Document: 401 U.S. 200 91 S.Ct. 769 27 L.Ed.2d 781 Frank DYSON, Chief of Police, City Dallas, et al., Appellants,v.Brent STEIN. No. 41. Reargued Nov. 16, 1970. Decided Feb. 23, 1971. Lonny F. Zwiener, Austin, Tex., for appellants. David R. Richards, appellee. PER CURIAM. 1 The appellee, Stein, published a biweekly newspaper, the Dallas Notes. Stein was charged with two violations Art. 527, § 1, Vernon's Ann. Texas Penal Code, which then prohibited, among other things, possession obscene materials.* While these cases were pending in state courts, brought present action federal district court under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983, 1985, representing himself and class consisting future employees contributors to his newspaper. defendants attorney County, chief police. He sought 2 '(P)ermanent injunctive relief against Police Department, requiring that * there be no arrest plaintiff, nor seizure property on grounds obscenity without prior judicial determination character material question; 3 '* That Court adjudge, decree declare rights parties respect application Article 527 Code; 4 grant such further as is just equitable.' 5 A three-judge convened. 28 2284. refused require hearing before its plaintiff. It held request 'based alleged harassment not an attack upon constitutionality statute.' went emphasize consideration did 'not any way involve appraisal Plaintiff. Our sole concern whether statute constitutionally defective face.' turned itself, unconstitutional, would constitutional only if definition changed somewhat. issued appropriate declaratory effectuating conclusions. 300 F.Supp. 602 (D.C., 1969). officials appealed, we noted probable jurisdiction. 396 954, 90 428, 24 419 (1969). 6 Today have again stressed rule intervention affecting criminal prosecutions, either by injunction or judgment, proper where irreparable injury threatened. Douglas v. Jeannette, 319 157, 63 877, 87 L.Ed. 1324 (1943). existence matter determined carefully facts each case. In this case District made findings defined our decisions today; therefore, judgment vacated remanded reconsideration light Younger Harris, 37, 746, 669, Samuels Mackell, 66, 764, 688. See also Boyle Landry, 77, 758, 696. 7 so ordered. 8 Vacated remanded. 9 Mr. Justice WHITE concurs result. 10 BRENNAN, whom MARSHALL joins, concurring 11 My Brother DOUGLAS' dissenting opinion describes graphically police conduct appellee rested allegations bad faith harassment. If proved, justify intervention. mass some tons issues newspaper unconstitutional. Marcus Search Warrant, 367 717, 81 1708, 1127 (1961); Bantam Books, Inc. Sullivan, 372 58, 83 631, 584 (1963); Quantity Copies Books Kansas, 378 205, 84 1723, 12 809 (1964). Similarly, tools equipment required prepare newspaper—insofar it disabled from publishing issues—infringed principle Near Minnesota ex rel. Olson, 283 697, 51 625, 75 1357 (1931). But questions are us. below single judge all advanced except contention unconstitutional face, does challenge order remand here. I, reverse Court, paragraph 4, reasons stated my separate Perez Ledesma, 82, p. 93, 674, 681, 701. 13 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 14 raids search-and-destroy missions Vietnamese sense phrase. came at night. first search warrant authorized 'obscene articles materials, towit: pictures, photographs, drawings literature' concealed given address. seizures included: (Dallas Notes), one photograph enlarger, portable typewriters, electric camera, 'numerous photographs,' $5.43 money.1 second 16 days later, response claim marihuana premises. officers 'to seize said narcotic drug dangerous accordance law provided.' Not finding premises, sergeant asked instructions lieutenant. told pornographic literature used make it. 'didn't know what (he) took everything.' 'Everything' included Polaroid Kodak Brownie, Flocon lamp, floating fixture three-drawer desk containing printers' supplies, drafting square, table, drawing boards, mailing tube, telephones, stapler, five cardboard boxes documents, typewriter, typewriter desk. poster Mao Tsetung, credit cards, costume jewelry, cans spices, brown sweater, man woman embrace seized. Thus Notes, bi-monthly, effectively put out business.2 15 difficult find books more lawless raid, unless Kremen United States, 353 346, 77 828, 876. technique can employed done New York Times, Washington Post, Seattle Post Intelligencer, Yakima Herald-Republic, Sacramento Bee, rest newspapers. For, I shall point out, governing 'obscenity'3 plainly Government certainly has power close down Even censorship—whether obscenity, irresponsible reporting editorials, otherwise—is taboo. As Hughes 1357, decided 1931: 17 '(T)he administration government become complex, opportunities malfeasance corruption multiplied, crime grown most serious proportions, danger protection unfaithful impairment fundamental security life alliances official neglect, emphasizes primary need vigilant courageous press, especially great cities. fact liberty press may abused miscreant purveyors scandal less necessary immunity previous restraint dealing misconduct. Subsequent punishment abuses exist remedy, consistent privilege.' Id., 719—720, S.Ct., 632. 18 agree view. 19 said, however, us been pass them. deal plain error, face should end it.4 II 20 mandate government5 'shall abridging freedom speech, press' precludes view form censorship. Vicious, irresponsible, depraved often is, remedy censorship.6 antidote education, pinning Jeffersonian creed education time mature people.7 21 set forth views over why First Amendment strictly construed; they repeated difficult—indeed impossible—to read law' mean 'may laws' freedom. Certainly strict constructionist cannot 22 'The says trying balance interests society protecting itself supposed evils real interest expression. There ample evidence clear definite language amendment intended preclude very problem balancing assumed Court. holds expression8 important than harm might flow material. better served allowing individual free hallmark immature insecure censorship ideas. Censorship, insulates suppose evil, merely magnifies insecurity. poor job educating four letter words explicit pictures dangerous, improve educational process, outlaw certain publications. prohibit This use test evidences misconception nature society. nothing balance. Society's flows directly solely individual.' 31 Albany L.Rev. 143, 151 (1967). 23 am correct concluding State 'no censoring because publisher threatened go into enjoin enforcing law, dissent U.S., 59, 755. special circumstances permissible restricted part threat multiple prosecutions. Butler, writing Terrace Thompson, 263 197, 214, 44 15, 17, 68 255: 'Equity jurisdiction will exercised enforcement contravenes Constitution wherever essential effectually protect persons injuries otherwise irremediable; person, who officer clothed duty laws threatens about commence proceedings, civil criminal, enforce affected, enjoined Federal equity.' 25 And see Watson Buck, 313 387, 402, 61 962, 967, 85 1416. 26 No possible construction save situation mere overbreadth chilling crippling effects rights. entered field bars States entering. statute, it, meets precisely hypothetical discussed 967: 'It course conceivable flagrantly patently violative express prohibitions every clause, sentence paragraph, whatever manner whomever effort apply it.' 29 clearer justifying prevent trial imagined. 30 prosecutions ones.9 Such impermissible 2283. Dombrowski Pfister, 380 479, 484, 1116, 1119, n. 2, 65, 764. Appellees relief. Zwickler Koota, 389 241, 88 391, 444, means anything, granted. III publication deemed 'obscene' umbrella Amendment, do how enjoys many safeguards. normally subject States. Yet contains standards suggestions respecting vast array subjects various vocal groups like suppressed—obscenity, secrilege, un-Americanism, anti-clerical ideas, atheistic anti-ecclesiastical Communism, racism, on. Under written 'good' 'bad' press. Since must largely, exclusively, legislative determination. Absent controlling standard, think legislature could treat treats sewage effluent infectious disease. happy prospect, even Song Solomon ban. fear, once lose moorings. Administrative censorship, thing. Criminal quite another. Publishing cannot, standards. 32 'Whatever 'obscenity' immeasurable delineable sin. sin, minds others. entirely too subjective legal sanction. different definitions men; unique dreams.' Note, Substantive Law Obscenity: An Adventure Quicksand, N.Y.L.F. 81, 131 33 What appeals 'prurient interests' sin but others seems me far vague muster distinguished administrative, statute.10 34 help vagueness 'utterly redeeming social importance' added Jacobellis Ohio, 184, 191, 1676, 1680, 793.11 measurement wholly subjective. related anything judge's jurors' sophistication stage cultural development. Nor helped introducing concept 'contemporary community standards' refers public large local county town standard. 193, 1681. 35 tests—this Court's Texas—seem substantially identical. constitutional. standard guilt jurors convict acquit according their own personal tastes, literacy, tolerance opposed same true judges. book hailed wholesome cause another State. 36 usually expert testimony. Analysts, English scholars, helpful informed views, other. impossible, continue sanction verdicts rendered based record emotional factors reflecting prejudices jurors. 37 Uncertainty, rather certainty, book, play, poem, movie approved condemned basis beliefs jurors, ban objective 38 divide experts. risky perilous business send men prison provocative issues, confuse people create irreconcilable differences judges them approve convictions. 39 leave confused dark criminals. give fair warning; person receives warning when he crosses line between lawful unlawful, statute12 40 Where infringed, Winters York, 333 507, 665, 92 840, guide. magazine include those 'massed' stories bloodshed lust incite crimes. 513, 669. We satisfy standards.13 41 certainty statutes punishing offenses higher depending primarily enforcement. 'must definiteness.' ascertainable guilt. Men common intelligence guess meaning enactment. uncertainty regard within scope act, applicable tests ascertain guilt.' 515—516, 670. 43 Wright Georgia, 373 284, 292, 1240, 1245, 349; Smith California, 361 147, 151, 80 215, 217, 205; Harriss, 347 612, 74 808, 98 989; Beauharnais Illinois, 343 250, 264, 72 725, 734, 96 919; Williams 341 97, 71 576, 95 L.Ed 774; Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 60 900, 1213. view, regime expressed statute14 administrative15 procedure reason command Amendment. 1961 Tex.Gen.Laws, c. 461, provided: 'Section 1. Whoever knowingly photograph, act in, pose for, model print, sell, offer sale, away, exhibit, televise, publish, control, distribute, make, display, exhibit magazine, story, pamphlet, paper, writing, card, advertisement, circular, motion picture film, image, cast, slide, figure, instrument, drawing, phonograph record, mechanical recording, presentation, article obscene, fined One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) imprisoned (1) year jail both. 'Sec. 2. minor Two Thousand, Five Hundred ($2,500) (2) years 3. For purposes word average applying contemporary standards, dominant theme taken whole prurient interests. Provided, further, purpose article, term territory geographic area Texas. 4. convicted violation guilty felony punished confinement penitentiary (5) fine Ten ($10,000) both imprisonment. 5. defense charges hereunder prohibited regularly bona fide, religious, scientific institution fide investigation. provisions Act produced manufactured commercial seal Production Code Motion Picture Association America, Inc.; legally move interstate commerce Law; (3) imported foreign countries passed Customs Office port entry. daily weekly 6. courts thereof full power, authority, jurisdiction, respective jurisdictions, issue restraining orders, temporary permanent injunctions, writs processes carry Act.' indiscriminate hardly surprising since none knew seize, questioning lieutenant charge raid shows: 'Q. you effecting do? 'A. They find. All is. material? Well, wish hadn't ask (sic) that. take back. don't know, neither I. had terms To definition, any, didn't.' Appellee reached agreement Department returned him return execution Indemnity Release Agreement. binding effect agreement, choose publishing, assertion still 'film negatives, ten advertisement poster, litho copy representative number back paper entitled 'Dallas Notes' 'Notes Underground." follows 3: '(W)hether Texas.' After decision, amended define 'material (a) which, whole, interest; (b) offensive affronts relating description representation sexual matters; (c) utterly value.' interest' 'a shameful morbid nudity, sex, excretion, goes beyond customary limits candor matters. appears dissemination designed specially susceptible audience, appeal judged reference audience.' Tex.Penal (Supp.1970—1971). decision one-judge court, apparently ruling unnecessary, resulted statute. argued 'constitutional (are) overbearing chosen it'. raised here documentary support overwhelming. originally Government, virtue Fourteenth 1931 Stromberg 359, 532, 1117. Thomas Jefferson wrote, 'I deplore putrid newspapers passed, malignity, vulgarity, mendacious spirit write however evil depends limited being lost.' Jefferson, Democracy, selected arranged S. Padover 150—151 (1939). Brandeis, Whitney 274 357, 375—376, 47 641, 648, 1095, said: 'Those won independence believed speak indispensable discovery spread political truth; speech assembly discussion futile; them, affords ordinarily adequate noxious doctrine; greatest menace inert people; duty; American government. Believing applied through discussion, eschewed silence coerced law—the argument force worst form. Recognizing occasional tyrannies majorities, guaranteed.' considerable problem. believe 'ethic sexuality joined ethic wholeness life' (F. Darling, Wilderness Plenty (1970)) relation population control reverence land animal life. complaint arrests declaration 3, supra. leveling prosecution 'awesome' Black stated: 'Experience, wisdom flowing experience, long ago led belief agents vested discretion punish past clearly advance.' Ginzburg 383 463, 477, 86 942, 951, (dissenting opinion). guidance kind involved, speculate penal statutes.' Lanzetta Jersey, 306 451, 453, 59 618, 619, 888. Marshall Wiltberger, Wheat. 76, 105, determining needed validity 'probability' desired species activity enough. Lacher, 134 624, 628, 626, 1080; Pierce 314 306, 62 237, 226. Black's Kingsley International Pictures Corp. Regents N.Y.U., 360 684, 690, 79 1362, 1366, 1512 (concurring). opinions Roth 354 476, 508, 1304, 1321, 1498 (dissenting); 167, 226, 205 (concurring); 482, 953, (dissenting). 213, 1727, 809.

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