United States v. William Walter Nelson

Nelson appeals his conviction under 50 U.S.C. App. § 462(a) for refusal to submit to induction in the armed services. We reverse.

Nelson filed his request for classification as a conscientious objector on December 4, 1968. On December 16 his local board classified him I-A. On January 20, 1969, Nelson appeared personally before the board. The board refused to reopen on the ground that Nelson’s claim was not based on religious grounds but “on a personal moral code.”

Nelson appealed. The appeal board classified him I-A.

In September 1970, however, the State Director ordered the local board to…