United States v. Kirby

For the 1931 case on taxation of cancelled debt, see United States v. Kirby Lumber Co.

United States v. Kirby
Supreme Court of the United States
Decided December, 1868
Full case nameUnited States v. Kirby
Citations74 U.S. 482 (more)
7 Wall. 482; 19 L. Ed. 278; 1868 U.S. LEXIS 1023
Case history
PriorOn appeal from the Circuit Court for the District of Kentucky
Holding
All laws must be read as if they contain exceptions to prevent "an absurd consequence". In particular, it is absurd to prosecute a law enforcement officer for "obstructing the mail" because he has arrested a postal worker suspected of a serious crime.
Court membership
Chief Justice
Salmon P. Chase
Associate Justices
Samuel Nelson · Robert C. Grier
Nathan Clifford · Noah H. Swayne
Samuel F. Miller · David Davis
Stephen J. Field
Case opinion
MajorityField, joined by Chase, Nelson, Grier, Clifford, Swayne, Davis
Miller took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.

United States v. Kirby, 74 U.S. (7 Wall.) 482 (1868), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that statutes must be constructed reasonably.[1]