United States v. Stephen Allen Novak

KNOCH, Senior Circuit Judge.

Defendant-appellant, Stephen Allen Novak, has taken this appeal from his conviction in a jury trial on a charge of failing to report for civilian work after being classified 1-0 (conscientious objector) by his Local Selective Service Board.

It is defendant’s view that he should have been classified IV-D (minister) having been ordained a Minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses, pursuant to the ordination ritual of that sect. He told the Board that he had become a Minister at the time of his baptism, apparently at the age of sixteen years.

It was undisputed that the Jehovah’s…