More than 4,000 selective service violators have been convicted. Four hundred and sixty cases were studied. Of these 188 were patients receiving treatment; most of whom appear to have been mentally ill at the time of their violation and conviction. The remaining 272 represent a cross section of convicted violators. Personality types and motives for their actions have been discussed. Representative cases of the two largest groups have been presented. The Selective Service Act has served as a huge dragnet collecting many individuals who would not be suitable for the armed forces even if they had responded to induction. The need for a pre-sentence social study and a psychiatric examination is apparent.Abstract Teaser