Document: 346 U.S. 1 73 S.Ct. 991 97 L.Ed. 1417 UNITED STATESv.NUGENT. STATES v. PACKER. Nos. 540, 573. Argued May and 4, 1953. Decided June 8, For purposes of Selective Service Act subsection entitling claimant denied classification as conscientious objector by local draft board to further review an appropriate appeal requiring refer claim Department Justice for inquiry 'hearing', quoted word would take its meaning from analysis precise function which Congress had imposed upon subsection. 1948, §§ 6(j), 12, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, 456(j), 462. Under hearing, neither investigation nor hearing is determinative, it not such auxiliary procedure provide full scale trial each appealing registrant; standards must adhere being simply will enable discharge duty forward sound advice, expeditiously possible, board. § 456(j). 2 The a comprehensive statute designed orderly, efficient fair marshalling available manpower country impose common obligation military service on all physically fit young men; since calculated in times peril, desirable that be free litigious interruption. 3 valid exercise war power. 4 There no violation Fifth Amendment even though there requirement registrant permitted see investigator's report or informed names persons interviewed investigators. 456(j); U.S.C.A.Const. Amend. 5. 5 Mr. Robert W. Ginnane, Washington, D.C., petitioner. 6 Hayden C. Covington, Brooklyn, N.Y., respondents. 7 Chief VINSON delivered the opinion Court. 8 Section 6(j) Act1 provides exemption service—partial full, depending circumstances—for any person 'who, reason religious training belief, conscientiously opposed participation form.' If objector's relief under this section his board, he entitled 'appropriate board.' All appeals are referred inquiry' 'hearing.' then makes recommendation may follow reviewing board's classification. 9 These two cases concerned with procedure, established regulation practice,2 followed when Justice. has regularly used FBI investigate registrant's background reputation sincerity. A held before designated 'hearing officer.' allowed appear person, and, if chooses, bring him advisor witnesses testify behalf.3 Upon request, instructed 'as general nature character' 'unfavorable' evidence developed Department's investigation.4 But report, 10 It refusal disclose entire reports precipitates issues now us. Court Appeals Second Circuit violates rights Act.5 We granted certiorari, 345 915, 728, because determination seemed conflict decisions other Courts Appeals6 dealt important problem administration Act. 11 Each respondents claims total service. been convicted wilfully refusing submit induction armed forces United States.7 At their trials, challenged validity selective classifications, claiming they were fixed without basis fact8 adherence procedures prescribed Act;9 claimed Justice's failure show rendered illegal. Appeals, reversing respondent's conviction, sustained claims. 12 think erred. statutory scheme review, within system, exemptions objectors entitles them guarantee produced inspection. satisfies duties accords opportunity speak piece impartial officer; permits produce relevant own behalf at same time supplies re sume adverse report.10 13 Respondents urge enough. argument rides hard 'hearing' 6(j). suggested was purposely allow refute—item item, necessary—the matters discussed report.11 In sum, assimilate insist imports right confront every informant who have comment FBI. 14 does entitle 'hearing,' course sham substitute meet requirement; but we do 'hearing'—when put context whole set forth 6(j)—comprehends formal respondents' interpretation attribute it. Instead, takes instance 6(j).12 15 classify—to grant deny objectors—rests boards, appellate, first look claims; convince body—composed representatives community—of depth sincerity convictions. He fill out forms, test;13 supply additional detailed information necessary searching claim; demands it, explain position charged determining validity.14 16 denies claim, responsibility sought, falls action decisive. Its advise, render difficult class cases. compulsion service—to more exhaustive processing appeal. Registrants some than objection, whose denied, Department. Yet special cases, involving analyses facts individualized judgments, directed assistance made whenever insists objection misjudged Observes sympathetic problems recognized provision improves system helping boards reach judgment claims,15 long investigation' determinative case. assumed full-scale registrant. 17 Accordingly, Certainly, delicate responsibility, requires entertain all-out collateral attack testimony obtained prehearing investigation. 18 Amendment. cannot agree. 19 marshal country, men. function—it functions today—in peril. Even so, took care treatment those could reconcile defense effort beliefs—if beliefs matter sincere conviction. Profiting experiences First World War, adopted new secure conscience, given express recognition. 20 always devise adequate justice where another's convictions ultimate factual issue. especially these geared imperative needs mobilization national vigilance—when 'litigious interruptions.' Falbo States, 1949, 320 549, 64 346, 88 305. circumstances presented, hold statute, construe Constitution.16 21 judgments reversed. 22 Reversed. 23 JACKSON part consideration decision 24 FRANKFURTER, whom BLACK DOUGLAS join, dissenting. 25 That so strong court one literary endowment—Swan, Ch. J., Learned Hand Frank, JJ.—should rely, did case, Cir., 200 F.2d 46, 49 50, District Judge, impressively attests persuasiveness opinion. Judge Hincks stated also me compelling reasons why make invalidates, construction requirements Act, 1—A. 26 'It true point law involved (Selective Service) explicit: directs 'for hearing' (of Justice), specify product both shall suggest should go here course, withheld. 27 'There are, however, provisions I imply Congressional intent access investigative report. proceeds after notified. natural import is, think, resulting record directly contemplated already everything desired into record. notify departmental just evidence. Thus, elimination, only useful purpose notice stage give contents * 28 'Congress using empty words Sec. 451 solemnly declared 'that society obligations privileges serving reserve components thereof shared generally, accordance selection just, consistent maintenance effective economy.' selections might uninformed reliance executive officer bottomed perhaps secret police reports, indeed mockery high declaration policy. Only construed require become open 'system just' our Anglo-Saxon concepts due process.' (United States Geyer, 108 F.Supp. 70, 72—72. 29 note uneasiness Court's recognition difficulty 'devising' 'adequate convictions' doubt, closely circumscribed has, sufficient clarity, bound allowable judicial discretion applying legislation. And, narrow limits courts reject devised Congress, constitutional grounds. Due Process Clause bent what judge privately wisdom respecting dissident views. ought feel impotent uneasiness. called procedure; merely apply one. Considering traditionally respect dissent, particularly religous enjoyed view society, congressional language assures conviction stake prison alternative abandonment conscience. enemy yet near gate traditions fairness, heretofore prevailed overborne exigencies. 30 suggestion registrants waived asking 'a resume ' seems keeping promise ear breaking hope. very can effectively met provenance unknown. Nor possible confident 'resume fair' know of. This purposeful unfairness, still less, want zeal. Language treacherous written small degree derives reads moral material strength handicap security. Every professions reinforces therefore 31 DOUGLAS, concurs, 32 concur FRANKFURTER'S add word. use statements informers need accusation infamous history rooted procedure. faceless people present whispered rumors escape test torture cross-examination Anglo-American sense. done practice—whether life man stake, reputation, touching status rights. disclosed administrative proceedings, valuable underground sources dry up. choice. aim protect informers, used. used, fairness accusers disclosed. Without identity informer investigated accused stands helpless. prejudices, credibility, passions, perjury never known. exposed, charge cross-examination. appeared 1940 5(g), 54 Stat. 885, 889. reenacted 1948. 62 604, 613, U.S.C. amended 1951, 65 75, 86, U.S.C.App. (Supp. V) differs immaterial respects earlier statutes. text 1948 reads: 'Nothing contained title subject combatant who, form. Religious belief connection means individual's relation Supreme Being superior arising human relation, include essentially political, sociological, philosophical views personal code. Any objections shall, inducted title, assigned noncombatant defined President, found service, deferred. filing appeal, hearing. Justice, inquiry, character good faith concerned, notified place sustained, recommend (1) (2) finds sustained. making decision, to, follow, together listed register objectors.' dearth legislative reflecting much discussion about phase rather briefly during Committee hearings See Hearings Before Military Affairs Senate S. 4164, 76th Cong., 3d Sess., House Representatives H.R. 10132, Sess. Compare H.R.Rep.No. 2903, p. CFR Part 1626.25 (1949 ed.); Fed.Reg. 5449, 18, 1952. See, Instructions Whose Claims Exemption Conscientious Objectors Have Been Appealed (a letter sent office Attorney General) reproduced Nugent page 54. Ibid. Nugent, Packer, 540. e.g., Imboden 1952, 194 508; Elder 1953, 202 465. 462, Cox 1947, 332 442, 68 115, 92 59. Estep 1946, 327 114, 66 423, 90 567. As constitutes 'fair supra. Oller, 107 Bouziden, D.C.W.D.Okl.1952, 395. question complain summary Respondent indicated serve noncombatant. Thereafter, required information, whatsoever. classified 1—A—O eligible appealed, exemption. Pursuant case mailed respondent 'request' Hearing Officer 'advise' 'general evidence' claim. requested misled Officer's secretary told 'files' 'favorable.' verify statement; say anything request concerning Moreover, Officer, said nothing indicate secretary's erroneous. purport base submitted FBI; based Nugent's conduct coupled fact respondent, original questionnaire, willingness noncombatant—the assigned. An statement Special Assistant General, forwarding mention No transmitted Thus secured this, right. Packer advised defeat response question, unfavorable officer's corroborates view. Nothing thus indication unfavorable. D.C.Conn.1952, heavily relied Norwegian Nitrogen Products Co. 1933, 288 294, 53 350, 77 796. System form demonstrate—by pointing past examples, referring recounting beliefs—the ed.) 1624. Sibley Jacob, Conscription Conscience (1952), 71—76. Cf. Norweigan supra; Williams New York, 337 241, 69 1079, 93 1337.

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