In the case of Scull v. Virginia ex rel. Committee on Law Reform and Racial Activities, 1958, the U.S Supreme Court ruled in favor of a group of African American plaintiffs who were seeking to challenge racial segregation laws in Virginia. The plaintiffs had been subpoenaed by a state committee investigating alleged violations of these laws but refused to testify or produce documents on grounds that their constitutional rights would be violated. They sought an injunction from federal courts to prevent enforcement of the subpoenas, which was initially denied by lower courts. The Supreme Court reversed this decision, holding that while states have broad power to conduct investigations through legislative committees, they cannot use this power in ways that infringe upon individuals' constitutional rights - including protections against self-incrimination and unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments respectively. This ruling reaffirmed principles established in earlier cases such as NAACP v Alabama (1956) where it was held that states could not compel disclosure information about an organization's membership if doing so would expose members to threats or harassment.

In the dissenting opinion for Scull v. Virginia, Justice Felix Frankfurter argued that the Court should not have taken jurisdiction over this case as it was a matter of state law and did not present any substantial federal question. He contended that there was no violation of constitutional rights because the petitioner had been given due process under Virginia's laws. The justice also expressed concern about potential abuse of power by federal courts in intervening with state matters without clear justification or necessity, which he believed could undermine states' authority and autonomy within their own jurisdictions. Furthermore, he disagreed with the majority's interpretation of "privilege against self-incincrimination," asserting that it does not apply to corporations but only to individuals who face personal criminal liability.