Lees v. United States
Supreme Court of the United States
ERROR TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA. This was a oivil action 'in form, to recover a penalty for importing an alien under contract to perform labor, in violation of the act of February 26, 1885, 23 Stat. 332, c. 161. The point upon which the case turns in the opinion ié, that the action being criminal in nature, though civil in form, the defendant could not be compelled to be a witness against himself.
1Opinion of the CourtJustice Brewer
On August 22, 1888, the United States commenced this action in the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to recover of Joseph Lees and John S. Lees, the present plaintiffs in error, the sum of one thousand, dollars, as a forfeit and penalty for a violation by them of the act of Congress of February 26, 1885, entitled “ An act to prohibit the importation and migration of foreigners and aliens under contract or agreement to perform labor ' in the United States, its Territories, and the District of Columbia.” 23 Stat. 332, c. 164. Proceedings were…
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