Document: 332 U.S. 442 68 S.Ct. 115 92 L.Ed. 59 COXv.UNITED STATES. THOMPSON v. SAME. ROISUM Nos. 66 to 68. Argued Oct. 14, 15, 1947. Decided Nov. 24, Rehearing Denied Feb. 2, 1948. See 333 830, 449. Mr. Hayden C. Covington, of Brooklyn, N.Y., for petitioners. Irving S. Shapiro, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice REED announced the judgment Court and delivered an opinion in which The CHIEF JUSTICE, JACKSON, BURTON join. 1 These cases present question scope review a selective service classification trial absence without leave from civilian public camp. Petitioners are Jehovah's Witnesses who were classified as conscientious objectors despite their claim ministers religion. Ministers exempt military other under Act. All three petitioners exhausted remedies process complied with order local board directing them report Cox Thompson indicted leaving camp permission, Roisum was failing return after proper leave, violation § 11 Selective Training Service Act 1940. 54 Stat. 885, 57 597, 50 U.S.C.Appendix, §§ 301—318, U.S.C.A.Appendix, 301—318. 2 On trials requested directed verdicts, at appropriate times, because orders invalid court charge jury that they acquit if found religion therefore all service. judge did not grant petitioners' requests, however, instructed juries concern themselves validity orders. convicted, on appeal Circuit Appeals convictions affirmed. 157 F.2d 787. We granted certiorari resolve questions concerning submission evidence, wit, files system, relevant 331 801, 67 1532. 3 Petitioner registered October 16, 1940, his questionnaire stated he 22 years old had been employed truck driver since 1936. him IV—F, physically fit service, January 31, 1941, Mar h 10, 1942, changed I—A. Ten days later filed request reclassification IV—E (conscientious objector), stating become Witness 1942. first rejected claim, but June 12 same year classification. petitioner made total exemption claiming be minister religion; refused its action sustained by appeal. May 18, 1944, ordered camp, 26 then immediately left return. 4 Upon Cox's file received evidence. It contained ordination certificate Watch Tower Bible Tract Society 'a duly ordained Gospel' 'entire time' devoted missionary work. also affidavit company servant, church superior, dated 29, 'regularly customarily serves going house conducting Studies Talks.' There Cox, 28, enrolled 'Pioneer service' 16 'able average 150 hours per month my ministerial duties secular work.' He added 'my entire time will preaching Gospel pioneer.' testified 1944 preached house, conducted funerals, 'instructed Bible' homes. No evidence introduced showing amount spent religious activities Nor there nor them. Although denied motion verdict, it does appear examined determine whether arbitrary capricious or basis fact. At lower federal courts interpreted Falbo United States, 320 549, 64 346, 88 305, meaning no judicial any sort could order. In Estep 327 114, 423, 90 567, we held limited obtained registrant administrative remedies, accordance decision reviewed 'substantially support' board. 5 minister. 30 past 13 operated grocery store August 1, gave deferred dependency, IV E. appealed November 5, 1943, explaining presenting full statement argument colporteur within regulations. attached during preceding twelve months 519 1/2 'field service,' representing making 'back-calls people good will,' including studies 'local Kingdom Hall.' Another servant Gospel, serving assistant 'School Instructor Course Theocratic Ministry.' certificates national head uarters associated served Ministry Instructor, advertising book study conductor. Unlike two petitioners, introduce certification headquarters signed regarded gospel. submitted indicating change Thompson's operating store. classification, April reported left. followed pattern Cox's, except allowed testify 6 initial registration day, old, worked 15 farmer, minister's father saying necessary operation father's farm. 1942 objector's form both combatant non-combatant service; this apparently misapprehension, abandon contention should gospel every opportunity. enclosed letter affiliated 1936, baptized 1940 'was appointed direct representative organization perform evangelistic organizing establishing churches generally God definitely assigned territory 1941' work objector combat (I—A—O), 30, 1943. back call conductor, performance these acquitted himself 'regular gospel.' schedule number six March ranging little many 69, averaging about 40. Roisum's taken President. disobeyed order, arrested indicted. declared mistrial undertaking obey board's seek release habeas corpus. subsequently failed comply, transportation difficulties, finally 23, directed. remained five days, week-end pass, never returned. 7 effort new nature erroneously void conviction moved acquittal ground showed capricious. concluded support motion. 8 entitled raise classifications proceeding. They have process, whatever position might attempting writs corpus against custodian, issue defense criminal prosecution leave. Gibson 329 338, 351-360, 301, 307-312. entitled, is limited; said 122, 123, 427, 567: 'The provision decisions boards 'final' means us Congress chose give customary obtains statutes. weigh justified. conformity regulations final even though may erroneous. jurisdiction reached only fact registrant.' Compare Eagles States ex rel. Samuels, 304, 313, Horowitz, 317, 320, similar enunciated proceedings registrants improperly inducted. 9 Section 5(d) provides religion' shall training Act, 622.44 Regulations defines terms 'duly religion.'1 aid applying regulation, Director issued Opinion No. 14 (amended) 1942,2 described tests applied determining ministers, regular ordained. members Bethel Family (producers supplies) pioneers, devoting substantially teaching tenets religion, exempt, appended list certain pioneers exemption. None list. whose names list, well holding official titles organization, must according facts each case. criteria 'whether devote lives furtherance beliefs Witnesses, functions normally performed religions, finally, manner religions ordinarily regarded.' further place registrant's record entering into determination reason legally show decision.' 10 observed regulation makes 'ordination' practical difference between 'regular' minister.' This seems consistent view conforms valid rule power conferred 10(a). agree, also, furnishes guide interpretation Regulations. Our examination facts, herein case, convinces adequate deny confine ourselves appearing although documents dealing status themselves. small portion activities, alone, far stronger than either registrants' leadership dedication work, sufficient As suggest do prove 'pioneer' when reclassified I—A IV—F still claimed exemption, justified deciding available established status. reasonably nothing less definite devotion would suffice circumstances.3 complain district pass If error examine cured court's examination. limit verdicts entered favor invalidity matter law; instructions jury.4 'erroneously' improper. distinctly mere insufficient grounds attack. charges defendant considering hold such Whether 'no fact' determined independent consideration concept passing independently previously body reviewing contrary settled practice; constitutional right include Yakus 321 414, 660, 834. intend cut off protection having substantial When determines need jury. Perhaps reach different result reviewable 'only classification.' supra, page 567. Consequently finds conclusive. preponderance anew. guilt accused disobedience judge's supports board, pertinent consideration.5 ontention invalid. attempt minister, opportunity so testify. specify point Appeals. Passing possible waiver part argue below, merit. claims 'jurisdictional de novo (reexamination former hearing adduce additional evidence) trial, relies Ng Fung Ho White, 259 276, 42 492, 938, where alleged alien alienage proceedings. But case this. alien, there, American citizenship. such, said, due process. get before Commissioner Immigration. Therefore, deportation citizen involve loss 'of life worth living,' decided 'jurisdiction' try tested 284, 495, 938. That hearing. trial. assures rights. Petitioners' objection essence appeared quite accord justice upon acted.6 elsewhere records open furnish information activities. acted predicated. perceive prejudice records. Affirmed. FRANKFURTER concurs result. 17 DOUGLAS, whom BLACK concurs, dissenting. 18 I agree majority can reverse judgments below properly one law Court. To extent join ministers. My disagreement required what conceive mandate Congress, preach teach faith recognized group statutory 19 runs religion.' suggestion more orthodox conventional faiths included. make availability turn activity. exempted Hence, think distinguished ordained' minister,1 'customarily preaches teaches principles church, sect, member, formally sect 32 C.F.R., Cum.Supp. 622.44(b). 20 disputed constitute organization. have, moreover, door-to-door evangelism much activity 'worship pulpits.' Murdock Commonwealth Pennsylvania, 319 105, 109, 63 870, 873, 87 1292, 146 A.L.R. 81. establish, think, sect. Their supported affidavits immediate superiors headquarters. And spending faith. person engaging ministry, motives doing immaterial.2 21 claimants disregard adopt definition contracts provided Congress. devotes uncommon day occupations, especially rural communities. nonetheless parish teachers has part-time Financial needs require lay occupations. use dictated desire disseminate widely views Whatever reason, vehicles propagation faith; historical standards apostles function group. 23 MURPHY, RUTLEDGE 24 With limitations, based draft care preclude allow automatic approval action. Otherwise drained substance becomes formality. Such empty procedure serious connotations, deal those illegally exemptions relating 25 Specifically, object standard whereby unless it. Less thus permitted legalize merit situations, propriety t particular setting. differs ordinary civil proceeding non-punitive agency, unrelated freedom conscience involves denying scruples war, His liberty reputation depend valid, imprisoned fined branded violator nation's unlawful, free man. Moreover, previous secure test action, chance Everything concentrated stakes too high, opinion, permit inappreciable supporting sanction Since innocence centers something forceful wisp speculative inference. faces almost impossible task illegality presence fragment dooming efforts. scant foundation justify brushing aside bona fide belief respect human dignity anything, warrants 27 needless add that, view, proof falls short justifying affords reasonable implying non-ministerial intended forced labor jobs earn living opulent congregations. Any ascribe intention discriminate among denominations wealth necessity am unwilling impute. Accordingly, convincing cannot underlying valid. 888: 'Sec. 5. * '(d) Regular students preparing ministry theological divinity schools prior date enactment (but registration) Act.' Regulations, 1941 Supp.: 622.44. 'Class IV—D: Minister r student. (a) Class IV—D placed student school (September 1940). '(b) A man '(c) ceremonial ritual discipline doctrines administer rites ceremonies worship; performs duties.' Office Records, D.C. For conclusion subdivision statute, giving students, see 316, 320: 'Nor say Samuels' best fitted Hebrew teacher spiritual leader, interruption education, session seminary returned, men exclusively rabbinate questionable rabbinate. refuge duration war. create him. some plan; coupled demeanor attitude, seemed persuasive cold record. inquiry ended unable flouted command Samuels exemption.' 1946, reversed passed claims. rehearing withdrawn, handed down affirming judgments. Smith Cir., 176, constituted reversible error. cf. Kulick Kennedy, 811. analogous admissibility, Wigmore (3d ed.) 2550; Steele 267 505, 510, 511, 45 417, 419, 69 761; Ford 273 593, 605, 47 531, 535, 71 793; Doe dem. Jenkins Davies, Ad. & El.N.S., 314, 323—24; Phipson, Evidence (8th ed.), p. 9. Goff 135 610, Messersmith, 138 599. defined 'who ained C.F.R.Cum.Supp. 622.44(c). distinction is, latter. church. nearly fits who, like follow practices. controlling here. involved given ministry. Mere confined entitle

Category: 2