Document: 329 U.S. 211 67 S.Ct. 224 91 L.Ed. 196 FISWICK et al.v.UNITED STATES. No. 51. Dec. 9, 1946. Argued Nov. 19, 20, [Syllabus from pages 211-213 intentionally omitted] Frederick M. P. Pearse, of Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Leon Ulman, respondent. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 The Alien Registration Act 1940, 54 Stat. 670, 8 U.S.C. § 451 seq., U.S.C.A. required aliens, with certain exceptions, to register pursuant regulations Commissioner Immigration and Naturalization.1 Among disclosures was whether during preceding five years th alien had been 'affiliated or active in (a member of, official a worker for) organizations, devoted whole part influencing furthering political activities, public relations, policy foreign government.'2 2 Petitioners are German nationals who registered under Act, last three, Mayer, registering on December 23, 1940. Each stated when he that not affiliated such an organization. failed disclose answer another question pertaining 'memberships activities clubs, societies' any way connected Nazi party. They were indicted 1944 28 others conspiring defraud United States exercise its governmental functions (see Curley v. States, Cir., 130 F. 1, 4) violation 37 Criminal Code, 18 88, 88. 3 indictment charges petitioners continuously between September 1939, date returned, 13, 1944, conspired each other Draeger, consul New York City leader party this country, Draeger's secretary, Vogel, representatives Third Reich, by concealing misrepresenting their membership It since 1933 Reich petitioner prior his registration party, Draeger Vogel directed conceal falsify connection followed directions, after they continued day misrepresent government alleges as means accomplishing conspiracy appeared falsely sets forth 40 overt acts. Many related instructions given various defendants registration. Others November December, over act alleged have committed filing Mayer statement 4 Of 31 indicted, only three convicted jury trial.3 Fiswick Rudolph sentenced imprisonment months each. year day. judgments conviction affirmed Circuit Court Appeals, one judge dissenting. 153 F.2d 176. case is here petition writ certiorari which we granted because rulings lower courts continuing nature apparently conflict decisions See Irvine, 98 450, 25 193; Kissel, 218 601, 124, 1168. 5 First. duration assumed great importance at trial following reason. apprehended made damaging statements agents Federal Bureau Investigation. November, 1943, applied disclosed fact told him to. Fiswick's April, same effect. substantially admissions 1943 then September, retracted them insofar said failing affiliation instructions. His later reason non-disclosure asserted desire protect family. these admitted trial. At first, against maker. close government's case, however, District ruled admissible coconspirators. so charged jury. Later returned courtroom further One questions foreman desired instruction charge 'where you something about all bound something, group, individuals.' repeated provided there it. 6 Solicitor General now rightly concedes ruling erroneous. Though result may be continuing, does thereby become one. supra. Continuity action produce unlawful result, supra, page 607 U.S., 126 S.Ct., 1168, 'continuous co-operation conspirators keep it up' necessary. A partnership crime. Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., 310 150, 253, 60 811, 858, 84 1129. Under basis present indictment, necessary complete offense.4 statute limitations, unless suspended,5 runs existence conspiracy. Brown Elliott, 225 392, 401, 32 812, 815, 56 1136. acts averred proved thus mark duration, well scope, 7 In act, noted, That adequate furtherance make false return. But difficulty also making serve function 1940 returns made. All continuity ended There no concealment statements. If latter permitting do double duty, becomes If, think, did extend beyond improperly employed others. While partner crime where criminal undertaking, Pinkerton 328 640, 66 1180, ca es cited, responsibility end ends. Logan 144 263, 309, 12 617, 632, 36 429; 150 93, 98, 14 37, 39, 1010. Moreover, confession admission coconspirator has sense enterprise. rather frustration Appeals thought, maintenance plot deceive objective conspiracy, officers So far conspirator confessed concerned, terminated. He thereupon ceased role conspirator. therefore erstwhile fellow-conspirators. Gambino 108 140, 142, 143. earnestly argued, error harmless. 'harmless error' statute, Judicial 269, 391, provides 'On hearing appeal, certiorari, * motion new trial, civil criminal, court shall give judgment examination entire record before court, without regard technical errors, defects, exceptions affect substantial rights parties.' We recently reviewed history designed cases. Kotteakos 750, 1239. stated, 1248 S.Ct.: 'If, done, sure influence jury, but very slight effect, verdict should stand, except perhaps departure constitutional norm specific command Congress. if cannot say, fair assurance, pondering happened stripping erroneous whole, swayed error, impossible conclude affected. inquiry merely enough support apart phase affected error. rather, even so, itself influence. left grave doubt, stand.' 9 say assurance use strong out petitioner. substantive registering. evidence others, strong. assume go prosecutor would anxious bolster. 10 prosecutor's admissions, briefly summarized. affairs country. Their stenographer, witness, testified applications received office. Dues paid there. car file members applicants kept name list. letter sent list August signature, requesting discuss matter Draeger. Those response Act. Another witness government—a defendant severance—also gave And clerk office came cons late innocuous sounding association nationals. consulate seeking advice. direct membership. sent. identified being group called conferred other. 11 states commendable candor state proof manifestly important 'to bring into character might better convince reveal Party done upon instructions, and, hence, conspiracy.' served purpose. supplied first acted consulate. true, respondent emphasizes, none implicates since, hub, brought circle cemented together illegal project. one, though implicating used all, element concert strongly bolstered, added. Without concluded separate conspiracies, Cf. With powerful reinforcement. became appreciably stronger, what two said. confidence admitting Indeed, crucial. considerable deliberations for, asked clarification point. bolstered weak us can disregarded statute. constituted reversible Second. remains. As months. No fine imposed. appears sentence. Accordingly, suggested cause moot dismissed him. procedure St. Pierre 319 41, 42, 63 910, 911, 87 1199, saying sentence served, 'there longer subject could operate.' added, shown 'under either federal law penalties disabilities imposed satisfied.' 43 911 1199. 13 situation different. alien. An more 'because country involving moral turpitude' is, pardoned, deportation within alien's entry States. 39 874, 889, 155, 155. formed executed period, 1937. whic impede lawful functions, prevent obtaining information Executive Congress deemed vital our internal security, fraud, deceit, perjury6 ramifications organization midst bent undoing. need determine collateral involve 'moral meaning laws.7 judgment, undisturbed, stands unimpeachable charged. hazards real.8 To leave defend order ground add burdens depriving best defense—that properly convicted. flow obtained, dismiss cases let stand. seeks naturalization, must establish immediately naturalization 'has still person good character.' 1137, 1142, 707(a)(3), 707(a)(3). outstanding ominous puts reach showing ameliorating circumstances explanatory remove curse. succeeded naturalized, would, carry through life disability felon;9 lose rights.10 Thus stake survives satisfaction practical sense, therefore, moot. 15 having sentence, resentenced reversed, escapes deportation. argument thwarts electing assume, guilty accorded entitled system government. e suffered accordance law. errors impeach conviction; stand position man accused yet permit compound expense. course comport standards enforcement. 16 Reversed. Fed.Reg. 2836 regulations. Regulations, note 29.4(1)(15). Six entered pleas guilty. dismissal severance 14. Ten tried. acquitted disagreed four. common aver prove act. Hyde 347, 359, 793, 799, 1114, Ann.Cas.1914A, 614. true Sherman Anti-Trust §§ 1—7, note. Nash 229 373, 378, 33 780, 782, 57 1232; 252 857 Code requires agreement doing 'any effect object conspiracy'. 799 See, example, 24, 1942, 747, U.S.C.Supp. II, 590a, amended 19(b) July 58 649, 667, IV, 590a. sworn supra 29.4(g), (j). Convictions perjury, Kaneda 278 694, frauds revenues, Guarneri Kessler, 580, ex rel. Berlandi Reimer, 113 429, respect property, Medich Burmaster, 24 57, held meet test. counterfeiting classified Volpe Smith, 289 422, 53 665, 77 1298. violations see 20(b)(4) (5). Enemy 1798, Rev.Stat. 4067—4070, 531, 50 21 21—24; Presidential Proclamation 2655, 8947. Although technically punishment, visit hardship Bridges Wixon, 326 135, 147, 65 1443, 1449, 89 2103. Court, speaking Brandeis, Ng Fung Ho. White, 259 276, 284, 42 492, 495, 938, loss 'of makes worth living.' 'All offenses punished death term exceeding year, felonies.' 335, 541, 541. Mo.R.S.A. 4561 renders incompetent forever disqualifies voting holding office, pardoned.

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