Document: 382 U.S. 70 86 S.Ct. 194 15 L.Ed.2d 165 William ALBERTSON and Roscoe Quincy Proctor, Petitioners,v.SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES CONTROL BOARD. No. 3. Argued Oct. 18, 1965. Decided Nov. 15, [Syllabus from pages 70-71 intentionally omitted] John J. Abt, New York City, for petitioners. Kevin T. Maroney, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The Communist Party United States America failed to register with Attorney General as required by order Subversive Activities Control Board sustained in v. SACB, 367 U.S 1, 81 1357, 6 625.1 Accordingly, no list members was filed § 7(d)(4) Act 1950, 64 Stat. 993—994, 50 U.S.C. 786(d)(4) (1964 ed.).2 Sections 8(a) (c) provide that, that circumstance, each member organization must file a registration statement; default thereof, 13(a) authorizes petition an requiring register.3 invoked against petitioners, Board, after evidentiary hearings, determined petitioners were ordered them pursuant §§ (c). Review orders sought Court Appeals District Columbia Circuit under 14(a).4 affirmed orders, 118 U.S.App.D.C. 117, 332 F.2d 317. We granted certiorari, 381 910, 85 1529, 14 432. reverse.5 I. 2 Petitioners address several constitutional challenges validity but we consider only contention violate their Fifth Amendment privilege self-incrimination.6 3 without deciding issue, expressing view our decision Party, U.S., at 105—110, S.Ct., 1415—1417, issue not ripe adjudication would be prosecution failure if did register. 121—123, F.2d, 321—323. disagree. In asserted on behalf unnamed officers—those obliged those 'to for' it do so.7 self-incrimination claim latter officers held premature because might choose thus duty never arise. Here, contrast, contingencies upon which members' arises have already matured; within 30 days became final requisite 60 since elapsed. As known whether they ever or claim, asserted, honored General. But respect this case, addressed named individuals, both these are foreclosed. answers General's petitions; testify hearings; again review proceedings Appeals. instance rejected claims. Thus, considerations led hold claims present case. 4 There other reasons holding petitioners' decision. Specific been issued. has promulgated regulations shall accomplished Form IS—52a accompanying statement completed IS—52,8 28 CFR 11.206, 11.207, risk very heavy penalties fail completing filing forms. Under 15(a)(2) Act, 1002, 794(a)(2), example, day constitutes separate offense punishable fine up $10,000 imprisonment five years, both.9 either merits claims, onerous rapidly mounting while awaiting Government's pleasure initiate them. To ask, circumstances, await such is effect, contend should denied protection intended relieve claimants necessity making choice between incriminating themselves risking serious punishments refusing so. 5 Indeed Government concedes its brief Appeals' prematurity erroneous insofar relate Board's power compel act submission statement. candidly acknowledges since, 14(b) provides judicial register, regard, like any invalid, may heard reviewing court—thus distinguishing similarly reviewable, see Alexander States, 201 26 356, L.Ed. 686; Cobbledick 309 323, 540, 84 783. Nevertheless, argues 'any particular inquiry' Forms IS—52. Two hypothesized support contention: (1) alter forms (2) he accept less than fully distinction argument predicated illusory. Neither statute nor draw registering statement, one hand, and, answering inquiries demanded forms; contemplate rather questions asked completely answered. Moreover, irrelevant. submit accordance presently existing regulations; mere contingency revise some future time does render challenge requirements. Nor can requirements viewed answer—at criminal error—only items will incriminate petitioners; full compliance required. Finally, violence congressional scheme. incurred 14(b), become completion review. so providing, Congress plainly manifested intention afford alleged members, prior all, just some, orders. therefore proceed determination II. 7 risks incrimination take obvious. requires admission membership Party. Such used prosecute registrant clause Smith 18 2385 ed.) 4(a) 991, 783(a) ed.), mention two federal statutes. Scales 203, 211, 1469, 1477, 782. association presents sufficient threat privilege. Patricia Blau 340 159, 71 223, 95 170; Irving 332, 301, 306; Brunner 343 918, 72 674, 96 1332; Quinn 349 155, 75 668, 99 964. These cases involved witnesses witness stand, cannot compelled oral testimony, how compulsion writing makes difference purposes. Cf. People ex rel. Ferguson Reardon, 197 N.Y. 236, 243—244, 90 N.E. 829, 832, 27 L.R.A.,N.S., 141. It follows requirement accomplish inconsistent Self-Incrimination Clause. 8 statutory scheme, providing 'shall accompanied' clearly implies there IS—52, enforceable obligation IS—52a. Yet, even complete IS—52 regard onForm IS—52a, also invade Like information called IS—52—the his aliases, place date birth, offices duties thereof—might evidence least supply investigatory leads prosecution. Government, relying Sullivan, 274 259, 47 607, 1037, answer appropriately form others, altogether. Apart conclusion nothing permits literal form, reliance Sullivan misplaced. upheld conviction income tax return theory '(i)f provided defendant privileged could raised objection return, account refuse make all.' 263, 607. That declaration based view, first, every question virtually frivolous, second, honor due taxpayer tribunal arbiter claim. neither reason applies here. A tribunal, had opportunity pass claims; unlike pervasive effect incriminatory, substantial far frivolous. neutral face directed public large, here highly selective group inherently suspect activities. Petitioners' essentially noncriminal regulatory area inquiry, inquiry permeated statutes, where response form's context involve crucial element crime. III. 9 Section 4(f) Act,10 purported immunity provision, save challenge. Counselman Hitchcock, 142 547, 12 195, 35 1110, decided 1892, 'that (immunity) leaves party subject criminating put him, supplanting * *,' valid supplies 'a all perils prohibition designed guard *' affording 'absolute offence relates.' Id., 585—586, 206. Measured standards, complete. See 206—219, 1474—1476. preclude use lead. With per se constitute violation statute, 'be received evidence' prosecution; lead, barred (Counselman 564—565, 585, 198—199, 206.11 10 shortcoming remedied however, made preceded finding membership, value 'incriminatory' meaning On incompleteness grant rendered immaterial violating judgment disclosure dependent assessment possessed interrogation; seriously impaired right invoke assessment, uncertainties. proposed remedy immunity. representation utility belied fact severely sanctioned; permitting cured illusory supplant privilege, 'complete guard.' 11 reversed set aside. ordered. 13 BLACK concurs reversal out Court's well dissent 137, 1431. WHITE took part consideration APPENDIX TO OPINION OF THE COURT. follows: (Ed. 9—6—61) Budget Bureau 43—R414 Approval expires July 31, 1966 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT JUSTICE WASHINGTON, D.C. REGISTRATION FORM FOR INDIVIDUALS 16 Pursuant (b) Internal Security 1950 17 (NOTE: This accompanied Registration Statement, IS—52) _ (Name individual—Print type) hereby registers Communist-action organization. 19 /s/ 20 (Signature) 21 (Date) 22 23 (Typed printed name) 24 25 _d n (Address—type print) 43—R301.2 STATEMENTS 29 section INSTRUCTION SHEET—READ CAREFULLY 1. All individuals statements. 31 2. copies filed. An additional copy prepared retained Registrant references. 32 Division, Department Justice, 33 4. Where item 'None' 'inapplicable,' stated. 34 5. Both signed. willful false omission material Code, 1001. 6. If space given insufficient, reference insert page number restated given. AN INDIVIDUAL 36 a. Who 7(a) 1950. OR 37 b. registered include individual's name 38 Name preceding twelve months. 39 (a) Registrant. 40 names during past ten years dates when used. 41 Date birth. 42 (d) Place 43 Present business address. 44 residence 45 now months officer listed 1: 46 List held. Give description functions performed tenure office. 48 undersigned certifies read forth familiar contents entirety true accurate best knowledge belief. further represents provisions 1001, Title U.S.Code (printed bottom form).* 49 /S/ 51 52 /T/ 53 (Name) 54 55 (Print 56 CLARK, concurring. 57 I join reaches today forecast 1948. request Chairman Senate Judiciary Committee expression views H.R. 5852, precursor attack, then pointed 'measure self-incrimination.'** 58 expressed letter over my signature noted legislation 'would require political Communist-front *. addition organizations common, disclose addresses case measure, executive secretary subjects certain agents severe penalties.' After bill advised concluded 'the measure (notwithstanding legislative clear danger) deny freedom speech, press, assembly, self-incrimination.' belief 'there voluntary registrations measure. Should burden shift prove register.' 59 finally passed, imposed individual refusal membership. Though 5852 about doubts, more directly abridges self-incrimination. reversal. Circuit, remanded new trial. 61, 331 807. accompanies last-known who period calendar statement.' (c), 995, 787(a) provide: '(a) Any becomes concerning 786(a) title organization, thirty elapsed final, (3) 786 sixty said becoming whichever later, '(c) subsection manner containing information, prescribe.' 13(a), 998, 792(a) provides: 'Whenever believe 787 section, serve be. Each verified oath, contain facts relies prayer issuance order.' 14(a), 793(a) 'The aggrieved entered obtain Columbia, service order, written praying Upon court jurisdiction proceeding affirm aside findings facts, supported preponderance evidence, conclusive. decree except same Supreme certiorari *.' opposition suggested moot petitioner Albertson expulsion Albertson, suggestion mootness. occasion decide event, reach issues identical issued Proctor. assailed denying substantive process (because allegedly governmental purpose), abridging First freedoms, procedural constituting bills attainder 1953 conclusive petitioners), finally, safeguards grand jury indictment, trial jury. governing 7(d), 786(d), 11.200 11.201, IS—51a IS—51. regulation 7(h), 786(h) 11.205. 1415—1417. Copies reproduced Appendix opinion. argued orally sides premise penalty constituted both, offense. occasion, question, intimate it. 15(b), 794(b). 4(f), 992, 783(f) 'Neither office person statute. 788 statute.' history includes expressions doubt coextensive S.Rep. 2369, 81st Cong., 2d Sess., Pt. 2, pp. 12—13 (Sen. Kilgore) (Minority Report); Cong.Rec. 14479 Humphrey); 15199 15554 Kefauver); 13739—13740 (Rep. Celler), dealing modified 9490. generally 212—219, 1477—1481 (Court opinion), 282—287 (dissenting opinion). U.S.C., Whoever, matter department agency knowingly willfully falsifies, conceals covers trick, device fact, false, fictitious fraudulent statements representations, uses document knowing entry, fined imprisoned both. ** Hearings before Judiciary, 80th 422 (1948).

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