United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Stefanelli v. Minard, 342 U.S. 117 (1951)

Stefanelli v. Minard

No. 2

Argued October 16, 1951

Decided December 3, 1951

342 U.S. 117

Syllabus

1. In civil proceedings brought in the Federal District Court under R.S. § 1979, 8 U.S.C. § 43 (Civil Rights Act), petitioners sought an injunction against the use, in pending state criminal proceedings against them in New Jersey, of evidence claimed to have been obtained by an unlawful search by state police.

Held: the District Court properly dismissed the complaints. Pp. 342 U. S. 117-125.

2. Federal courts should refuse to intervene in state criminal proceedings to suppress the use of evidence even when claimed to have been secured by unlawful search and seizure. Pp. 342 U. S. 120-125.

184 F.2d 575, affirmed.

In suits brought by petitioners under R.S. § 1979, 8 U.S.C. § 43, to enjoin the use, in a state criminal trial, of evidence claimed to have been obtained by an unlawful search by state police, the District Court dismissed the complaints. The Court of Appeals affirmed. 184 F.2d 575. This Court granted certiorari. 341 U.S. 930. Affirmed, p. 342 U. S. 125.