 After sentencing , the defendants posted bail , enabling them to remain free during the appeal process . The $ 260 @,@ 000 bail ( $ 2 @,@ 585 @,@ 818 in 2016 dollars ) was provided by Civil Rights Congress , a non @-@ profit trust fund which was created to assist CPUSA members with legal expenses . While out on bail , Hall was appointed to a position in the secretariat within the CPUSA . Eugene Dennis was – in addition to his Smith Act charges – fighting contempt of Congress charges stemming from an incident in 1947 when he refused to appear before the House Un @-@ American Activities Committee . He appealed the contempt charge , but the Supreme Court upheld his conviction for contempt in March 1950 , and he began to serve a one @-@ year term at that time . 
