United States v. Spur Knitting Mills, Inc.
United States v. Spur Knitting Mills, Inc.
Opinion of the Court
In view of the fact that the three counts of the indictment contain no information other than general charges of violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C.A. § 201 et seq., it is difficult to understand the refusal of the Government to furnish a single item of particulars with respect thereto.
The basis of opposition rests upon the assumption that (1) all the information sought is available to the defendant through its own records, and (2) witnesses, if their names are disclosed, may be subjected to “unseemly pressures.” Neither is valid. The fact that a defendant may have some, or even all the information requested, does not necessarily defeat his right to a bill of particulars. The issue on a motion for a bill of particulars is what the Government intends to prove upon the trial in support of its charge. The defendant is entitled to this information in order properly to prepare to meet the charges and to avoid surprise upon the trial.
However, to require the Government to furnish the detailed information requested with respect to each and every employee as to whom it is alleged violations occurred during the period covered in the indictment, would go far beyond what is required to afford the defendant reasonable assistance in the preparation of his defense and at the same time would unduly and unnecessarily burden the Government. Since a course of conduct is the substance of the offense under the Fair Labor Standards Act,
As to the second count, set forth (also with respect to 10 employees for 10 weeks in each year, or less if it be claimed false records were kept for shorter periods): (1) the hours actually worked each work
The service of a bill of particulars in accordance with the above shall not preclude the Government upon the trial from showing claimed violations with respect to other employees or for additional periods of time.
Settle order on notice.
. Cf. United States v. Nieberg, Cr. 143-221, S.D.N.Y., December 2, 1955.
. Of. Judge Whittaker’s (now Mr. Justice Whittaker) statement in Uniced States v. Smith, D.C.W.D.Mo.1954, 16 F.R.D. 372, 375 and cases there cited.
. See United States v. Universal C. 1. T. Credit Corp., 1952, 344 U.S. 218, 224, 73 S.Ct. 227, 97 L.Ed. 260.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- United States v. SPUR KNITTING MILLS, INCORPORATED
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published