Document: 396 U.S. 64 90 S.Ct. 355 24 L.Ed.2d 264 Hugh BRYSON, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 35. Argued Oct. 14, 1969. Decided Dec. 8, Richard Gladstein, San Francisco, Cal., for petitioner. Francis X. Beytagh, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Justice HARLAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner asks this Court to set aside his 1955 jury conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 10011 having falsely and fraudulently denied affiliation with Communist Party in an affidavit he had filed National Labor Relations Board, pursuant 9(h) Act, as amended by Taft-Hartley Act.2 This collateral proceeding was brought District Northern California 1967, some 10 years after original upheld over a variety challenges on direct review.3 The distinguished Dennis v. United States, 384 855, 86 1840, 16 973 (1966), decided that 9(h), which been American Communications Assn. Douds, 339 382, 70 674, 94 L.Ed. 925 (1950), could no longer be thought constitutionally valid, particularly light States Brown, 381 437, 85 1707, 14 484 (1965). Having concluded Government right ask questions petitioner answered affidavit, ruled petitioner's 1001 should 'without effect.' It therefore discharged parole (unreported opinion).4 2 On Government's appeal, Ninth Circuit reversed because it found 'no significant differences' between case Dennis, unnecessary consider constitutionality 403 F.2d 340 (1968). We granted certiorari, 393 1079, 89 879, 21 771 (1969), we now affirm. 3 * bottoms claim relief asserted constitutional deficiencies enacted Congress 1947 out concern influence union officers created risk 'political strikes,' see U.S., at 387—389, S.Ct., 678—679. Under participate representation proceedings conducted NLRB or utilize Board's machinery protest employer unfair labor practices only if each union's 'non-Communist' affidavit. See n. 2, supra. such 1951, subsequent based jury's determination knowingly willfully lied denying Party.5 4 About one year before false considering deficiencies, However, 1959 replaced provision simply made crime who recently member officer,6 successor statute subsequently held unconstitutional bill attainder, 5 Relying primarily argues also prohibited Art. I, 9, cl. 3, Constitution. abridged First Amendment rights speech, assembly, association, so vague offend Due Process Clause Fifth Amendment. do not decide whether 9(h)—now repealed years—would today pass muster Douds would reaffirmed. Guided supra, hold question is legally irrelevant validity 1001, general criminal punishing making fraudulent statements Government. II 6 In petitioners convicted conspiracy obtain services Board filing affidavits purported satisfaction requirements 9(h). Those petitioners, like here, asked reverse douds invalid. Deciding "the claimed invalidity defense charged (the) indictment," refused 'reconsider Douds.' 867, 1848. Court, drawing Kapp, 302 214, 58 182, 82 205 (1937), Kay 303 1, 468, 607 (1938), stated: 7 'The governing principle unconstitutionality will heard excuse voluntary, deliverate calculated course fraud deceit. One elects means self-help may escape consequences urging conduct excused sought evade unconstitutional. prosecution directed petitioners' fraud. action enforce unconstitutional.' 1847. 8 find less applicable us. First, none elements proof necessary has shown depend suggests when misunderstood meaning statutory term 'affiliated,' word claims unconstitutionally overbroad. But trial court narrowly defined instruction7 later explicitly approved Killian 368 231, 254—258, 302, 314—317, 256 (1961). Moreover, verdict reflects statement made. negates any did know falsity time made, product accident, honest inadvertence, duress. Insofar attempts suggest contrary,8 trying impeach verdict, careful review appeal. 9 As another element offense, requires 'in matter within jurisdiction department agency States.' unconstitutional, then requirement 'jurisdiction' punishable 1001. Because there valid legislative interest protecting integrity official inquiries, Bramblett, 348 503, 75 504, 99 594 (1955); Gilliland, 312 86, 93, 61 518, 522, 598 (1941),9 think given narrow technical purposes Ogden F. 2d 724, 742—743 (C.A.9th Cir. 1962); Adler, 380 917, 921—922 (C.A.2d 1967). A basis agency's request information provides enough punish 1001.10 case, received explicit authority, short Douds. Given 'power act charges (was) conditioned affidavits,' Leedom International Union Mine, Mill Smelting Workers, 352 145, 148—149, 77 154, 156, 201 (1956), certainly apparent statute, Thus, irrespective reaffirmed today, 'matter jurisdiction' Board.11 11 Notwithstanding fact proved have us say provide conviction. cannot our law citizen privilege answer asked. Our legal system methods challenging questions12—lying them. decline question, honestly, but impunity falsehood. III 12 argues, found, distinguishable, its teachings relevance instance. first distinction offered involved conspiracy, whereas prosecuted individually statement.13 nothing makes cases are indeed very similar both involve use 'to circumvent challenge it— compliance (§ was) designed avoid courts, invoke their jurisdiction.' 865, 1846. 13 distinguish ground behavior present culpable than petitioner, unlike 'flout' 'every believe' perjured himself. If apart from attempting suggesting principles assessment moral culpability beyond guilt, misconceives Dennis. can hardly read instructing courts impose extra punishment defendant dishonest refusing argument relevant defense. reconsider conclusion prosecution. finally contends follow 'its strictures all postconviction proceedings.' Of course, federal review, substantive becomes more review. judgment Appeals 15 Affirmed. DOUGLAS, whom BLACK concurs, dissenting. 17 founded indictment words file 'any false, fictitious representations' 'within Board. Former Management 1947, 29 159(h) (1958 ed.), barred using unless until neither nor affiliated Party. basic 28 2255 speaking require those affidavits. Obviously power authorize crimes character must rest interference obstruction 'lawful' function question. Johnson, 383 169, 172, 749, 751, 681. Apart problems, what construed restrictive, expansive, way. Eighth Friedman 374 363, telling falsehood FBI role 'investigator' sense were, lies agencies carry heavier penalties committing perjury court. 367. 19 commonsense approach regime. many mandates imposed Constitution prohibition against bills attainder. 9. 20 said 925, Chief Vinson called 'opinion Court.' was, however, six-man ruling attainder point Part VII opinion. Frankfurter concurred 'except VII.' Id., 415, 692. Jackson part dissented part. 422, 696. Section vulnerable view proscribed belief manifested itself overt act.' 436, 703. He siad: 'Attempts fathom modern political meditations accused futile mischievous efforts infamous heresy trials old religious beliefs.' 22 '(E)fforts weed erroneous beliefs minds men always supported invokes springs action, evil thoughts tend become forbidden deeds. Probably so. forbid acts includes contemplating them, government unlimited way open force disclosure attitudes manner social, economic, issues.' 438, 23 From I conclude reach Vinson's And Black dissented. 445, 707. So three members (Vinson, C.J., Reed Burton, JJ.) ever 25 484, 504 Labor-Management Reporting Disclosure Act 1959, serve officer employee (except clerical custodial positions) union. 'intended prevent future rather past action.' 414, likewise argued 'preventive retributive purpose.' 457, 1719. That rejected. said, inflicted 'punishment' which, pointed out, 'serves several purposes; retributive, rehabilitative, deterrent preventive.' 458, 1720. dissenters Clark, Harlan, Stewart, White—concluded 'obviously overruled.' 464—465, 1723. Whatever technically about remaining vitality obviously belongs discredited regime, though, Plessy Ferguson, 163 537, 1138, 41 256, never officially overruled. 26 rule invoked deny opportunity is, stated separate 878, 1853, 973, 'a new court-made doctrine.' opinion, prior decision relied were instances benefits complainant possible Ibid. 27 installed barrier receipt administered Since plainly entitled without Therefore, cases, deprived defrauded other form claim. below. Title provides: 'Whoever, falsifies, conceals covers up trick, scheme, device material fact, representations, uses writing document knowing same contain entry, shall fined $10,000 imprisoned five years, both.' Until Stat. 146, provided organization draw upon stating 'that party, does believe in, supports believes teaches, overthrow illegal methods. provisions (§§ 286, 287, 1022, 1023 18) respect affidavits.' Bryson 238 657 1956), rehearing denied, 243 837, cert. 817, 78 20, 34 (1957). After initiating proceeding, application reduction sentence rejected, 265 Cir.), 360 919, 79 1437, 1535 (1959). conviction, sentenced years' imprisonment fine. served almost two being paroled December 1959. $2,000 fine paid, yet status commenced 1967. acquitted charge 'member' 73 536, 504. instructions were: verb used Second Count indictment, relationship membership Party, mere sympathy aims objectives 'A person 'affiliated' organization, even though member, close working alliance association him together mutual understanding recognition rely cooperate it, work benefit, indefinite period fairly permanent basis. 'Briefly stated, equivalent equal name. 'I tried analogy make possibly clearer you, best of—we experience probably man woman live married. They husband wife everything name only. You expression. every stand technicality member,—in everthing name.' F.2d, 664 8. amounted affiliation, signed submitted counsel advised 'affiliated.' apparently prepared connection motion reduce sentence. At trial, take stand, unproved allegations record guilty. concluding reasoned performing 'authorized functions,' phrase taken 522. By taking Gilliland's unelaborated reference functions' context, gave unsupported holding inconsistent spirit decision. Gilliland need 'pecuniary loss government' order Court's broad reading protect 'from perversion might result deceptive described,' ibid. previous contexts prosecutions e.g., Williamson 207 425, 453—462, 288 163, 173—177, 52 278 (1908); George, 228 33 412, 57 712 (1913); Viereck 318 236, 63 561, 87 734 (1943); Christoffel 338 84, 69 1447, 93 1826 (1949), conclusion. cited none, existed authority nevertheless maintained determined 363 (C.A.8th 1967), dissent, initiate Civil Rigts Laws' "matter agency" 'had adjudicate rights, establish binding regulations, compel dispose problem giving rise inquiry.' 365, 368. occasion context either approve disapprove Friedman's holding. exist already authoritatively Cf. For examples how raised, 385—387, 677—678. support contention meant apply violations, here quote language effect that: 'It entire merely affidavits, gravamen charge.' 860, 1844. language, addressed threshold faced namely, facts alleged sufficient warrant charge, additional violation

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