Document: 415 U.S. 697 94 S.Ct. 1228 39 L.Ed.2d 693 Terry Dean EATONv.CITY OF TULSA. No. 73—5925. March 25, 1974. PER CURIAM. 1 In answering a question on cross-examination at his trial, in the Municipal Court of Tulsa, Oklahoma, for violating municipal ordinance, petitioner referred to an alleged assailant as 'chicken shit.' consequence he was prosecuted and convicted under information that charged him with 'direct contempt,' violation another Tulsa 'by insolent behavior during open court presence (the judge), wit: by using language 'chicken-shit' . ..' The Oklahoma Criminal Appeals, unreported order opinion, affirmed. 2 This single isolated usage street vernacular, not directed judge or any officer court, cannot constitutionally support conviction criminal contempt. 'The vehemence used is alone measure power punish fires which it kindles must constitute imminent, merely likely, threat administration justice.' Craig v. Harney, 331 367, 376, 67 1249, 1255, 91 L.Ed. 1546 (1947). expletive '(i)t (petitioner) here disobeyed valid order, talked loudly, acted boisterously, attempted prevent other from carrying duties.' Holt Virginia, 381 131, 136, 85 1375, 1377, 14 290 (1965); see also re Little, 404 553, 92 659, 30 708 (1972). circumstances, use thus be held 'constitute imminent 3 affirming, however, Appeals rejected petitioner's contention taken resting solely expletive. Rather, concluded its examination trial record that, addition expletive, made 'discourteous responses' judge. therefore should affirmed because '(c)oupling defendant's discourteous responses, this Court's opinion there sufficient evidence upon could find defendant direct contempt court.' (Emphasis supplied.) 4 However, what guilty but did guilty. There no transcript proceeding since stenographically recorded. did, enter 'Judgment Sentence,' we read document clearly establish rested only. For charge 'insolent behavior' specified 'to .,' Judgment Sentence, referring expressly information, records 'duly legally tried said offense' and, further, 'the does now hereby adjudge sentence offense committed.' denied constitutional due process sustaining treating made. Cole Arkansas, 333 196, 68 514, 644 (1948).* 5 motion proceed forma pauperis petition certiorari are granted, judgment reversed, case remanded further inconsistent opinion. 6 It so ordered. 7 Mr. Justice POWELL, concurring. 8 I concur per curiam write briefly only make clear my understanding limited scope holding. Whether courtroom justified exercise depended facts. Under circumstances here, imposition sanction against law. 9 phrase shit' characterization person whom believed assaulted him. As noted anyone officially connected court. But controlling fact, view, one emphasized, received prior warning caution respect etiquette. may well be, view contemporary standards vulgar even profane language, particular had reason believe would offensive way disruptive proper decorum. Language likely offend sensibility some listeners fairly commonplace many social gatherings public performances. 10 place high premium importance maintaining civility good courtroom. before resort summary remedy contempt, least owes party concerned sort notice warning. No doubt outburst egregious justify response without specific warning, surely such case. 11 REHNQUIST, THE CHIEF JUSTICE BLACKMUN join, dissenting. 12 summarily reverses grounds itself additional properly considered either conviction. disagree each these grounds. 13 * Even appears shy away flat rule, analogous hoary doctrine law torts every dog entitled bite, effect witness free contumacious impermissible remark. Court, quoting (1965), says "(i)t duties." do have simply know whether shown 'talked loudly' 'acted boisterously' course rather unusual colloquy Respondent brief opposition certainly makes concession favor. If, neither position furnish judicially cognizable account hiatus filled amounts more than speculation favor position: 'If result adjudicatory set naught, asking too much burden showing essential unfairness sustained who claims injustice seeks aside, matter demonstrable reality.' Adams United States ex rel. McCann, 317 269, 281, 63 236, 242, 87 268 (1942). 15 See Stroble California, 343 181, 198, 72 599, 607, 96 872 (1952). II 16 Having assumed 'single expletive' uttered goes hold Appeals' reliance remarks amounted 'treating made,' (1948). While show occurred between ordinance. During asked assistant city prosecutor, following exchange (emphasis supplied): 17 'Q. What you do? 18 'A. sensed something behind me turned maybe enough look over shoulder. At time looked shoulder guy's face shoulders coming me; almost simultaneously hit knocked back bench down. Luckily, somebody grabbed pulled back, got up off after being down wrenched elbow, vertical posture where kind defensibility moved square footing. 19 What's defensibility? 20 think were able get your feet stand half ready chicken shit jumped behind. 21 'THE COURT: Eaton, will until tomorrow morning why Court. I'm going put 22 WITNESS: That's fine. don't feel though need this. 23 hear just said? 24 Yes, sir. 25 That talk responsive type whatsoever profanity you're unless can morning, cause be. 26 Fine. anything now, speculate someone jump within realm prosecution— 27 recess.' 28 On November 6, 1972, returned judge's direction, found Petitioner fined $50 plus costs. appealed Oklahoma. His principal judge, based First Fourteenth Amendment rights. 29 language: 'Counsel submits se. We comment question. After studying entire portion above reproduced, note manifests entirely responses court's observations trial. Champion State, Okl.Cr., 456 P.2d 571 (1969), warrant citation Coupling 31 Yet determination 'rested only.' reads relies fact Sentence refers specifically 'offense' information. 32 reading seems restrictive; 'did commit Judge Thomas S. Crewson, to-wit: 'chicken-shit,' City am prepared say conduct began ended absence proceedings, assumes, remarks. 33 apparently felt finding contempt.1 Presumably aware said. Sentence' heavily relied reference '(said) preprinted standardized form thing sentencing name defendant, date judgment, imposed, ordinance violating. 34 (1948), very different instant one. petitioners charging them secution state statute making promote unlawful assemblage labor dispute. instructed jury section, appeal Supreme contended section violated Constitution. Without passing question, State petitioners' convictions showed same statute, proscribed distinct force violence engaging lawful vocation. noting had, request former "offense case" "promoting, encouraging aiding concert action among defendants here." Id., 199, S.Ct., 516. 35 Here basis conclude degree certainty rests Both Street New York, 394 576, 89 1354, 572 Williams North Carolina, 287, 207, 279 (1942), cases all relevant lower proceedings incorporated ambiguity present despite fact.2 Here, arising out full record; instead total resulted reverses. majority refuse reverse if it, indicated hearing beginning ending Whatever their own facts, available extend reach case, has failed preserve transpired below. 36 year reviews thousands courts, which, like one, characterized less perfect records. Reversal judgments conviction, especially fashion, argument, reserved palpably error. (1942); Since reversal highly speculative essentially factual matters offers respondent, dissent. Assuming, arguendo, (1) sufficiently both allegedly responses,' (2) latter offense, still required, fails 'negate possibility,' 588, 1363, part '(W) hen single-count charges commission crime virtue having done protected act unprotected, verdict ensues elucidation, unacceptable danger trier regarded two acts 'interwined' together.' Ibid. Cf. Stromberg 283 359, 51 532, 75 1117 (1931); Collins, 323 516, 65 315, 430 (1945); Bachellar Maryland, 397 564, 90 1312, 570 (1970). And principle limited, nor been speech. 291—292, 209—210, dispel possibility partially plainly supports opposite conclusion. indication unsophisticated perhaps illiterate unaware inappropriate To contrary, statements courtroom, example, 'I prosecution,' indicate victim lack awareness demands situation. addition, herein punished inapposite, they dealt situations elements evidence.

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