Legal Document

353 U.S. 232 77 Supreme Court Reporter 752 1 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 796 Rudolph SCHWARE, Petitioner,v.BOARD OF BAR EXAMINERS THE STATE NEW MEXICO. Number 92. Argued Jan. 14, 15, 1957. Decided May 6, Mr. Herbert Monte Levy, New York City, for the petitioner. William Atlantic Sloan, Albuquerque, N.M., respondent. Fred M. Standley, Clovis, Justice BLACK delivered opinion of Court. The question presented is whether petitioner, Schware, has been denied a license to practice law in Mexico violation Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment Constitution. 2 system licensing persons similar that effect most States.1 A Board Bar Examiners determines if candidates admission bar have necessary qualifications. When concludes an applicant qualifies it recommends State he be admitted. If court accepts recommendation, entitled upon taking oath support constitutions and laws Mexico. An must pass examination before will give him its recommendation. can refuse permit take this unless demonstrates 'good moral character.' 3 In December 1953, on eve his graduation from University School Law, Schware filed application with requesting permitted scheduled February 1954. His was submitted form prescribed by required answers large number questions. From record, appears answered these questions detail. Among other things, disclosed had used certain aliases between 1933 1937 arrested several occasions prior 1940. appeared examination, informed could not do so. He later requested formal hearing denial application. granted request. At told first time why refused examination. It gave copy minutes meeting at which voted deny These read: 4 'No. 1309, Randolph Schware. moved Member Frank Andrews reason that, into consideration use applicant, former connection subversive organizations, record arrests, failed satisfy as requisite character Whereupon said motion duly seconded Ross L. Malone, unanimously passed.'2 5 petitioner called wife, rabbi synagogue, local attorney secretary dean school testify about character.3 took stand himself thoroughly examined under Board. counsel introduced series letters written wife 1944 through 1946 while duty Army. Letters were also every member petitioner's graduating class except one who did comment. And all professors then available wrote regard character. no witnesses evidence. 6 shows following facts relevant Schware's born poor section City 1914 grew up neighborhood inhabited primarily recent immigrants. father immigrant like many neighbors difficult providing family. job when nine years old throughout remainder worked help provide income After 1929, economic condition family their neighbors, well millions others, greatly worsened. formative stage high school. interested enthusiastic socialism trade-unionism father. 1932, despairing what considered lack vigor socialist movement country depths great depression, joined Young Communist League.4 18 final year 7 left until 1940 periodically unemployed. variety temporary ill-paying jobs. 1933, found work glove factory there participated successful effort unionize employees. Since workers principally Italian, assumed name Di Caprio forestall effects anti-Jewish prejudice against him, only securing retaining but assisting organization fellow 1934 went California where secured docks. testified continued because Jews discriminated employment work. Wherever employed active advocate labor organization. part maritime strikes west coast bitterly fought both sides. While strike San Pedro, California, twice 'suspicion criminal syndicalism.' never formally charged nor tried released each instance after being held brief period. Pedro police, mass arrests jailed numbers strikers. 8 father's death Party rejoined. indicted violating Neutrality Act 1917. attempting induce men volunteer side Loyalist Government Spanish Civil War. Before case came trial charges dismissed released. Later quit Party. Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact 1939 disillusioned disillusionment made complete believe leaders acting advance own selfish interests rather than working they purported represent. 9 entered armed forces States. service volunteered paratrooper sent Guinea. serving Army here abroad wife. show desire serve demonstrate faith free democratic society. They reveal serious thoughts religion led associate themselves synagogue returned civilian life. honorably discharged 1946. 10 finishing college, 1950. beginning past activities association during depression asked advice. remain put behind happened before. studying operated business order two children pay expenses professional education. During three conduct exemplary. 11 conclusion reaffirmed decision denying right appealed That upheld justice dissenting. 60 N.M. 304, 291 Pacific Reporter, 2nd 607, 630. rehearing stated that: 12 '(Schware's membership Party), together actions present attitude toward those matters, considerations (we approved application).' 13 petitioned review alleging opportunity qualify contrary Amendment. We certiorari. 352 821, 34, 46. Cf. re Summers, 325 561, 562, 564 569, 65 1307, 1308, 1312, 89 L.Ed. 1795. see Konigsberg versus 252, 722. 14 cannot exclude person or any occupation manner reasons contravene Equal Protection Amendment.5 Dent West Virginia, 129 114, 231, 32 623. Slochower Higher Education, 350 551, 76 637, 100 692; Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 73 215, 97 216. Ex parte Secombe, 19 How. 9, 13, 15 565. require standards qualification, such good proficiency law, admits bar, qualification rational applicant's fitness capacity law. Douglas Noble, 261 165, 43 303, 67 590; Cummings Missouri, Wall. 277, 319—320, 356. Nebbia People York, 502, 54 505, 78 940. Obviously excluded merely Republican Negro particular church. Even applying permissible standards, officers basis finding fails meet action invidiously discriminatory. Yick Wo Hopkins, 118 356, 1064, 30 220. Here concedes fully qualified respects Therefore us reasonably find shown 16 There nothing suggests engaged reflects adversely recognized 'presently enjoys repute among teachers, students associates synagogue.' professors, students, are members, testimony man, man imbued sense deep responsibility family, trustworthy, rights beliefs others. religious conviction training practices faith. solicitude others demonstrated fact regularly read Bible illiterate soldier blind student industry depicted supported paid costly education operating separately candor informing personal history going disclosing past. undisputed evidence ideals social justice. Not single witness 17 Despite showing character, below thought raised substantial doubts (1) Aliases.—From aliases. adopted so secure businesses more effectively organize non-Jewish employees plants worked. Of course wrong alias done cheat defraud another hardly attempt anti-semitism organizing wrong. police picked arrest dispute. would fired striker. This certainly enough inference bad 20 later. (2) Arrests.—In response Board's occasions: 1. 1934, participating bitter dispute shipyards, least times period without him. convicted offense arrests. 21 mere very little, any, probative value misconduct.6 someone probably suspected apprehended offense. trial, whatever force may normally dissipated. Moreover here, special surrounding shedding light significance. Apparently strikers 'criminal syndicalism.'7 syndicalism statutes broad vague.8 indicates 'suspicion' violated statute. suggestion using violence overthrow state national government. Again should emphasized ago related them. 22 2. 1917 makes unlawful within join hire retain army foreign state.9 prosecution dropped charges. recruiting go overseas aid Loyalists unaware time. clear guilty violation.10 But even violated, does seem indicated turpitude—even Many actively Government. prelude World War II idealistic young causes believed right. commonly known Americans air squadrons helped defend China Great Britain country's entry war. volunteers prosecuted Act. Few regarded turpitude. determining person's nature committed taken account.11 23 summary, wholly insufficient applied examination.12 occurred ever arrested. 24 (3) Membership Party.—Schware admitted 1932 placed heavy emphasis application.13 stated: 25 'We knowingly given loyalties (the Party) six seven responsible adulthood questionable (60 319, 617.) 26 1930's Party, dominated power dedicated violent aware this. based assumption view purposes 1950 expressed concurring American Communications Association Douds, 339 382, 422, 70 674, 695, 94 925. However purport factual obviously substitute illegal activity anything morally reprehensible member, lawful political party ballot States.14 gives indication party. unorthodox. brief, 'Mere unorthodoxy (in field ideas) matter fair logical inference, negative character."15 27 midst greatest depression. thousands step.16 unemployed our paralyzed turned out desperation hope. proposed radical solution grave crisis. rise fascism menace democracy spurred feared tyranny align Party.17 1935, advocated 'Popular Front' 'all parties fascism.' Its platform slogans stressed full employment, racial equality various changes.18 28 drastic changes needed existing system. however, violence, actions. Assuming some members aims activities, automatically inferred shared evil conduct. As declared 191, 219, 216: 'Indiscriminate classification innocent knowing fall assertion arbitrary power.' Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee McGrath, 341 123, 136, 71 624, 630, 95 817.19 finally, affiliated 1940—more ago. conclude justify presently 29 contends though aliases, exclusion stood alone, combined unwarranted. accept contention. forceful relies—the offenses neither convicted, ago, 1930's—cannot raise rationally justifies unfit law.20 On we hold deprived due process judgment reversed remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 31 ordered. Reversed directions. 33 WHITTAKER case. 34 FRANKFURTER, whom CLARK HARLAN join, concurring. 35 Certainly since Edward I, vicissitudes centuries Anglo-American history, legal profession played role own. enjoyed prerogatives; entrusted anxious responsibilities. One inhale self-adulatory bombast after-dinner speeches affirm comprised constitutional guarantees 'life, liberty property' keeping lawyers. characterization lawyer's society stands 'as shield,' quote Devlin, J., defense ward off responsibilities exacted qualities truth-speaking, honor, granite discretion, strictest observance fiduciary responsibility, have, centuries, compendiously described 'moral thirteenth century day, England itself determined enter it. courts exercise ultimate control. comparable Inns Court, too itself, appropriate committees, long vital interest, sifting agency, fitness, above certified fate clients. With character' historic unquestioned prerequisite fitness. Admission necessarily belongs State. course, legislation laying down general conditions discriminatory may, legislation, afoul See different refusing individual case, here. 36 beyond Court's function act overseer result procedure established bar. No doubt satisfaction requirement involves delicate reach conclusion, having heard seen admission, 'many honest sensible judgments' context expresses 'an intuition experience outruns analysis sums unnamed tangled impressions,—impressions lie beneath conciousness losing worth.' Chicago, baron & Q.R. company Babcock, 204 585, 598, 326, 329, 51 636. Especially realm State's judgment—for panoply powers review. 37 Nor division matters altered challenged conception character,' shadowy precise bounds. conception—moral character—has now indefinite, implicating subjective factors, longer exact carry 'the public law.' (See Elihu Root, A.B.A.J. 736.) To wide extent, depends disciplined belief integrity courts. fail accord confidence process, attribute biased passing applications seeking profession. 38 judicial action, avowed inadmissible violate requirements process. Refusal allow standard offends dictates Clause. Such 39 Living hard circumstances, Petitioner, still teens, encountered confusions dislocations By chance occurrences infrequently determine youth, League to-ward end high-school days. retained Hitler-Stalin began disaffection completed break 1940, life, including honorable army, establishes early associations, outlook reflected, entirely behind.1 war service, small businessman, Western Michigan College, resolved becoming lawyer. 1950, age 36, enrolled Law disclosure career Dean. prosecution, years, Surpeme Mexico, original proceeding adverse Examiners, 40 For me, controlling element offended significance accorded affiliations. rehearing, thus reiterated position: 41 program 339, 617, 42 unequivocally factor which, reading opinion, application, drew factors combination unwarranted affiliation. unnaturally evidently pre-1940 period, unprosecuted deemed 'his matters,' page 630 (as drawn printed court) precluded alone. brings me early, hold, did, affiliation fifteen court's assessment it, 'a dogmatic History overwhelmingly youths mirage communism era, eyes opened reality. experiences disclose woolly mind naive notions regarding problems rejecting presumption, let alone irrebuttable foolish, baseless hopes betterment entertained them undoubtedly senses 'questionable characters.' situation 44 N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions therefore concur judgment. Generally, N.M.Stat.Ann., § 18—1—8 Rules Governing appended thereto. received confidential information once request mention length membership. although initial partially information. secret hearing, influenced adhering qualified. majority look passed qualifications jurisdiction, considerable reliance recommendations. Therefore, contends, procedural Goldsmith Tax Appeals, 270 117, 46 494; Bratton Chandler, 260 110, 43, 157; Minkoff Payne, 93 U.S.App.D.C. 210 Federal 689, 691; Carter, 310, 192 certiorari denied, 342 862, 72 89, 96 648. unnecessary consider sabbatical leave available. 12,060,000 nation's 51,000,000 Statistical Abstract (1956) 197. need discussion 'right' 'privilege.' Regardless how grant permission engage characterized, sufficient say prevented practicing valid reasons. grace. Garland, 333, 379, 366. Arrest, competent either civil prove prohibited acts. Wigmore, Evidence, 980a. Petitioner two-month 2,000 strike. criticism S.Rep. 1150, 77th Cong., Sess. 35, 131, 133—141. 'The term syndicalism' hereby defined doctrine precept advocating, teaching aiding abetting commission crime, sabotage (which word meaning wilful malicious physical damage injury property), acts methods terrorism means accomplishing change industrial ownership control, effecting change.' Cal.Stat.1919, chapter 188, 1.* De Jonge Oregon, 299 353, 57 255, 81 278, statute unconstitutional. Statutes-at-Large 39, Code KF62 959(a), Annotated KF65 U5 959(a). Kiker, Judge (dissenting), 321, 618. * Now West's Ann.Pen.Code, 11400. example, felony misdemeanor grounds disbarment 18—1—17(1). Compare Burch, Ohio App. 97, North Eastern 803, where, proceeding, federal failing register agent German 1941 Texas driving friend's car coast. stolen. delay became convinced rightfully possession allowed way. detention offers proof rely argues constitutionally abridges guaranteed Because disposition example 1936 presidential nominee States, (1937) 159. Virginia Education Barnette, 319 642, 63 1178, 1187, 87 1628, declared: 'If fixed star constellation, official, petty, prescribe shall orthodox politics, nationalism, religion, citizens confess therein.' According figures 14,000 26,000 41,000 1936. W. Z. Foster, Bryan Stalin (1937), 303. estimated 700,000 1919 1951. Ernst Loth, Report (1952), 14. numerous varied individuals Taylor, Grand Inquest (1955), 155 159; (1954); Almond, Appeals Communism (1952); Crossman, God Failed (1949); Department Defense, Know Your Enemy: Who Are Communists Why?, DOD PAM 4—6, 8, 1955. indicative Moore, U.S.A.; Analysis Social Movement, Am.Pol.Sci.Rev. 31, 32—33. Schneiderman 320 118, 1333, 1342, 1796, '* traditions association, notoriously subscribe unqualifiedly platforms asserted principles.' borne otherwise ample discipline future misconduct. N.M.Stat.Ann.1953, §§ 18—1—15 18—1—18. bit adduced phrase letter 1944. unfavorable disqualifying entire draw strained inadmissibly unreasonable.

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