Document: 372 U.S. 58 83 S.Ct. 631 9 L.Ed.2d 584 BANTAM BOOKS, INC., et al., Appellants,v.Joseph A. SULLIVAN al. No. 118. Argued Dec. 3 and 4, 1962. Decided Feb. 18, 1963. [Syllabus from pages 58-59 intentionally omitted] Horace S. Manges, New York City, for appellants. J. Joseph Nugent, Providence, R.I., appellees. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The Rhode Island Legislature created 'Rhode Commission to Encourage Morality in Youth,' whose members Executive Secretary are appellees herein, gave inter alia '* * duty educate public concerning any book, picture, pamphlet, ballad, printed paper or other thing containing obscene, indecent impure language, manifestly tending corruption youth as defined section 13, 47, 48 49 chapter 610 general laws, amended, investigate recommend prosecution all violations said sections *.'1 appellants brought this action Superior Court (1) declare law creating violation First Fourteenth Amendments, (2) unconstitutional enjoin acts practices thereunder. declined on its face but granted an injunction against performance their duties. Supreme affirmed with respect appellants' first prayer reversed grant injunctive relief. 176 A.2d 393 (1961).2 Appellants appeal we noted probable jurisdiction, 370 933, 82 1587, 8 805.3 2 four publishers paperback books which have sometime been widely distributed Island. Max Silverstein & Sons is exclusive wholesale distributor publications throughout most State. Commission's practice has notify a official stationery that certain designated magazines by him had reviewed declared majority be objectionable sale, distribution display youths under 18 years age. received at least 35 such notices time suit was brought. Among listed 'objectionable' were one published appellant Dell Publishing Co., Inc., another Bantam Books, Inc.4 typical notice either solicited thanked Silverstein, advance, his 'cooperation' Commission, usually reminding Attorney General purveyors obscenity.5 Copies lists circulated local police departments, so informed notices. 4 Silverstein's reaction receipt take steps stop further circulation copies publications. He would not fill pending orders refuse new orders. instructed field men visit retailers pick up unsold copies, then promptly return them publishers. A officer visited shortly after learn what he taken. able inform specified number total publisher returned. According testimony, acted did 'rather than possibility some sort court ourselves, well people supply.' His given avoid becoming involved 'court proceeding' 'duly authorized organization.' 5 made fact findings following two, supported evidence rejected Island, particularly relevant: 6 '8. effect (those including two listing appellants) (sic) clearly intimidate various book magazine distributors cause them, reason intimidation threat prosecution, (a) proscribed publications, (b) cease selling hand, (c) withdraw (d) 7 '9. activities Respondents (appellees here) resulted suppression sale *.' In addition these it should conceded oral argument included several obscene within Court's definition term. argue Resolution 73, amount scheme governmental censorship devoid constitutionally required safeguards state regulation obscenity, thus abridge Amendment liberties, protected infringement States. We agree therefore reverse court's judgment remand case proceedings inconsistent opinion.6 10 held Alberts v. State California, decided Roth United States, 354 476, 485, 77 1304, 1309, 1498, 'obscenity area speech press' may regulated But principle cannot stated without important qualification: 11 (I)n itself expressly recognized complexity test obscenity fashioned vital necessity application prevent denial 'the protection freedom press material does treat sex manner appealing prurient interest.' (354 488, 1311) It follows that, Amendment, free adopt whatever procedures pleases dealing regard possible consequences speech.' Marcus Search Warrant, 367 717, 730—731, 81 1708, 1715, 1716, 1127. 12 Thus, requires States conform will ensure curtailment expression, often separated only dim uncertain line. characteristic freedoms expression they vulnerable gravely damaging yet barely visible encroachments. Our insistence regulations scrupulously embody rigorous procedural safeguards, Smith People 361 147, 80 215, 205; supra, special instance larger must ringed about adequate bulwarks. See, e.g., Thornhill Alabama, 310, 88, 60 736, 84 L.Ed. 1093; Winters York, 333 507, 68 665, 92 840; N.A.A.C.P. Button, 371 415, 328. '(T)he line between unconditionally guaranteed legitimately finely drawn. separation legitimate illegitimate calls sensitive tools Speiser Randall, 357 513, 525, 78 1332, 1342, 1460. 13 contended, salutary principles no because regulate suppress simply exhorts booksellers advises legal rights. This contention, premised want power apply formal sanctions, untenable. true seized banned State, prosecuted possession sale. though limited informal sanctions—the invoking sanctions means coercion, persuasion, intimidation—the record amply demonstrates deliberately set achieve deemed succeeded aim.7 look through forms substance recognize sufficiently inhibit warrant relief.8 14 if disclosed performed color constituted meaning Amendment. Ex parte Young, 209 123, 28 441, 52 714. Cf. Terry Adams, 345 461, 73 809, 97 1152. These directly designedly stopped many parts true, 'free' ignore notices, sense refusal 'cooperate' violated law. found fact—and finding, being record, binds us—that compliance directives voluntary. do lightly disregard officers' thinly veiled threats institute criminal come around, reaction, according uncontroverted exception rule. phrased virtually orders, reasonably understood distributor, invariably followed visitations, ex proprio vigore. naive credit State's assertion blacklists nature mere advice, when plainly serve instruments independent laws obscenity.9 Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee McGrath, 341 71 624, 95 817. 15 Herein lies vice system. operation form effective superimposed upon making largely unnecessary. obviating need employ same eliminated process. Criminal applied determination trial hedged striking contrast, provides nonobscene, protected, matter. creates hazards markedly greater those attend reliance 16 What done, fact, subject system prior administrative restraints, since judicial body decisions list particular follow determinations lawfully banned. Any restraints comes bearing heavy presumption constitutional validity. See Near Minnesota rel. Olson, 283 697, 51 625, 75 1357; Lovell City Griffin, 303 444, 451, 666, 668, 949; Schneider Jersey, 308 164, 146, 152, 155; Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 306, 900, 904, 1213; Niemotko Maryland, 340 268, 273, 325, 328, 267; Kunz 290, 293, 312, 314, 280; Staub Baxley, 355 313, 321, 277, 281, 302. tolerated where operated superintendence assured almost immediate validity restraint.10 Kingsley Inc. Brown, 436, 1325, 1469. bar includes saving features. On contrary, capacity far excess licensing invalid There provision before issue even review objectionableness. entitled hearing objectionable. Moreover, statutory mandate vague uninformative, done nothing make more precise. Publications elucidation. left speculate whether considers publication harmful juvenile morality. For domain whole youthful morals. Finally, although supposed concern readers, seeks entails complete publications; adult readers equally deprived opportunity purchase Butler Michigan, 352 380, 524, 412. 17 radically deficient. They fall short requirements obscenity. hold violates holding proscribed, mean suggest private consultation enforcement officers institution proceeding can never permissible. renounce contacts persons suspected violating valid prohibiting Where genuinely undertaken purpose aiding comply retard full enjoyment freedoms. case. officers; pretend qualified give attempt fair advice. Their conduct shows went beyond advising rights liabilities. effectuated extralegal sanctions; agency advise suppress. 19 Reversed remanded. 20 BLACK concurs result. 21 DOUGLAS, concurring. 22 While I join Court, adhere views expressed 508—514, 1321—1324, respecting very narrow scope authority grounds Yet my Brother makes clear, Island's apparent one's view status 'obscene' literature. raw; censor incompatible. If violated, authors vendors account. side Bill Rights, jury. From viewpoint cumbersome procedure, vote censors easier. Rights designed fence Government intrusions liberty difficult interference well-nigh impossible. 23 All nations tried few it. Its abuses mount high. Today Iran news stories way false misleading reports reputable agencies. Iranian who writes lives Teheran goes jail tells truth. Thus powerful Providence. 24 Providence regime productive capricious action. five-to-four 'obscene.' wrong compounded issue, closely balanced minds sophisticated men, resolved censorship. Judges, sure, disagree established bans muster votes out nine, much precarious unanimity required. underlines BRENNAN'S observation 'provides matter.' Doubts against, rather for, expression. 25 evils unreviewable character ancient dictators. George Kennan, Siberia Exile System (U. Chi.1958) p. 60, gives insight into it: 26 'Mr. Boro din, Russian author well-known contributor Annals Fatherland, banished territory Yaku tsk account alleged 'dangerous' 'pernicious' manuscript house during search. spare copy article economic condition province Via tka, din written sent above-named magazine, which, time, published. Eastern convict's gray overcoat yellow ace diamonds back, three months arrival pleasure reading Fatherland exiled. Minister Interior merely having called manuscript, St. Petersburg committee certified perfectly harmless, allowed published, change line, popular empire.' 27 Czars all-powerful elite condemned day whom minority applauded. Administrative fiat dangerous today then. CLARK, concurring 29 As read fine talking condemning overzealous efforts implement but, shearing hog, little wool. short, proverbial tempest teapot over asking cooperation preventing literature juveniles. storm brewed inept phrases wherein assumed prerogative issuing 'order' 'not sold, displayed eighteen age' '(t)he act us non-compliance.' expostulation unable strike down statute, see 476. 1498 (1957), drops demolition bomb practice' indicating might salvaged wreckage. owes articulating standards met, lest sea appropriate disposition remand. 30 direct abandon delusions grandeur leave issuance 'orders' officials obscenity' prosecutors, substitute 'thinly threats' cases. supra. extent limitations contemplated leaving free, HARLAN indicates, publicize publication; solicit support reaching juveniles; furnish publishers, officials; and, finally, seek aid prosecuting offenders laws. long primary decency enforced publications.' 716, 631, 1357 (1931); 1469 (1957). Certainly rising crime lowering morality empowered consistent Constitution use above attempting dispel defilement With understanding judgment, believing outlined efficacy 31 HARLAN, dissenting. 32 fails due consideration central case—the accommodation problem delinquency right 33 Three reasons, understand opinion, adopted statute itself, unconstitutional: activities, carried law, censorship; lack protect nonobscene suppression; (3) group's operations entail depriving access material. 34 none reasons overriding weight context obviously effort obstruct cope baffling social problem. I. formed laudable combatting delinquency. there consensus scientific causal relationship viewing obscene' delinquent behavior, Green, Obscenity, Censorship, Juvenile Delinquency, U. Toronto L.J. 229 (1962), approach respectable support, S.Rep.No.2381, 84th Cong., 2d Sess. (1956); Kefauver, Obscene Pornographic Literature Fed.Prob. (Dec. 1960). wide range choice problems, (separate writer, 500—502), interfere legislative judgments except clearest showing unconstitutionality. 36 find justifies attempted deal irresponsible way. tenor letters serious criticism, carrying air possess conveying impression noncooperation Commission. things could surely cured word wise. occasion today's opaque pronouncements dark permissible future activities. 37 Given think express material; endeavor enlist authorities, distributors, deems obscene; regards; care refrain kind overbearing utterances already referred others tend person erroneous failure heed warnings. Since decision require reinstatement broad issued court,1 majority's rests invalidity pursued, denying just enumerated, believe carry on. II. 38 non-obscene, pronounce review. pronouncement self-executing. affected wishing stand ground declaratory action2 relief refusing accept awaiting questioned work. 39 That shown Times Film Corp. Chicago, 365 43, 391, 403. petitioner refused Chicago ordinance requiring motion pictures examined licensed city exhibition. contended regardless vel non picture employed, requirement amounted restraint Stating 'absolute exhibit, once, every picture,' U.S., 46, S.Ct., 393, contention remitted challenge specific films. countenance 'broadside attack' dissemination 40 distributor,3 shorn embellishing mandatory advisory condemnation create great danger Film, exhibition film license crime.4 Nor regarded preadjudication impact sequestration sustained here attended leaves entirely undisturbed. 41 bears resemblance sanction Warrant Property, officers, pursuant Missouri procedures, one-day foray search warrants 11,000 280 places business believed obscene. later 100 actually 'that Missouri's lacked process demands assure entitled,' 731, emphasized historical connection seizure stifling broadest discretion each executing ad hoc spot, discriminating deliberation, 'there step procedure focus searchingly question obscenity,' 732, expected turn indeed 42 No exist present Of cardinal importance, challenged physically legally impeded Furthermore, condemnations complained product hit-or-miss deliberative embraced constitutionality 43 foregoing considerations not, led thought fear prosecution. lacks element controlling significance competing individual interests stake: put roadblocks distributor's publisher's recourse courts publication, stifle 44 suggested, concedes, prosecutor's announcement intended enforce strictly proceed unless withdrawn still less occur existence statute. Conceding restrictive fortiori situations, differences import, absence factors indicated preceding paragraph. circumstance level illustrations open affected, material, however questionable, freely sponsored, circulated, read, viewed until judicially condemned. 45 essence holds vindicate order bring aid. cut get problem, ever concretely focused our decisions.5 46 seems me presents correct course caveat past utterances, remit remedies Putting pain vindicating materials place unusual hardship, context, 'Bearing discomfiture cost' 'a (though) innocent painful obligations citizenship.' Cobbledick 309 323, 540, 541, 783. III. 47 final point—that result keeping suppressible concerned—requires additional comment. enough say large, here. await circumspect bear suppressed Believing once advised counted accordingly, affirm Haley, 11, 1. H 1000, R.I.Acts Resolves, January Session 1956, 1102—1103. resolution 'commission encourage youth,' composed nine appointed Governor staggered, five-year terms. receive compensation, expenses, expenses incurred generally, defrayed annual appropriations. original superseded part 444 1959, 880, reads follows: 'It shall commission 11—31 'Obscene shows,' sections, combat investigating situations cause, responsible rise undesirable behavior juveniles, causes legislation, and/or treatment ameliorate eliminate causes.' example, report 1960, recites part: 'In September, complaints outraged parents type films Drive-Ins also teen-age supervision while parked, initiated completed survey Drive-In Theatres High points note II Drive-in theatres operate summer remain November week-ends winter, providing car-heaters. 'Acting delinquency, met discussion drinking, myriad complex aspects operations. meeting formation state-wide organization it.' Title 9, c. 30, Gen.Laws 1956 ed., amended (Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act). appellate jurisdiction properly invoked, sought upheld applied, Federal Constitution. U.S.C. § 1257(2). Dahnke-Walker Milling Co. Bondurant, 257 282, 106, 66 239. Peyton Place, Grace Metalious, (in edition) Inc.; Bramble Bush, Charles Mergendahl, Most 106 issues 'Playboy,' 'Rogue,' 'Frolic,' forth. described 'horror' comics reads, part, 'This charge 'The Commissions completely Chiefs Police names aforementioned non-compliance. Commissioners trust you cooperate 'Another shortly. 'Thanking your anticipated cooperation, am, 'Sincerely yours 'Albert McAloon 'Executive Secretary' Another used guide judging similar named. 'Your removing newstands appreciated. Cooperative recommending General's department.' An undated 'News Letter' (of publications) departments. To gratifying.' Appellants' standing been, nor be, successfully questioned. suffered palpable injury violate federal injury. 151—152, 637—638, 817 (concurring opinion). finding impaired sales include appellants, establishes injury, needs demonstrate this. appears, purports distribution; claim out-of-state However, action, claim, justiciable, unlawful advantageous relations. American Mercury, Chase, F.2d 224 (D.C.D.Mass.1926). Harper James, Torts (1956), §§ 6.11—6.12. Pocket Walsh, 204 F.Supp. 297 (D.C.D.Conn.1962). difference, concerned, allegedly Pierce Society Sisters, 268 510, 571, 69 1070; Truax Raich, 239 33, 7, 131; Terrace Thompson, 263 197, 214—216, 15, 17—18, 255; Columbia Broadcasting 316 407, 422—423, 62 1194, 1202—1203, 86 1563. position proxies arguing another's guarantee embraces 452, 669, 949, curtail pragmatic strongly cases one. prevented titles likely sustain sufficient induce vindication stake, prevents recouping investment publishing Unless permitted sue, infringements too go unremedied. Alabama Patterson, 449, 459, 1163, 1170, 1488. discussions 'informal censorship,' Lockhart McClure, Censorship Obscenity: Developing Constitutional Standards, Minn.L.Rev. 5, 6—9 n. 7—22 (1960); Note, Extralegal Literature, N.Y.U.L.Rev. 989 (1958); Entertainment: Public Pressures Law, Harv.L.Rev. 326, 344—347 (1957); Regulation Comic 489, 494—499 (1955); Comment, Informal Governmental Action, Univ. ChiL.Rev. 216 (1954); Law Constitution, 295, 309—316 (1954). Threats revocation, listings notifications supposedly pictures, chiefs enjoined International Pictures Blanc, 396 Pa. 448, 153 243 (1959); Bunis Conway, A.D.2d 207, 234 N.Y.S.2d 435 (1962) (dictum); Sunshine Book McCaffrey, 643, 168 Random House, Detroit, 555684 Chancery, Cir.Ct., Wayne County, Mich., March 29, 1957; HMH Garrett, 151 903 (D.C.N.D.Ind.1957); Library World Allen, 114 823 (D.C.N.D.Ohio 1953); Melko, N.J.Super. 292, 96 (Chancery 1953), modified grounds, N.J. 103 256 Dearborn Fitzgerald, 271 F. 479 1921); Epoch Producing Davis, Ohio N.P.,N.S., 465 (C.P.1917). re Louisiana News Dayries, 187 241 (D.C.E.D.La.1960); Roper Winner, 244 S.W.2d 355, (Tex.Civ.App.1951); Relief denied cases: (D.C.D.Conn.1962); Beggans, 110 N.J.Eq. 72, 158 765 1932). Magtab Howard, 169 65 (D.C.W.D.La.1959). None precise factual situation bar, intimate correctness. appears function proscribing giving advice distributors. quoted minutes meetings Father Flannery (a member Commission) remaining scent police, suggested seen, probably edition 'Father statewide anyone else, off stands. showed questionnaires office returned us.' Sullivan (member calling Cranston Chief inquire Place departments vote.' course, immaterial censor, exceeding authority. constitute raised argued litigation. constitutes Standard Computing Scale Farrell, 249 63 780. bulletin specifications Superintendent Weights Measures purposes purely advisory; turned coercive purport. Nothing 403, traditional attitude disfavor toward tendered necessarily circumstances. declining per se, uphold restraint. confined pictures. 'from indirectly notifying display; (to) notification retailers, orally writing, bulletins, irrespective bulletins.' (Supp.1961), Tit. Act.). all, shows, substantial concerns, presumably represented competent counsel, obvious nonlicensing force lessened involved. Reply Brief (p. 4) acknowledge: 'We nonobscenity books.'

Category: 2