Source: https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/396/371
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 00:12:52+00:00

Document:
Melville B. Nimmer and Laurence R. Sperber, for appellant.
Thomas C. Lynch, Atty. Gen. of California, William E. James, Asst. Atty. Gen., and Evelle J. Younger, for appellee.
Mr. Justice HARLAN, with whom Mr. Justice BRENNAN joins, concurring.
While I am of the view this appeal should be dismissed, I deem it appropriate to explain the basis for my conclusion since the issue tendered by appellantwhether symbolic expression by displaying a 'mutilated' American flag is protected from punishment by the Fourteenth Amendmentis one that I cannot regard as insubstantial. See Street v. New York, 394 U.S. 576, 594, 89 S.Ct. 1354, 22 L.Ed.2d 572 (1969).
While appellant contends that his conduct conveyed a symbolic message, the stipulated statement of facts on which this case comes to us suggests that the issue was not, in the first instance, determined as a factual matter by the trial court. Further, there is no indication that appellant either presented evidence on this question at trial or urged any standard at trial for determining that issue. I would therefore dismiss this appeal based on the inadequacy of the record for deciding the question presented. Rescue Army v. Municipal Court, 331 U.S. 549, 67 S.Ct. 1409, 91 L.Ed. 1666; DeBacker v. Brainerd, 90 S.Ct. 163.
Chief Justice Warren, writing for the majority in United States v. O'Brien, 391 U.S. 367, 376, 88 S.Ct. 1673, 20 L.Ed.2d 672 (1968), said: 'We cannot accept the view that an apparently limitness variety of conduct can be labeled 'speech' whenever the person engaging in the conduct intends thereby to express an idea.' The Court went on, however, to take judicial notice of the symbolic significance of draft-card burning which had become a recognized way of protesting the draft and American involvement in Vietnam.
Joseph SMITH, Sheriff of Worcester County, Appellant, v. Valarie GOGUEN.
Wayne MINNICK et al., Petitioners, v. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS et al.

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