Document: 355 U.S. 570 78 S.Ct. 501 2 L.Ed.2d 496 UNITED STATES of America, Appellant,v.Charles T. HVASS. No. 92. Argued Jan. 27, 1958. Decided March 3, Mr. Ralph S. Spritzer, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Warren B. King, Minneapolis, Minn., appellee. Justice WHITTAKER delivered the opinion Court. 1 The question decision is whether a willfully false statement material fact, made by an attorney under oath during District Court's examination, its local rule, into his fitness to practice before it, constitutes perjury within meaning 18 U.S.C. § 1621, U.S.C.A. 1621.1 Acting 28 §§ 1654, 2071, and Rule 83 Federal Rules Civil Procedure, authorizing federal courts prescribe rules conduct their business, Courts Northern Southern Districts Iowa promulgated governing in those courts. Their pertinent part, provides: 3 'All attorneys residing outside State having civil matters court shall associate with them resident on whom notice may be served who have authority act behalf client all * *. Non-resident so associated permitted participate particular case upon satisfactory showing good moral character. 4 'Provided further that where action one recover damages personal injuries sustained at time was *, Court own motion, or motion member bar either District, permitting non-resident case, require connection said (with case) not occasioned brought about violation standards specified 8 hereof.2 as part plaintiff appear examined oath.' 5 Appellee, maintaining office Minnesota, had instituted two actions Iowa, counsel citizens seeking bodily which they State. On October 1955, court, acting entered order scheduling hearing held 12, purpose affording opportunity appellee show damage suits 8, directing submit examination oath, if he wished actions. Appellee appeared and, after being sworn Clerk, Attorney deemed relevant hearing. November 1, finding 'the applicant (had) must satisfactorily shown Local 3,' it struck appearance from record. 6 20, 1956, four-count indictment returned against same Each count charged appellee, while witness 'unlawfully, wilfully, knowingly, contrary (his) (stated) did believe true' (in particulars set forth each count), 'in Section Title United States Code.' moved dismiss failure any counts state offense States. court,3 full concluded 'that defendant took such law intended Congress support perjury,' ground, dismissed indictment. 147 F.Supp. 594, 597. Government here direct appeal Criminal Appeals Act, 3731, 3731. We postponed consideration jurisdiction merits, 353 980, 77 1282, 1140. 7 At threshold we are met appellee's contention do this appeal. think unsound. provides that: 'An taken district Supreme (f)rom judgment dismissing based invalidity construction statute founded.' This founded statute, 1621. because deficiency pleading procedure but solely 'is perjury.' It thus statute. In these circumstances, our settled v. Borden Co., 308 188, 193, 60 182, 186, 84 L.Ed. 181: 'When holds indictment, merely some respect substance charge, does allege founded, necessarily statute.' 9 Such here, result 10 brings us merits. scope very limited. No concerning validity properly us. Nor liberty consider other than single decided Court, when, has rested underlying go beyond correctness objections Government's open whole case.' supra, page 186. 11 'The essential elements crime defined (1) authorized States, (2) competent tribunal, officer person, (3) wilfully facts hearing.' Debrow, 346 374, 376, 74 113, 115, 98 Only first element involved dismissal sole ground 'Rule Therefore, only admission hearing, testified 'case authorizes administered,' clause used was. 12 phrase 'a States,' limited statutes, includes well Regulations been lawfully clear legislative base (United Smull, 236 405, 35 349, 59 641; Caha 152 211, 14 513, 38 415; Viereck 318 236, 63 561, 87 734; Lilly Grand Trunk R. 317 481, 347, 411), also decisional law. Glickstein 222 139, 32 71, 56 128. And see Wigmore, Evidence (3d ed.), 1815, 1816, 1824.4 13 2071 established Act business. consistent Acts prescribed Court.' 'In parties plead cases personally counsel, as, courts, respectively, manage causes therein.' (Emphasis supplied.) Consistently, 'Each majority judges thereof make amend inconsistent rules. *' These statutes leave no room doubt base. Whether invalid reason—which, stated, us—it pursuant statutory authority, expressly that, conditions specified, 'attorney least supra (152 515), (236 349). indicted statute—then precisely terms now—and through making affidavit officials Land Office Department Interior contest, then pending Office, over homestead entry. convicted contended contest therefore could 'be administered." By (43 1201) Commissioner General direction Secretary Interior, 'to enforce carry execution, appropriate regulations, every (laws relating public lands).' Pursuant adopted including express provision 'for officers preemption entries, taking testimony *.' denying defendant's sustaining conviction, said: 15 'We have, therefore, general grant land department regulations disposition Clearly deciding entry, constituted laws administered.' Id., 218, 515. 16 smull similar facts. demurrer 'ruling defining Act. reversed, saying: 17 charge basis. (the present one) takes place 5392 Revised Statutes (18 1621), turn substitute number regard perjury, phrased embrace swearing, justice administrative powers. cannot doubted statute) required Congress, regulation known affiant statement. (W)hen, valid regulation, requires otherwise competent, administer statute). swearing crime, Department, Congress; fixes penalty.'5 Id. pages 408, 409, 350. follows 19 reversed remanded proceedings opinion. 20 Reversed. 21 DOUGLAS agrees appeal; dissents view judge-made rule States' That section, 'Whoever, officer, administered, will testify, declare, depose, certify truly, states matter true, guilty substantial adoption Canons Professional Ethics American Bar Association. Which presided judge another district, sitting designation. author there shows requirement take giving goes back early civilizations long history common (§ 1815), centuries Anglo-American remained faithful precept testimonial statements requisite.' 1824. cases, Morehead, 243 607, 37 458, 61 926, covers ex parte investigations ordinary adversary proceedings.

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