Legal Document

340 U.S. 193 71 Supreme Court Reporter 209 95 L.Ed. 207 ACKERMANNv.UNITED STATES (two cases). Nos. 35, 36. Argued Oct. 19, 1950. Decided Dec. 11, Mr. E. M. Grimes, Taylor, Tex., for petitioners. James L. Morrisson, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice MINTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner Hans Ackermann filed a motion in District Western Texas to set aside judgment entered December 7, 1943, that court cancelling his certificate naturalization. The was March 25, 1948, pursuant amended Rule 60(b) Federal Rules Civil Procedure, 28 U.S.C.A., which became effective 1948.1 United States dismiss petitioner's motion. denied and Appeals affirmed. 178 Reporter, 2nd Series 983. We granted certiorari. 339 962, 70 997. 2 question is whether erred denying relief under 60(b). 3 wife Frieda were natives Germany. They naturalized 1938. resided, as now, at Texas, where petitioner Max Keilbar owned operated German language newspaper. wrote paper. She sister Keilbar, who also native Germany had been 1933. 4 In 1942 complaints against all three cancel their naturalization on grounds fraud. represented by counsel answered complaints. After an order consolidation, trial cases began November 1, separate judgments setting orders admitting them citizenship. appealed Appeals, stipulation with Attorney case reversed, complaint him ordered dismissed. Ackermanns did not appeal. 5 here consideration alleges 'failure appeal from said excusable' reason he no money or property other than home worth $2,500, 'and costs transcribing evidence printing record brief estimated less $5,000.00.' On detained Alien Detention Station Seagoville, Texas. Before time expired, advised attorney could affidavits inability pay until they 'appropriated payment such full extent proceeds sale thereof'; this information distressed them, sought advice W. KF105 F3 Kelley, 'Assistant Commissioner Control, Immigration Naturalization Department,' whose custody being held, person whom great confidence'; Kelley informed financial condition it would be necessary dispose appeal, substance 'hang home,' told further lost American citizenship stateless, released end war; relying upon Kelley's advice, refrained appealing judgments; April 29, 1944, after interned, January 1946, General depart within thirty days deported. depart, have deported, although deportation are still outstanding. alleged show unlawful erroneous producing (Keilbar versus States, Cir., 144 866). 6 September 28, vacate denaturalization, stating 'there merit motion.' It will noted failure excusable. A because excusable neglect provided 60(b)(1) must, rule's terms, made more one year entered. relieved four years old. immediately apparent account 'excusable neglect' available consideration. 7 But seeks bring himself 60(b)(6), applies if 'any justifying relief' present, construed applied Klapprott 335 601, 69 384, 389, 93 266. circumstances asserts 60(b)(6) denaturalization erroneous; raise sell costs, while Control officer, confidence relied, 'to hang home' these justify judgment. 8 cannot agree has showing justifiable. enough allege Kelley. allegations before us, stranger petitioner. state pleadings there two reasons why heard say brings rule. First, anything used relieve duty take legal steps protect interest litigation party adverse him. Munro 303 36, 58 421, 82 633; Burnham Chemical company Krug, 81 F.Supp. 911, 913, affirmed per curiam sub nom. Chapman, 86 U.S.App.D.C. 412, 181 288. Secondly, right repose stranger. There allegation any fact circumstance shows undue influence over practiced fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, duress privity fiduciary relations existing between them. Indeed, contrary. However, confidential adviser own counsel. Instead adviser, freely accepted stranger, source rely. considered choice apparently feel prove what thought required sacrifice home. His risk, but calculated deliberate follows free choice. hindsight seems indicate decision probably wrong, considering outcome case. must someday, free, calculated, choices from. 9 As inadequacy division excuse having taken we call attention got contained introduced wife, tried together Keilbar. related, yet effort get into use same used. certainly five thousand dollars one-tenth thereof supplemented pertaining themselves prepare brief, even printed. aware practice Courts permitting litigants poor paupers file typewritten records briefs very small cost With representing kinsman funds sufficient employ counsel, fear losing defraying expenses record, makes application setting. 10 extraordinary circumstances. Black stated following words case, true, brought 60(b)(6): 'But up situation fairly logically classified mere 'neglect' part. undenied facts out petition reveal far defend charges due inadvertence, indifference, careless disregard consequences. For before, time, default entered, held jail New York, Michigan, Columbia adversary proceedings. Without hire lawyer, defended appointed criminal cases. Thus prayer rest neglect.' foregoing others tend support argument deprived reasonable opportunity make defense instigated officers agency supplied secondhand away absence. basis neglected act defense, was, weakened illness, without lawyer proceedings one, disturbed fully occupied efforts gravest charges, able Jersey never received notice charges.' 613 614, 11 By stretch imagination can voluntary, deliberate, untrammeled compare situation. forth Klapprott. paraphrase give comparable Ackermann. 12 spring ill, illness left financially unable work. May 12, 1942, commenced Ackermann, when sued well, one-half newspaper, means 13 When served Klapprott, answer letter Liberties Union asking represent fee. prepared 14 months penniless, ill arrested conspiracy violate Selective Service Act, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix § 301 et seq., York jailed bond. Bureau Investigation mailed Bureau. indicted judgment, during benefit freedom movement action. 15 Within ten arrest, defaulted Jersey. He York. No offered proceedings, verified belief only. Ackermann's appeared open Much it. 16 convicted sent penitentiary Michigan. later transferred Columbia, lodged another charge, conviction about years. then Ellis Island cancelled defaulted. While Island, filed, finally sustained suit cancellation pending. During himself, regard court. Even citizenship, access him, Government. 17 From comparison situations shown readily parties bore only slightest resemblance each other. strikingly points difference choice; imprisonment action; trial; counsel; chance negligence inexcusable negligence. Subsection Neither nor so 60(b)(6). 18 properly denied, 19 Affirmed. 20 Number companion stipulated 36 should 35. therefore 21 22 CLARK took part 23 BLACK, FRANKFURTER DOUGLAS concur, dissenting. 24 Court's interpretation Procedure neutralizes humane spirit thereby frustrates its purpose. empowers courts traditional, specified types inequitable permit stand. draftsmen intend prevent granting similar fairness might require Accordingly, added broad sixth ground: operation judgment.' nevertheless holds present motions hearing determine justice best petitioners.1 Because & N Nationality Decisions disagree 60(b), becomes summarize motions. 25 Petitioners, husband country Germany, citizens declaration war Government resulted petitioners relative, 53 611. Petitioners duly judgments. uncontradicted show: neither except excess $2,500. $5,000; prosecute home, contribute $2,500 hope affidavit insolvency. Being choose selling official custody, assistant commissioner alien control, States. officer. 'would war.' reliance 'refrained * judgments.' Thereafter relative reversed Government's admission insufficient 866. insisted both substantially same. 26 holding evidence, relies heavily assertion 'had Kelley' 'stranger' first place, 60(b)'s grant power constricted importation concept 'rights.' Moreover, custody. Any entrusted obvious true foreign born, familiar our customs citizens. 27 contain 'no existing' Surely liberalizing provisions emasculated common-law ideas 'privity' 'fiduciary relations.' If relevant, however, think phrase relations' given meaning encompasses relationship Finally, since petitioners' Court, inappropriate consider purports judicial knowledge transcripts ability briefs. refute am satisfied established permitted try 29 result illiberal construction foreign-born people, dependent laws safety protection, (on admission) co-defendant unsupported adequate evidence. does good rules like if, written, arteries hardened resort ancient concepts. reverse. 'Relief Judgment Order. '(b) Mistakes; Inadvertence; Excusable Neglect; Newly Discovered Evidence; Fraud, etc. terms just, may representative final order, proceeding reasons: (1) mistake, surprise, neglect; (2) newly discovered diligence move new 59(b); (3) fraud (whether heretofore denominated intrinsic extrinsic), misconduct party; (4) void; (5) satisfied, released, discharged, prior based otherwise vacated, longer equitable prospective application; (6) shall (1), (2), taken. subdivision (b) affect finality suspend operation. This rule limit entertain independent action proceeding, defendant actually personally notified Section 57 Judicial Code, U.S.C., Title 118, Code Annotated KF65 U5 1655, Writs coram nobis, vobis, audita querela, bills review nature bill review, abolished, procedure obtaining prescribed action.' Fed.Rules Civ.Proc., Petitioners' invoked jurisdiction Contending 'not invoke authority *,' moved These posed court's jurisdiction. taking (petitioners') motion(s) denied.' assume issue framed decided, necessarily cf. Bell Hood, 327 678, 682—683, 66 773, 776, 90 939; Brown R. Co., 338 294, 105.

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