Supreme Court of the United States, 1954

Gordon v. United States

Gordon v. United States
Supreme Court of the United States · Decided February 8, 1954
347 U.S. 909; 74 S. Ct. 473; 98 L. Ed. 1067; 1954 U.S. LEXIS 2431 (United States Reports)

Gordon v. United States

Opinion of the Court

Per Curiam:

Petitioners are business partners in the sale of appliances. They were convicted under § 603 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, 64 Stat. 814, which provides that “Any person who *910willfully violates” regulations promulgated under the Act shall be guilty of crime. The jury was instructed that the knowledge of petitioners’ employees was chargeable to petitioners in determining petitioners’ wilfulness. Because of the instruction, the Government has confessed error. We agree, and accordingly reverse the judgment and remand the case to the District Court for retrial.

John S. Boyden argued the cause for petitioners. With him on the brief was Allen H. Tib-bals. John R. Benney argued the cause for the United States. With him on the brief were Acting Solicitor General Stern, Assistant Attorney General Olney and Beatrice Rosenberg.

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