United States v. Robel
| United States v. Robel | |
|---|---|
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| Argued November 14, 1966 Decided December 11, 1967 | |
| Full case name | United States v. Robel |
| Citations | |
| Holding | |
| The United States government cannot deprive the people of constitutional rights, even in the interests of national security | |
| Court membership | |
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| Case opinions | |
| Majority | Warren, joined by Black, Douglas, Stewart, Fortas |
| Concurrence | Brennan |
| Dissent | White, joined by Harlan |
| Laws applied | |
| First Amendment, McCarran Internal Security Act | |
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United States v. Robel, 389 U.S. 258 (1967) was a case heard by the Supreme Court of the United States. The court ruled that the United States government cannot deprive the people of constitutional rights, even in the interests of national security. Specifically, the right of free association.
The petitioner, Eugene Frank Robel, who worked at Todd Shipyards in Seattle, was indicted in May 21, 1963 for being a member of the Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA) and thus affiliated with it, without being registered with the Subversive Activities Control Board in violation of the McCarran Internal Security Act section 5 (a) (I) (D). Since the act required CPUSA to register as a Communist Party, he was told because of his affiliation with the Party, he also had to register as well, and that he could no longer work at the shipyard because of his affiliation with the Communist Party; Todd Shipyards had been designated a "defense" facility, otherwise known as federal employment, which was illegal under the McCarran Act. Robel appealed his conviction to the Supreme Court.
The Court found the McCarran Internal Security Act violates the defendant's right to free association that is guaranteed by the First Amendment.