In Stefanelli et al. v. Minard et al., the plaintiffs, who were under investigation for illegal gambling activities, sought to suppress evidence obtained by police officers during a warrantless search of their premises. The Supreme Court held that it did not have jurisdiction over the case because no federal question was presented and there was no diversity of citizenship between the parties involved in the lawsuit. Furthermore, it ruled that even if it had jurisdiction, it would not intervene in ongoing state criminal proceedings unless there is proven bad faith harassment or prosecution under a statute flagrantly unconstitutional on its face. This decision upheld law enforcement's right to conduct searches without warrants when they believe a crime is being committed and reinforced principles of federalism by deferring to state courts' authority over local criminal matters.

In the dissenting opinion for Stefanelli et al. v. Minard et al., Justice Jackson expressed concern over the majority's decision to deny federal courts jurisdiction in this case, arguing that it could set a dangerous precedent of limiting federal court intervention in state matters where constitutional rights may be violated. He contended that if police officers were allowed to seize evidence illegally and use it without fear of retribution or consequence, then Fourth Amendment protections would become meaningless. Furthermore, he argued that by denying federal courts jurisdiction in such cases, they are essentially allowing state officials to violate citizens' constitutional rights with impunity - an outcome which he believed was contrary to the principles upon which our nation was founded.