Justia Federal District Court Opinions

Murphy Albert Lewis was indicted for failing to report for and submit to induction in the Armed Forces in violation of 50 U.S.C.A. App. 462(a). After an evidentiary hearing held on May 29, 1973, the district court granted a motion to dismiss the indictment because the local board had postponed Mr. Lewis' initial order to report for induction beyond the 120 day maximum permitted by 32 CRF 1632.2(a). The Government now attempts to pursue an appeal from that district court judgment.

Although the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 3731¹ permit a Government appeal from an order dismissing an indictment, no appeal shall lie if the accused would be placed in double jeopardy. The present law of double jeopardy precludes retrial when the district court has ruled in favor of the defendant on facts going to the merits of the case if these facts were adduced at an evidentiary hearing. United States v. Velazquez, 490 F.2d 29 (2d Cir. 1973); see United States v. Brewster, 408 U.S. 501, 92 S.Ct. 2531, 33 L.Ed.2d 207 (1972); United States v. Sisson, 399 U.S. 267, 90 S.Ct. 2117, 26 L.Ed.2d 608 (1970); United States v. Findley, 439 F.2d 970 (1st Cir. 1971); United States v. Ponto, 454 F.2d 657 (7th Cir. 1971); United States v. McCreery, 473 F.2d 1381 (7th Cir. 1973); United States v. Weller, 466 F.2d 1279 (9th Cir. 1972); United States v. Rothfelder, 474 F.2d 606 (6th Cir. 1973). See also United States v. Jenkins, 490 F.2d 868 (2d Cir. 1973).

The thrust of the protection against double jeopardy is to limit to one the number of times that a defendant may be required to submit his proof to challenge by his adversary. United States v. Velazquez, supra.

Accordingly this appeal by the Government must be dismissed because further prosecution of Lewis would constitute double jeopardy.

Dismissed.