United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Collins v. Kentucky, 234 U.S. 634 (1914)

Collins v. Kentucky

No. 35

Submitted April 22, 1914

Decided June 22, 1914

234 U.S. 634

Syllabus

A state penal statute which prescribes no standard of conduct that it is possible to know violates the fundamental principles of justice embodied in the conception of due process of law.

International Harvester Co. v. Kentucky, ante, p. 234 U. S. 216, followed to the effect that the provisions in regard to pooling crops in Chapter 117 of the Laws of Kentucky of 1906 as amended by Chapter 8 of the Laws of 1908, as construed by the courts of that state, in connection with the Anti-Trust Act of 1890 and § 198 of the Kentucky Constitution of 1891 do not prescribe any standard of conduct, and therefore

Page 234 U. S. 635

amount to a denial of due process of law under the Fourteenth Amendment.

141 Ky. 565 reversed.

The facts, which involve the constitutionality of provisions of the statutes of Kentucky of 1906, permitting combinations or pools of tobacco and other farm products, are stated in the opinion.