Document: 364 U.S. 59 80 S.Ct. 1554 4 L.Ed.2d 1569 Raymond GONZALES, Jr., Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 416. Argued May 2, 1960. Decided June 27, Mr. Hayden C. Covington, Brooklyn, N.Y., for petitioner. Daniel M. Friedman, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is a prosecution refusal to be inducted into armed services, in violation provisions Universal Military Training and Service Act, 62 Stat. 604, 622, 50 U.S.C.App. § 462(a), U.S.C.A.Appendix, 462(a). Petitioner, who claims conscientious objector, contends that he was denied due process, both proceedings before hearing officer Department at trial. He says not permitted rebut statements attributed him by local board, and, further, trial right have officer's report original Federal Bureau Investigation as his claim—all Fifth Amendment. The judge decided administrative procedures Act were fully complied with refused require production such documents. Petitioner found guilty sentenced 15 months' imprisonment. Court Appeals affirmed. 269 F.2d 613. We granted certiorari view importance questions administration Act. 361 899, 206, 155. concluded petitioner's are controlled rationale Gonzales v. United States, 1955, 348 407, 75 409, 99 L.Ed. 467, States Nugent, 1953, 346 1, 73 991, 97 1417, therefore affirm judgment. 2 registered Local Board 9, Boulder, Colorado, on March 17, 1952. His answers classification questionaire reflected minister Jehovah's Witnesses, employed night sugar producer. claimed IV—D religion, devoting minimum 100 hours month preaching. On November 13, 1952, classified Class I—A. 22, wrote Board, protesting this classification. again stated 'a regular minister'; 'devoting an average actual preaching publicly,' addition other ministerial duties, opposed war any form. Thereafter I—O. April after some six months full-time 'pioneering,' petitioner discontinued preaching, but failed so notify board. In periodic review, board July 30, r I—A upheld personal appearance petitioner, because willingness kill defense church home. Upon approval reclassification, ordered induction 11, 1956, do so. prosecuted, however, case subsequently reopened, light Sicurella 385, 403, 436. reclassified There followed customary hearing, which appeared. Attorney General, suggested exempt only from combatant training service. 21, 1957, recommended Its ground recommendation that, while August 1956 (as evidenced its memorandum file date), per headquarters Witnesses reported no longer doing contrary, had relinquished Pioneer Bible Student Servant positions. It now devoted 6 1/2 public 20 25 activities. claim 'so highly exaggerated,' concluded, it 'cast doubt upon veracity consequently, sincerity good faith.' appeal furnished copy recommendation. answer thereto, advised made statement asserted 'pioneering' unanimously concurred Department's return failure 3 first procedural process giving timely opportunity, final But attributing file. admitted knew open all times, could rebutted officer. do, asserting did know Apparently never took trouble find out. Nevertheless ample opportunity contest After forwarded appropriate place registrant lodge denial. did. supra, controlling reason why copies should registrant. said there necessary 'that given (the Department's) when comes Appeal agency ultimate responsibility classification.' page 412, 412. fail see how procedure resulted prejudice contention, considered it. As Gonzales, 'it renders selective service determination 'final' courts, overturned unless basis fact. Estep 327 114, 66 423, 90 567.' U.S., pages 412—413, contentions might more difficult. At trial, sought secure through subpoena duces tecum longhand notes officer, Evensen, well thereon. also inspect o iginal reports Justice. alleged specific errors or evidence withheld; nor elaborate just what favorable disclose. 5 Section 6(j) we held, does placed registrant's supra. nothing requiring likewise turned over While regulations formerly required file, requirement eliminated Moreover, intradepartmental, directed General course, Department. essentially different attorney Justice, receives many, may give rejection. part whole within goes making significant neither Hence full traverse conclusions Board. based Having every finding cannot succeed.1 7 appears us same reasoning applies addition, has show particular need notes. allegations withholding 'favorable developed hearing' denial 'full fair hearing,' stage process. testimony facts. these circumstances, fact issue respect centered entirely recommendation, repudiated courts below supported record, relevancy 8 Finally entitled FBI during receive re sume it—the board—and inaccuracy. Even asserted. bases present contention general explore, indicating hopes discrepancy . answered held statutory scheme system, * entitles (conscientious objectors) guarantee must produced their inspection.' 5—6, 994. if bound here would eport. Department—as decision board—was report. 9 true raised Nugent,2 gave separate treatment. However, act folly boards, whose actions 'are final' 'only classification,' 1946, 122, 427, 567, trials District Courts. note Courts uniformly rejected claims. say circumstances where fairness proceeding production. No foundation unfairness, us. Contrariwise, set out activity. Since disputed, since disparity between representations board—not report—it follows Nugent controls. 10 raises points, prosecutor call members clerk testify substance them. subpoenaed witnesses wished challenging Government relied record available makes much identity language activity, earlier letter called bring surrounding letter; files been avail. contented himself, offering own resolved against him. activity exaggerated cast sincerity. Both without support conclusions.' will aside findings here. 11 Affirmed. 12 Chief WARREN, whom BLACK, DOUGLAS, BRENNAN join, dissenting. 13 I agree Court, believe deprived statute regulation—the hearing. facts indicate miscarriage justice, underline significance rights accorded. 14 youth 18 time, exemption describing extent nature religious activities detailed 1—A, unsuccessful appeal, induction. Although comply order, reopened our 406, 436.1 renewed exemption, ruled adversely. referred appeared report, summarized follows: 16 'The Hearing Officer being sincere firm beliefs versed scriptures. objections participation further noncombatant He, therefore, only.' 17 hardly astonishing inasmuch summaries two F.B.I. investigative my judgment conclusively—favorable. time 1954, grade-school teachers related 'very cooperative (and) mannerly,' 'refused salute flag grounds.' former employers 'found excellent worker, very serious about religion dealings.' neighbors quiet orderly young man character reputation good,' active' member they 'sincere beliefs.' Petitioner's references fellow sect active, member,' believed 'in faith conscientious-objector claim.' second dated incorporated added following: employer regarded 'an completely reliable, dependable morals, associates.' acquaintances, associates 'all spoke favorably concerning (his) reputation, conduct morals,' active affairs They 'lives up teachings understandably impressed. Conscientious-Objector Department, reviewed contrary view. fastened single item file—a matter mentioned appears, sustained. question board's summary section chief interpreted state still 1952 stated.2 indicated status Witness 'Pioneer' terminated 1954 one-half 'claim amount 19 informed '* like (in 1956) make implicating same. submitted information pioneering period October 16, 1953. plain manner ever than mere man, Christian realize stand Higher Authorities Jehovah God Jesus Christ, am aware consequences liars Proverbs 6:16, showing hates lying tongue. one lie void worship. So please consider submitted, sure stands behind all.' 21 statement, background regarding character, ring truth. corroborated inherent improbability oral word-for-word sentence-for-sentence carbon written four years before, down request minute receiving.3 And emphasized memorandum, forth most likely explanation merely intended repeated basic utilized prior assumption described claim. ,But, far ask precisely meant. 22 dubious foundation, recomme dation. Before date scheduled induction, wife pregnant, told notification came too late. inducted, convicted. 23 striking thing case—aside dishonoring claim—is once received real persuade face lied accusation until response passed. adverted matter, grounds matters explored true, indicated, allowed rebuttal board; written, oral. See 32 CFR 1626.25(e). credibility, can maintained afforded meet determinative case. 24 Nor therefor, significance. integral important process; although follow admonished 'give consideration to' it.4 recommendations 90% cases.5 administratively effectively contested criminal court, extremely restricted judicial review Witmer 375, 392, 428. These factors reveal critical turn, inadequate under Congress recognized proceeding, 'for inquiry commanded 'after inquiry,' 'hold person concerned.' An adverse finds sustained.'6 accord. 1626.25. 26 mean, opinion, guessing suffice. enough searched discovered memorandum; measures traditional concept involving notice charges. think amiss, considering laborer eighth-grade education, age unrepresented counsel. anyone maintain sense word appear whatever wished, pertinent—indeed, conclusive rebutted. Yet exactly happened comports Congress' intent. 27 reconcile Court's preced nt. Morgan 304 58 773, 999, 82 1129, government rate order stockyards commission men affected pertinent statute. individuals argue fact, lengthy introduction evidence, parties argument Acting Secretary Agriculture. nonetheless meaning statute, phrased holding uniquely apropos here: 28 embraces reasonable opposing party submit implies opportunity; otherwise barren one. Those brought quasi-judicial aimed control fairly proposes heard proposals issues command.' Id., 18—19, 776. 29 less worthy Morgan. 30 sum, unwilling attribute intent persons safeguard reasonably designed insure remember dealing system universal military touches, directly indirectly, practically family country. When people thus contact Government, commonweal insuring confidence justness program overemphasized, them involved, Government. sensitivity nowhere better demonstrated treatment claiming objectors. recognized, fundamental aspects national ethic recognition worth person, acting according dictates conscience. even formulating legislation deemed prime existence Nation, refrained impressing those conviction affront morality. desire respected unwillingness entrust authority pass Instead, provided together determining provisions, forget dealing, subjects governmental action cases inexperienced youths, many age, often attorneys. conceived context construction results unblemished scruples, sent prison having assurance intend humanitarian benefits accorded grudgingly. 31 dissent. points regulations, said, attributes congressional thereto laws re-enacted amended 1951 apply, repeal regulation. noted, stricken three times subsequently—in 1958. Still objection Joint Brief Respondents, p. 181; 1417. Sicurella, involved fight 'ministry, Kingdom Inte ests, brethren' not, sufficient deny objector. reads 'When asked thought I—A, replied, 'I 4—D. Also, automatically objector.' replied error. 'Mr. then went always inister beginning registration. participate objector work program, definitely not. defined G II Selective 1948. publicly house house, additional 50—75 preparation duties as; home bible studies; calling back good-will persons; attending congregational meetings, students become ministers. serve Stock congregation. you perhaps already National Headquarters determined Watchtower Tract Society constitutes organization regularly customarily teaching doctrines principles advocated vocation incidentially ministers religion. reasons 4—D classification, gospel discussion regard case.' submit, new except above, certificate marriage board.' italicized portion repeats repetition discussed infra. 613, amended, 456(j), 456(j). Smith Bell, Program—A Search Sincerity,' U.Pitt.L.Rev. 695, 702. Note 4,

Category: 2