Document: 348 U.S. 397 75 S.Ct. 99 L.Ed. 453 Robert SIMMONS, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 251. Argued Feb. 2, 1955. Decided March 14, Mr.Hayden C. Covington, Brooklyn, N.Y., for petitioner. Mr. W. Ginnane, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case presents another question concerning processing conscientious objector claims under Universal Military Training and Service Act. Petitioner contends that failure Department to furnish him with a fair re sume all adverse information in Federal Bureau Investigation report deprived 'hearing' provided by § 6(j) Act, 62 Stat. 612, as amended 50 U.S.C.App. 456(j), U.S.C.A.Appendix, thereby invalidated his I—A classification. In circumstances this case, we conclude , contemplated United States v. Nugent, 1953, 346 1, 73 991, 97 1417, was not furnished petitioner, hearing within terms 2 registered selective service laws 1948. He then employed chauffeur at Great Lakes Naval Center, having had 8 years grade school 1/2 high school. At time, he did claim be minister or objector, but stated believed classification should I—A. The local Board so classified him. 1949, petitioner married and, on June 4, 1951, given dependency deferment, which terminated October 22, 1951. Within week restoration I—A, filed special form objectors, claiming exemption from combatant noncombatant service. subsequent statements authorities, revealed first been contacted member Jehovah's Witnesses November 1949; started Bible study course time progressed gradually toward status minister; become an unordained December 1950, ordained 1951; preached house streets, giving public expression objections war; demands 'ministry' commands Bible, admonishing kill follow God rather than men, precluded participation military; would use force '(u)nless it supervision Jehovah God.' After personal appearance, sought continued appeal. Appeal tentatively found against him, referred Justice. 3 Following investigation Investigation, notified appear hearing. No copy notice appears record, sent registrants during period officer advise registrant 'as general nature character' evidence FBI if requested such 'at any after receipt before date set hearing.'1 There is no made request prior did, however, make According petitioner's uncontradicted testimony, told disclosed hanging around poolrooms, asked now. replied not, what else report. changed subject. subsequently wife how she feeling treating her. Her reply 'fine.' reported impressed sincere, recommended because religious activities coincided pressure Draft Board. 4 its Appeals Board, adopted officer's recommendation, relying timing 'his abusiveness exercise physical violence towards wife.'2 latter reason rested data presumably gathered FBI. Department's report, police records showed arrested fined May 1950 hitting wife; were called upon settle 'hot argument' 1950; claimed January 1952 'abusive' Also narrated although specifically relied making statement 'confidential informant' recent activity 'a heavy drinker crap shooter taverns pool halls.'3 refused submit induction prosecution followed. On trial, afforded summary secured issuance subpoena duces tecum requiring production original motion Government, over objection quashed. Thereafter convicted, Court Seventh Circuit affirmed, 213 F.2d 901. 5 Section Act provides '(t)he Justice, appropriate inquiry, shall hold respect character good faith' objections. supra, held entail disclosure secret reports. reaching conclusion, availability these reports: 6 '* * We think satisfies duties when accords opportunity speak piece impartial officer; permits produce relevant own behalf same supplies investigator's report.' page 6, 994. 7 view provision matter grace discretion, essential element claims. Nugent represented balancing between effective system mobilizing Nation's manpower times crisis fairness individual registrant. permitted remain other safeguards proceeding, particularly furnishing maintained basic elements play. If balance struck preserved, must receive entitled. expressly recognizes since has each hearing, written developed also placed file Board.4 Government assumes required request. But failed timely summary; remarks gave adequate unfavorable report; finally, lack notice, there such, harmless. 9 As summary, rely document record open attack explanation trial court. Indeed, produced lower courts, might have able show leaving difficulties aside, reproduced Government's brief does our view, convey clearly layman idea forever waive rights respect.5 nothing either statute regulations authorizing waiver. And discussion point U.S., 994, note 10, directed method requesting only availability. 10 That never received gleaned seems hardly arguable record. alleged gambling drinking, merely rooms. incidents abuse wife, officer, apparent advanced query asking her A one will permit defend evidence—to explain it, rebut otherwise detract damaging force. most amounted vague hints, apparently alert dangers ahead. Certainly they charges Congress, providing intend conducted level game blindman's buff. inadequate therefore lacking fairness. 11 argument prejudice shown none resulted can readily disposed of. Relying concerned constitutional restrictions regulating utilities, Market Street Railway Co. Railroad Comm. California, 324 548, 65 770, 89 1171, order . holding Due Process Clause 'not trivialized formal substantial bearing ultimate parties', Commission could 'incidental reference' railroad's reports verify judgment, formulated basis entire without introducing evidence. Id., 562, 777. are now dealing limitations. endeavoring apply procedure, forth accordance statutory plan concepts underlie legislation. meet duty It clear do so, answer incidental infringement technical rights. fundamental safeguard, need specify precise manner used right aided cause—in complain deprivation. 12 being evident provide unnecessary us pass further contention court erred quashing tecum. 13 Reversed. 14 BLACK DOUGLAS, adhering their dissent States, 13, 998, join judgment. 15 REED affirm ground that, requested, necessary more officer. See Gonzales 407, 409. 16 MINTON, dissenting. 17 Even denied reports, done arbitrarily capriciously, judgment doing allowable 'even erroneous.' takes disagreement destroy jurisdiction, condition courts may interfere. I affirm. appendix brief, p. 55. pertinent paragraph follows: '2. Upon therefor possession to, tends defeat, granted enable fully prepare refute evidence.' complete text 'Registrant twenty-five age, married, born Illinois completed approximately two present chauffeur. Sect exact membership reflected. 'The believes Supreme Being describes belief citing various parts Scriptures, part, "Romans 13:1—* Christ Jesus higher powers, recognize them supreme powers. Peter Acts 5:29 footstep followers 'We obey men.' Paul Cor. 4:4. Satan Devil things. Showing (sic) Creator Creation God. Ten Commandments Ex. 20:13 'Thou kill." relates suggestion Clarence Howze, book wanted truth. receiving training Watchtower Tract Society. regarding states 'None whatsoever. Unless engage work religion preaching streets. 'At place employment seen reading lunch hour discussing few co-workers. References, whom members sect, believe neighbors. confidential informant, known reliability, last seven eight months actively engaged distributing pamphlets; personally halls. informant sincere. Registrant ways prays many day. His changed. noted very poor home life. 'Police reflect 29, complaint pulled out car hit face—fined $13.60; 12, 1952, abusive. Police settled matters filed. reflects mailed questionnaire 1948 sign part (series XIC) reserved objection. 23, 5, 1949. Hearing Officer sincere notes coincident pressing draft officials therefore, recomments 'From available little, any, 1949 until 3—A evidenced From attended class little less Witness training. addition fact coincide possibilities, registrant's absorption sincerity newly rendered questionable wife. connection late 1952. 'After consideration finds sustained. is, your both sustained.' seemed While whole favorable claim, drinking certainly adverse. procedure effect Registrants treated though litigation assisted counsel. ex rel. Berman Craig, Cir., 207 888; Smith 157 176.

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