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United States v. Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

678 F.2d 1 (1982)

Facts

Robert Belanger (defendant) was the president of a local chapter of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization. Belanger was held in civil contempt for violating a preliminary injunction order issued by the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire. The order restricted the number of picketers allowed at events during a nationwide air traffic controller strike. Belanger violated this order several times, and the court found him in civil contempt. The court fined Belanger $5,000. Belanger appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, arguing that the $5,000 fine was punitive and impermissible in a civil-contempt proceeding.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Torruella, 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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