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United States v. Balsys

United States Supreme Court

524 U.S. 666 (1998)

Facts

The Department of Justice issued a subpoena to Aloyzas Balsys (defendant), seeking information about his wartime conduct during World War II. Balsys asserted the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, claiming that his responses could subject him to criminal prosecution in Lithuania, Israel, and Germany. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that the privilege against self-incrimination did not apply to foreign prosecutions. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Souter, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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