United States v. On Lee

1. Sixty-five years ago, the case of a humble Chinese laundryman led to a decision involving the formulation of one of the most important constitutional principles.12 Today On Lee’s case, as I see it, presents the violation of one of the most cherished constitutional rights, one which contributes substantially to the distinctive flavor of our democracy. This appears from the following facts:

Chin Poy, a paid informer of the Narcotic Bureau, and himself a former drug addict, paid two “friendly” visits to On Lee’s four-room combined laundry and dwelling. During these visits, the two men were…