Document: 389 U.S. 241 88 S.Ct. 391 19 L.Ed.2d 444 Sanford ZWICKLER, Appellant,v.Aaron E. KOOTA, as District Attorney of the County Kings. No. 29. Argued Oct. 12, 1967. Decided Dec. 5, Emanuel Redfield, New York City, for appellant. Samuel A. Hirshowitz, appellee. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 Section 781—b Penal Law makes it a crime to distribute in quantity, among other things, any handbill another which contains statement concerning candidate connection with election public officers, without also printing thereon name and post office address printer thereof person at whose instance such is so distributed.1 Appellant was convicted violating statute by distributing anonymous handbills critical record United States Congressman seeking re-election 1964 elections. The conviction reversed, on state law grounds, Supreme Court, Appellate Term,2 Court Appeals affirmed opinion, People v. Zwickler, 16 N.Y.2d 1069, 266 N.Y.S.2d 140, 213 N.E.2d 467. Thereafter appellant, invoking Court's jurisdiction under Civil Rights Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1343, Declaratory Judgment 2201,3 sought declaratory injunctive relief Eastern ground that, its face, repugnant guarantees free expression secured Federal Constitution. His contention, below this that suffers from impermissible 'overbreadth' sweep embraces both within outside protection First Amendment. Cf. Talley State California, 362 60, 80 536, 4 559. A three-judge court, one judge dissenting, applied doctrine abstention dismissed complaint,4 remitting appellant courts assert his constitutional challenge defense criminal prosecution future violations or, short this, institution 'an action court judgment.'5 261 F.Supp. 985, 993. Because appellant's appeal presents an important question scope discretion district abstain deciding merits face violates Constitution, we noted probable jurisdiction. 386 906, 87 854, 17 781. We reverse. 2 shall consider first whether judgment would have been appropriate absence request relief, second, if not, nevertheless justified because injunction against prosecutions violation 781—b. I. 3 During most Nation's century, Congress relied vindicate essential rights arising Constitution federal laws. only exception 25th section Judiciary Act 1789, Stat. 85, providing review when claim right denied court.6 But policy completely altered after War nationalism dominated political thought7 brought congressional investiture judiciary enormously increased powers. March 3, 1875,8 principal '* * measure broadening domain area individual rights,' McNeese Board Education, etc., 373 668, 673, 83 1433, 1436, 10 622. By gave vast range power had lain dormant since 1789. These ceased be restricted tribunals fair dealing between citizens different states became primary powerful reliances vindicating every given laws, treaties States.' (Emphasis added.) Frankfurter & Landis, Business Court: Study Judicial System, 65. Indeed, even before 1875 Congress, 1871,9 subjected suit, '(e)very who, color subjects, or causes subjected, citizen deprivation laws *,' 42 1983; 'original jurisdiction' actions '(t)o redress deprivation, *.' 1343(3). In thus expanding judicial power, imposed duty upon all levels give due respect suitor's choice forum hearing decision claims. Plainly, escape not permissible merely solemn responsibility, equally courts, guard, enforce, protect granted constitution Robb Connolly, 111 624, 637, 544, 551, L.Ed. 542. 'We yet like believe wherever sit, human are always proper subject adjudication, decline exercise simply asserted may adjudicated some forum.' Stapleton Mitchell, D.C., 60 51, 55; see 674, S.Ct., 1437, n. 6. Cohens Commonwealth Virginia, 6 Wheat. 264, 404, 5 257. judge-made abstention, fashioned 1941 Railroad Commission Texas Pullman Co., 312 496, 61 643, 85 971, sanctions narrowly limited 'special circumstances.' Propper Clark, 337 472, 492, 69 1333, 1344, 93 1480.10 One circumstances'—that thought present case—is susceptibility construction avoid modify question. Harrison NAACP, 360 167, 79 1025, 1152. Compare Baggett Bullitt, 377 360, 84 1316, 12 377.11 here no 'avoid question.' Appellant's void 'vagueness,' is, 'which either forbids requires doing act terms vague men common intelligence must necessarily guess meaning differ application Connally General Construction 269 385, 391, 46 126, 127, 70 322.12 Rather attack statute, although lacking neither clarity nor precision, 'overbreadth,' offends principle 'a governmental purpose control prevent activities constitutionally regulation achieved means unnecessarily broadly thereby invade protected freedoms.' NAACP Alabama ex rel. Flowers, 288, 307, 1302, 1314, 325. See Aptheker Secretary State, 378 500, 508 509, 1659, 1665, 992; Button, 371 415, 438, 328, 340, 9 405; Louisiana Gremillion 366 293, 81 301; Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 488, 247, 252, 231; Schware Bar Examiners, 353 232, 246, 77 752, 760, 796; Martin City Struthers, 319 141, 146—149, 63 862, 864—866, 1313; Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 304—307, 900, 904, 1213; Schneider Jersey, 308 147, 161, 165, 146, 152, 155.13 Appellee does contest suggestion clear precise; indeed, appellee concedes cannot narrow allegedly indiscriminate cast render unnecessary challenge. 1659. analysis Livingston, 179 9, 12—13, aff'd, Livingston States, 281, 1611, 1719, guide here: 7 'Regard interest sovereignty reluctance needlessly adjudicate issues require adjudication parties avail themselves procedure obtain interpretation requiring construction. N.A.A.C.P., Harrison, however, broad encyclical commanding automatic remission questions statutes. N.A.A.C.P. Bennett, 471, 1192, 1375. Though never interpreted fairly will question, decide presented it. Any course impose expense long delay litigants hope bearing fruit.' 8 Turner Memphis, 369 350, 82 805, 762, (per curiam), vacated order sole ought called constitutionality alleged violative Fourteenth 622, again emphasized ordered opportunity claim.14 After examining purposes brought, concluded '(w)e defeat those held assertion await attempt same court.' U.S., 672, 1436. For 'recognition role final expositors implies disregard primacy law.' England Medical 375 411, 415—416, 461, 465, 11 440. principles particular significance when, case, repugnancy case force plaintiff who has commenced suffer proceedings might itself effect chilling very he seeks protect. Dombrowski Pfister, 380 486—487, 1116, 1120 1121, 14 22; supra, 379, 1326; 433, 338; cf. Garrison Louisiana, 379 U.S 64, 74—75, 209, 215—216, 13 125; Smith 361 215, 205. It follows unless addition prayer supplies one, circumstance' prerequisite here, 375—379, 1324—1326, error refuse pass judgment.15 II. support further 781—b, amended complaint alleges desires continue quantity 'in party officials, nomination position occur subsequent said compaign 1966.'16 He '(b)ecause previous making distribution leaflet fear exercising make aforesaid danger being prosecuted therefor, declared submitting himself penalties statute.' majority view light prayer, issue made showing circumstances' entitling him prosecution. supports holding reliance maxim should slow 'where powers invoked interfere threatened Douglas Jeannette, 157, 162, 877, 880. recently recognized continuing validity pronouncement. 483—485, 1119 1120. However, did plaintiffs Douglas, 159, 879, seek solely 'restrain (him) Rather, requested underlying apprehended unconstitutional. below, recognizing inapposite F.Supp., 990, read Pfister considering circumstances justify *' grant relief. 991. Since found justifying required This conclusion error. teaches same.17 propriety abstaining discussed independent governed considerations. squarely 'the inappropriate cases where statutes justifiably attached their abridging 489—490, 1122. reaffirmed Keyishian Regents, 385 589, 601, 675, 682, attacked unconstitutional said, citing '(t)his pending 15 views irrelevant here. overbroad considered independently enforcement statute. hold appropriateness irrespective issuance injunction. contrary. That involved refused enjoin ordinance day Murdock Pennsylvania, 105, 870, 1292. Comity Pennsylvania deemed sufficient reason rendered today find supposing intervention secure petitioners' rights, necessary appropriate.' 882. task remand 'necessary appropriate' prevail. express whatever law. reversed remanded consistent opinion. ordered. Reversed remanded. 18 HARLAN, concurring judgment. I agree declined am, constrained my uncertainty implications certain portions separately. 20 repeatedly indicated 'abstention' repair clearly serve two countervailing interests: avoidance premature perhaps serious hazard unsettling delicate balance federal-state relationships.' Power Light Co. Thibodaux, 25, 32, 1070, 1074, dissenting opinion). generally 1152; Allegheny Frank Mashuda 185, 188—189, 1060, 1062—1063, 1163. these interests mooted 'presented posture'1 determination pertinent See, e.g., Chicago Fieldcrest Dairies, Inc., 316 168, 62 986, 86 1355; Spector Motor Service, McLaughlin, 323 101, 65 89 101; Federation Labor McAdory, 325 450, 1384, 1725. second found, example, situations disrupt administrative process, Burford Sun Oil 315, 1098, 1424; collection taxes, Toomer Witsell, 334 392, 68 1156, 1160, 92 1460, otherwise create 'needless friction' policies. 33, 1075. supra. 21 situation none categories, therefore dismissed, but proceeded case.2 particular, can room obviate need issue. If, intended suggest central, principal, agree. My reasons three. First, ever definitively delimited Court; built supposed differences likely founder lack foundation. generally, Note, Void-for-Vagueness Doctrine 109 U.Pa.L.Rev. 67. Second, there suppose involving allegations overbreadth inevitably abstention; nonetheless reasonably 1075, conclude posture.' 189, 1063. Third, standard reduce pleader's option; fundamental served jettisoned whenever complainant foresight insert into pleading allegation overbreadth. alternative careful examination, each case. 22 substantially ultimately prove stage matter. 23 accordingly concur wish emphasize intimate N.Y. McKinney's Consol.Laws, c. 40 (now superseded identical language Election 457, 17, Laws 1965, 1031, 1782 1783): 'No print, publish, reproduce printed, published, reproduced distributed method handbill, pamphlet, circular, card, placard letter another, statement, notice, information, material party, candidate, committee, person, proposition amendment constitution, favor candidates office, position, reproducing legibly English post-office committee distributed, printing, publishing, reproduction distribution, thereon. provisions constitute misdemeanor. 'The term 'printer' used contractual relationship responsible directly include working employed principal.' 'In our failed establish defendant literature quantity' 781(b) (sic) Law. do reach involved.' Sup.Ct., App.Term, Kings County, April 23, 1965 (unreported), quoted Zwickler Koota, 987. '(t)he controversy adjudicatory court. 1324.' 989. Notwithstanding persuaded, abstain, prerequisites were fact adjudicated. 'Basically, facts alleged, circumstances, show substantial controversy, having adverse legal interests, immediacy reality warrant judgment.' Maryland Cas. Pacific Coal 270, 273, 510, 512, 826. entitle better practice, raising statutory claim, retain jurisdiction, rather than dismiss, Federal-Question Abstention: Frankfurter's Activist Era, Harv.L.Rev. 604 (1967), dismissal. Government Civic Employees Organizing Committee, CIO Windsor, 364, 838, 894; Shipman DuPre, 339 321, 640, 94 Stainback Mo Hock Ke Lok Po, 336 368, 606, 741; Local 333B, Marine Div., Int'l Longshoremen's Ass'n (AFL) Battle, 101 650 (D.C.E.D.Va.), aff'd per curiam, 342 880, 72 178, 96 661. Abstention From Exercise Jurisdiction, 59 Col.L.Rev. 749, 772 774 (1959). provides remedy, N.Y.Civ.Prac. 3001. De Veau Braisted, A.D.2d 603, 174 596 (2d Dept.), 236, 183 793, 157 363 144, 1146, 1109. Thus Art. III, 2, cl. 1, Constitution: extend Cases, Equity, Treaties made, Authority Original 'arising under' vested February 13, 1801, 4, 92, repealed year later 8, 1802, 132. An earlier version died provided "of equity above value five hundred dollars'. Warren, History 37 49, (1923). 1. history woven times. factors national life came reconstruction business enlarged modified expanded structure.' 59; Frankfurter, Distribution Between Courts, Cornell L.Q. 499, 507 511 (1928). cognizance, concurrent several suits civil nature equity, matter dispute exceeds, exclusive costs, sum dollars, authority 1875, 470. Hart &Wechsler, Courts System 727—733; Wright, 17; Chadbourn Levin, Jurisdiction Questions, 90 639 (1942); Forrester, Question, Tulane L.Rev. 263 (1943); Nature 'Federal Question,' Mishkin, 'Question' 53 (1953). 'This development judiciary, retrospect seems revolutionary, received hardly contemporary comment.' While practically legislative id., 65—69, summary what available, commentators agreed intended. 362, 374—385 160 say equated potential Article III National Mut. Ins. Dist. Col. Tidewater Transfer 582, 613—615, 1173, 1188—1189, 1556 (opinion Rutledge, J.); Shoshone Mining Rutter, 177 505, 726, 44 864. Five Acts passed 1866 1875. 27 (1866), 140 (1870), 433 (1871), 335 (1875). Only 20, 1871, presently codified 1983, measurable success years. 1871: Continuing Vitality, Notre Dame (1964). Meridian Southern Bell Tel. 358 639, 455, 562; 838; Leiter Minerals, Inc. 352 220, 287, 267; Albertson Millard, 345 242, 73 600, 97 983; 640; 606; American Watson, 327 66 761, 873; Labor, Union 103, Broth. Carpenters Joiners America 1725; 1355. general Reconsidered, Tex.L.Rev. 815 (1959); 749 (1967); Need Reappraisal, Law, Even sent clarification law, reserved Other diversity cases, see, Clay Insurance Ltd., 207, 1222, 1170; 1058; Meredith Winter Haven, 320 228, 64 7, 1163; Certification Diversity Suits: 'Perfection Means Confusion Goals,' Yale L.J. 850, cited therein; possible disruption complex processes, Public Serv. Comm'n R. 341 341, 71 95 1002; 1058. 52; Col.L.Rev., 757—762. lower 'void indefiniteness' predecessor Clampitt, 34 Misc.2d 766, 222 (Ct.Spec.Sess., 1961). Thereupon legislature form, offense could out until 'printed' 'reproduced' 'distributed.' determined courts. considerations attacks 'vagueness' 603—604, 608—610, 683, 684, 686—687, 629. frequently uncertain nature, obviously susceptible limiting Harman Forssenius, 528, 534, 1177, 1181, 50; Davis Mann, 678, 690, 1441, 1447, 609; 1324—1326; 461; 1436; 1192; Atchison, T. S.F.R. 357 77, 84, 78 1063, 1067, 1174; 154, 101. Harv.L.Rev., 605; 10, 102. Of elements governing urges refute appellee's Motion Dismiss '(s)ince related 1966 candidacy Abraham Multer *, now properly mootness.' part decided remand. elected take January 1968. Times, p. 31, col. November Our discussion 483—489, 1119—1122, 489—492, 1122—1124. Unlike assistance ubiquitous slippery 'chilling effect' doctrine. asks. Given courts' disposition prosecution, scarcely maintain promptly provide entitled. Absent allegations, difficult how slightest relevance. 1127, (dissenting apply amorphous chilling-effect chill maintained abstention.

Category: 8