Hobbs Act

The Hobbs Act, named after Congressman Sam Hobbs (D-Al) and codified at UnitedStatesCode|18|1951, is a U.S. federal law that prohibits actual or attempted robbery or extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce. Section 1951 also proscribes conspiracy to commit robbery or extortion without reference to the conspiracy statute at UnitedStatesCode|18|371. Although the Hobbs Act was enacted as a statute to combat racketeering in labor-management disputes, the statute is frequently used in connection with cases involving public corruption, commercial disputes, and corruption directed at members of labor unions.

upreme Court decision interpreting Hobbs Act

On February 28, 2006, the Supreme Court of the United States decided "Scheidler v. National Organization for Women". The Court's unanimous opinion held that physical violence unrelated to robbery or extortion falls outside the scope of the Hobbs Act, and that the United States Congress did not intend the Act to create a "freestanding physical violence offense." For that reason, the Court held, abortion clinics could not use the Hobbs Act to obtain an injunction against pro-life protesters.

References

Department of Justice Page on the Hobbs Act [http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/131mcrm.htm]

External links

* [http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/28Feb20061050/www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/05pdf/04-1244.pdf Supreme Court opinion in "Scheidler v. National Organization for Women" (PDF file)]