Pinkerton v. United States

Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U.S. 640 (1946), is a case in the Supreme Court of the United States.[1] The case enunciated the principle of Pinkerton liability, a prominent concept in the law of conspiracy.

Pinkerton v. United States
Argued May 1, 1946
Decided June 10, 1946
Full case namePinkerton v. United States
Citations328 U.S. 640 (more)
66 S.Ct. 1180; 90 L. Ed. 1489; 1946 U.S. LEXIS 3154
Case history
Prior145 F.2d 252 (5th Cir. 1944); rehearing denied, 151 F.2d 499 (5th Cir. 1945); cert. granted, 327 U.S. 772 (1946).
SubsequentRehearing denied, 329 U.S. 818 (1946).
Holding
When a defendant is joined in a conspiracy, substantive crimes committed to advance that conspiracy can be charged to all defendants as long as they are still part of the conspiracy when those crimes are committed.
Court membership
Chief Justice
vacant
Associate Justices
Hugo Black · Stanley F. Reed
Felix Frankfurter · William O. Douglas
Frank Murphy · Robert H. Jackson
Wiley B. Rutledge · Harold H. Burton
Case opinions
MajorityDouglas
Concur/dissentRutledge, joined by Frankfurter
Jackson took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.

History

Walter and Daniel Pinkerton both lived separately on Daniel Pinkerton's farm. They were indicted for violations of the Internal Revenue Code. Walter Pinkerton was found guilty of nine counts of violating the tax code and one count of conspiracy. His brother Daniel was found guilty of 6 substantive counts of violating the tax code and one count of conspiracy. Daniel Pinkerton appealed, claiming that because only his brother had committed the substantive crimes he was incorrectly convicted. The actual crime committed may have been moonshining and the government chose to prosecute for tax evasion. They were suspected of "unlawful possession, transportation and dealing of whiskey.[2]

Issue

At issue is whether a defendant can be held liable for substantive crimes committed by another in the furtherance of a conspiracy in which they are joined.

Holding

The Court held that when a defendant is joined in a conspiracy, substantive crimes committed to advance that conspiracy can be charged to all defendants as long as they are still part of the conspiracy when those crimes are committed.

See also

References
  1. Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U.S. 640 (1946).
  2. STRADER, KELLY (2009). WHITE COLLAR CRIME: Cases, Materials, and PRoblems. Newark, NJ: Lexis Nexis. p. 80. ISBN 9781422427415.

Further reading
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