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United States v. White

United States Supreme Court

401 U.S. 745 (1971)

Facts

White (defendant) was convicted on two charges involving illegal narcotics. At trial, over White’s objections, government agents were permitted to testify to conversations White had had with a government informant. The government agents had overheard these conversations through a wire-tap the informant had been wearing, allowing them to hear every word in real time. The court of appeals reversed the conviction holding that the testimony was inadmissible at trial.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (White, J.)

The holding and reasoning section includes:

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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Dissent (Douglas, J.)

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Dissent (Harlan, J.)

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