United States v. John Roderick Peet

This is an appeal by John Roderick Peet from his conviction on a two count indictment charging destruction of his Selective Service Notice of Classification in violation of 50 U.S.C.App. § 462(b) (3) (count one) and failure to report for induction into the Armed Forces of the United States in violation of 50 U. S.C.App. § 462(a) (count two).

Peet requested a conscientious objection (I-O) classification from his Local Selective Service Board on December 15, 1966. Although his request appeared to stem from well-considered and religiously based convictions against war, he determined, before receiving a reply, that he would refuse to cooperate with the Selective Service System and would not accept civilian work even if classified I-0. On August 1, 1967, he sent his Board a letter which stated, in part: “I WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH SELECTIVE SERVICE FROM THIS DATE. My only hope is that what I am doing will have some effect on God’s world. God Bless You.” On August 2, Peet’s Board sent him a Notice of Classification (Selective Service Form No. 110) which informed him that he had been classified I-A (available for military service). He did not appeal this classification and, on August 18,…