Document: 472 U.S. 675 105 S.Ct. 2897 86 L.Ed.2d 536 UNITED STATES, Petitionerv.James Vincent ALBERTINI. No. 83-1624. Argued April 15, 1985. Decided June 24, Syllabus Title 18 U.S.C. § 1382 makes it unlawful to reenter a military base after having been "ordered not by any officer in command or charge thereof." In 1972, respondent received from the commanding of Hickam Air Force Base Hawaii letter (bar letter) forbidding him without written permission his designate. The was issued and companion entered destroyed Government property. 1981, respondent, with some friends, again during base's annual open house for Armed Forces Day. Respondent's companions engaged peaceful demonstration criticizing nuclear arms race, but only took photographs displays at did disrupt activities there. directed chief security police have individuals cease their further informed that he believed one involved had barred Hickam. Respondent were escorted off base, subsequently convicted Federal District Court violating 1382. Appeals reversed, holding First Amendment right enter because transformed into temporary public forum. Held: 1. Section applies respondent's conduct. Viewed light ordinary meaning statutory language, violated when reentered 1981. Moreover, 1382's legislative history its purpose protecting property relation national defense support statute's application respondent. There is no merit contentions does allow indefinite exclusion instead reentry occurs within "reasonable" period time person's ejection; apply general purposes attending an house; under if person knows conduct violates extant order return, whereas subjectively believe attendance contrary valid barring reentry. And assertion lacked notice prohibited implausible, since bar indicate applied access restricted, uncertainty this regard might eliminated sought, accord letter, officer. Pp. 679-684. 2. erred bars conviction house. Flower v. United States, 407 197, 92 1842, 32 653 distinguished. A generally forum, become forum merely used communicate ideas information regardless whether constituted on day house, violate Amendment. fact previously distinguished provided reasonable ground excluding base. Nor recipients letters houses asserted such greater than essential furtherance interests installations. Exclusion holders circumstances promotes important interest assuring Nothing requires commanders wait until persons subject see they will themselves properly 684-690. 3. Since address whether, facts case, 1972 so patently arbitrary as due process, decide issue. P. 690. 710 F.2d 1410 (CA9 1983), reversed remanded. David Aaron Strauss, Washington, D.C., petitioner. Charles Stephen Sims, New York City, Justice O'CONNOR delivered opinion Court. 1 question presented may be 1382, which attended nine years ordered permission. Ninth Circuit held could (1983). We granted certiorari, 469 1071, 562, 83 504 (1984), we now reverse. 2 * events underlying case date (Hickam) ostensibly present Instead, obtained secret documents pouring animal blood them. For these acts, conspiracy injure violation §§ 371, 1361. also "bar letter" Commander informing forbidden "reenter confines installation designated issue permit reentry." App. 43; cf. Greer Spock, 424 828, 838, 96 1211, 1217, 47 505 (1976). quoted statute, provides: 3 "Whoever, jurisdiction goes upon military, naval, Coast Guard Reservation, post, fort, arsenal, yard, station, installation, law lawful regulation; 4 "Whoever reenters found reservation, removed therefrom thereof— 5 "Shall fined more $500 imprisoned six months, both." 6 subsequent years, according own testimony, number bases Hawaii. 30. March eight improperly Nuclear War Policy Plans Office Camp Smith defaced Ibid. testified prosecuted what termed "rather serious clear-cut case" civil disobedience Smith, ibid., ever Id., 28, 7 May 16, On day, members public, who ordinarily can permission, are allowed portions view aircraft other equipment enjoy entertainment nonmilitary performers. Press releases declared "[w]hile normally closed gates 32nd Annual Day Open House." 45. Radio announcements similarly proclaimed "the invited it's all free." 48. 8 With four engage race. 27-28. His gathered front B-52 bomber display, unfurled banner reading "Carnival Death," passed out leaflets. summoned Major Jones, Chief Security Police told demonstration. 9. Before approached police, Jones 9-10, 13-14. apprehended 9 An filed July 1, charged "unlawfully knowingly" "after [he] command." bench trial sentenced three months' imprisonment. appeal, challenged grounds. F.2d, 1413. First, argued based advertisements inviting attend Second, contended 9-year-old ineffective process. Finally, presence protected rejected first argument unnecessary consider process arguments. 1413, 1417. must held, exclude II 10 granting asked parties additional "[w]hether 'open house' kind Congress intended prohibit 1382." U.S., 504. Although raised Appeals, " 'ascertain construction statute fairly possible [constititutional] avoided.' States Grace, 461 171, 175-176, 103 1702, 1706-1707, 75 736 (1983), quoting Crowell Benson, 285 22, 62, 52 285, 296, 76 L.Ed. 598 (1932). 11 Courts applying criminal laws follow plain unambiguous language. Garcia 70, 75, 479, 482, (1984); Turkette, 452 576, 580, 101 2524, 2527, 69 246 (1981). "[O]nly most extraordinary showing intentions" justify departure Garcia, supra, S.Ct., 482. This proposition altered simply constitutional Statutes should construed avoid questions, interpretative canon license judiciary rewrite language enacted legislature. Heckler Mathews, 465 728, 741-742, 104 1387, 1396, 79 646 (1984). Any conclusion, while purporting exercise judicial restraint, would trench powers vested Art. I, Constitution. Locke, 471 84, 95-96, 1785, 1793-1794, 85 64 (1985). Proper respect those implies "[s]tatutory begin employed assumption accurately expresses purpose." Park 'N Fly Dollar Fly, Inc., 189, 194, 658, 662, 582 12 Turning here, conclude relevant portion do Unless emptied meaning, terms 1981 letter. Respondent, however, argues reasons. contends has "within being ejected." Brief 10. maintains intend opened finally return. None arguments persuasive. 13 although sparse, fully supports virtually form part revision codification federal penal laws. Act Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, 45, 35 Stat. 1097. Both Department supported extension existing prohibitions sabotage. congressional Reports explained: 14 "[I]t . designed punish who, ejected etc., return obtaining respecting strength, inducing men visit saloons, dives, similar places. Such go forts reservations repeatedly there them." S.Rep. 10, 60th Cong., 1st Sess., pt. p. 16 (1908); H.R.Rep. 2, (1908). 15 Reports, well floor debates, 42 Cong.Rec. 689 (1908) (remarks Reps. Moon Williams), primary spies panderers repeated entry Nonetheless, limited persons, restrictive frustrate "protect[ing] far relates defense." Payne). One need hardly strain furthered installations unlawfully vandalism against find reasons offers concluding nothing time. prosecutions second paragraph year issuance order, asserts recent 1- 2-year period. agree prosecution impermissible invalid order. But even assuming accuracy description prosecutorial policy, justifies engrafting onto judicially defined limit. regulations limit effective lifetime civilian installation. 17 conclude, Of course, 1909 very likely gave little thought bases. pertinent question, public. where restricted. intent others facilities suggests concerned extent personnel. limiting prohibition make almost superfluous, already "for regulation." Cf. Chaney, 470 821, 829, 1649, 1654, 84 714 (1985) (noting common-sense principle read give effect each clauses). final advanced misperceives knowledge required statute. Parrilla Bonilla, 648 1373, 1377 (CA1 1981) (specific particular regulation 1382). contain word "knowingly" otherwise refer defendant's state mind, requirement prove improper motive intent. Holdridge 282 302, 310-311 (CA8 1960). dispute deliberately knowingly applied. previous decisions rather remarkable longer effective, thereby immunized prosecution. International Minerals & Chemical Corp., 402 558, 563, 91 1697, 1700, 29 178 (1971). 19 reject suggestion, made dissenting opinion, reasonably prohibited. Post, ----, ----. implausible. way indicated commander. contention rescinded requested exaggerates implications our holding. occasion circumstances, any, anyone commander validly suggest unknowingly unwillingly note disputed "military army arsenal" III 20 court acknowledged, See relied (1972) (per curiam ), least areas related expression. 1414-1417. Having hold signs distribute leaflets Day, then considered rely court, relying Flower, lacks power 21 cannot misapprehended significance Flower. As later observed Greer, decision viewed established doctrine concerning expressive activity takes place municipality's streets, sidewalks, parks. 835-836, 1216-1217. adopt novel principles relating bases, concluded area appropriately street. "no generalized political speeches leaflets," id., 830, n. 1213, clarified per unusual earlier decision. 837, 1217. 22 summarily reservation receiving At arrest, "quietly distributing Braunfels Avenue point limits Fort Sam Houston" San Antonio, Texas. 1843. No sentry posted anywhere along street, unrestricted traffic 24 hours day. 198, determined thoroughfare different streets city, abandoned avenue, leafleteers. 835, 1216. defendant participated attempt unauthorized publications 1843; 80, 82, 87 (CA5 1971). 23 plausibly leading excluded facility temporarily establishes constitutes claim special regulating expression, 836-838, 1216-1218, basis itself Properly construed, inapplicable case. suggestion acts resulted observation 1417, enforcement precipitated "peaceful activity" misses point. demonstrating reentering so. standardless discretion Shuttlesworth Birmingham, 394 147, 150-151, 89 935, 938-939, 162 (1969). conclusion dubious. Military fora, expressly "whenever permitted freely owned operated Government, becomes 'public forum' Amendment." 836, 177, 1707. Postal Service Greenburgh Civic Assns., 453 114, 130, 6, 2676, 2685, 517 express findings nature record completely control became indistinguishable street Whether concedes extinguished historically unquestioned civilians command," Cafeteria Workers McElroy, 367 886, 893, 81 1743, 1748, 1230 (1961), analyzed same manner government traditional (fact speakers "did leave authorities powerless thereafter prevent entering speak whatever"). grounds That justification less weighty enter. Indeed, given large people preserve important, unable monitor closely comes goes. Where grounds, immunity 25 content-neutral serves significant whose demonstrates threat security. Application facially neutral incidentally burdens speech satisfies "furthers substantial governmental interest; unrelated suppression free expression; incidental restriction alleged freedoms interest." O'Brien, 391 367, 377, 88 1673, 1679, 672 (1968). O'Brien fails 26 enforcing reported cases misconduct houses. adequately served measures taken statutes occurring events. 1417 "sensitive cordoned guards"). misapprehend third element standard. acknowledge "essential" absolute sense presumably chaperone observation, provides answer wrong focusing conceivable alternatives 27 party allowing exception threaten interests. Clark Community Creative Non-Violence, 468 288, 296-297, 3065, 3070-3071, 82 221 (1984) ("the validity judged solely reference hand"). Regulations burden time, place, 298-299, 8, 3071-3072, evaluated effect. imaginable alternative burdensome speech. 299, 3072. essential, therefore permissible long achieved effectively absent regulation. 297, 3071 ("if parks exposed harm sleeping it, ban safe invalidation Amendment"). turn judge's agreement responsible decisionmaker appropriate method promoting 28 persuaded promote Perry Ed. Assn. Local Educators' Assn., 460 37, 52, 12, 948, 959, 74 794 "assign authority replace manager Nation's endow competence judge how much protection park lands wise level conservation attained." 3072 (footnote omitted). disposed assigns manage throughout Nation. challenge conviction, opposed war. evidentiary support. attract attention officials companions, stop them displaying identified holder 9-11, testimony accurate, Tr. 98, reason disturb finding appeal. Inasmuch impermissibly motivated, raise below selectively engaging Wayte 598, 608-610, 1524, 1531-1532, 547 IV 30 19, 20, 26-27, 38. broad exercised discriminatory. 898, 1750. shown inconsistent regulatory think inherently unreasonable duration requiring obtain before 31 stated, judgment remanded proceedings consistent opinion. It ordered. 33 STEVENS, whom BRENNAN MARSHALL join, dissenting. 34 new making crime trespass specified circumstances. codified provided: shall pursuance law, whoever thereof, five hundred dollars, 36 my clause welcome. 37 "removed trespasser Base," reenter."1 removal apparently result destruction valued $100 war Vietnam.2 38 Over later, "found reservation." Among 50,000 civilians, accepted widely advertised invitation House hosted news release, Base, stated: "HICKAM HOSTS JOINT SERVICE OPEN HOUSE 39 "Hickam (April 1981)—The here Saturday a.m. p.m. theme 'U.S. Forces—Strong Ready.' 40 "Top local, country western, entertainment—provided Royal Hawaiian Band, Aloha Airlines Musical/Hula Troupe, J.T. Rowdy Dave West Chaingang, Chris Cassidy Rainbow Connection, Skylarks Fleet Marine Pacific Band—will perform 41 "More Army, Navy, Force, Corps, Guard, Army National Civil Patrol Wheeler Aero Club display "Parachute jumps Navy 43 troops, rappelling helicopters, flyovers scheduled. 44 "Additionally, crash/rescue Fire Department, helicopter rescue several dog demonstrations conducted 45 "Also Youth Festival. Carnival rides, games midway packed food drinks main attractions. nominees, representing various commands compete crown Festival Queen. crowning ceremony take Friday evening 46 "Hickam, 46-47. extended 48 response involve reaching relies heavily committed misdemeanor evidenced letter." "plain language" proves too much, little. 49 recognized 1748. exercising power, Constitution standard administrative "he act capricious manner. action responsibility protect safeguard thereon."3 Even limitations, wide variety reconnoitering fortifications troop movements, carrying concealed weapon controlled substance, destroying Property, creating disturbance, regulation, attempting induce soldier saloon immoral act, wandering training progress, perhaps "chewing gum place." supra.4 50 supplement military's unwelcome Senate Committee bill explain enacting 1382: 51 "It (1908).5 punishment, addition ejectment, class visitors 53 initiate narrower commander's facility. By terms, seek committing acts. physical reenter. liability evinces design innocent inadvertent entries becoming trespass.6 54 two clauses originally single sentence; together, plausible apparent. aimed trespassers—civilians punish. authorized punishment proved [lawful] regulation"; "reenter[s]" removed. many defiance safely presumed motivated purpose—especially follows similar. 55 When individual welcome, "reentry" presumes. authorities, ample individuals. fundamentally Congress' excuse intrusions reservations. rule attribute odds results "in absurd consequences." Brown, 333 18, 27, 68 376, 381, 442 (1948). fact, Court, keeping common-law tradition injunction 'ambiguity ambit resolved favor lenity,' Rewis 401 808, 812, 1056, 1059, 493 (1971), occasions state-of-mind component offense definition provide." Gypsum Co., 438 422, 437, 98 2864, 2873, 57 854 (1978). 56 Adopting starkly literal interpretation concludes impose strict every within" reenter." Under construction, neither nor offense. Emphasizing absence mind clause, rejects considers "remarkable proposition" Ante, ---- - Court's approach frozen logic purports espouse, expands coverage beyond anything actually intended. situations citizen barred. intoxicated, guilty returns later. worse, inconceivable curfew hour yet departed If commander, someone acting authority, terminated over loudspeaker system ended depart next minutes, hundreds—perhaps thousands—of "been therefrom" interpreted literally, peril following year.7 58 highways easements often bisect (1972). us runway Honolulu Airport lies inside boundaries Base. 8. liable whenever boundaries, risks departs airline flight use traversing set aside bold foreseen structure reflected history. Surely airport—even "removed" action, 59 prefers Due Process Clause oppressive consequences construction. seems wiser presume legislature exceptions character. prevail Kirby, Wall. 486-487, 278 (1869). point, common temper excesses literalism. 60 emphasizes ordering contains documented writing. trespassers refused obey verbal orders depart. 5, supra. practice issuing arose enactment serve function. 61 evidence recipient contemplated,8 gives legal sentry's ejectment peddler panderer. matter administration, surely commendable, cannot, judgment, expand slightest. 62 attach act. I agree, removal—even wording draws distinction. reached committed. either event, 63 significantly attenuated passage nearly decade event. Every recognizes "even wrongdoers entitled assume sins forgotten." Wilson 261, 271, 1938, 1945, 254 60-62, character change dramatically Fed.Rule Evid. 609(b). vintage.9 decade-old provide not, persuasive proscriptive continued perpetuity pre-empt base.10 especially original relatively minor transgression intrusion. 65 refrain baffling considering reasonableness intrusion irrelevant. reliance puzzling contained invalid.11 opposition preparedness caused deliver quite irrelevant most, incidents sought enter, fresh there.12 66 order" critical constrain officer's correctly observes power. What overlooks distinction between exclude—which indeed—and sovereign's extend inch conferred Congress.13 67 authorize Commander's reenter" earlier. respectfully dissent. two-paragraph reads follows: "You 43. calls addressee's full. During trial, offered offense, colloquy occurred: "THE COURT: Well, really doesn't difference arrested of. He right? "MR. STARLING [for States]: Yes. chewing place. STARLING: Your Honor, perceive going clear exactly got Go ahead. "[MR. STARLING:] Okay. [W]hat outcome involving— you know. —The incident 2nd, 1972? SHISHIDO, FBI SPECIAL AGENT:] Following "[THE WITNESS:] James Albertini brought district of— TRECKER defendant]: object this—the witness obviously testifying hearsay I'll tried misdemeanors, weren't they? WITNESS: Value dollars." 7. Reg. 355-11, ¶ 1(b) (Sept. Dept. Defense Directive 5200.8, C (July 29, 1980); (1976), "have offenses possession marijuana narcotics, assault, stolen property, solicitation prostitution, weapons, offenses, contributing delinquency minor, impersonating female, fraud, ID card." Spock David, 1047, 1055 (CA3 1972). section outlined debates bill: WILLIAMS. [T]he keep spies, want draw maps arsenals sort powder compounding. secrets harm. "Mr. MOON[.] clearly expressed [Mr. Williams]. urged enumerated there, soldiers coming taking dives illicit places surrounding encampments. said frequent occurrence come carriages conveyances lure away. They away, constantly returning, defied reappearing 589. comment Model Penal Code defining familiar one: "The thread running through [statutes trespass] unwanted intrusion, usually coupled would-be intruders enter." American Law Institute, 221.2, Comment (1980). know "that licensed privileged" 221.2(1), (2). affirmative intruder "reasonably owner premises remain." 221.2(3)(c). dissent, added disclaiming literally "where commander" reenter, installation," ante, 684. thus disclaimed stark appears known wonder if, accepting enlist Force. Paragraph 3(b) 355-11 1971) "Removal Violators. occurs, violators apprehended, leave, personnel carefully selected duties. complete proper identification visitors, including photographs, accomplished. Violators installation—after ordered, charge, reenter—may contemplated, writing (Attachment # 1), easily susceptible proof. Commanders cautioned arrest prosecute property." (reentry 11/2 months reentry); Quilty, 741 1031 (CA7 1984) (11/2 months); May, 622 1000 (CA9) (176 defendants, day; 101/2 months), cert. denied sub nom. Phipps 449 984, 402, 247 (1980); Douglass, 579 545 1978) (16 days reenter); Canal Zone Brooks, 427 346 1970) (conviction affirmed issued); Jelinski, 411 476 1969) 71/2 order); Weissman 387 271 (CA10 1967) (2 days); 302 1960) (Blackmun, J., court) (same day). Gourley, 502 785, 788 1973) (order football game stadium Academy part, "spectators actively encouraged games, numbers restrictions whatever gates"). oral argument, conceded Oral Arg. 13-14, 21. (1972), example occurred him. Regulation, distinguish prosecute.

Category: 2