The Selective Draft Law Cases, also known as Arver v. United States (1917), was a landmark decision by the U.S Supreme Court that upheld the constitutionality of conscription or compulsory military service. The case arose during World War I after Congress passed the Selective Service Act of 1917 which authorized the federal government to raise an army through draft for overseas combat. A group of men who were drafted challenged this law arguing it violated their rights under several constitutional amendments including Thirteenth Amendment's prohibition against involuntary servitude and First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech and religion. However, in a unanimous decision, the court rejected these arguments stating that conscription was well within Congress’s powers to raise armies and wage war granted by Article I Section 8 Clause 12-14 of Constitution. Furthermore, they held that compulsory service did not equate to involuntary servitude nor infringe upon individual liberties protected by First Amendment since national defense is paramount over personal freedoms during times of war.

In the Selective Draft Law Cases: Arver v. United States, 1917, there was no formal dissenting opinion recorded in the Supreme Court's decision. The court unanimously upheld the constitutionality of conscription for military service under the Selective Service Act of 1917. This act authorized President Woodrow Wilson to increase U.S military forces through compulsory enlistment during World War I. The petitioners argued that this law violated their constitutional rights including those protected by Thirteenth Amendment’s prohibition on involuntary servitude and Congress' power to declare war or raise armies as stated in Article I Section 8 of Constitution. However, all justices agreed that these arguments were without merit and held that conscription was a valid exercise of federal power during times of war.