Rowoldt v. Perfetto (1957)
- Docket
- 5
- Decided
- 1957-01-01
- Category
- General
Summary
Question: Was Rowoldt a member of the Communist Party within the definition of Internal Security Act of 1950? Conclusion: No. In a 5-4 decision, Felix Frankfurter delivered the opinion of the court, holding that Rowoldt did not have a "meaningful relationship" with the Communist Party as required by the Internal Security Act. The record was insufficient to support the order of deportation and the Supreme Court reversed the lower court decision. Justice John Marshall Harlan II dissented stating that he believed the record indicated that Rowoldt joined the Party knowing of its active political nature, regardless of whether he believed in violent overthrow of the government.