Cramer v. United States
Encyclopedia
Cramer v. United States, 325 U.S. 1 (1945), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States
reviewed the conviction of Anthony Cramer, a German
-born naturalized citizen, for treason
. The case was reargued on November 6 1944, and finally decided on April 23, 1945.
Cramer had associated with two Germans, Werner Thiel and Edward Kerling —one of whom he had prior business dealings with. The two were later found to be in the United States for the purpose of sabotage
. Cramer was also arrested and convicted on the basis of this association.
The Court decided five-to-four to overturn the jury
verdict. Writing for the majority, Justice Robert H. Jackson
said that the constitution is clear in its definition of treason, limited to the waging of war
, or giving material assistance to an enemy. The prosecution and its witnesses could demonstrate only an association and not that Cramer had given "Aid and Comfort," as defined in Article Three. Jackson wrote that the jury had been given no evidence that Cramer had "even paid for their drinks."
Writing for the dissent, Justice William O. Douglas
claimed that acts, though innocent by nature, may serve a treasonous plan. Chief Justice Harlan Fiske Stone
concurred with the dissent.
This was the first time the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed a conviction for treason.
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
reviewed the conviction of Anthony Cramer, a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
-born naturalized citizen, for treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
. The case was reargued on November 6 1944, and finally decided on April 23, 1945.
Cramer had associated with two Germans, Werner Thiel and Edward Kerling —one of whom he had prior business dealings with. The two were later found to be in the United States for the purpose of sabotage
Sabotage
Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
. Cramer was also arrested and convicted on the basis of this association.
The Court decided five-to-four to overturn the jury
Jury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
verdict. Writing for the majority, Justice Robert H. Jackson
Robert H. Jackson
Robert Houghwout Jackson was United States Attorney General and an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court . He was also the chief United States prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials...
said that the constitution is clear in its definition of treason, limited to the waging of war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
, or giving material assistance to an enemy. The prosecution and its witnesses could demonstrate only an association and not that Cramer had given "Aid and Comfort," as defined in Article Three. Jackson wrote that the jury had been given no evidence that Cramer had "even paid for their drinks."
Writing for the dissent, Justice William O. Douglas
William O. Douglas
William Orville Douglas was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. With a term lasting 36 years and 209 days, he is the longest-serving justice in the history of the Supreme Court...
claimed that acts, though innocent by nature, may serve a treasonous plan. Chief Justice Harlan Fiske Stone
Harlan Fiske Stone
Harlan Fiske Stone was an American lawyer and jurist. A native of New Hampshire, he served as the dean of Columbia Law School, his alma mater, in the early 20th century. As a member of the Republican Party, he was appointed as the 52nd Attorney General of the United States before becoming an...
concurred with the dissent.
This was the first time the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed a conviction for treason.