Document: 431 U.S. 322 97 S.Ct. 1755 52 L.Ed.2d 349 Commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS, Petitioner,v.Jack B. WESTCOTT. No. 75-1775. May 23, 1977. PER CURIAM. 1 Respondent Westcott was arrested for violating a Massachusetts statute that prohibits nonresidents the from dragging fish by beam or otter trawl in Vineyard Sound during July, August, and September.1 After he found guilty, pursued his right to de novo review filed motion dismiss complaint. The Supreme Judicial Court granted direct appellate ordered complaint dismissed on ground violated Privileges Immunities Clause United States Constitution, Art. IV, § 3, cl. 2, 344 N.E.2d 411. We certiorari. 429 815, 54, 50 74 (1976). 2 Our decision today Douglas v. Seacoast Products, Inc., 265, 1740, 304, suggests there may be statutory basis provide respondent relief seeks, thereby making it unnecessary decide constitutional question presented. holds federal law pre-empts denying vessels are federally enrolled licensed fisheries state waters same terms as residents. Respondent's vessel is "to employed carrying mackerel fishery," license held appellees Douglas.2 In accordance with our longstanding principle deciding questions only when necessary, Hagans Lavine, 415 528, 543, 94 1372, 1382, 39 577 (1974); Ashwander TVA, 297 288, 347, 56 466, 483, 80 L.Ed. 688 (1936) (Brandeis, J., concurring), we decline privileges immunities presented this case, vacate judgment remand case further consideration light Douglas. See McGoldrick Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, 309 430, 60 670, 84 849 (1940). 3 It so ordered. 4 Mr. Justice REHNQUIST concurs authority 304. Act Feb. 20, 1923, c. 35, 1923 Mass. Acts 17, amended Mar. 13, 1962, 219, 1962 107: "It shall unlawful months August September any person who has not been legal resident commonwealth preceding year use trawls drag part lying towns Chilmark, Gay Head Gosnold, included between an imaginary line running extreme western point Nashawena Island another Cape Higgon Tarpaulin Cove Light. Violation act punished fine less than five hundred nor more one thousand dollars." fact such ascertained records Merchant Vessel Documentation Division Coast Guard. These judicially noticed. See, e. g., Bowles States, 319 33, 63 912, 87 1194 (1943); Tempel 248 121, 56, 162 (1918); Jones 137 202, 11 80, 34 691 (1890); cf. Fed.Rule Evid. 201(b) ("A noticed must subject reasonable dispute . capable accurate ready determination resort sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably questioned"). parties were given opportunity comment propriety taking notice license, both sides agreed could properly do so. supplemental briefs parties.

Category: 9