What was the penalty for draft dodging?

Knowing and willful refusal to present oneself for and submit to registration as ordered is punishable by a maximum penalty of up to five years in Federal prison and/or a fine of US$250,000, although there have been no prosecutions of draft registration resisters since January 1986.

What was the purpose of Presidential Proclamation 4313?

(a) The clemency discharge was created by the President on September 16, 1974, in his Proclamation 4313, “Announcing a Program for the Return of Vietnam Era Draft Evaders and Military Deserters.” Upon issuance to individuals who have an undesirable discharge or a punitive discharge, a clemency discharge serves as a …

How many draft dodgers went to Canada during the Vietnam War?

Draft evaders Canadian immigration statistics show that 20,000 to 30,000 draft-eligible American men came to Canada as immigrants during the Vietnam era.

Who did President Carter pardon?

Democratic president Jimmy Carter pardoned, commuted, or rescinded the convictions of 566 people, and in addition to that pardoned over 200,000 Vietnam War draft evaders. Among them are: Oscar Collazo – Attempted assassination of President Harry S. Truman in 1950; commuted to time served in 1979.

Can you go to jail for not signing up for Selective Service?

If required to register with Selective Service, failure to register is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment. Also, a person who knowingly counsels, aids, or abets another to fail to comply with the registration requirement is subject to the same penalties.

What is the difference between a presidential proclamation and an executive order?

An executive memorandum is essentially an executive order. The difference: An executive memorandum does not have an established process for how the president issues it. Proclamations are the last form of executive actions. These are largely used for ceremonial purposes and usually don’t carry any legal effect.

What was Executive Order 4313?

Proclamation 4313—Announcing a Program for the Return of Vietnam Era Draft Evaders and Military Deserters. The United States withdrew the last of its forces from the Republic of Vietnam on March 28, 1973. In the period of its involvement in armed hostilities in Southeast Asia, the United States suffered great losses.

Why didn’t Canada join the Vietnam war?

The Canadian government did not participate in the war. Canadian corporations sold war material to the Americans. In addition, at least 30,000 Canadians volunteered to serve in the American armed forces during the war. At least 134 Canadians died or were reported missing in Vietnam.

What are the rules for a presidential pardon?

A presidential pardon excuses a person who has committed a crime from serving punishment. A pardon does not expunge, or erase, a criminal record or a finding of guilt. However, if any civil rights were lost due to the criminal conviction, those rights will be restored.

When did President Ford give amnesty to draft dodgers?

Sept. 16, 1974 | Conditional Amnesty for Vietnam Draft Dodgers and Military Deserters. On Sept. 16, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford issued a proclamation that offered amnesty to those who evaded the draft during the Vietnam War. Mr. Ford also granted amnesty to those in the military who deserted their duty while serving.

How did President Ford make the amnesty program effective?

The amnesty program became effective immediately when President Ford signed a Presidential proclamation and two Executive orders just before noon in the Cabinet Room of the White House. Earlier, he explained details of the program to Congressional leaders of both parties. No Congressional action is needed.

Who was president during the conditional amnesty program?

Three years after Ford’s conditional amnesty program, President Jimmy Carter granted a pardon to most draft evaders without a requirement of public service. This pardon, however, did not extend to military deserters.

Why did President Ford give amnesty to Vietnam deserters?

To qualify, the president announced, they needed to work for up to two years in a public service job. Ford said he wanted the nation to move beyond the war, which had cost more than 58,000 American lives and had long divided the country.