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Hamilton v. Alabama

Citations: 11 L. Ed. 2d 979; 84 S. Ct. 982; 376 U.S. 650; 1964 U.S. LEXIS 1544Docket: 793

Court: Supreme Court of the United States; March 30, 1964; Federal Supreme Court; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The Supreme Court of the United States granted a petition for a writ of certiorari in the case of Mary Hamilton v. Alabama, reversing the judgment of contempt from the Supreme Court of Alabama. The decision references prior cases, specifically Johnson v. Virginia, which supports the reversal. Justice Black concurs with the reversal, citing reasons from In re Murchison, In re Oliver, and Thompson v. City of Louisville. Justices Clark, Harlan, and White express dissenting views, believing that certiorari should not have been granted.

Legal Issues Addressed

Concurring Opinions in Reversal

Application: Justice Black concurred with the reversal, aligning his reasoning with established precedents to justify the decision.

Reasoning: Justice Black concurs with the reversal, citing reasons from In re Murchison, In re Oliver, and Thompson v. City of Louisville.

Dissenting Opinions on Certiorari Grant

Application: Justices Clark, Harlan, and White dissented, indicating their belief that the Supreme Court should not have intervened by granting certiorari.

Reasoning: Justices Clark, Harlan, and White express dissenting views, believing that certiorari should not have been granted.

Granting of Writ of Certiorari

Application: The Supreme Court of the United States decided to review the case by granting a writ of certiorari, indicating that it found substantial federal interest or error in the lower court's decision.

Reasoning: The Supreme Court of the United States granted a petition for a writ of certiorari in the case of Mary Hamilton v. Alabama.

Precedential Support for Reversal

Application: The Court's decision to reverse was supported by referencing previous cases, thereby adhering to the principle of stare decisis.

Reasoning: The decision references prior cases, specifically Johnson v. Virginia, which supports the reversal.

Reversal of Contempt Judgment

Application: The Supreme Court reversed the contempt judgment originally upheld by the Supreme Court of Alabama, indicating a disagreement with the legal basis or application of law in the lower court's decision.

Reasoning: The Supreme Court of the United States granted a petition for a writ of certiorari in the case of Mary Hamilton v. Alabama, reversing the judgment of contempt from the Supreme Court of Alabama.