In re Peterson
United States Supreme Court
253 U.S. 300 (1920)
Relevant factsFree
The District Court for the Southern District of New York appointed an auditor to hold a preliminary hearing determining amounts due for coal sold and delivered in Peterson's case, expressly stating the auditor would not finally decide any issue in the action. Peterson petitioned for a writ of mandamus, arguing the district court lacked authority to appoint an auditor this way and that doing so violated his Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.
IssueFree
Whether a district court may appoint an auditor to conduct a preliminary hearing to determine certain amounts due as necessary in the case.