United States v. Wilson

We granted certiorari to decide whether a district court may impose summary contempt punishment under Fed. Rule Crim. Proc. 42 (a)1 when a witness who has been granted immunity, refuses on Fifth Amendment grounds to testify. The Court of Appeals held that in such circumstances a judge cannot dispose of the contempt summarily, but must proceed under Rule 42 (b),2 *311which calls for disposition only after notice and hearing, and “a reasonable time for the preparation of the defense.”

I

Respondents Wilson and Bryan, along with one Robert Anderson, were charged in separate indictments with separate…