United States v. Kras
United States Supreme Court
409 U.S. 434 (1973)
Relevant factsFree
The Federal Bankruptcy Act and a related Supreme Court order conditioned discharge in voluntary bankruptcy on paying certain fees. Kras (plaintiff), an indigent bankruptcy petitioner, challenged the fee requirement in federal district court against the government (defendant) under the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses, and the district court ruled the fee structure unconstitutional. The government appealed directly to the Supreme Court.
IssueFree
Whether a federal law conditioning discharge in voluntary bankruptcy on the payment of fees violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.