United States v. Nixon (1974): List 2

Following the Watergate break-in scandal (1972-1974), a subpoena was issued for tapes and papers related to meetings held by Richard Nixon in the Oval Office. The president claimed "executive privilege" to withhold the evidence, but the Supreme Court rejected his immunity claiming that no person is beyond the law. This decision reinforced the impeachment process and led to Nixon's resignation. The unanimous opinion was written by Justice Warren Burger. Read the full text here.

The vocabulary on this list is from paragraphs 8-26 of the opinion.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. jurisdiction
    the right and power to interpret and apply the law
    The Court of Appeals' jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 encompasses only 'final decisions of the district courts.' Since the appeal was timely filed and all other procedural requirements were met, the petition is properly before this Court for consideration if the District Court order was final.
  2. concomitant
    following or accompanying as a consequence
    This Court has consistently held that the necessity for expedition in the administration of the criminal law justifies putting one who seeks to resist the production of desired information to a choice between compliance with a trial court's order to produce prior to any review of that order, and resistance to that order with the concomitant possibility of an adjudication of contempt if his claims are rejected on appeal.
  3. adjudication
    the final judgment in a legal proceeding
    This Court has consistently held that the necessity for expedition in the administration of the criminal law justifies putting one who seeks to resist the production of desired information to a choice between compliance with a trial court's order to produce prior to any review of that order, and resistance to that order with the concomitant possibility of an adjudication of contempt if his claims are rejected on appeal.
  4. contempt
    disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body
    This Court has consistently held that the necessity for expedition in the administration of the criminal law justifies putting one who seeks to resist the production of desired information to a choice between compliance with a trial court's order to produce prior to any review of that order, and resistance to that order with the concomitant possibility of an adjudication of contempt if his claims are rejected on appeal.
  5. engender
    call forth
    The issue whether a President can be cited for contempt could itself engender protracted litigation, and would further delay both review on the merits of his claim of privilege and the ultimate termination of the underlying criminal action for which his evidence is sought.
  6. protracted
    relatively long in duration
    The issue whether a President can be cited for contempt could itself engender protracted litigation, and would further delay both review on the merits of his claim of privilege and the ultimate termination of the underlying criminal action for which his evidence is sought.
  7. analogize
    draw a comparison to show a similarity in some respect
    The President's counsel argues that the federal courts should not intrude into areas committed to the other branches of Government. He views the present dispute as essentially a 'jurisdictional' dispute within the Executive Branch which he analogizes to a dispute between two congressional committees.
  8. vest
    provide with power and authority
    Congress has vested in the Attorney General the power to conduct the criminal litigation of the United States Government.
  9. delegation
    authorizing subordinates to make certain decisions
    the delegation of authority to the Special Prosecutor in this case is not an ordinary delegation by the Attorney General to a subordinate officer: with the authorization of the President, the Acting Attorney General provided in the regulation that the Special Prosecutor was not to be removed without the 'consensus' of eight designated leaders of Congress.
  10. consensus
    agreement in the judgment reached by a group as a whole
    the delegation of authority to the Special Prosecutor in this case is not an ordinary delegation by the Attorney General to a subordinate officer: with the authorization of the President, the Acting Attorney General provided in the regulation that the Special Prosecutor was not to be removed without the 'consensus' of eight designated leaders of Congress.
  11. oppressive
    marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior
    A subpoena for documents may be quashed if their production would be "unreasonable or oppressive," but not otherwise.
  12. relevant
    having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
    the moving party must show: (1) that the documents are evidentiary and relevant; (2) that they are not otherwise procurable reasonably in advance of trial by exercise of due diligence; (3) that the party cannot properly prepare for trial without such production and inspection in advance of trial, and that the failure to obtain such inspection may tend unreasonably to delay the trial; and (4) that the application is made in good faith and is not intended as a general "fishing expedition."
  13. admissible
    deserving to be accepted or allowed
    Recorded conversations may also be admissible for the limited purpose of impeaching the credibility of any defendant who testifies or any other coconspirator who testifies.
  14. impeach
    challenge the honesty or veracity of
    Recorded conversations may also be admissible for the limited purpose of impeaching the credibility of any defendant who testifies or any other coconspirator who testifies. Generally, the need for evidence to impeach witnesses is insufficient to require its production in advance of trial.
Created on Wed Jun 04 16:23:54 EDT 2025 (updated Wed Jun 04 17:34:50 EDT 2025)

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