Document: 378 U.S. 205 84 S.Ct. 1723 12 L.Ed.2d 809 A QUANTITY OF COPIES BOOKS et al., Appellants,v.STATE KANSAS. No. 449. Argued April 1 and 2, 1964. Decided June 22, Stanley Fleishman, Hollywood, Cal., for appellants. William M. Ferguson, Topeka, Kan., appellee. Mr. Justice BRENNAN announced the judgment of Court delivered an opinion in which THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHITE, GOLDBERG join. Under a Kansas statute authorizing seizure allegedly obscene books before adversary determination their obscenity and, after that determination, destruction by burning or otherwise,1 Attorney General obtained order from District Geary County directing sheriff county to seize impound, pending hearing, copies certain paperback novels at place business P-K News Service, Junction City, Kansas. After court entered second destroy 1,715 31 had been seized. The Supreme held procedures met constitutional require ents affirmed Court's order. 191 Kan. 13, 379 P.2d 254. Probable jurisdiction was noted, 375 919, 268, 11 163. We conclude followed issuing warrant books, impounding were constitutionally insufficient because they did not adequately safeguard against suppression nonobscene books. For this reason we think must be reversed. Therefore do reach, intimate no view upon, appellants' contention courts erred holding are obscene. 2 Section 4 requires filing verified Information stating only 'upon information belief * there is (an) book located within his county.' State went further, however, filed identifying title 59 novels, 'each said (has) published as 'This original Nightstand Book." He also with seven under caption, six named Information; particular passages marked penciled notations slips paper. Although expressly required statute, district judge, on application General, conducted 45-minute ex parte inquiry during he 'scrutinized' books; conclusion examination, stated record 'appear literature defined' 'and give reasonable grounds believe any paperbacked publication carrying following: Night Stand book' would fall w thin same category *.' issued authorized identified Information. When executed date it issued, titles found P-K's premises. All such titles, all, seized impounded. At hearing 10 days later pursuant notice included warrant, made motion quash ground, among others, procedure preceding deficient. claim failing first afford question whether obscene, 'operates prior restraint circulation dissemination books' violation restrictions abridgment freedom speech press. denied, following final about weeks (the continued P-K), all ordered stand ready further 3 steps taken beyond express requirements thought necessary our decision Marcus v. Search Warrant, 367 717, 81 1708, 6 1127, decided few filed. involved proceeding strikingly similar Missouri search implementing rule court. See 719, notes 3, S.Ct., 1709. In gave police virtually unlimited authority publications considered complaint lacking specific description seized, without submission whatever judge warrant. reversed 100 that, even assuming leading condemnation deficient lack safeguards prevent protected Constitution. It since here specified afforded likewise deficient.2 This teaching Kingsley Books, Inc., Brown, 354 436, 77 1325, 1469. Marcus, pp. 734—738, 1717—1719. New York injunctive sustained does relief but postpones until 'both sides have opportunity heard.' Tenney Liberty Distributors, 13 A.D.2d 770, 215 N.Y.S.2d 663, 664. explicitly Books 'does support proposition may impose extensive restraints imposed distribution these issue obscenity, irrespective material legally obscene.' U.S., 735 736, 1718. indeed more repressive than injunction preventing sale regulation 'conform will ensure curtailment expression, often separated dim uncertain line.' Bantam Inc. Sullivan, 372 58, 66, 83 631, 637, 9 584; Constitution 'designed focus searchingly obscenity,' p. 732, 1716. therefore affording o der What procedure, id., 736—737, 1718—1719, fits employed remove circulation: 5 '* doubt effective restraint—indeed most possible—was case, (sheriff) could lay (his) hands physically removed premises wholesale distributor. An circulate (books) then raise nonobscenity way defense prosecution doing so never appellants possessed away. Their ability left chance securing other copies, themselves subject mass warrants. public's obtain thus determined distributor's readiness outwit obtaining selling turn addition its unseemliness, kind enforced competition affords likelihood publications, entitled protection, reach public. distributor every judicial unavailing contrary (ex parte) (pursuant sheriff) seizes him.' answer say contraband, consequently standards governing searches seizures should differ those applied respect narcotics, gambling paraphernalia contraband. rejected Marcus. said, 730—731, 1715—1716: 7 'The assimilation contraband purposes claim, merely restates treated way. officers warrants broadly 'obscene publications,' poses problems raised 'gambling implements' 'all intoxicating liquors' cases cited Court. 334 S.W.2d (119) page 125. use implicates questions issuance surrounding execution adequate avoid publications. (T)he line between unconditionally guaranteed legitimately regulated, suppressed, punished finely drawn. separation legitimate illegitimate calls sensitive tools Speiser Randall, 357 513, 525, 78 1332, 1342, 1460. follows Fourteenth Amendment, free adopt pleases dealing regard possible consequences speech.' Smith California, 361 147, 152—153, 80 215, 218, 205. 8 Nor review saved because, circulation, Service full novels. if precedes danger right public society unobstructed onobscene supra; Roth United States, 476, 1304, 1498; supra. Here, '(s)ince Amendment infected proceedings, vindicate rights' 738, 1719, resting finding Reversed. Opinion BLACK, whom DOUGLAS joins. orders burned otherwise destroyed. book-burning based upon findings trial 'the core (of books) seem sex, plot, any, being subservient thereto,' 'dominant purpose calculated effectively incite sexual desires' 'they effect average person residing community Relying 1498, 'are protection' First grounds. now reverses. I concur reversal find consider procedural questions. Compare 1127 (concurring opinion). rely ordering reasons case dissent MR. JUSTICE DOUBLAS, 508, 1321, joined, wrongly decided. my belief, DOUGLAS, concurring opinions 155, 219, 205, International Pictures Corp. Regents, 360 684, 690, 79 1362, 1366, 1512, Beauharnais Illinois, 343 250, 267, 72 725, 96 L.Ed. plain unequivocal prohibition applicable States Fourteenth, 'abridging speech, press.' Because both draw blueprints showing how Amendment's guarantee freedoms press, overrule well reverse here. 14 STEWART, judgment. 15 If hard-core pornography, valid, least 'scrutinized.' like where, notes, warrant,' 209, But hardcore pornography. Therefore, suppress them, make criminal act. Jacobellis Ohio, 197, 1683. (STEWART, J., concurring). 16 HARLAN, CLARK joins, dissenting. 17 Insofar rests three Brethren cannot basis views set out 203, 1676. quite so-called 'novels' 'been reasonably state proceedings treat sex fundamentally offensive manner' State's criteria judging rational. 18 disagree position Brother unconstitutionally abridged expression (1) (2) obsceneness. inconsistent thrust serves unnecessarily handicap efforts curb material.1 I. 19 two BRENNAN'S almost entirely relies 1469, 1127. 20 K ngsley challenged constitutionality enjoin prints articles. prayed possession. Appellants show cause four why pendente lite preclude code provided anyone sought enjoined one day joinder issue, consented temporary delayed bringing matter issue. finally had, obscene; ordered. upheld stating: 21 'Authorization lite, part scheme, period promptly tried adjudicated '(a)dequate notice, (and) fair determination' assured, frustration interest efectuating matter.' 440, 1327. 22 not, held, limited process attempting protect citizens pornography; 'is limit resorting various weapons armory law.' 441, 1328. pointed 'Criminal enforcement § 22—a interfere book's solicitation precisely stage,' 442, 1328, threat penalties deterrent civil remedy, someone forbear less stringent sending him jail. Near Minnesota, 283 697, 51 625, 75 1357, distinguished ground dealt rather matters deemed derogatory officer direct materials yet published. 23 Warrant solely peace regarding independent examination official; who signed complaints carte blanche anything establishment newsstands, evaluated recounting historical distrust systems sanctioning sweeping believed state, 'Missouri's lacked due demands assure protection entitled.' 731, Relevant absence 'scrutiny complainant obscene,' 1716 power enforcing ad hoc decisions although 'They guide exercise informed discretion, step designed obscenity.' case: 'could check prosecuting point took place'; 'ran publication'; (3) proceeding; (4) question, 735—737, 1718—1719. 24 view, present governed principles serving sustain condemned 25 terms authorization seizure, officials conformed what 'Original Nighstand Books.' Seven p.m., hours concluded obscene.2 nature examined fairly remaining character.3 (See note 1, supra.) 26 unlike discretion might take specifically designated titles. 27 true proceeding, highly artificial controlling difference While allows immediate unrealistic suppose persons sell able prepare days, time Books. practical terms, therefore, approved Court, contemplate merits. punish contempt disseminated disobedience ultimately covered protected, hardly failed recognize patently chilling materials. pragmatic then, significant sense different Books.4 28 contain speedy disposition has unequivocally acknowledged necessity administering light instance July contained merits August 7. Eleven certainly undue delay; indeed, difficult imagine prepared time. judge's termination postponed motions On authorities judges aware prehearing magnified delay manner restricted provision II. 29 Since lurking unarticulated premise impermissible operates 'prior restraint,' deem appropriate observations score. doctrine 'self-wielding sword' 'talismanic test' (Kingsley supra, 1327) whose 'particularistic analysis.' Id., 1328; Freund, Civil Liberties, Vand.L.Rev. 533, 539; cf. Times Film Chicago, 365 43, 391, 403. That falls permissible limits appear contrasting some historic common law jurisprudence censorship writings, see 713—718,5 630—631, done 30 typical situation brought course administrative authority, decides propriety. means establishes structure whereby writings reviewed publication. By contrast, uses penal system outside bounds, comprehensively form expression; considers event utterances prohibited. breadth much narrower repressed less. operation resembles licensing subjected prepublication when There built-in elements censorship, tendency encourage expression. compelled initial pursue action, burden citizen bring piece writing it. censor executive structure, develop institutionalized bias favor responsibility. act, decision-maker belongs branch government, neither nor juror personal active censorship. practice analogous sanctions respects. 32 One agent refuses permit distributed. sanction assures overt thing accused penalty activity concealed charged kept distribution; presumably possession, knowing, could, matter, prosecution. adopted envisions Finally, federal makes unlikely citizenry unaware own government great divergence policies high degree communication across lines. Cf. 496, 1315, dissenting 33 Any injunction, extent serve trammel, delaying otherwise, prosecution, noted charge result cessation litigation, relatively confident unlikelihood impermissibility conviction refuse added risk guesses wrong continues disseminate questionable More fundamentally, argument seems context area generally. Both incentive promote adverse considerably field political social controversial attack power, benefit suffer. decision-makers interests affect estimate not. vital democratic facts ideas important issues them. crucial importance instances. hand, constant rarely particularly topical interest.6 Distribution Ulysses daily newspaper, one- two-month former small significance whereas latter. 34 strict rules evidence. protections essential perhaps weaker kinds outlined above. substantial restriction undoubtedly remedies defamation, foreclosing 35 BRENNAN, straitjackets attempt societal interest. contradiction sensible reading precedents contributing genuine furtherance protects. 36 foregoing affirm Kan.Gen.Stat. 21—1102 seq. (Supp.1961). Laws 1961, c. 186 (§ 21—1102), constitutes (obscenity defined 1(b)) misdemeanor punishable fine imprisonment both. 21—1102c) provides involved: 'Whenever district, county, pleas, city justice shall receive complaint, attorney general, prohibited lewd, lascivious book, magazine, writing, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper, print, picture, pictures, drawing, photograph, thing, section 1(21—1102)(a) duty forthwith directed duly constituted item items. seizing items hereinbefore described leave copy manager, servant, employee appearing acting capacity exercising control over where or, found, posted conspicuous interested ten (10) seizure. determine provisions find, destroyed order, satisfactory return thereof him: Provided, Such long needed evidence prosecution.' P—K asserts unreasonable violated. unnecessary pass contention. were: Sinning Season Sin Song Backstage Sinner Wife-Swappers Lesbian Love Sex Circus Hotel front cover which, exception Sinner, judge. Above suggestive pictorial representation, prospective reader told 'Members Lust Club Had Different Woman Every Night!' bottom Original Book.' back relates detail contents: 'PROBLEMS IN BED members Eastport's secret suburban switch club. Who eight beautiful, women choose from? lot each man fantastic sex-prowling group. Eight lusty, passionate town, her desires, peculiar habits. And easy inevitable trouble wives very different: lesbian, nymphomaniac, masochist, another frigid, still erupting bomb mere touch man. They lived lust-ridden, lightning-fast, terrifying sex-crammed . GAME WIFE-SWAPPING!' contains 'LUST-SATED COUPLES 'In Eastport homes doors opened husbands returned. It's traditional suburbia good wife meet spouse shaker martinis, couples. These came home Sunday morning waiting bed, soft warm sated smelling men. drained tired women. Later awake, lounge around house, eat lightly, speak softly night 'These Couples Are Members Of Wife-Swapping Mate-Switching So Vile Stun You.' inducements indication actual contents book. advertises Born Isle No Longer Virgin Orgy Town Girls Lover Miami Call Girl Spy Passion Trap Trailer Trollop Jungle Cruise Lustful Ones Flesh Undoing Model Malay Mistress Lecher Nest Goddess Seeds Camp Slave $20 Sinful Convention Each exactly 192 pages, text running pages 189, 190, 191, 192. attention hearing. asserted literary merit. contrasted them plot: '(I)n thereto.' succinctly, equal truth, stated, trash.' essence ascertained celerity, replete descriptive activities gamut ordinary intercourse lesbianism, sadism, displays, group orgies, content. Moreover, standardized concerning absent surefire character unseen Mickey Mouse comic perusal issues. subsequently dictum relevant understanding import principle stands. rate, states parte; mean forbidden grant itself. Surely heard subsidiary wisdom granting save unconstitutional scheme; failure accord render valid. generally, e.g., Emerson, Doctrine Prior Restraint, Law Contemp.Prob. 648 (1955); 537—545 (1951). Reasons explain 716, apparently whole inapplicable obscenity.

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