This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Yee Hem (P) was possessing and concealing opium. He was prosecuted under a statute which created a statutory presumption of guilt upon a showing of possession of opium and the source of the opium. This presumption shifts the burden of proof to the defendant to show lawful possession or that the opium was not imported. P challenged the statute's constitutionality, claiming a violation of due process and the compulsory self-incrimination clauses of the Fifth Amendment.

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