In re Neagle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids In re Neagle |
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| Argued March 4–5, 1890 Decided April 14, 1890 |
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| Full case name | In re David Neagle |
| Citations | 135 U.S. 1 (more)
10 S. Ct. 658; 34 L. Ed. 55; 1890 U.S. LEXIS 2006
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| Prior history | Appeal from the Circuit Court of the United States for the Northern District of California |
| Holding | |
| Section 3 of Art. II of the U.S. Constitution requires that the Executive Branch "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." The court determined that the appointment of bodyguards to Supreme Court Justices ensured the faithful execution of the law of the United States. The court also relied on a statute granting marshals "the same powers, in executing the laws of the United States, as sheriffs and their deputies in such State may have, by law, in executing the laws thereof." | |
| Court membership | |
| Case opinions | |
| Majority | Miller, joined by Bradley, Harlan, Gray, Blatchford, Brewer |
| Dissent | Lamar, joined by Fuller |
| Field took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. | |
| Laws applied | |
| U.S. Const. Art. III, Sec. 788 of the Revised Statutes of the United States | |
In re Neagle, a famous case from 1890, was a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. It decided that federal officers (people who work for the U.S. government) cannot be charged with a crime by a state if they were doing their job and following federal rules.
Contents
What Happened in the Neagle Case?
A Judge's Bodyguard
In 1889, U.S. Marshal David Neagle was given a special job. The United States Attorney General asked him to be a bodyguard for Justice Stephen J. Field. Justice Field was a judge on the U.S. Supreme Court. At that time, Supreme Court justices often traveled to different states to hear cases. This was called "riding circuit." Justice Field was riding circuit in California.
The Confrontation
On August 14, 1889, Justice Field was at a train station in Lathrop, California. A man named David S. Terry approached him. Terry was a former judge in California. He had a strong dislike for Justice Field. Neagle, the bodyguard, believed Terry was about to attack Justice Field. To protect the judge, Neagle shot and killed Terry.
Arrest and Release
After the shooting, the local sheriff, Thomas Cunningham, arrested both Justice Field and David Neagle. Justice Field was soon released. However, Neagle was taken to jail.
Seeking Neagle's Freedom
The U.S. Attorney in San Francisco wanted Neagle released. They filed a special legal request called a writ of habeas corpus. This writ asks a court to decide if someone is being held in jail legally. A lower federal court heard the case and ordered Neagle to be set free.
The Supreme Court's Decision
The Appeal
Sheriff Cunningham and the State of California did not agree with the lower court's decision. They appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Protecting Federal Officers
The Supreme Court reviewed the case. In a 6-2 decision, they agreed with the lower court. Justice Field did not take part in the decision because he was involved in the event. The Court decided that federal officers, like Marshal Neagle, are protected when they are doing their duty for the U.S. government.
The President's Role
The Court also explained that the President has a duty to make sure federal laws are "faithfully executed." This means the President must ensure that federal laws are carried out properly. Even if there isn't a specific law saying a judge needs a bodyguard, the President can still take action to protect federal judges. This is because protecting judges helps ensure that the laws of the United States are followed. The Court said the President has the power to do what is "necessary and proper" to carry out this duty.
