Blau v. United States

340 U.S. 332 (1951)

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Blau v. United States

United States Supreme Court
340 U.S. 332 (1951)

KL

Facts

Patricia Blau was wanted as a witness before a grand jury and hid out to avoid being summoned. Blau’s husband, Irving Blau (defendant), was summoned to appear before the grand jury and was asked to reveal his wife’s whereabouts. Irving refused, invoking the marital-communications privilege. The district court determined that the marital-communications privilege did not apply, because Irving could not prove that his wife privately communicated her location to him. The district court sentenced Irving to prison for contempt of court. The appellate court affirmed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Black, J.)

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