Document: 413 U.S. 123 93 S.Ct. 2665 37 L.Ed.2d 500 UNITED STATES, Appellant,v.12 200-FT. REELS OF SUPER 8MM. FILM et al. No. 70—2. Argued Jan 19, 1972. Reargued Nov. 7, Decided June 21, 1973. Syllabus Congress, which has broad powers under the Commerce Clause to prohibit importation into this country of contraband, may constitutionally proscribe obscene matter, notwithstanding that material is for importer's private, personal use and possession. Cf. United States v. Orito, 139, 2674, 513. Stanley Georgia, 394 557, 89 1243, 22 542, distinguished. The District Court consequently erred in holding 19 U.S.C. § 1305(a) unconstitutional. This case remanded reconsideration light First Amendment standards newly enunciated by Miller California, 15, 2607, 419, equally apply federal legislation, opinion. Pp. 124—130. Vacated remanded. Appeal from Central California. Sol. Gen. Erwin N. Griswold, appellant. Thomas H. Kuchel, Beverly Hills, Cal., as amicus curiae support judgment below, invitation Court. Mr. Chief Justice BURGER delivered opinion 1 We noted probable jurisdiction review a summary decision California 305(a) Tariff Act 1930, 46 Stat. 688, amended, was 'unconstitutional on its face' dismissing forfeiture action brought statute.1 statute provides pertinent part: 2 'All persons are prohibited importing any foreign . book, pamphlet, paper, writing, advertisement, circular, print, picture, drawing, or other representation, figure, image paper material, cast, instrument, article immoral .. No such articles whether imported separately contained packages with goods entitled entry, shall be admitted entry; all and, unless it appears satisfaction appropriate customs officer package were inclosed therein without knowledge consent importer, owner, agent, consignee, entire contents contained, subject seizure hereinafter provided Provided further That Secretary Treasury may, his discretion, admit so-called classics books recognized established literary scientific merit, but only when noncommercal purposes.' 3 On April 2, 1970, claimant Paladini sought carry movie films, color slides, photographs, printed graphic Mexico. materials seized being officers at port Los Angeles Airport, made 1305(a). dismissed Government's complaint, relying three-judge district court Thirty-Seven Photographs, 309 F.Supp. 36 (CD Cal. 1970), we later reversed, 402 363, 91 1400, 28 822 (1971). concerned photographs concededly commercial purposes. narrow issue directly presented case, not importer claims possession only.2 4 Import restrictions searches national borders rest different considerations rules constitutional law domestic regulations. Constitution gives Congress broad, comprehensive '(t)o regulate Nations.' Art. I, 8, cl. 3. Historically have been necessary prevent smuggling entry. See U.S., 376—377, S.Ct., 1408—1409 (opinion White, J.); Carroll States, 267 132, 154, 45 280, 285, 69 L.Ed. 543 (1925); Brolan 236 216, 218, 35 59 544 (1915); Boyd 116 616, 623—624, 6 524, 528—529, 29 746 (1886); Alexander 362 F.2d 379, 382 (CA9), cert. denied, 385 977, 87 519, 17 439 (1966). plenary power imports illustrated sustained validity an prohibiting 'any film pictorial representation prize fight designed used (that) purposes public exhibition'3 view 'the complete over commerce authority introduction Buttfield Stranahan, 192 470 (24 349, 48 525); Abby Dodge, 223 166, 176 (32 310, 56 390). 216 (35 544).' Weber Freed, 239 325, 329, 131, 60 308 (1915). 5 Claimant relies our 542 (1969). But now well protected Amendment. Roth 354 476, 485, 77 1304, 1309, 1498 (1957), reaffirmed today 23, 2614, 419. As 141—143, 2677 2678, 513, also decided today, depended, right purchase possess materials, privacy home. Three concurring Justices indicated could disposed Fourth grounds reference nature materials. supra, 569, 1250 (Stewart, J., joined Brennan JJ., concurring). In particular, contends that, Stanley, home creates acquire import another country. overlooks explicitly precisely delineated rests. reflects no more than what Harlan characterized law's 'solicitude protect privacies life within (the home).' Poe Ullman, 367 497, 551, 81 1752, 1781, 989 (1961) (dissenting opinion).4 seductive plausibility single steps chain evolutionary development legal rule often perceived until third, fourth, fifth 'logical' extension occurs. Each step, taken, appeared reasonable step relation preceded it, although aggregate end result one would never seriously considered first instance.5 kind gestative propensity calls 'line drawing' familiar judicial, legislative process: 'thus far beyond.' Perspectives change, conclusion represents line demarcation; unreasonable assume had so delineated, today. Reidel, 351, 354—356, 1410, 1411—1413, 813 (1971); id., 357—360, 1413—1414 (Harlan, 431 655, 657 (CA9 1970); Fragus, 428 1211, 1213 (CA5 Melvin, 419 136, 139 (CA4 1969); Gable Jenkins, 998, 1000—1001 (ND Ga.1969), aff'd, 397 592, 90 1351, 25 595 (1970). Karalexis Byrne, 306 1363, 1366 (D.Mass.1969), vacated grounds, 401 777, 27 792 7 extend precise, carefully limited permit admittedly simply because private only. To allow claim unlike compelling Government controlled drugs consumption long distribution sale. already one's does give rise correlative someone sell others. 376, 1408 J.), 355, 1412. Nor there transport interstate commerce. 142—144, 2677—2678.6 It follows go abroad bring 'Stanley's emphasis freedom thought mind entry traveler's home.' J.). 8 say exemption use, guarantees bonding, transportation conditions insuring privacy. seen fit do so, read afford basis claimant's arguments. compel, authorized, exception material. Paris Adult Theatre I Slaton, 64—69, 2638—2642; 357, 1413; A Book Named 'John Cleland's Memoirs Woman Pleasure' Attorney General Massachusetts, 383 413, 462, 86 975, 999, 16 (1966) (White, dissenting). 9 attack overbreadth thus foreclosed, but, independently, should note extremely difficult control uses put once enters Even copies, represented can quickly cheaply duplicated modern technology facilitating wide-scale distribution. While true large volume microfilm rather easily smuggled mail, otherwise, enlarged reproduced purposes, precluded barring some avenues illegal exist regulate. American Power & Light Co. SEC, 329 90, 99—100, 67 133, 139—140, 103 (1946). 10 came us Court's dismissal action, determination obscenity involved made. arrived testing constitutionality state legislation regulating obscenity. 23—25, 2614—2615. These applicable legislation.7 proceedings consistent opinion, both 11 12 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 13 know way tract, postcard, contraband contents. purported Federal censorship oversight literature artistic productions, save they might governed Patent Copyright Constitution.1 sure, Colonies enacted statutes speech, see 482—484, nn. 10—13, 1307—1308, 1498, early 19th century punished libel common-law crime. Knowles State, Day (Conn.1808) (signs depicting 'monster'); Commonwealth Holmes, Mass. 336 (1821) (John Pleasure); State Appling, Mo. 315, 316 (1857) (utterance words 'too vulgar inserted opinion'); Sharpless, Serg. R. 91, 92 (Pa. 1815) ('lewd, wicked, scandalous, infamous, indecent posture woman'). 14 construe history, qualifying plain non sequitur disregard Tenth 15 '(W)hatever (have been) form several adopted making declarations favor particular rights,' James Madison, author Amendment, tells us, great object (was) limit qualify Federal) Government, excepting out grant those cases ought act, act mode.' Annals Cong. 437. Surely argue retention vestiges religions after enactment Establishment Free Exercise Clauses saps these clauses their meaning.2 Yet upon reasoning Court, Roth, exempted bawdry protection When enacted, Bill Rights applied Barron Use Tiernan Mayor City Council Baltimore, Pet. 243, 672, reserved residuum people. date, exercised laws restricting expression wise detracts express prohibition Only Fourteenth passed did become even possible through became States. goal attained ruling 1931 reach included Stromberg 283 359, 368, 51 532, 535, 75 1117. At very beginning, however, slightest evidence Framers intended created regime role ombudsman literature. Tying movement films easy government delegated impair liberty expression. bar suppression dare Jefferson Madison appalled espouses 18 product robust, prudish, age. four decades prior 'saw publication, virtually molestation authority, two pornographic literature.' D. Loth, Erotic Literature 108 (1961). addition William King's Toast, John Pleasure described 'most important work genuine pornography published English ..' L. Markun, Mrs. Grundy 191 (1930). England, Harris' List Covent Garden Ladies, catalog prostitutes advertise, trade, enjoyed open circulation. St. John-Stevas, Obscenity Law (1956). Bibliographies list countless erotic works time. See, e.g., A. Craig, Suppressed Books (1963); P. Fraxi, Catena Librorum Tacendorum (1885); W. Gallichan, Poison Prudery (1929); supra; supra. age Benjamin Franklin wrote 'Advice Young Man Choosing Mistress' 'A Letter Royal Academy Brussels.' 'When nation, none fathers question pornography. Quincy Adams strongly puritanical bent man interests, he Tom Jones 'one best novels language." 120. milieu admonished against 'distinction between licentiousness press.' S. Padover, Complete 295 (1953). Anthony Comstocks, Bowdlers Victorian hypocrisy—the predecessors present laws—had yet come stage.3 Julius Goebel, leading expert colonial law, much allude punishment obscenity.4 J. Development Legal Institutions (1946); Felony Misdemeanor (1937); Goebel T. Naughton, Enforcement Colonial New York (1944). 20 history antedating creation exception. 424, 980, (Douglas, reported involving conduct 1663. There, defendant fined 'shewing himself naked balkony, throwing down bottles (pist in) vi armis among people Convent Garden, contra pacem, scandal Government.' Sir Charles Sydlyes Case, 83 Eng.Rep. 1146—1147 (K.B.1663). Rather fountainhead body proscribing literature, courts viewed instance assault, criminal breach peace, exposure. E.g., Bradlaugh Queen, L.R. Q.B. 534 (1878); Rex Curl, 849, 851 (K.B. 1727) (Fortescue, 21 advent printing press spurred ribald not, first, scope officially banned. Star Chamber licensing Tudors Stuarts aimed blasphemous heretical, seditious treasonous. effort dissemination Rather, raise moral properly cognizable ecclesiastical, common-law, courts.5 crime shakes religion (a), profaneness stage, &c. indictable (b); writing intitled, 'The Fifteen Plagues Maidenhead,' indictable, punishable Spiritual (c).' Queen Read, 88 953 (K.B.1707). Read ultimately overruled established. noteworthy, politically unpopular defendants. Ibid. Wilkes, 98 327 (K.B.1770). event, said Bridges 314 252, 264—265, 62 190, 194—195, 192, dispose argument earlier free Amendment: 23 '(T)o common field ours deny generally accepted historical belief objects Revolution get rid speech 24 'More specifically, forget environment ratified. presenting proposals embodied Rights, leader preparation said: 'Although whenever rights, trial jury, press, conscience, (Parliament), invasion them resisted able advocates, Magna Charta contain provision security respecting America most alarmed. rights choicest privileges people, unguarded British Constitution." nonetheless engrafted clear meaning written 18th century. ibid.; Grosjean Press Co., 297 233, 249, 444, 449, 80 660. 26 Our efforts define productive meaningful standards. What 'obscene' highly subjective, varying judge judge, juryman juryman. fireside banter Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrims disgusting Victorian-type moralists whose co-ed granddaughters shock Words England hint impropriety vice versa. language full innocent phrases ancestry.' I. Brant, 490 (1965). So speaks historian; went decisions 'seemed multiply instead creating one.' Id., 491. reason inability mediocrity judges. 'What multiple sclerosis judicial faculty? due fact stated above, matter taste social custom, fact.' 491—492. 30 Taste custom part it; occasions,6 neuroses judges, lawmakers, 'experts' who taken place Comstock, play major role. 31 Finally, ironic me Nation many pages must hours spent explain why person whatever desires, violating briefcase abroad. Unless ancillary right, realized, suggested, if tract attic processed basement, study. 382, 1416, (Black, 32 Most items denounced my trash. find few, any, redeeming value. trash prized others.7 Moreover, five impose set values day? There danger course, bending popular new norms conformity. is, tolerance leads robust productions. tht risk Irving Brant summed up: 33 'Blessed requires universal expression, blessed economic system built same foundation, fear denying themselves liberties cherish.' 493. 34 BRENNAN, whom STEWART MARSHALL join, consider 1305(a), prohibits 'importing immoral.' Pursuant provision, authorities certain complaint filed obscene. Relying 1969), held unconstitutional face, complaint. Although subsequently reversed (1971), led uphold longer viable, expressed dissent 49, 73, 2628, 2642, 446. Whatever extent allegedly juveniles offensive exposure unconsenting adults before view, clearly overbroad face. 47, 2627, therefore affirm direct appeal 1252. Clark Gabriel, 393 256, 258, 426, 418 (1968). day dismissed, affidavit stating 'were purpose possessed personally.' conjunction motion stay order dismissal, denied below granted Brennan, conceded contradict 'contest importation.' July 31, 1912, c. 263, 1, 240. rely sphere privacy, encompasses intimate medical problems family, marriage, motherhood. 65—67, 2639—2640, 446, 142—143, 2677—2678. Holmes situation tend declare absolute logical extreme. neighborhood principles policy founded, strong enough hold own point reached.' Hudson County Water McCarter, 209 529, 531, 52 828 (1908). Caminetti 242 470, 61 442 (1917), Hoke 227 308, 281, 57 523 (1913), upheld 'so-called White Slave Traffic Act, construed punish engaged enticing woman ends, facilitate prostitution concubinage, forms immorality.' Brooks 432, 437, 345, 346, 699 (1925) (emphasis added). while leave construction duty authoritatively where "a serious doubt raised" fairly avoided." 369, 1404, (1971) quoting Crowell Benson, 285 22, 62, 296, 76 598 (1932). If 'serious doubt' raised vagueness 'obscene,' 'lewd,' 'lascivious,' 'filthy,' 'indecent,' 'immoral' describe regulated 1462, 140 n. 2676 prepared terms limiting patently representations descriptions ofthat specific 'hard core' sexual given examples 25, 2615. 369—374, 1404—1407 Of always conduct. copyright freedoms secured Lee Runge, 404 887, 892 893, 197, 200—201, 169 dissenting); Nimmer, Does Abridge Guarantees Speech Press?, U.C.L.A.L.Rev. 1180 Thus, suggestion ratified blasphemy profanity, irrelevant inquiry here. Separating worthwhile worthless largely individual significant governmental sanctions relatively recent vintage, having developed Age mid-19th 1—85 Emerson, System Freedom Expression 468 469 (1970); Paul M. Schwartz, Censorship, (1961); Report Commission Pornography 349 country, 1842, 270, 28, 566. gave infamous publishing, statutory 1853, Customs Consolidation Vict., 107, waited 1857 enact banned outright. Lord Campbell's 83. mentioning word Acts Laws Province Bay, CV, (1712), Bay Colony Charter 399 (1814). context 'composing, publishing filthy, obscene, profane song, mock sermon, imitation mimicking preaching, divine worship' must, therefore, placed laws. An Punishment divers capital Felonies, Conn.Acts, Laws, Articles Confederation 66, (1784); 1723, 16, Digest Md. (Herty 1799). Coke's De Libellis Famosis, 250 (1605), example, definitive statement mention misdemeanor libel. Ginsberg York, 390 629, 655—656, 661—671, 1274, 1288—1289, 1291—1297, 195 Ginzburg 463, 491, 942, 953,

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