Court Cases Cited Within This Web Site
Ex parte Grossman, 267 U.S. 87 (1925)
 

In November of 1920, the United States filed a bill in equity against Philip Grossman stating that he was selling liquor in violation of the National Prohibition Act. The District Court issued a restraining order against Grossman to stop the sales. Grossman was later charged with violating the restraining order and was found guilty of contempt. Grossman was sentenced to one year in the Chicago House of Correction and fined $1,000.

The President of the United States later pardoned Grossman on condition the fine be paid. The pardon was accepted and Grossman paid the fine. In May of 1924, the District Court committed Grossman back to prison despite the pardon.

Grossman filed with the Supreme Court a petition for a writ of habeas corpus.

In this case, the Supreme Court only addressed the question of whether the President had power to pardon for such contempt charges. The Court spent a great deal of time in the opinion tracing the relationship of the Constitution to the words, phrases, and context of the common law.

The Court declared that the President had the power to pardon for criminal contempt charges and Grossman was released. 

Full Text: Ex parte Grossman, 267 U.S. 87 (1925)