllabus

A penalty may be recovered by a civil action, although such an action may be so far criminal in its nature that the defendant cannot be compelled to testify against himself therein in respect to any matter involving his being guilty of a criminal offense.

A suit brought by the United States to recover the penalty prescribed by §§ 4 and 5 of the Alien Immigration Act of March 3, 1903, c. 1012, 32 Stat. 1213, is a civil suit and not a criminal prosecution, and when it appears by undisputed testimony that a defendant has committed an offense against those sections, the trial judge may direct a verdict in favor of the government.

The facts, which involve the right of a trial judge to direct a verdict in favor of the government in an action for penalty

Page 213 U. S. 104

for violation of the Alien Immigration Law, are stated in the opinion.