Document: 378 U.S. 184 84 S.Ct. 1676 12 L.Ed.2d 793 Nico JACOBELLIS, Appellant,v.STATE OF OHIO. No. 11. Reargued April 1, 1964. Decided June 22, [Syllabus from pages 184-185 intentionally omitted] Ephraim London, New York City, for appellant. John T. Corrigan, Cleveland, Ohio, appellee. Mr. Justice BRENNAN announced the judgment of Court and delivered an opinion in which GOLDBERG joins. Appellant, Jacobellis, manager a motion picture theater Cleveland Heights, was convicted on two counts possessing exhibiting obscene film violation Ohio Revised Code (1963 Supp.), § 2905.34.1 He fined $500 first count $2,000 second, sentenced to workhouse if fines were not paid. His conviction, by court three judges upon waiver trial jury, affirmed intermediate appellate court, 115 App. 226, 175 N.E.2d 123, Supreme 173 St. 179 777. We noted probable jurisdiction appeal, 371 808, 83 28, 9 52, subsequently restored case calendar reargument, 373 901, 1288, 10 197. The dispositive question is whether state courts properly found that involved, French called 'Les Amants' ('The Lovers'), hence entitled protection free expression guaranteed First Fourteenth Amendments. conclude must accordingly be reversed. Motion pictures are within ambit constitutional guarantees freedom speech press. Joseph Burstyn, Inc. v. Wilson, 343 495, 72 777, 96 L.Ed. 1098. But Both United States Alberts California, 354 476, 77 1304, 1 1498, we held obscenity subject those guarantees. Application law suppress thus requires ascertainment 'dim uncertain line' often separates constitutionally protected expression. Bantam Books, Sullivan, 372 58, 66, 631, 637, 584; see Speiser Randall, 357 513, 525, 78 1332, 1341, 1342, 2 1460.2 It has been suggested this task our need involve itself. told determination particular picture, book, or other work can treated as purely factual jury's verdict all but conclusive, any event decision left essentially lower federal courts, with exercising only limited review such needed determine ruling below supported 'sufficient evidence.' suggestion appealing, since it would lift shoulders difficult, recurring, unpleasant task. cannot accept it. Such abnegation judicial supervision field inconsistent duty uphold Since 'obscenity' excluded protection, necessarily implicates issue law. See Roth States, supra, U.S., at 497—498, S.Ct., 1315—1316 (separate opinion). issue, think, ultimately decided Court. Our admits no 'substitute facing up tough individual problems involved every case.' Id., 498, 1316, Manual Enterprises, Day, 370 478, 488, 82 1432, 1437, 8 639 (opinion Harlan, J.).3 In areas involving rights under Due Process Clause, consistently recognized its apply applicable rules basis independent facts each case. E.g., Watts Indiana, 338 49, 51, 69 1347, 1348, 93 1801; Norris Alabama, 294 587, 590, 55 579, 580, 79 1074.4 And particularly true where have asserted Amendment Thus Pennekamp Florida, 328 331, 335, 66 1029, 1031, 90 1295, stated: 'The Constitution imposed final authority meaning application whose words instrument require interpretation resolve issues. With responsibility, compelled examine ourselves statements circumstances they made * character principles Amendment, adopted Clause protect.'5 understand why Court's should different present case, Jacobellis subjected criminal conviction disseminating challenging deprivation Nor performance function sort denigrated epithets 'censor' 'super-censor.' judging alleged more 'censoring' than cases 'censored' criticism public officials, advocacy governmental overthrow, constitute breach peace. Use opprobrious label neither obscure nor impugn obligation test challenged judgments against Amendments and, doing so, delineate scope speech. Hence reaffirm principle that, others derived expression, canno avoid making material protected.6 proper standard much discussion controversy seven years ago. Recognizing enunciated there—'whether average person, applying contemporary community standards, dominant theme taken whole appeals prurient interest,' 489, 1311—is perfect, think substitute raise equally difficult problems, therefore adhere standard. reiterate, however, recognition because 'utterly without redeeming social importance,' '(t)he portrayal sex, e.g., art, literature scientific works, itself sufficient reason deny press.' 484, 487, 1310. follows dealing sex manner advocates ideas, Kingsley Int'l Pictures Corp. Regents, 360 684, 1362, 3 1512, literary artistic value form importance, may branded denied protection.7 status turn 'weighing' importance proscribed unless 'utterly' importance. Zeitlin Arnebergh, 59 Cal.2d 920, 31 Cal.Rptr. 800, 813, 383 P.2d 152, 165 (1963). also instance finding 'goes substantially beyond customary limits candor description representation matters.' This requirement Model Penal approved Roth, n. 20, 1310 explicitly reaffirmed recent Proposed Official Draft Code.8 absence deviation society's standards decency, do how official inquiry into allegedly appeal squared 482—488, 1434—1438 J.). 'contemporary standards' aspect implies local arises. incorrect reading Roth. concept expressed Judge Learned Hand Kennerley, 209 F. 119, 121 (D.C.S.D.N.Y.1913), he said: 'Yet, time yet when men innocent honestly germane pure subject, however little mince words, still I scarcely forbid might corrupt most corruptible, society prepared own limitations perhaps necessary weakest memberships. If there abstract definition, suggested, word 'obscene' allowed indicate critical point compromise between shame arrived here now? To put thought leash conscience tolerable, fetter necessities lowest least capable seems fatal policy. 'Nor objection, gives statute varying time. these embalm precise morals age place; while presuppose some things will always shocking taste, vague subject-matter gradual development general notions about what decent. *' (Italics added.) 4 clear passage referring 'communities,' rather 'the community' sense 'society large; public, people general.'9 Thus, his 'a time'—not county county, town town. 5 'local' definition 'community' could employed delineating area Federal Constitution. MR. JUSTICE HARLAN pointed out based intolerable consequence denying sections country access material, deemed acceptable, considered offensive prevailing decency. Cf. Butler Michigan, 352 380, 524, 412.' Enterprises dealt banning mails. mails means works cross local-community lines country. hardly assumed patrons library, bookstand, residents smallest drawn around establishment. Furthermore, sustain suppression book one locality deter dissemination localities obscene, sellers exhibitors reluctant risk testing variation places. hardy person who sell exhibit anywhere land after had sustained holding outside protection. result 'to restrict public's forms printed State directly.' Smith 361 147, 154, 80 215, 219, 205. 6 communities throughout fact diverse, confronted reconciling individuals. Communities vary, many respects their toleration obscenity, variances never justify regularly compelled, reviewing convictions reconcile conflicting brought prosecution defendant. admittedly delicate, inherent determining worked strunk discharging areas, so here. refused tolerate whereby Nation vary lines,' even less justification allowing lines. position effect determined national standard.10 is, all, expounding. 7 recognize legitimate indeed exigent interest preventing harmful children. does total 'reduce adult population fit children.' 383, 526. authorities well consider objectives better served laws aimed specifically distribution objectionable children, totally prohibiting dissemination.11 exhibition large reviewed strict applied question. Lovers' involves woman bored her life marriage abandons husband family young archaeologist whom she suddenly fallen love. There explicit love scene last reel film, State's objections almost entirely scene. favorably number publications, although disparaged others, rated critics stature among best films year produced. shown approximately 100 larger cities including Columbus Toledo, Ohio. viewed light record Reversed. WHITE concurs judgment. 11 Opinion BLACK, wi h DOUGLAS concur reversal My belief, stated International 690, 1366, 'If despite embark dangerous road censorship, inappropriate Board Censors found.' reversing appellant anyone else abridges press safeguarded obligatory Fourteenth. my concurring opinions Quantity Copies Books Kansas, 377 213, 1723; 361, 155, 219—220, 205; supra. dissenting 508, 1321, Superior Films, Department Education, 346 588, 74 286, 98 329, both joined. 13 STEWART, concurring. 14 possible read variety ways. saying this, imply Court, faced trying define indefinable. reached conclusion, confirmed negative implication decisions Alberts,1 hard-core pornography.2 shall today attempt further kinds embraced shorthand description; succeed intelligibly so. know it, that. 15 GOLDBERG, 16 presented permit imposition punishment Lovers.' wish merely add Brother BRENNAN'S fragmentary fleeting censor's alert make audience conscious something 'questionable' being portrayed. Except rapid sequence, concerns history ill-matched unhappy marriage—a familiar old new novels current television soap operas. 17 Although fully agree written, am view adherence 1098, reversal. Burstyn CLARK, delivering unanimous 18 '(E)xpression included guaranty 19 'To hold liberty Amendments, end problem. follow absolute kind times governing method Each tends peculiar problems. basic press, like Amendment's command, vary. Those principles, frequently rule.' 502—503, 781. 20 As '(t)here exception rule,' id., 503, 781, arguable criminally prosecuted exaggerated advertising criterion. 21 THE CHIEF JUSTICE, CLARK joins, dissenting. 22 law, coming us ever-increasing numbers, resolution individuals whole. Specifically, right maintain decent hand, express themselves freely accordance Government virtually proscribing Union formed, recently Amendment,1 legislatures able evolve truly satisfactory obscenity. terms 'negligence,' common use centuries, except manner. Yet reasonable degree efficiency. problem, aggravated broad range vital protected. 23 Recently hand defining term 1498. generated legal speculation courts. relied legislatures. continue come becomes increasingly apparent settle constitutes permissible enforcing proscriptions matter. hears instant rule specific establish guidance given failed furnish guidance. case—which now twice argued before us—shed greater Therefore, , i appropriate views 24 For sound fury generated, proved unsound, believe try live it—at until evolved. No government—be federal, state, local—should forced choose repressing realm unrestrained license publish matter vile. attempted provide rule. 25 belief said defined reference 'community standards,' meant standards—not standard, sometimes argued. provable 'national standard' none. At events, enunciate one, unreasonable expect divine one. approach another, probability, true. remembered diverse 26 'hard core pornography' Amendment. clarity 'obscenity'? retreat position, soon just 'obscenity.' Meanwhile, profit commercial exploitation ply trade unmolested. 27 opinion, various materials put—not themselves—must obscene. A technical treatise pornography inoffensive but, same time, extreme sold displayed children.2 28 Finally, ways—for instance, confiscation disseminate it—provided proscription, whatever be, standards. proceeding criminal, jury trial, counsel, safeguards assure due process civil nature, requirements observed. tendency enforcement agencies easy do—for seize destroy books minimum result, procedurally bad them, appear acquiescing conducted concern safeguards, hesitate enforce realize royal enforcement; hard conscientious required. 29 foregoing, reiterate acceptance case: Material regulation proscription interest.' 1311. commit pursuant rule, limiting myself consideration evidence made. made, obviously Thompson City Louisville, 362 199, 624, 654. mere modicum satisfy 'no evidence' unwilling give important However, moral fiber effective administration justice ultimate censor, entire record, viewing accused de novo once test, review—requiring 'substantial (including material) whole.' Universal Camera Labor Board, 340 474, 71 456, 95 456. way obviate necessity sitting Super Censor purveyed Nation. 30 While subscribe extravagant contentions, say acted intemperance moving test. affirm HARLAN, 32 agreeing responsibilities attend adjudication kindred questions, heretofore permitted latitude bannable score Government. 496, 1315, 1498; cf. 639. While, correctly accepted view, nonetheless feel developing 33 convinced become permitting wide, federally unrestricted, field, tight rein, lies promise achieving sensible accommodation sought (cf. 76, 77, 642, 643, 584) genuine 34 experience ease members attempting verbalize generally respective tests, truth analysis depends happens strike minds jurors majority tests pricked case-by-case basis, departure amplified rationality. prohibit them which, whole, reasonably proceedings treat fundamentally manner, rationally established criteria material. 35 On having question, condemning 'Selling, exhibiting, drugs purposes. 'No knowingly sell, lend, away, exhibit, offer o possession control lewd, lascivious magazine, pamphlet, paper, writing, advertisement, circular, print, photograph, magazine wholly containing lewd articles, advertisements, photographs, drawing, representation, figure, image, cast, instrument, article indecent immoral drug, medicine, article, thing intended prevention conception causing abortion, advertise sale, write, cause written card, notice giving information when, where, how, whom, articles purchased obtained, manufacture, draw, things, show minor, newspaper, story paper devoted publication, principally up, news, police reports, accounts deeds, stories lust, crime, street highway place books, papers, magazines, pictures. 'Whoever violates section hundred thousand dollars imprisoned years, both.' too late day argue location line different, ascertaining easier, involved. rejected Roth-Alberts, single conviction. Ker 374 23, 33, 1623, 1629, 1630, 726; Malloy Hogan, 10—11, 1489, 1494—1495. 708, 1375, 1512 opinion): 'It shun considering particularities lest 'board censorship.' somehow stands apart fields, presenting questions process. Lockhart McClure, Censorship Obscenity: Developing Constitutional Standards, 45 Minn.L.Rev. 5, 116 (1960): 'This obligation—to reach issues cast 'in determinations fact'—appears findings juries, administrative agencies. obligation, raised.' 119: 'possess special expertise' qualifying supervise priva e Nation' decide 'what movies good communities.' far keener understanding government administrators jurors, considerable type required preserved, censorship experts juries restraining Their effective, review, group qualified Court.' Fiske 274 385—386, 47 655, 656—657, 1108; Haynes Washington, 515—516, 1336, 1344—1345, 513; Chambers 309 227, 229, 60 472, 473—474, 716; Hooven & Allison Co. Evatt, 324 652, 659, 65 870, 874, 89 1252; Lisenba 314 237—238, 62 280, 290—291, 86 166; Ashcraft Tennessee, 322 143, 147—148, 64 921, 923, 88 1192; Napue Illinois, 264, 271, 1173, 1178, 1217. Niemotko Maryland, 268, 325, 327, 267; Craig Harney, 331 367, 373—374, 67 1249, 1253—1254, 91 1546; Bridges 252, 190, 197—198, 192; Edwards South Carolina, 235, 680, 683, 697; Times 376 254, 285, 710, 728—729, 686. precisely did Film Chicago, 355 35, 115, 72; One, Olesen, 371, 364, 352; Sunshine Book Summerfield, 372, 365, 352. well. See, Hudson County News Co., 41 N.J. 247, 256 257, 196 A.2d 225, 230 (1963); 909—911, 805—806, 157—158 People Richmond News, Inc., N.Y.2d 578, 580 581, 216 N.Y.S.2d 369, 370, 681, 681—682 (1961). American Law Institute, Code, (May 4, 1962), 251.4(4). relaxed reliance review. Even agency determinations, 'constitutional fact' Ng Fung Ho White, 259 276, 284—285, 42 492, 938; Crowell Benson, 285 54—65, 52 293—298, 76 598. Attorney General Named 'Tropic Cancer,' 345 Mass. 11, (Mass.1962); 152 251.4(1): 'Material if, predominant addition goes describing representing Webster's Dictionary (2d ed. 1949), 542. 266, 235 note 3, Minn.L.Rev., 108—112; Tentative 6, 1957), 45; 251.4(4)(d). Settle, R.I. 195, 156 921 (1959). 72, Cir., 244 F.2d 432; Incorporated 352, 241 772; 101 U.S.App.D.C. 358, 249 114; 369. example, advertisements published induce film's theme: 'When conventions explode daring ever filmed!' 'As close authentic amour screen.' frankest scenes seen film.' 'Contains longest sensuous county.'

Category: 2