Dolan v. Burke

Opinion by

Keller, J.,

We agree with the learned court below that in the existing state of federal and state legislation if a man illegally purchases intoxicating liquor and is injured in consequence of drinking it, by reason of its alcoholic content, he himself has no right of action against the person who likewise violated the law by selling it. Under the Volstead Act (Act of Congress of October 28,1919, c. 85), it is unlawful to purchase— no less than manufacture or sell — intoxicating liquors, without a permit from the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and this must now be remembered in…