Opinion ID: 377991
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Federal Jurisdiction and Review.

Text: 12 Appellants in the Dade Voters case raise several contentions questioning federal jurisdiction and review. Appellants first contend that the district court lacked jurisdiction because no case or controversy existed between the parties. The Supreme Court summarized the test to determine whether a case or controversy exists with regard to first amendment rights in Babbitt v. United Farm Workers National Union, 442 U.S. 289, 99 S.Ct. 2301, 2309, 60 L.Ed.2d 895 (1979): 13 When the plaintiff has alleged an intention to engage in a course of conduct, arguably affected with a constitutional interest, but proscribed by a statute, and there exists a credible threat of prosecution thereunder, he should not be required to await and undergo a criminal prosecution as the sole means of seeking relief. Doe v. Bolton, 410 U.S. 179, 188, 93 S.Ct. 739, 745, 35 L.Ed.2d 201 (1973). 14 In Babbitt the Supreme Court allowed a union to challenge the constitutionality of a state statute regulating election procedures, consumer publicity, and criminal sanctions, even though no elections or prosecutions had yet occurred. The Court said that 15 . . . when fear of criminal prosecution under an allegedly unconstitutional statute is not imaginary or wholly speculative a plaintiff need not first expose himself to actual arrest or prosecution to be entitled to challenge (the) statute. Steffel v. Thompson, 415 U.S. 452 at 459, 94 S.Ct. 1209 at 1216, 39 L.Ed.2d 505. . . . Moreover, the State has not disavowed any intention of invoking the criminal penalty provision against unions that commit unfair labor practices. Appellees are thus not without some reason in fearing prosecution . . . 16 99 S.Ct. at 2310-11. The Dade Voters committee wanted to receive larger contributions than the statute allowed. The committee had already received a few contributions larger than the statutory maximum, and other potential donors, including the co-plaintiff in this case, indicated that they would make larger contributions if the law allowed them to do so. The defendants have the statutory duty to enforce the election code. Fla.Stat.Ann. § 106.22-106.27 (West Supp.1980). They have not disavowed any intention to enforce the statute. On the contrary, counsel for the defendants said that the state would be compelled to begin proceedings against the plaintiffs if the statute is upheld. Record, Vol. III, at 41-42. These facts show that the plaintiffs' fear of prosecution is not imaginary or wholly speculative, and that a sufficient case or controversy exists to establish federal jurisdiction under Babbitt, and under Fifth Circuit cases such as International Society for Krishna Consciousness v. Eaves, 601 F.2d 809, 817-19 (5th Cir. 1979) and Septum, Inc. v. Keller, 614 F.2d 456, 459 (5th Cir. 1980). This conclusion is not contrary to the Second Circuit opinion in St. Martin's Press, Inc. v. Carey, 605 F.2d 41 (2d Cir. 1979). In St. Martin's Press the court held that no case or controversy existed when a publisher brought a first amendment challenge to enjoin state prosecutors from enforcing a child pornography statute against a book that was outside the scope of the statute, and against which the prosecutors declared they would not enforce the statute. 605 F.2d at 44-45. In contrast to St. Martin's Press, plaintiffs in this case desire to engage in conduct that is in clear violation of a statute which the state has indicated it will enforce against them. 17 Appellants also contend that the district court should have abstained from hearing this case under principles announced in Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 91 S.Ct. 746, 27 L.Ed.2d 669 (1971). Younger abstention principles are inapplicable to this case, however, because no state prosecution was pending when the plaintiffs filed suit. Steffel v. Thompson, 415 U.S. 452, 475, 94 S.Ct. 1209, 1223, 39 L.Ed.2d 505 (1974). 18 Appellants finally contend that the district court should not have issued injunctive relief. A federal court may enjoin state officials from enforcing an unconstitutional statute. Ex parte Young, 209 U.S. 123, 165-68, 28 S.Ct. 441, 456-457, 52 L.Ed. 714 (1908). An injunction is proper in this case because no legal remedy could correct the irreparable injury to plaintiffs' first amendment rights, important for an election only weeks away. See Elrod v. Burns, 427 U.S. 347, 373-74 & n. 29, 96 S.Ct. 2673, 2689-2690, 49 L.Ed.2d 547 (1976) (loss of first amendment rights unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury). 19