Dillon v. Local Board No. 236-A

308 F. Supp. 909, 1970 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12935
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Ohio
DecidedFebruary 6, 1970
DocketCiv. No. C 69-933
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 308 F. Supp. 909 (Dillon v. Local Board No. 236-A) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Ohio primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Dillon v. Local Board No. 236-A, 308 F. Supp. 909, 1970 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12935 (N.D. Ohio 1970).

Opinion

FINDINGS OF FACT and CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

CONNELL, District Judge.

This case was presented in Court to determine the legality of the Selective Service Order of Local Board 236-A issued on November 4, 1969, ordering the registrant to report for military service November 25, 1969. On November 25, 1969 the registrant was inducted, and a petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus was filed in this District Court. The case was promptly set down for hearing, and after a review of the relevant facts and the registrant’s file, this Court renders its findings of fact and conclusions of law pursuant to Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

1. The Court finds that in November, 1968, the petitioner submitted himself to a qualification test as a prelude [911]*911to candidacy in the Warrensville Heights, Ohio Police Department.

2. On February 20, 1969, the petitioner was classified 1-A by Local Board 236-A.

3. The Court finds that no appeal of classification was made, although instructions as to how and when to appeal were included with the notice of the 1-A classification.

4. The Court finds that the petitioner was ordered on July 18, 1969 to report for induction into the U.S. Army on August 4, 1969. (SSS Form 252.) Upon request by the petitioner, the August 4, 1969 induction was postponed until October, 1969, to permit the registrant to be married. Govt’s. Exh. 1-G.

5. The petitioner was again ordered to report for induction by order issued October 6, 1969, setting induction for October 30, 1969.

6. The Court finds that this second order of induction was postponed “30 days to allow U.S. Army O.C.S. enlistment.” Govt’s. Exh. 1-H.

7. The Court finds that on October 21, 1969, the petitioner was admitted to the Police Department of Warrensville Heights and sworn in as a patrolman.

8. On November 4, 1969, the petitioner was ordered to report for induction on November 25,1969.

9. A letter was received by Local Board 236-A on November 10, 1969 from the Chief of Police of Warrensville Heights, requesting the petitioner deferred from military service.

10. On November 12, 1969, three of the four draft board members were contacted concerning the request for deferment of Vincent Robert Dillon. The letter having been read to each member, the decision was made not to reopen the registrant’s file.

11. This decision of the board was reaffirmed on November 19,1969.

12. A second letter was sent from Chief Burgess to the board on November 21, 1969 requesting a deferment for the petitioner.

13. The board members were rein-formed as to the second request, and again the request was denied.

14. Induction took place on November 25, 1969, and a petition for writ of habeas corpus was timely filed.

In the instant case it is the position of the petitioner that he was denied an occupational deferment which was contrary to the policy of the board in granting deferments to policemen. Furthermore, the petitioner alleges that Local Board 236-A abused its discretion in refusing to believe that the petitioner was in the process of applying for employment in the Warrensville Heights Police Department, the result being a denial of equal protection of the law and a deprivation of liberty without due process in violation of the petitioner’s constitutional rights.

At this time it is necessary to look at the scope of review that is permitted in this Court. The law as generally stated with regard to Selective Service cases prohibits a Court from interfering with the classification and order of a local board unless it finds that the acts of the board constitute an abuse of discretion, demonstrate no factual basis for the resulting classification, and amount to arbitrary and capricious acts constituting a violation of due process of the law. See Dickinson v. United States, 346 U.S. 389, 74 S.Ct. 152, 98 L.Ed. 132 (1953); Witmer v. United States, 348 U.S. 375, 75 S.Ct. 392, 99 L.Ed. 428 (1955); Estep v. United States, 327 U.S. 114, 66 S.Ct. 423, 90 L.Ed. 567 (1946); Parrott v. United States, 370 F.2d 388 (9th Cir. 1966). Therefore, it can be seen that the purpose of the Court in this instance is not to substitute its judgment or discretion for that of the local board, but rather to clarify the law as it pertains to the factual situation.

In United States v. Willard, 312 F.2d 605, 607 (6th Cir. 1963); the [912]*912Court in a per curiam decision citing Estep states that the scope of judicial review in the District Court “is a narrow one”, and is specifically confined to the record of the local board. See Cox v. United States, 332 U.S. 442, 68 S.Ct. 115, 92 L.Ed. 59 (1947). The effect of this is to place specific limitations upon the reviewing court and confine all evidence to that which is contained within the registrant’s file, thus preventing the Court from usurping the function of the local board. See United States v. Ruppell, 278 F.Supp. 287, 290 (D.C.E.D.N.Y.1968).

In reviewing 50 U.S.C.A. App. § 460(b) (3); it specifically states that “The decisions of the local boards shall be final.” Further on in the same paragraph the code states that “(N)o judicial review shall be made of the classification or processing of any registrant by local boards, appeal boards, or the President, * * The effect of this language confers finality upon the action of the local board and prevents judicial review upon the final order except “That such review shall go to the question of the jurisdiction herein reserved to local board, appeal boards, and the President only when there is no basis in fact for the classification assigned to such registrant.”

With respect to the rights of the petitioner before induction order has been issued, the scope of review of the district court is somewhat enlarged. In this instance the petitioner need present only a prima facie case for reopening of his file. See United States v. Burlich, 257 F.Supp. 906 (D.C.S.D.N.Y.1966). The effect of the application of the basis-in-fact test which is applied after a classification is finalized, is to confine the scope of judicial review and thus imposes a heavier burden of proof upon the petitioner to show that the classification of the local board is inconsistent with their regulations in light of the applicable facts presented to the board.

Therefore, in light of the cited cases, it can be seen that the judicial review of this District Court is significantly narrowed after the local board has issued new classification, and because of the expiration or exhaustion of the registrant’s appeal rights, the order has become final. However, in the situation where a final order of induction has been issued, the scope of judicial review is further confined to the specific limitations of 32 C.F.R. § 1625.21

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Bluebook (online)
308 F. Supp. 909, 1970 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12935, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/dillon-v-local-board-no-236-a-ohnd-1970.