United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Bray v. United States, 423 U.S. 73 (1975)

Bray v. United States

No. 75-5182

Decided December 1, 1975

423 U.S. 73

Syllabus

Petitioner's conviction of criminal contempt under 18 U.S.C. § 401 for refusing to testify and to produce business records subpoenaed by the Internal Revenue Service in connection with an inquiry into possible violations of the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 (Act) was a final decision of the District Court appealable to the Court of Appeals, and petitioner's appeal was not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals (TECA). Rather than "arising under" the Act within the meaning of § 211(b)(2) thereof, vesting the TECA with exclusive jurisdiction of all appeals from district courts "in cases and controversies arising under" the Act, the criminal contempt charge initiated a separate and independent proceeding under the Criminal Code, which, although related to an order entered in connection with an investigation of Act violations, did not depend on the existence of such violations or even the continuance of the investigation.

Certiorari granted; ___ F.2d ___, vacated and remanded.