Document: 329 U.S. 304 67 S.Ct. 313 91 L.Ed. 308 EAGLES, Post Commanding Officer, Fort Dix, N.J.,v.UNITED STATES ex rel. SAMUELS. No. 59. Argued Nov. 21, 1946. Decided Dec. 23, Mr.Irving S. Shapiro, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mr. Meyer Kreeger, New York City, respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 Samuels registered under Selective Training and Service Act 1940,1 as amended, thereafter claimed exemption from military service § 5(d) Act. That includes not only regular or duly ordained ministers religion but also 'Students who are preparing ministry in theological divinity schools recognized such more than one year prior' to He was classified I—A inducted into Army. Thereafter he filed a petition writ habeas corpus District Court, seeking release custody on ground that entitled an his classification unlawful. There return hearing, Court ordered dismissed. On appeal Circuit Appeals, reliance United States Levy v. Cain, 2 Cir., 149 F.2d 338, reversed remanded cause with directions 'discharge' 'From custoday, without prejudice further lawful proceedings Act'. Pearson, 3 151 801, 802. The case is here certiorari which we granted order resolve conflict between decision below Goodman Hearn, 153 186, Fifth Appeals. First. A question mootness lies at threshold presented here. We advised after remand thereupon unconditionally released custody. contends moot since no longer any else free come go pleases. 4 Under our decisions would be if had been denied and, pending disposition here, received discharge army. Zimmerman Walker, 319 744, 63 1027, 87 1700. And see Weber Squier, 315 810, 62 800, 86 1209; Tornello Hudspeth, 318 792, 990, 1158. situation, like prisoner who, denial corpus, bail, Johnson Hoy, 227 245, 33 240, 57 497; Wales Whitney, 114 564, 572—574, 5 1050, 1053, 1054, 29 277, present existing controversy. Habeas means making judicial 'Inquiry restraint liberty.' R.S. 752, 28 U.S.C. 452, U.S.C.A. 452. As stated McNally Hill, 293 131, 137, 55 24, 27, 79 238, 'There warrant either statute its use invoke determination questions c uld affect lawfulness detention'. If liberty terminated writ, finished. Different considerations brought play ended through itself. Our rules recognize beneficent function Bowen Johnston, 306 19, 26, 59 442, 445, 446, 83 455; People Sabatino Jennings, 246 N.Y. 258, 158 N.E. 613, A.L.R. 14582 by providing whom has may, appeal, enlarged recognizance. Rule 45, following section 354. fact so does render custodian moot. Carr Zaja, 283 52, 53, 51 360, 75 836.3 In obtained assertion power. It propriety exercise power issue appellate court, whether discharged Though released, court what it rendering issuing cannot litigants before it. Cf. St. Pierre States, 41, 42, 910, 911, 1199, cases cited. Affirmance makes prisoner's final unconditional. Reversal undoes did resumption Knewel Egan, 268 448, 45 522, 525, 69 1036; Haddox Richardson, 168 F. 635; James Amrine, 157 Kan. 397, 140 P.2d 362; State Bond Langum, 135 Minn. 320, 160 N.W. 858. 6 Second. merits involves primarily System City advisory panels classifications. President authorized establish 'Civilian local boards, civilian other agencies, including agencies may necessary carry out provisions this Act.' Section 10(a)(2), Stat. 597, 598, 50 U.S.C.App.Supp. III, 310(a)(2), U.S.C.A.Appendix, 310(a)(2). With exceptions material delegate Director authority vested him 10(b), 310(b), 310(b). redelegate authority. Id. administration system each delegated regulations state director. Sections 603.11, 603.12, Fed.Reg. 6827. however, city director appointed performs within area functions 603.12—1, 8 3514. supervises boards City. require board reopen consider anew registrant. 626.2(b), 9 11619, 626.2—1, 10 9210. board. 627.1, 16720, reconsider decision, s 627.61, 6017, President. 628.1, 7 10521. appears director, aid these functions, established panels. thought d sirable give selective personnel benefit advice those familiar educational practices various religious groups might informed judgment evaluating claims classifications IV—D. Accordingly, were constituted, consisted prominent laymen rabbis Jewish faith, gave opinions sought IV—D grounds they students religion. members panel volunteers, permitted regulations. 602.2, 6826. pursuant took oath office. 602.4(a), February, 1942. May July, 1942, questionnaires stating two years high school education; student Mesifta Theological Seminary rabbinate; 1940 occupation clerk; past employed textile company; job best fitted spiritual leader teacher Hebrew rabbinical duties. seminary attended there six old, finished eight elementary course four prerabbinical course, admitted division 1937, left 1939 seek employment, returned evening September, 1941, transferred day session later appeared, few days closed summer. August, 622.44(a), 6607, 6766. May, 1944, given physical examination found acceptable service. requested appear respect claim classification. appeared June, inter alia, expected graduate 1945, ill health caused leave 1939, 1942 worked clerk, full time about questionnaire. reported men exclusively rabbinate, orthodox tradition encouraged advanced study subjects trained, ultimately intending enter business profession some non-rabbinic activity field enrolled same classes rabbinate. therefore seemed essential determine registrant mind pursuing study; make character seminary, sincerity registrant's declared purpose, demeanor, impression candor honesty should considered. concluded 'preparing good faith career practicing rabbinate.' Its recommendation transcript hearing sent forwarded them request Samuels' reopened statement 'while Local Board careful consideration panel, responsibility determining must rest itself, appropriate agency appeal.' 11 reclassified 1944. submitted additional evidence hearing. One 1944 another October, owing kept Samuels. They marked confidential file. board, indeed, allowed correct alleged inaccuracies transcript. continued I—A. information reopened. Another held, being present. own volition committee representing Union Orthodox Rabbis (but connected system) ministry. What facts have acted upon do appear. event, divided vote; shortly 12 Congress made 'final', except appeals authorized, withholding courts customary review administrative action. See Estep 327 114, 66 423. 13 used error. Tisi Tod, 264 44 260, 68 590; Woolsey Best, 299 1, 2, 81 3. exhausted when ascertained whose petitioner held jurisdiction act. issue, mere error proceeding resulted detention sufficient. supra. Deprivation basic fundamental procedural safeguards, act beyond agency, action support order, examples showing necessary. Zerbst, 458, 58 1019, 82 1461, 146 357; Bridges Wixon, 326 135, 149, 65 1443, 1450, 89 2103. But enough show wrong, supra, incompetent Vajtauer Commissioner, 273 103, 47 302, 71 560. said irregularities nature magnitude unfair, page 156, U.S., 1453 S.Ct., 2103, inquiry end. 14 think per se infected whole rendered unfair nugatory. task almost certain raise perplexing problems, especially large centers where status activities registrants well known community. will frequently inquiries their own. comes exemptions 5(d), variety faiths differing churches sects create difficult boards. 15 agree 188 F.2d, well-informed 'Both help speed just classification'. wrote comparable procedure handling conscientious objectors. Where appealed, referred Department report. 5(g). specific statutory provision creation improper. Wise call expert alone can offer. difference principle formally constituted regularly lieu particular individual arise. entrusted enormous one. contemplates organization highly decentralized operate effectively level. More authorized. For noted, 'other agencies' well. serving solely capacity, seem included category. source, put writing file examine it, explain deny it.4 is, moreover, regulations.5 safeguards truly serve most useful process corrupted procedure. 16 Distinct raised represented. Balogh, 939. shown condition 17 341 though assumed, limited conditions: names disclosed position challenge it; answers gives ecclesiastical questions. 18 disclosed. invalid se. This passed secret group. them, saw face face, indeed them. tried ascertain were, subsequently, information. assume disclose affiliations members, absence formal disclosure not, more, grave omission undermine proceeding. 19 allegations sufficient justify grant issuance rule cause, accord outlined Walker 312 275, 61 574, 85 830. had, all offered received. burden unlawfully detained. Not every error, flagrant result vulnerable collateral attack. ex. 133 260 pages 152—156, 1451—1453 out, t e deprive vitality. failed effect. sustain proof him. 20 Secrecy anonymity congenial traditions procedure, nor keeping said, range limited. sitting federal over supervision. McNabb 332, 608, 819. habas practice complained unlawful detention. impact person crucial. Whatever potentialities abuse have, end challenged unfair. points possibilities abuse. fails case. 21 If, restricted answering questions, prevail. concerning bona fides claim. argument restricting based needs specialized information, while relies general devolving responsibility. 341, 342 F.2d. 22 plain abdicate duty delegating others function. 10(a)(2). record. panel's report admonition board's followed. subsequently hearings appeal. indication relied considered itself bound both record bear suggestion rubber stamp panel. 23 Nor too broad. field, expertness necessarily knowledge shools training, traditions. acquaintance norms special insight exemption. To draw line technically distinction wholly arbitrary terms expertness. irrelevancies; usurp discover nothing kind follows mean subservient way. submitted. find warrent uprooting entire attack 24 say H brew leader, interruption education, month questionnaire returned, apparently rabbinate questionable refuge duration war. plan; evidence, coupled demeanor attitude, persuasive cold unable flouted command denying 25 Reversed. 54 885, 211, 621, 845, 56 386, U.S.C.App., U.S.C.App. Supp. I, II, 301 et seq., seq. citations throughout refer applicable times relevant Cardozo, then Chief Judge 'It intolerable adjudged fault, placed wrongdoer, automatically, notice prolong term imprisonment, frustrate operation historic 614. briefs issued lower discharged, provide classifying registrant, 'Oral unless summarized summary circumstances rely member personally reduced file.' 623.2, 437, 8541. 605.32(a), 9190.

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