Document: 472 U.S. 491 105 S.Ct. 2794 86 L.Ed.2d 394 Donald C. BROCKETT, Appellant,v.SPOKANE ARCADES, INC., et al. Kenneth EIKENBERRY, Attorney General of Washington, al., Appellants, v. J-R DISTRIBUTORS, Nos. 84-28, 84-143. Argued Feb. 20, 1985. Decided June 19, Syllabus A Washington statute declares to be a "moral nuisance" any place "where lewd films are publicly exhibited as regular course business" or "in which publications constitute principal part the stock in trade." The provides that "lewd matter" is synonymous with "obscene and defines these terms mean, inter alia, matter average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find, when considered whole, "appeals prurient interest." "Prurient" defined mean "that incites lasciviousness lust." Appellees—various individuals corporations who purvey sexually oriented books movies—challenged on First Amendment grounds Federal District Court, seeking injunctive declaratory relief. Court rejected appellees' constitutional challenges. Appeals reversed, invalidating its entirety face ground definition "prurient" including "lust" was unconstitutionally overbroad it reached constitutionally protected material merely stimulated normal sexual responses. Held: erred facially entirety. Pp. 496-507. (a) These cases governed by rule partial, rather than facial, invalidation required course. Unless there countervailing considerations, should have been invalidated only insofar word understood reaching materials. 501-504. (b) Since prurience may for purposes identifying obscenity appeals shameful morbid interest sex, Roth United States, 354 476, 77 1304, 1 1498, if were taken include pass muster validly reach whole range obscene publications. Moreover, thought refers appetites, could excised from statute, since also "lasciviousness." 504-505. (c) Even had not at all, no satisfactory striking down itself contains severability clause, evident proscribes materials appeal remainder retain effectiveness regulation obscenity. In circumstances, issue obstacle partial invalidation. 506-507. 725 F.2d 482, reversed remanded. Christine O. Gregoire, Olympia, Wash., appellants. John H. Weston, Beverly Hills, Cal., appellees. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. question whether Ninth Circuit aimed preventing punishing publication 2 * On April 1, 1982, state moral nuisance law became effective. Wash.Rev.Code §§ 7.48A.010-7.48A.900 (1983).1 It sets forth comprehensive scheme establishing criminal civil penalties those deal prostitution. business 7.48A.020(1), (3). Subsection (2) "Definitions" section matter," matter: 3 "(a) Which interest; 4 "(b) explicitly depicts describes patently offensive representations descriptions of: 5 "(i) Ultimate acts, perverted, actual simulated; 6 "(ii) Masturbation, fellatio, cunnilingus, bestiality, excretory functions, exhibition genitals genital area; "(iii) Violent destructive but limited human animal mutilation, dismemberment, rape torture; 7 "(c) Which, context used, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, scientific value." § 7.48A.010(2). 8 "prurient," used subsection (2)(a), (8) 7.48A.010(8). 9 5, four days after effective date appellees—various movies adult public2 challenged constitutionality One their assertions statute's . lust" because aroused normal, healthy sex therefore declared invalid face.3 Appellees alleged they sold Amendment, authorities enforce new legislation against them unless restrained App. 33. 13, Eastern issued preliminary injunction enforcement statute. Id., 35. 10 After trial, all challenges validity 544 F. Supp. 1034 (1982).4 divided panel reversed. 482 (1984). first held facial challenge allegedly appropriate despite fact yet authoritatively interpreted enforced. This necessary rights stake lest very existence chilling effect expression. acknowledged "substantial overbreadth," Broadrick Oklahoma, 413 601, 93 2908, 37 830 (1973), concluded requirement applies regulates conduct, opposed "pure speech." F.2d, 487. Nor did court find this an case abstention. See Railroad Comm'n Pullman Co., 312 496, 61 643, 85 L.Ed. 971 (1941). 11 Reaching merits, legislature intended responses, protected. Because view lend saving construction application depend determination reference "unconstitutionally overbroad" definition, null void.5 12 defendant county officials separately appealed We noted probable jurisdiction both cases, 469 813, 76, 83 25 (1984).6 II 13 neither 1498 (1957), nor later read within appetites. protection extend speech, identified inquiring "whether dominant theme 489, S.Ct., 1311 (footnote omitted). Earlier opinion, id., 487, n. 1310, "material deals manner appealing interest" as: 14 "I.e., having tendency excite lustful thoughts. Webster's New International Dictionary (Unabridged, 2d ed., 1949) prurient, pertinent part, follows: 15 " '. Itching; longing; uneasy desire persons, itching, morbid, lascivious longings; desire, curiosity, propensity, lewd. .' 16 "Pruriency defined, 17 Quality being prurient; thought. 18 "See Mutual Film Corp. Industrial Comm'n, 236 230, 242 [35 387, 390, 59 552 (1915) ] where said motion pictures: They take attraction general interest, eager wholesome be, subjects, excited to. (Emphasis added.) "We perceive significant difference between meaning developed A.L.I., Model Penal Code, 207.10(2) (Tent.Draft No. 6, 1957), viz.: 19 thing if, predominant i.e., nudity, excretion, goes substantially beyond customary limits candor description representation such matters. Comment, 10, discussion page 29 seq." 20 Under Roth, equated entitled protection. Nine years later, however, decision Memoirs Massachusetts, 383 413, 975, (1966), established much more demanding three-part obscenity, turn modified Miller California, 15, 2607, 419 (1973).7 guidelines are: 21 'the standards' work, Kois Wisconsin, [408 229] 230 [92 2245, 2246, 33 (1972) ], quoting supra, [354 U.S.] 489 [77 1311]; work describes, way, conduct specifically applicable law; 24, 2615. 22 thus retained, Memoirs, formulation test, without elaborating disagreeing "prurient contained opinion. 23 aware indicated footnote thoughts" believe characterize provoked desires. do differ view. As already noted, announced Roth; we quite sure using words "lustful referring responses over characterized normal. At end footnote, observed, referred Code obscenity—material whose predominate "a excretion" perceived law. effectively negated inference earlier included responses.8 require possible ambiguity lead us exclude speech morbid. 24 Appellants urge lust, cannot faulted defining "incites Whatever meant thoughts"—and State agrees intend reactions—that attributed term appearing basis, submits unconstitutional manner. view, holding acquired far broader decided 1957. come "healthy, wholesome, reaction common millions well-adjusted persons our society," desire. 490. Construed statutory Amendment: that, does arouse, "good, old fashioned, healthy" sex. 492. held, face. 26 fault construing Normally, however defer given lower federal courts. Chardon Fumero Soto, 462 650, 654-655, 103 2611, 2615, 74 (1983); Haring Prosise, 306, 314, 8, 2368, 2373, 76 595 Pierson Ray, 386 547, 558, 12, 87 1213, 1219, 288 (1967); Box Co. 351 159, 165, 728, 732, 100 1055 (1956). so "render unnecessary review decisions respect," Cort Ash, 422 66, 73, 95 2080, 2085, 45 (1975), reflect belief district courts better schooled able interpret laws respective States. Bishop Wood, 426 341, 345-346, 96 2074, 2077-2078, 48 684 (1976); Gooding Wilson, 405 518, 524, 2, 92 1103, 1107, 31 408 (1972). ironclad, surely authority statute.9 other things equal, deferring Appeals.10 But pretermit issue, fell into another error III 27 insist finding invalidity even accepting court's "lust." To under Miller, must, must contain depictions specified value. submit latter two guidelines, faithfully follows, will completely cure overbreadth inhere construed Appeals. confident always case. arouses isolated example second guideline fails redeeming value third. existing law, kind protection.11 28 Facial nevertheless improvident. call mind cardinal rules governing courts: '[o]ne, never anticipate advance necessity deciding it; formulate precise facts applied.' States Raines, 362 17, 21, 80 519, 522, 524 (1960), Liverpool, York & Philadelphia S.S. Commissioners Emigration, 113 33, 39, 352, 355, 899 (1885). Citing long line Raines "[k]indred one whom heard attack impliedly might situations unconstitutional." guideposts bottom "elementary principle same unconstitutional, parts wholly independent each other, stand while rejected." Allen Louisiana, 80, 83-84, Otto 318 (1881), quoted approval Field Clark, 143 649, 695-696, 495 505-506, 36 294 (1892). Absent "weighty countervailing" 22, 523, has adhered Reagan Farmers' Loan Trust 154 362, 395-396, 1047, 1053-1054, 38 1014 (1894); Champlin Refining Corporation 286 210, 234-235, 52 559, 564-565, 1062 (1932); Watson Buck, 313 395-396 (1941); Buckley Valeo, 424 108, 612, 677, 46 659 (1976). Just Term, Tennessee Garner, 471 1694, (1985), authorizing use deadly force fleeing suspects, face, authorized lethal unarmed nondangerous suspects. involvement render inapplicable further dispose before it. illustrates much. So Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 60 900, 84 1213 (1940), invalidate offense "breach peace" extent applied prevent peaceful distribution religious literature streets. Marsh Alabama, 326 501, 66 276, 90 265 (1946), struck trespass "[i]nsofar attempted impose punishment" distributing streets company town. 509, 280. NAACP Button, 371 415, 328, (1963), State's solicitation attorneys sought activities involved 419, 439, 330, 341. More recently, Grace, 461 171, 1702, 75 736 (1983), declined prohibiting demonstrations Supreme confined picketing public sidewalks surrounding building. 175, 1706. 30 For stricken relied exemplified Thornhill 88, 736, 1093 recently Village Schaumburg Citizens Better Environment, 444 620, 826, 63 73 (1980). individual own expressive prohibited sanctioned permitted threatens others engage legally expression refrain doing risk prosecution undertake partially invalid. If "substantial,"12 enforced anyone, party court, until narrowed unprotected activity, legislative action judicial (1973). otherwise parties challenging purports punish, seek publish material. There then want proper concern unduly delayed discouraged. forthwith reaches too far, left intact. 32 ones incited well unhealthy appellees, some them, desiring sort material, claimed faced punishment so. limiting feasible separate valid applications. Appeals' "lust," unconvinced incurable taint applications Secretary Maryland Joseph Munson 467 947, 104 2839, 81 786 City Council Los Angeles Taxpayers Vincent, 466 789, 796-799, nn. 12-16, 2118, 2124-2126, 772 If, equally certain here Furthermore, entirely, "lasciviousness" applications.13 34 Partial improper contrary intent sense passed inseverable Act known provision clause;14 "the provisions unseverable reasonably believed elimination act incapable accomplishing purposes." Anderson, Wash.2d 234, 236, 501 P.2d 184, 185-186 (1972).15 frivolous suggest, does, Legislature, proscribe abnormal refrained passing And retains invalidation, pursued. 35 judgment accordingly remanded proceedings consistent ordered. POWELL took cases. O'CONNOR, CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST join, concurring. 39 Only adopted here, appellees launched Although allege I abstained allowed opportunity construe instance, think disposition vacate ground. rejects merits controversy. join agree declaring 40 generally duty adjudicate questions properly recognized concerns comity federalism abstain issues entwined interpretation (1941), uncertain resolved can decided, addressed questions. 645; see Hawaii Housing Authority Midkiff, 229, 236-237, 2321, 2327-2328, 186 doctrine abstention acknowledges avoid resolution provide authoritative adjudication 41 Attention policies underlying makes clear circumstances await definitive precipitously indulging doubt important interests. Such statutes implicate quality life total environment, tone commerce great city centers, and, possibly, safety itself." Paris Adult Theatre Slaton, 49, 58, 2628, 2635, 446 nature claim advanced suggests "fairly subject modify question." Harman Forssenius, 380 528, 535, 1177, 1182, 50 (1965). 42 allows overbroad. 799-801, 2125-2127, (1984); Ferber, 458 747, 769-773, 102 3348, 3361-3363, 1113 (1982). Thus, analysis claims necessarily requires assess scope. 769, 3361 24; 618, 16, 2919, (1973) ("[A] determine what means judge constitutionality"). narrowing obviate grounds. E.g., 617-618, 2918-2919 (relying Personnel Board reject claim). Where applied, seems obvious alter Constitution. 43 opined susceptible "neither eliminate materially change presented here." 488 assertion simply implausible. conclusion below rests dubious Ante, 500-501, 10. Both text background indicate conform standards outlined demonstrated willingness accord Miller. Distributors, Inc., 82 584, 512 1049 cert. denied, 418 949, 94 3217, 1166 (1974). 44 Apart unwarranted fairly construction, asserted "almost never" apply "because guarantee free is, properly, area particular concern." 488. endorsed proposition. Babbitt Farm Workers, 442 289, 306-312, 99 2301, 2312-2316, 895 (1979). contrary, involving 'in order friction federal-state relations, interference tentative premature adjudication.' 2313, U.S., 534, 1181; Harrison NAACP, 360 167, 176-178, 79 1025, 1029-1031, 1152 (1959). represents avoidable special Speculation about absence prior particularly gratuitous when, willing address certification court. 2.60.010-2.60.900 Wash.Rule App.Proc. 16.16. Cf. Bellotti Baird, 428 132, 150-151, 2857, 2867-2868, 49 844 my afforded instance. BRENNAN, MARSHALL joins, dissenting. 47 granted certiorari consider way stimulates reasons dissent Theatres 2642, affirm An 7.48.052 seq. initiative measure 1977, impermissible restraint. Spokane Arcades, Inc. Brockett, 631 135 (CA9 1980), summarily aff'd, 454 1022, 557, 70 468 (1981). Seven suits originally filed consolidated. paraphrasing third test set infra, 497. attacks, them. renewed stayed allow stay pending Appeals, subsequently granted. 485 appeal. Having toto grounds, went conclude fine invalid, theory undoubtedly try again." 493. obviously holding, case, reconsideration remand. differences distinguish discussion. basic judged obscene, "utterly social 418, 977. settled formulation, 2614. bolstered subsequent 26, 1311, number "lustful." Parmelee 72 App.D.C. 203, 729, (1940) (material erotic introduced promote lust"); Dennett, 564, 569 (CA2 1930) (sex education pamphlet "rationalize dignify [sex] emotions arouse Book Called "Ulysses," F.Supp. 182, 184 (SDNY 1933), 705 1934) (meaning "obscene" "[t]ending stir impulses impure thoughts"); Commonwealth Isenstadt, Mass. 543, 549-550, 62 N.E.2d 840, (1945) substantial deprave corrupt readers inciting thoughts arousing desire"); Missouri Becker, 364 Mo. 1079, 1085, 272 S.W.2d 283, (1954) (materials "incite thoughts, Adams Keenan, N.J. 267, 272, A.2d 521 (1953) (BRENNAN, J.) (question "dominant note presentation allurement 'tending lecherous desire' "). stated state-law "plain" error, Palmer Hoffman, 109, 118, 477, 645 (1943); "clearly wrong," Tungus Skovgaard, 358 588, 596, 503, 508, (1959); erroneous," Durham Lumber 363 527, 1282, 1285, 1371 "unreasonable," Propper 337 472, 486-487, 69 1333, 1340-1341, 1480 (1949). occasion, then, refused follow views Cole Richardson, 676, 683-684, 1332, 1336-1337, 593 (1972), e.g., accept three-judge Court's single based dictionary language reliable indicia available. make strong argument definitions saying most recent edition Third 4th ed. 1976) "prurient." Webster cited Second Edition (excluding obsolete meanings): "sensuous desire; bodily appetite; specif. commonly, violent degrading passion." 1949). significance, 5th 1981) "1 obs. a: PLEASURE, GRATIFICATION, DELIGHT b: personal inclination: WISH, WHIM c: VIGOR, FERTILITY 2: esp. self-indulgent character: LECHERY, LASCIVIOUSNESS intense longing: CRAVING EAGERNESS, ENTHUSIASM." standard "allowed excerpt upon persons." 488-489, 1310-1311 (discussing Queen Hicklin, [1868] L.R. Q.B. 360). pure issue. 772, 3362, (1982), contrary. relation legitimate reach, warrants declaration invalidity. 964-965, 2851-2852, CSC Letter Carriers, 548, 580-581, 2880, 2897-2898, 796 According vast majority either leave undefined adopt "shameful morbid." Brief 26-27. State, Hampshire, "an lewdness thoughts." N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. 650:1(I)-(IV)(a) (Supp.1983). Mississippi apparently Miss.Code Ann. 97-29-103(1)(a) (Supp.1984) ("a lustful, erotic, shameful, excretion"). Northern partly "[t]he inclusion [in prurient] permit arguably materials." Goldstein Allain, 568 1377, 1385 (D.C.Miss.1983), trial Case 83-4452 (CA5, 1984). Some considering morbid" describing distinguishes See, Red Bluff Drive-In, Vance, 648 1020, 1026 (CA5 1981), denied sub nom. West, Holmes, 455 913, 1264, 71 453 (1982); Leach American Booksellers Assn., 582 738, 749-750 (Tenn.1979). Others, connection reading connoting shame debasement, relying Roth. MM. Motion Picture Entitled "Language Love," 432 705, 711-712 1970); Childs Oregon, 431 275 Flying Eagle Publications, 273 799, 803 (CA1 1960). leaves undefined, rather, sustained. 1026. Ward Illinois, 767, 775, 97 2090, 738 (1977) (state failure expressly describe kinds incorporate examples mentioned Miller). predecessor similarly 7.48.050 (1983). challenged. Arcades 136, 1. "obscene," whatsoever. Roth-Miller vagueness. 602-603, 1049, 1061 likelihood instant counsels Time, Hill, 385 374, 456 (1967). "If person circumstance affected." 7.48A.900 similar determining statute: 'Unless Legislature enacted power, independently not, dropped fully operative law.' 108-109, 677-678, (1976), (1932).

Category: 2