United States v. Mark Lawrence Alter

OPINION

Before MERRILL, HUFSTEDLER, and GOODWIN, Circuit Judges.

HUFSTEDLER, Circuit Judge:

Alter appeals from a civil contempt adjudication stemming from his refusal to answer three questions asked by a special federal grand jury investigating potential violations of a potpourri of federal statutes. 1 We vacate and remand.

Of the many issues presented on appeal, we reach four:

1. Did the district court abuse its discretion by compelling Alter to respond to contempt charges without affording him a reasonable time adequately to prepare his defense and without giving him the uninhibited adversary…