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Constitutional Law--Compelling Witness Duty From Absent Nationals

Michigan Law Review

One Blackmer, a citizen of the United States wanted as a witness in the prosecution of Fall and Sinclair, removed to France. Primarily for the purpose of compelling him to return as a witness, Congress enacted, in 1926, the statute commonly known as the Walsh Act. This act provides that whenever the Attorney General or any assistant or district attorney acting under him desires as a witness in a criminal action a person abroad who is a "citizen of the United States or domiciled therein," a subpoena may be issued addressed to a United States consul to be served by …