Document: 391 U.S. 596 88 S.Ct. 1713 20 L.Ed.2d 838 Harvey JOHNSONv.FLORIDA. No. 1393, Misc. June 3, 1968. Earl Faircloth, Atty. Gen. of Florida, and Harold Mendelow, Asst. Gen., for appellee. PER CURIAM. 1 Appellant was charged with violating a Florida vagrancy statute, Fla.Stat. § 856.02, F.S.A., which makes it misdemeanor to be found 'wandering or strolling around from place without any lawful purpose object.' 2 Officer Havens testified that he Carani were patrolling the Bird Road area Dade County at about 4:25 a.m. when they saw appellant seated on bench bus stop. The officers stopped asked him why there. He replied waiting bus. told last had run 11 p.m. buses did not resume service until 7 then where been. said been theatre (which two miles away) afterwards gone house his girl friend, Joyce, who lived near theatre. 3 On Havens' request, supplied identification showed age 18 in county. 4 if ever trouble law. probation breaking entering charge 10 curfew. account whereabouts 4:30 explained got out movie 10:30 10:45, went Joyce's house, after leaving her place, reaching stop waited some three hours discuss means manner by house; record does supply information. apparently phoned cab how much money person. 70¢ 80¢. this enough cabfare get appellant's residence. It arrested. 5 arrested is mixed residential-business several stores, including store, open 24 day, directly across sat bench. That store well lighted. Where added there stand nearby (some 1,200 feet but no cabs seen time interrogated. 6 Appellant, waived trial jury, moved directed verdict, arguing proof wandered, absence would soon have come motion denied, defense presented evidence, convicted, placed year. Supreme Court affirmed. case here appeal.* 8 prosecution emphasized failed 'lawful purpose' during hours. burden, however, State prove an accused has committed act bringing within criminal statute. essential ingredients crime fact curfew long hour may held establish ingredient But wandering, strolling, only sitting. made sitting using precise placed. And We therefore conclude so far as strolling' concerned, lacking evidence support judgment. In line Thompson v. City Louisville, 362 199, 80 624, 654, other constitutional questions are tendered, we must grant leave proceed forma pauperis reverse judgment below. 9 Reversed. Mr. Justice BLACK STEWART dismiss appeal. WHITE, whom HARLAN joins, dissenting. 12 Florida's courts obviously interpreted their statute permit showing defendant park 'without object' prima facie around' purpose. Most inhabitants benches reach wandering strolling. So interpreting constitutionally sufficient amounts presented. 13 claim here, offends Constitution because vague. substantial, I note probable jurisdiction set oral argument. * appeal taken entered October 4, 1967. Appellant's notice appeal, filed December 30, 1967, timely under Rule 11(1) Rules Court. docketed 56 days provided 13(1) expired. This defect, jurisdictional. Pittsburgh Towing Co. Mississippi Valley Barge Line Co., 385 32, 87 195, 17 31.

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