United States v. Kahriger (1940)
- Docket
- 167
- Decided
- 1940-1955-
Summary
Question: Did the Act violate the Fifth and Tenth Amendments? Conclusion: The Court upheld the law. Justice Reed argued that the law did not violate a person's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination because under its registration provisions, individuals were "not compelled to confess to acts already committed." The statute simply informed people who wanted to "engage in the business of wagering" that they would be required to "fulfill certain conditions." The Tenth Amendment was not offended as Reed found that the tax produced revenue and was not inconsistent with similar taxes which the Court had previously approved.