United States ex rel. Finch v. Elliott

(after stating the facts as above). The relator invokes the original jurisdiction and “prays a writ of certiorari,” an order of injunction against persons not parties to this action, and the impounding of papers, etc., seized under a search warrant issued by the respondent, “a United States commissioner,” and alleged to be in possession of the parties who executed the warrant.

Certiorari is a writ having several purposes; one to enable a court of reviewing power to examine the action of an inferior court. Another is to enable the court to get further information in an action then pending…