Overview
Case summary
Prather v. United States is a Supreme Court case from 1896 involving a writ of error from the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia. The United States moved to dismiss the writ, arguing lack of appellate jurisdiction. The Supreme Court, per the Chief Justice, found the case materially identical to Chapman v. United States, which had just been decided and held that appellate jurisdiction was lacking. Accordingly, the Court sustained the motion and dismissed the writ of error.
Abstract
The Supreme Court addressed a motion to dismiss a writ of error from the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia based on lack of appellate jurisdiction. The case was found materially identical to a recently decided case holding that appellate jurisdiction was lacking. The motion was sustained, and the writ of error was dismissed.
Opinion of the court
opinionThe Chief Justice
- Appellate jurisdiction lacking
- Follows Chapman v. United States
- Writ of error dismissed
Jurisdiction
challenged- Writ of error to the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia
Procedural posture
- Appellate jurisdiction
Legal categories
Case record
Issues & holdings
De novo
Lack of appellate jurisdiction, following Chapman v. United States
Issue preserved for review
Holdings of the court
Standards of review
- Appellate jurisdiction — de novo Jurisdictional questions reviewed de novo
Timeline
Procedural path
Case submitted to the Supreme Court
Supreme Court dismisses writ of error for lack of appellate jurisdiction
Outcome: Writ of error dismissed
Disposition based on jurisdictional grounds following Chapman v. United States
Facts & evidence
Procedural history
2 steps- Case submitted on November 2, 1896
- Motion to dismiss writ of error filed
Authorities
Cited authorities (1)
Related cases (1)
Standards & doctrines
- De novo review of jurisdictional questions
Legal principles applied
- Following precedent (Chapman v. United States) on jurisdictional matters