Document: 406 U.S. 341 92 S.Ct. 1693 32 L.Ed.2d 141 John A. STRAIT, Petitioner,v.Melvin R. LAIRD, Secretary of Defense, et al. No. 71—83. Argued March 22, 1972. Decided May Syllabus District Court for the Northern California has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(1) to hear and determine habeas corpus application petitioner, who was on unattached, inactive Army reserve duty while domiciled in California, where military authorities processed his conscientious objector discharge, though he nominal command commanding officer Reserve Officer Components Personnel Center Indiana. Schlanger v. Seamans, 401 487, 91 995, 251, distinguished. Pp. 342 346. 445 F.2d 843, reversed. T. Hansen, San Francisco, Cal., petitioner. Sol. Gen. Erwin N. Griswold, respondents. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion Court. 1 Petitioner is an not active duty. His active-duty obligations were deferred went law school after graduating from college. During period deferment at time this action commenced, records kept Fort Benjamin Harrison, Commanding Harrison. was, however, all times never Indiana or assigned there. On finishing took Bar examination 5, 1970, ordered report Gordon, Georgia, beginning April 13, 1970. Before that time, had filed discharge as a objector. That Ord, hearings held. Ord recommended review recommendation The result disapproval application. 2 thereupon petition writ California. denied motion dismiss, holding it (3 S.S.L.R. 3152), but ruled against petitioner merits. appeal Appeals agreed with disagreed merits granted writ. 3 3784. Shortly thereafter our decision announced. Thereupon rehearing dismissed action, no statutes. 843. case here certiorari, which we granted. We reverse judgment below. In serviceman—on Air Force studying Arizona assignment Ohio. There custodian one chain command, whom report. While Habeas Corpus Act extends those 'in custody by color authority United States,' 2241(c)(1), held presence 'custodian' within territorial sine qua non. only serviceman Moody AFB, Georgia. there army officers Arizona, none reporting supervising work there, Moreover, temporarily educational project. 4 present Strait's home. He commissioned Up controversy duty, gone east graduate law, always been It meaningful contact Army; superiors 5 Thus, contention dissent 'abandon Schlanger' approach take today incorrect. Sergeant permissive temporary stay thus charged leave primarily own benefit,1 paid expenses, much any leave. that, such status might be 'custody,' see Donigian Laird, 308 F.Supp. 449 (Md. 1969), may deemed wherever persuaded service let him go. jurisdictional defect Schlanger, merely physical absence Commander AFB total lack formal contacts between district. 6 situation far different. custodian, unlike Schlanger's, enlisted aid directed activities armed forces personnel dealings Strait. Indeed, course enlistment, virtually every face-to-face taken place face record, say amenable process Indiana—or chooses locate its recordkeeping center, n. 3, infra—would exalt fiction over reality. 7 closely parallel Second Circuit unattached lived New York whose could properly file York, even reservists Arlen Cir., 451 684. court through dealt York. Those contacts, concluded, sufficient give 'presence' concluded: 8 'Quite responsible day control subordinates, head basically administrative organization keeps reservists. To 'custody' thousands throughout States hold same purposes small geographical area ignore reality.' Id., 687. 9 agree view. 'present' hierarchy serviceman's discharge.2 require go would entail needless expense inconvenience. 'would concentration similar cases district located.' F.Supp., 453.3 concepts are sufficiently broad allow us Indiana, operating processing petitioner's claim, limited jurisdiction. 10 intimate whether entitled denying relief acted accordance prescribed procedures. consideration 11 Reversed. 12 REHNQUIST, dissenting. 13 emasculates 251 (1971), permitting when must run forum judicial stretches concept beyond anything contained previous decisions, permits federal courts exercise broader administration than ever permitted. I therefore dissent. 14 * facts indistinguishable material respect supra. consisted several requests delay commencing addressed objector, also submitted command. Although interviewed chaplain, psychiatrist, another each made recommendations about application, subject orders nor did rule upon preliminary accomplished interviews forwarded convened board pass Following board's recommendation, requested discharge. Nothing record before indicates What little imposed emanated 15 Only last Term, issue 2241, other found Because official controlled activities, Attempting reconcile case, says: 16 'In 17 objector.' Ante, 343. 18 But reporting, 'none there.' heretofore delayed commencement All decided 'meaningful contact' staff neither constituted them 'superiors' bring No provide Under principle enunciated lacked want Emphasizing brought suit home cannot cure defect, cf. Rudick 412 (CA,2 1969). deal provisions venue statute, established requirement Petitioner's State bar examination, three-year attending school, affords more support Schlanger's Arizona. 19 substitutes 684 (CA2 1971), rule. Arlen, incorrectly concluding reserved question presented here,1 type reservist have state nonresidents like McGee Int'l Life Ins. Co., 355 220, 78 199, 223 (1957), Shoe Co. Washington, 326 310, 66 154, 90 L.Ed. 50 (1945), suffice adopt abandon Schlanger. reasons given do different noted Government counsel adequately available district, said can assert appropriate forum, actions complains advisory Harrison presumably proper witnesses litigation These factors appropriately considered determination non conveniens they substitute actual required statute. II 20 am satisfied Ninth correctly applied dismissal analysis reaching opposite conclusion highlights what me substantial anyone. 21 believes says realistic center custody. believe exercised so attenuated himself weighed nexus, problem found, all. most recognize prerequisite simply does exist restraints live, work, study, connection future obligation enter This recognized person custody' invoke corpus. Eagles ex rel. Samuels, 329 304, 67 313, (1946); supra; Parisi Davidson, 405 34, 815, 31 (1972). Aside ruling release moot proceeding,2 commence severe restraint 22 powerful remedy wielded promptly restrictions individual liberty substantial. primary parameter preserving great situations. undefined depends severity involved. Jones Cunningham, 371 236, 83 373, 285 (1963); Developments Law Federal Corpus, Harv.L.Rev. 1038, 1073 (1970). 23 Notions changed years. 1885, order restricting confines Columbia Wales Whitney, 114 564, 1050, 29 277 (1885). Recent decisions dealing nonmilitary petitioners admittedly broadened Carafas LaVallee, 391 234, 88 1556, 554 (1968). parolee because restricted community parole, needed special permission undertake some driving auto, prompt reincarceration proceedings if violated parole conditions. convicted felon prison disabilities conviction prevented engaging many types businesses, voting election, serving labor juror. 24 standard difficult class persons laboring reserved. By admission, 'has orders, meetings summer duty.' From appears free anywhere desires engage activity chooses, until commences prospective inductee, induction. DeRozario Officer, 390 532 (CA9 1967). Neither precedent raison de tre sanctions reached case. reported pursuant then III 25 yet shortcoming claim 26 Unlike covered Military Selective Service Act, U.S.C.App. seq., statutory right afforded voluntary members services discharged objectors. Department Defense Directive 1300.6 will approve discharges discretionary basis. assuming discretion proper, appeals applying standards called 6(j) 81 Stat. 104, amended, 85 351,3 failed well-established limitations cases, restriction reviewing services. 27 A power grant prisoner 'is violation Constitution laws treaties States'4 States.'5 voluntarily assumed officer's commission indication violates either States. Nor restrained traced legitimate authorization. Our inquiry should further. Burns Wilson, 346 137, 73 1045, 97 1508 (1953), reiterated scope narrower civil permitted court-martial claimed violations constitutional due justice system fully consider claims. Except violations, complained of. Lack similarly well established. Orloff Willoughby, 345 83, 534, 842 refused military-duty ground unlawfully treated, recognizing courts. See Noyd McNamara, 378 538 (CA10 1967) (refusal non-objectionable duties accept resignation objector); Schonbrun 403 1968) (no mandamus denial hardship request); Antonuk States, 592 (CA6 1971) promotions). 30 promulgated procedures followed. Authority proposition stated Dulles, 354 363, 77 1152, 1403 Vitarelli Seaton, 359 535, 79 968, 1012 (1959). principles carry undiminished services,6 lower do.7 Reviewing conformity regulations, afford If DOD fulfilled responsibility regardless ultimate corresponds make. Regulation 135—25. requires submission form request subsequent medical officer, 'O—3' hearing finally officer. these followed request. authority, §§ (c)(3). least extent discussed above reference expiration contracted service. Acting procedures, chosen so. For me, ends permissible inquiry. THE CHIEF JUSTICE, BRENNAN, POWELL join Part affirm Appeals. At received assignment, 35—26 (Mar. 6, defined 'permissive duty' 'duty quasi-official nature performed permanent station, without costs per diem travel.' So defined, difference 'leave' latter convince proposed activity, away direct indirect benefit personal settled, 223; 50, novel regards Ex parte Endo, 323 283, 307, 65 208, 221, 246, 'if respondent reach court's . ..' State; therefroe 'within reach' Strait petition. D.C., 449, 453; Armstrong Wheeler, 321 471, 475. exacerbated extreme fact now moved St. Louis, Missouri, merged into Administration (RCPAC). RCPAC approximately 2,000,000 servicemen, 'The Supreme precise question, U.S., 489, 491 995 (28 251) cited, apparently approval, (D.Md.1969),' F.2d, 686. cited portions custody, separate Gillettee 437, 440 2, 828, 831, 168 (1971). Most circuits 1300.6. E.g., Sheldon O'Malley, 137 U.S.App.D.C. 141, 420 1344 (1969); Bates Commander, 413 475 (CA1 1969); Hammond Lenfest, 398 705 1968); Brown 387 150 (CA3 1967); Brooks Clifford, 409 700 (CA4 Resor, 407 281 (CA5 Packard Rollins, 422 525 (CA8 1970); Sertic 418 915 petitions Craycroft Ferrall, 397 335, 351 (1970), Gillette 2241(c)(3). 2241(c)(1). '(W)e appellant's comply regulations regard appellant. Such indeed strained contain overtone invalidity giving rise immediate application.' 538, 540 1971); Smith

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