Hoffman v. United States

341 U.S. 479 (1951)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

A grand jury was convened to investigate frauds upon the Federal Government, including violations of the customs, narcotics and internal revenue liquor laws of the United States, the White Slave Traffic Act, perjury, bribery, and other federal criminal laws, and conspiracy to commit all such offenses. D appeared to testify on the day the grand jury was empaneled. D declined to answer questions on the ground that his answers might tend to incriminate him of a federal offense. D's claim of privilege was challenged, and the District Court found no real and substantial danger of incrimination to petitioner and ordered him to return to the grand jury and answer. D stated in open court that he would not obey the order, and on October 5 was adjudged in criminal contempt and sentenced to five months imprisonment. 18 U.S.C. § 401; Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 42 (a). D appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit which affirmed. The Supreme Court granted certiorari.