Legal Document

335 U.S. 601 69 Supreme Court Reporter 384 336 942 93 L.Ed. 1099 266 KLAPPROTTv.UNITED STATES. Number 42. Argued Oct. 20, 1948. Decided Jan. 17, 1949. Motion for Clarification Denied April 18, See 949, 877. Judgment Amended 4, 398. Mr. Pacific KF135 P2 Bateman Ennis, of Washington, D. C., petitioner. Robert L. Stern, respondent. Justice BLACK announced the judgment and delivered following opinion in which DOUGLAS joins. 1 This case raises questions concerning power federal district courts to enter default judgments depriving naturalized persons their citizenship without hearings or evidence, set aside under some circumstances four years more after were entered. 2 The petitioner was born Germany. In 1933 a hearing New Jersey state court entered admitting him United States citizenship. Petitioner then took an oath renouncing allegiance Germany promising bear true faith States, whereupon granted certificate naturalization. 8 Code KF62 § 735, Annotated KF65 U5 735. 3 Nine later, Attorney, acting pursuant 738, filed complaint District court's cancel petitioner's alleged generally that allegiance, etc., false, at time taking it well knew he not attached principles Constitution, had fact intended thereafter renounce discontinue his fidelity particular charged no than subsequent 1935 evidenced loyalty disloyalty this country by writings speeches; 1942 been before leader member German American Bund other organizations, be inimical Constitution happiness its people; these organizations propagated encouraged enemies who believed ideology enunciated Adolph Hitler. For requirement allegations fraud particularized, see Rule 9(b) Rules Civil Procedure, 28 4 Petitioner, though served with notice May 15, 1942, failed answer within sixty days as required 738(b), 738(b). But on July 7, expiration days, arrested confined York jail criminal charges brought States. On F deral motion against denaturalization proceedings, citizenship, cancelled 5 More rendered him, while still government prisoner, verified petition praying judgment. did deny any facts petition. Court, necessarily accepting undenied true, held guilty 'wilful inexcusable neglect' accordingly dismissed 'because defendant's laches.' 6 F.R.D. 450, 451. Circuit Appeals, rejecting several contentions, affirmed, one judge dissenting. Cir., 166 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 273. considering we also must accept These are great importance legal contentions raised. chronologically arranged follows: 7 Nov. 16. order court. 1936 17. married citizen now has child marriage. 9 Spring. seriously ill. illness left financially poor so weakened unable work. 10 12 Attorney 11 15. Complaint He money hire lawyer. drew draft wrote letter Liberties Union asking they represent fee. 7. Arrested indictment charging others conspiracy violate Selective Service Act, 50 Appendix, 301 et seq. Taken Commissioner Newark, Jersey; later carried Bureau Investigation agents, there put prison, make bond $25,000 held. His taken from agents FBI eight cancellation charge Jersey. retained letter, never mailing it. 13 case. At time, awaiting trial selective service No evidence offered Government prove government's consisted verification agent information belief, based agent's having read files 14 date arrest, June 1943. While jail, lawyer appointed defend request promised help but neglected do so. convicted sentenced penitentiary. 1943 15 June. elected begin sentence pending appeal, institution Michigan where remained until January 30, 1944. [606] 1944 16 30. transferred prison Columbia tried twenty-nine sedition. 1945 17 11. reversed conviction, Keegan versus 325 478, 65 1203, 89 1745, continued unt l November 22, 1946. 1946 18 22 sedition dismissed. McWilliams al., D.C.Cir., 163 695. previously months, completion mistrial declared because death presiding judge. Shortly dismissal petitioner, prisoner Ellis Island deportation account 19 Dec. denied certiorari three actions unsuccessfully prosecuted Citizen's Protective League behalf 159 individuals including (The non-profit organization 'to insure equal rights all safeguard constitutional persons.' Citizens Clark, 81 U.S.App.D.C. 116, 155 290, 291, denied, 329 787, 67 354, 91 674. prayed General enjoined deporting individuals. ordered deported March 27, 1946, sedition.) 20 12. Three Court's denial certiorari, action League, Island, stated substance foregoing vacate grant merits. Petitioner's untrue strongly asserted 1947 21 Feb. holding laches arranging defense charge. Thus, continuously six one-half years. During period penitentiary punishment conviction improper. two ten months It is clear therefore, sustain. conclusion can drawn except long imprisonment wrongful. Whether should therefore decided Government, largely through wrongfully York, Michigan, prisons, same caused revoke ground appearance courts, although funds 23 First. 60(b) Procedure became effective 19, 1948.1 That affirmance Appeals. reasons contends amended applied here. respects, rule grants broader old rule. afforded benefit liberal 60(b). 86(b) made applicable 'further proceedings pending' unless 'would work injustice' apply seems inconceivable could think would injustice measure th asks chance try proceeding applied. 24 Second. authorizes 'a void judgment' regard limitation year motions grounds. contended evidence. if prerequisite rendition valid proceedings. filed, plainly citizens hearing, contains explicit authorization judgments. Congressional intention authorize absence might implied, however, provision publication Aside possible questions, may assumed section absence. does follow render proof complaint. And strong indication 738 companion sections Congress intend automatically deprive people failure appear. 25 746, 746,2 makes felony applicants naturalization laws relating Had found making false here charged, have punished section. only jury present represented counsel. A guilt beyond reasonable doubt, testimony witnesses given presence accused opportunity cross-examine him. event such procedural safeguards, 738(e) certificates. There b oad gap between thus accomplished proceeding. here, defendant absent, counsel representative present, offered, basis containing allegations, questionable substantive standpoint, acquired looking hearsay statements dossier. protection emphasizes unfairness result permitting denaturalizations all. 26 When look statutes find command express authority support contained 55 relates Section (e) expressly bars proof, cannot inferred defendants subdivision (b)(2) provides representation defaulting parties instances. Subdivision directs certain specified instances entering appearance, shall investigations, conduct hearings, even trial. addition particularized instances, 'it necessary * establish truth averment investigation matter.' 27 Thus appears rules judicial determination type cases precede situation final responsibility formulate controlling proof. McNabb 318 332, 431, 63 608, 613, 87 819. peculiarly appropriate person's revoked established person prohibited justifying revocation. Denaturalization consequences grave flow crimes. Persons crime unsupported Even decrees divorce damages uncertainty amount ordinarily supported actual involving much greater force involve forfeiture deportation. recognized plain extraordinarily severe penalty. deprivation rest heavily upon children. 719, 719. As deported. 'To deport son claims obviously deprives liberty *. loss both property life, life worth living.' Ng Fung Ho White, 259 276, 284, 42 492, 495, 66 938. Because fallen technical classification crimes hardly satisfactory reason allowing requiring mere fine short imprisonment. 29 Furthermore, incident burden rests c ear, unequivocal convincing leave issue doubt. Schneiderman 320 118, 158, 1333, 1352, 1796. substantially identical cases—proof factors us require nature least stripped Assuming additional safeguards required, our first offers sufficient satisfy imposed it, appearance. 30 Third. treated void, remain compelling relieving effect. setting five 'any relief operation judgment.' 'mistake, inadvertence, surprise, excusable neglect'. To take advantage requires litigant ask 'not judgment, order, taken.' one-year premise showed, most, nothing 'excusable neglect.' course, control 'neglect' disclosed avail himself broad reason' clause up extraordinary fairly logically classified part. out reveal far due indifference, careless disregard consequences. before, entered, adversary Without lawyer, defended cases. prayer tend argument deprived instigated officers very agency supplied secondhand away act own defense, was, illness, one, disturbed fully occupied efforts protect gravest charges, able received charges. Under considered neglect, 'other 60(b), apply. 31 Fourth. come question whether show 'justifying interpreted authorized common law writs coram nobis audita querela, shown justified One thing wrong contention few ever agreed what justify remedies. introduce needless confusion administration circumscribe uncertain boundaries. Furthermore indicates face longer hemmed boundaries remedial tools. simple English, language clause, particularly specified, vests adequate enable them whenever accomplish justice. 32 Fifth. already counsel, when effectively right inadequate facts, just complaint, doubtful holdings Baumgartner 322 665, 64 1240, 88 1525; 1796; Knauer 328 654, 659, 1304, 1307, 90 1500, Procedure. asked Certainly purpose. entitled fair claim has. Fair accord elemental concepts justice, enough hearing. 33 BLACK, Mr., DOUGLAS, MURPHY, RUTLEDGE BURTON agree erred dismissing Appeals affirming cause remanded instructions merits raised 34 Reversed remanded. 35 ordered. 36 modified 631, 37 BURTON, agreeing REED further showing case, believes that, special issues joins limited expressing Court. 38 RUTLEDGE, whom MURPHY agrees, concurring result. 39 treat proceeding, procedurally otherwise, suit breach contract recover overtime pay ignores, my view, every con ideration justice reality stake. 40 man's less precious liberty, indeed today comprehends those almost others.1 lay exile committing murder, treason, penalty unknown most doubtfully Congress' power. U.S.Const., Amend. VIII. Yet device label civil suit, forward none procedure provided Bill Rights, comprehensive basic all, held, wake cruel banishment. 41 procedures strip naturalborn birthright open & N Immigration Nationality Decisions heretofore why countenance either ensuing liability citizens. page 165, 1355, dissenting 675, 1315, 1500. Those views prevailed decision 1525, effect approximates demanded cases, namely, doubt denaturalization.2 itself extent recognition ordinary procedures, suits contracts enforce purely liabilities, suffice decide cited. view substantial kinship causes, whatever form label. Cf. pages 678, 1316, 43 presents squarely whether, weight citizen's status permanent fateful family, often native-born Americans. narrower aspect inflicted whatever. 44 system fined mail fraud, overceiling sales, unlawfullly possessing gasoline ration coupons default, record discloses responsible default. protec ions urged, iota court, employed assigned right, real part prepare defense. goes ruling supra. And, opinion, brings clearer focus matter satisfying rightly permitted pursued.3 45 If, deference rulings, continue classes country, secure subject moment class, cf. supra, 167, 1356, 1796, assent idea causes afford standard If defeasible citizens, voluntary renunciation citizens,4 defeasance me surrounded lesser protections securing crime. Regardless name successful effects penal 46 Regarding light, principle permit 47 48 grounds conclusions lead casting vote reverse dismiss Since, disposition receive concurrence majority, join who, grounds, new trial, voting dispose cause. Accordingly concur add assumption am expressed BLACK. 49 REED, CHIEF JUSTICE JACKSON join, May, began Jersey, Klapprott 338 Act 1940, 54 Statutes-at-Large 1137, 1158, 738,1 naturalization, issued 1933, procure certificate. Reich; 'is notoriously openly chief leaders active members German-American Bund' sympathetic 'numerous indicating Reich disrespect institutions America.' 51 personally summons 1942. introduction allowed 338, note 1. 52 January, 1947, petitioned vacated. affidavit appended petition, stated, receipt impossible intimated steps vacated prior 1947. allegation ignorant entry time. 5(a) 77(d) general statement summarized serious health 'unable get around well' served. Since retain drafted requesting assistance. seven filing expired, authorities Southern Act. authorities, and, knew, mailed. informed attend, neglected, lengthy exceedingly high bail connection charge, conspiracy2 committed Correctional Institution Milan, Michigan. 1944, another indictment—the 'Sedition Case'3 Columbia—he Columbia. custody throughout 21, released immediately purpose From attempt judg ent 53 original good qualify provisions Procedure.4 thereof meets requirements vacating assumes, must, denaturalization. So (b) (c) residence elsewhere. civil.5 places party directed appear sought fails plead. enumerated rule, include 56 suggests caption Second, presentation en ered vacation definite limit (4) points 1335, 'clear convincing' viewed setting, i.e., contested proposition uncontested necessary. disaster deportee, founded true. Although committee formulated twice 55(b)(2) (e), sort. Except sort question, meaning equivalent admission pleaded. 57 seeks §§ 738(e), provide alien procuring knowingly oath. prosecution extended 738. existence parallel methods indicate inherent 58 expression found, validate denaturalization, function supply one. 59 suggestion Fifth unwarranted. plead paragraph constituting dissent, belies defective. 60 dissent 60(b)(4). 61 holds (6), follows, said, subjected prosecutions single based, 60(b)(1). mean say arrest interfered assistance ability litigate entitle relief. affidavit, difficult how furnishes allege requested return Union. not, contrary admits available d negligently during purportedly drastic confinement illustrated 1945, unsuccessful termination enjoin Department 62 mistake, neglect only, since said contemplate remedy facts. Otherwise word 'other' (6) meaningless.6 intimates woefully mistreated government. meant 'misconduct adverse party', 60(b)(3), analysis, trials way understood manner incompatible pattern falls flat hearings. cleared complicity impede raising army seditious conspiracy. propriety violation laws. limitations expressions policy finally concluding litigation Such lawsuits essential efficient frustrate litigants upset standing Klapprott's. FRANKFURTER, birth Tutun 270 568, 425, 70 explicitly defined annulling Johannessen 225 227, 1066; Luria 231 9, 10, 101; 29, 1906, 596, 601, Neither terms nor interpretation indicated judgment—the naturalization—cannot annulled is, contest annulment, ample contest. adding seen fit withhold demands. canceled Due Process Clause Amendment. reject offends process obtained defrauding Government's chooses allows go lost embrace extreme assimilating involves interests different involved annulment guided considerations qualitatively hat govern ordinarry 1525. cancelling apart annul equally relevant causing cancellation. sure, public interest putting end sleep rightful resulting ramifying significance fate individual dependent safeguarded will sharply deal summarily 68 light deem governed liberalizing amendment below. course hard fast changes prospectively stage working injustice. stake appeal equity dealt adjudication, consonant equitable force, lower paid attention would, opening simply incarcerated. Men press behind walls, proved perhaps third review penitentiaries. indifferent measures aborted fault own. sure efforts, saying ended preoccupied defending dire (the 1745) threat deportation, naturally dropped mind thought protection. demurred action, affirmed practically ruled Alapprott, affords significant judges close reading rested laches, draw conclusion. sixth catch-all ground, judgment'.1 Klapprott's conduct, narrated, plausibly neglect,' inferences narrated outside characterization 'neglect,' context sub ect carries negligence merely non-action, constitute stake, ought liberality antithesis Baron Parke's 'almost superstitious reverence dark technicalities pleading.' Dict. Nat. Giog. 226. Therefore, emanates formally alleged. opportunity, late stage, psychological imply, namely harassing failing initially seeking ultimate issue—forfeiture citizenship—is judgments, neither feeling resting mind. 71 implications law. allow can. spent fail so; properly thrown withdrawal summary made. impliedly alleges company majority. 72 73 respondent modify granted. 1949, read: 'The appeals directions falsity proceedings.' 74 modification order. provides: 'On just, relieve reasons: (1) neglect; (2) newly discovered diligence move 59(b); (3) (whether denominated intrinsic extrinsic), misrepresentation, misconduct party; void; (5) satisfied, released, discharged, otherwise vacated, prospective application; (1), (2), taken. affect finality suspend operation. entertain independent actually notified Judicial Code, Title 28, Writs nobis, vobis, bills bill review, abolished, obtaining prescribed action.' 1948 Criminal 1015, 1421 938; 112, 1314, 125, 136, 153, 154, 159, 1336, 1342, 1349, 1350, 1353, 158 U.S., 1352 said: 'We conclude proving 'clear, unequivocal, 'the doubt', illegally.' 674, went satisfaction 'beyond doubt' dissenting, majority Kanauer satisfied decisions. 676, '(a) duty attorneys respective districts, therefor, institute subsection (a) 701 title reside bringing revoking canceling illegally procured. '(b) fraudulently procured shall, section, days' personal States; absent last residence, absentees State place brought.' Conviction subsequently 1745. F.id 60(b): donominated U.S.C., 1163, 746(a)(1) (d), 746(a)(1), specifically providing penalties utterance criminal. 671, 1313, 1500; Sourino 86 309; Wezel, D.C., F.Supp. 16, Wallace 142 240, 244. 60. Relief Order. Mistakes; Inadvertence; Excusable Neglect; Newly Discovered Evidence; Fraud, Etc. *'

Classification Label: 1