United States v. Peters, 3 U.S. (3 Dall.) 121 (1795), was a United States Supreme Court case determining that the federal district court has no jurisdiction over a foreign privateer where the intended captured ship was not within the jurisdiction of the court. The Supreme Court may prohibit the district court from proceeding in such a matter. In the decision the court held:
| United States v. Peters | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Argued August 22, 1795 | |
| Full case name | The United States v. Richard Peters, District Judge |
| Citations | 3 U.S. 121 (more) |
| Holding | |
| The Supreme Court can compel a federal trial judge to halt proceedings in a case which the Supreme Court feels is lacking sufficient evidence to proceed. | |
| Court membership | |
| |
| Case opinion | |
| Majority | Rutledge, joined by unanimous |
The district court has no jurisdiction of a libel for damages, against a privateer, commissioned by a foreign belligerent power, for the capture of an American vessel as prize—the captured vessel not being within the jurisdiction.
The supreme court will grant a writ of prohibition to a district judge, when he is proceeding in a cause of which the district court has no jurisdiction.[1]
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- Text of United States v. Peters, 3 U.S. (3 Dall.) 121 (1795) is available from: Justia Library of Congress