Showing 1971–1980 of 2202

• 5/26/1967

  Available legal action to prevent importation of the Soviet magazine Sputnik

  This opinion assessed the legal options available to prevent importation of Sputnik, an English-language magazine written in the Soviet Union but printed in Finland. The OLC advised that the importation of Sputnik likely did not fall within penal forfeiture laws, agreeing with the State Department and disagreeing with the U.S. Information Agency. The OLC also assessed whether a presidential proclamation barring Sputnik’s importation or assessing additional duties on it would violate trade treaties between the United States and Finland, and considered whether new legislation could be easily passed to prohibit importation of materials outside a formal cultural exchange agreement. In describing the First Amendment concerns that might arise, the OLC noted that both the magazine’s distributors and readers might lodge a First Amendment complaint. Ultimately, the OLC concluded that a constitutional challenge would be unlikely to succeed if the government described the importation controls as “designed primarily to [e]nsure reciprocity in the exchange of ideas” rather than “to prevent or diminish the flow of printed materials into the United States based on its contents.”

  5/16/2022

• 1/31/1967

  Executive Order 10501

  This memo examined whether the language of Exectuive Order 10501 should be altered to avoid the disclosure of sensitive defense information under the newly-enacted Freedom of Information Act.

  5/16/2022

• 11/8/1966

  Warren Commission ‐‐ autopsy notes

  This memo describes the process taken in developing the autopsy report of President Kennedy following his assassination. The OLC noted that the only pertinent testimony was that of Dr. Humes, the physician who drafted the autopsy report.

  5/16/2022

• 10/28/1966

  Warren Commission Exhibits

  The OLC explained that, when a list of exhibits referred to in the Warren Commission report was published, there would be gaps in the sequence of the FBI exhibit numbers. These gaps were largely attributable to the Commission's attempt to avoid duplication by omitting FBI exhibits that were later given Warren Commission exhibit numbers. To avoid speculation that the gaps mean that there are missing exhibits, the OLC advised the FBI to prepare a list to document the disposition of each of the FBI exhibit numbers.

  5/16/2022

• 10/24/1966

  Effect of the new "Public Records Statute" upon the public availability of items given to the United States and placed in the Archives under section 6(d) of the Federal Records Act of 1950

  The OLC was asked to analyze provisions of the newly passed Freedom of Information Act. After analyzing the meaning of the words “record” and “historical materials” under the provisions in question, the agency noted that “it would appear arguable” that FOIA “applies only to papers, reports, photographs and not to objects such as a desk.” The OLC also concluded that since 44 U.S.C. § 397(e) “specifically authorizes the acceptance of papers and others historical materials subject to restriction as to their usage, the items in question [were] specifically exempted from disclosure ” under FOIA Exemption 3.

  5/16/2022

• 8/24/1966

  Redistricting of California

  This memo examined proposed orders from the Southern District of Califonia detailing the venue for preexisting cases once the redistricting of California’s federal courts was accomplished. The OLC found the proposed order for civil cases to be appropriate, but it presented a series of recommendations with respect to criminal cases.

  5/16/2022

• 8/17/1966

  The authority and procedures for releasing for public disclosure certain of the documentary material that was produced or acquired by the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy (the Warren Commission)

  The Archivist of the United States and the Deputy Administrator of General Services asked the OLC for guidance on releasing documents produced or provided to the Warren Commission in connection with its investigation into President Kennedy’s assassination. The OLC noted that because the Warren Commission no longer existed and had transferred all of its records, papers, and other documentary material to the National Archives, the National Archives had the authority to review the material and to determine what should be disclosed to the public. The OLC also suggested that the National Archives conduct subsequent reviews of withheld material until it would eventually all be released.

  5/16/2022

• 2/14/1966

  Federal Action to Restore Civil and Political Rights to Convicted Persons

  This memo examined how the federal government might restore the civil and political rights of convicted persons. It found that while the federal government could remove many disqualifications imposed by federal law, the government likely could not offer an amnestied offender a full restoration of the rights of state citizenship. It further recommended that any action be limited to first offenders showing evidence of rehabilitation.

  5/16/2022

• 1/26/1966

  Government-sponsored foreign affairs research

  This memo requested information on foreign affairs research projects being sponsored by the Justice Department so that the OLC could whether clearances from the Department of State were necessary.

  5/16/2022

• 12/30/1965

  Electoral College Reform

  10/27/2020