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United States v. Ward
United States Supreme Court
448 U.S. 242 (1980)
- Written by Sean Carroll, JD
Facts
A federal statute required a person or company that spilled oil in navigable waters to report the spill to federal authorities. The statute granted the reporting person immunity from criminal prosecution but permitted the government to impose a fine as a “civil penalty.” Ward (defendant) brought a claim against the United States (plaintiff), claiming that the compelled reporting in combination with the potential for a resulting civil penalty violated the Fifth Amendment’s right against self-incrimination. The district court found in favor of the United States, and the court of appeals reversed. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Rehnquist, C.J.)
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