Document: 402 U.S. 363 91 S.Ct. 1400 28 L.Ed.2d 822 UNITED STATES, Appellant,v.THIRTY-SEVEN (37) PHOTOGRAPHS, Milton Luros, Claimant. No. 133. Argued Jan. 20, 1971. Decided May 3, Rehearing Denied June 14, See 403 924, 2221. Syllabus Customs agents sezied as obscene photographs possessed by claimant Luros when he returned to this country from Europe on October 24, 1969. Section 1305(a) of 19 U.S.C., pursuant which the acted, prohibits importation material, provides for its seizure at any customs office and retention pending judgment district court, specifies that collector give information attorney, who shall institute forfeiture proceedings. The referred matter United States Attorney, brought proceedings November 6. Luros' answer denied were counterclaimed § was unconstitutional. He asked a three-judge 20 ordered be convened. Following hearing January 9, 1970, court 27 held unconstitutional grounds statute (1) failed meet procedural requirements Freedman v. Maryland, 380 51, 85 734, 13 649 (2) overly broad including within ban material private use, making it invalid under Stanley Georgia, 394 557, 89 1243, 22 542. Held: is reversed case remanded. Pp. 367—379. 309 F.Supp. 36, 1 Mr. Justice WHITE, joined THE CHIEF JUSTICE, HARLAN, BRENNAN, STEWART, BLACKMUN, concluded in Part I can construed requiring administrative, judicial action specified time limits will avoid constitutional issue would otherwise presented Freedman, supra. 367—375. 2 (a) In unlike situation here, failing specify enacted state authority could not given an authoritative construction Court issue. P. 369. 3 (b) reading into required comports with legislative purpose furthers policy statutory issue, 370—373. 4 (c) may constitutionally applied require intervals no longer than 14 days goods institution their 60 filing final decision (absent claimant-induced delays). 373—374. 5 II Congress' power remove materials channels commerce unimpaired Court's Stanley, Cf. Reidel, 351, 1410, 813. 375—377. 6 HARLAN stipulated Government imported commercial purposes, lacked standing challenge overbreadth ground use. 378. 7 while agreeing First Amendment does prevent border dissemination 649, imposes initiating completing obscenity determination, even intimate lawfully seize literature intended importer's purely 8 Solicitor Gen. Erwin N. Griswold appellant. 9 Fleishman, Hollywood, Cal., appellees. 10 WHITE announced opinion BLACKMUN join.** 11 When 1969, him his luggage 37 here involved. agents, acting 305 Tariff Act 1930, amended, 46 Stat. 688, U.S.C. 1305(a),1 seized obscene. They instituted District material. claimant, answered, denying setting up counterclaim alleging unconstitutionality face him. demanded convened injunction prayed counterclaim. parties motion. A formal order convening entered 20. then briefing schedule expiring December 16. also suggesting stipulate facts, they did. stipulation revealed, among other things, some or all incorporated hard cover edition Kama Sutra Vatsyayana, widely distributed book candidly describing large number sexual positions. Hearing scheduled filed declaring enjoining enforcement against photographs, Luros. 36 (CD Cal.1970). invalidity rested two grounds: first, section comply (1965), second, 542 (1969); validly We deal each these separately. 12 * supra, we struck down scheme administrative licensing motion pictures, holding 'that, because only determination adversary proceeding ensures necessary sensitivity freedom expression, procedure suffices impose valid restraint.' U.S., 58, S.Ct., 739. To insure occurs promptly so delay itself become form censorship, further held, there must assurance, 'by construction, censor will, brief period, either license go restrain showing film'; '(a)ny restraint imposed advance merits similarly limited preservation status quo shortest fixed period compatible sound resolution'; (3) 'the assure prompt decision' minimize impact possibly erroneous action. Id., 58—59, Subsequently, invalidated Chicago's picture censorship ordinance permitted unduly long before invocation ordinance, although resort courts after early hearing, did 'a question alleged film.' Teitel Film Corp. Cusack, 390 139, 141, 88 754, 755, 966 (1968). So, too, Blount Rizzi, 400 410, 423, 498 (1971), certain provisions postal laws designed control use mails materials. Under those restricting effective without approval, burden obtaining review placed upon user rather Government, interim order, permitted, though required, obtain completion action, preserving administration. As Congress, contain explicit sort Teitel, Blount.2 These cases do not, however, pass constitutionality 1305(a), possible construe bring harmony requirements. It true noted 'it Court, rewrite statute,' 419, 429, refused Maryland's Teitel. On hand, remember that, '(w)hen validity act Congress drawn question, serious doubt raised, cardinal principle first ascertain whether fairly avoided.' Crowell Benson, 285 22, 62, 52 285, 296, 76 L.Ed. 598 (1932). Accord, e.g., Haynes States, 85, 92, 722, 727, 923 (1968) (dictum); Schneider Smith, 17, 27, 682, 687, 799 (1968); Rumely, 345 41, 45, 73 543, 545, 97 770 (1953); Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 348, 56 466, 483, 80 688 (1936) (Brandeis, J., concurring). This govern statutes involved difficulties. 15 obstacle federal authority; recognized saved such had 'authoritative,' 59, S.C., 739, lack jurisdiction authoritatively legislation. General Trading Co. State Tax Comm'n, 322 335, 337, 64 1028, 1029, 1309 (1944). Blount, dealing thus construction; salvation statute, have complete rewriting manner inconsistent expressed intentions authors. For completed; authorization agency, obscene, seek review. been create mechanisms carrying effect, history indicating Postmaster General, testified expressly sought forestall 420 n. 8, 430. 16 No obstacles confront us construing 1305(a). fact, fully consistent purpose. present dates back Senate, concern immediately arose provide determinations made officers rulings obtained promptly. language strikingly parallel Senator Walsh protested 'attempt enact law vest officer take books confiscate them destory them, because, judgment, indecent,' urged 'oblige file determined usual way, same every crime determined.' 72 Cong.Rec. 5419. Wheeler likewise 'conceive how man' 'possibly object' amendment proposed legislation officer, if 'tur(n) over attorney prosecutes man, has right trial jury case.' 71 4466. Other Senators indicated aversion clerks bureaucratic officials,' id., 4437 (remarks Sen. Dill), preferring should left juries. See, 4433—4439, 4448, 4452 4459; 5417—5423, 5492, 5497. later commenced Speaking favor another amendment, Pittman seizing 'should report nearest having proceed *.' 5420 (emphasis added). Commenting draft ultimately adopted, Senator, Swanson 'immediately.' 5422. Then added: 17 'The minute suspicion part revenue improper admitted country, presents court.' 5424 18 Before finally emerged amended response objections voiced above: reflects considerations induced hold censors 'within period' followed .' sole omission failure exact completed. one during congressional debates ever suggested inclusion limits, perhaps experience yet demonstrated need them. Since clear. Our researches disclosed sanctioning delays 40 six months between commencement 77 Cartons Magazines, 300 851 (ND Cal.1969); One Carton Positive Motion Picture Entitled '491,' 247 450 (SDNY 1965), rev'd grounds, 367 F.2d 889 (CA2 1966). Similarly, found taken three, four, seven months. Ten Erotic Paintings, 311 884 (D.C., Md.1970); 35 mm Color 'Language Love,' 108 1970); conclude sanction clearly promptness frequently articulated course Senate's debates, fidelity dictates read section. alternative entirety, but explicitly directed entirety merely application persons adjudged unlawful. 1652. Nor include specific decide issues appropriately raise questions possesses special expertise, already set possess much expertise determining remaining question—that speed prosecutorial institutions can, practical matter, expected function adjudicating matters. accordingly see reason declining 1305(a)—a specification obviate raised claimant. Indeed, giving saving undertake task construction. begin examining lower That examination indicates many come our attention fact date allegedly goods, Reliable Sales Co., 376 803 (CA4 1967); 1,000 Copies Magazine 'Solis,' 254 595 Md.1966); Containing 19,500 'Hellenic Sun,' 253 Md.1966), aff'd, 373 635 392 'Exclusive,' 485 (D.C.Md.1966); completed commencement. supra; 127,295 More Less, 295 1186 (D.D., Md.1968). Given record, seems clear undue hardship commencement; nor 74 seen importers engaged lengthy process bringing abroad. Accordingly, more court. delay, where responsible extending beyond allowable are postponed consideration appropriate Of course, now permissible limits. note, furthermore, vary different contexts; contexts, claim movie Constitution respect context officials border. none today. nothing form, cognizant re-enact new specifying whose pass. 21 So construed, us. Seizure took place 24 6—a mere seizure. Moreover, might well forthcoming challenged caused brevity standards out Blount. providing remand resolved days, excluding next consider second claim, based forbidding restraints except protect children intruded privacy unwilling adult. Without rejecting position, protecting, very least, one's own home receive therefore bars distribution, overbroad hence unconstitutional.3 23 erred immunizing port entry 813, today being used distributing pornography. case, neither putative buyers rights infringed exclusion incoming foreign commerce. By token, removed discovered returning traveler solely prosecuted possession mean entitled import abroad free exclude noxious articles Stanley's emphasis thought mind home. But traveler's His let alone prevents search unprotected, illegal, search. characteristically inspect questioned case; old practice intimately associated illegal country. Whatever scope adumbrated right, said extent seeking, distribute public, extend seeking abroad, public distribution. Roth 354 476, 1304, 1498 (1957), reiterated protection. Hence declare contraband prohibit importation, elected do. remanded opinion. 25 ordered. 26 Judgment concurring WHITE'S agree, reasons forth opinion, (1965). forecloses 29 attacked apparent prohibition purporting proscribe purposes certainly sufficiently withstand facial attack notion line unclear inhibit Breard Alexandria, 341 622, 920, 95 1233 (1951). incontestable least purposes. cannot primary conduct statute's sweep. Dombrowski Pfister, 479, 491—492, 1116, 1123—1124, Finally, includes severability clause. 30 Thus narrow sweep determine privileged. circumstances, argument allowed privilege 'chilling effects' presence books, me outweighed resolution avoided hand. 31 claim. Note, Overbreadth Doctrine, 83 Harv.L.Rev. 844, 910 (1970). 32 foregoing premises join II, concur judgment.* 33 34 agree dissemination. requires initiation obscenity. decide, way dicta, literary importer.1 terms appear apply American tourist who, exercising protected liberty travel abroad,2 returns single luggage, intention selling using it, it. If away passes through customs, understand meaning BLACK, whom DOUGLAS joins, dissenting. dissent judgments stated my prior opinions. Smith California, 361 147, 155, 215, 219, 205 (1959) (Black, concurring); Ginzburg 383 463, 86 942, 950, (1966) dissenting). view denies what citizens pictures watch. 38 particularly regret revive doctrine 'obscenity' speech unprotected Amendment. decisions area demonstrate, extremely difficult judges 'obscene.' distinctions elusive obscure, almost involves issues. After docket constantly crowded called particular book, magazine, banned. imagine lifetime less equipped deal. 39 difficulties approach, surprising recent implicitly abandoned. Redrup New York, 386 767, 87 1414, 515 (1967). Despite proved shortcomings Roth, majority Reidel reaffirms dubious decision. Thus, foreseeable future sit Board Supreme Censors, sifting magazines watching movies official fears too sex. distasteful, useless, time-consuming members perusing 'redeeming social value.' absurd spectacle adhere literal command 'Congress make abridging speech, press Wholly aside views demands, reasoning Thirty-Seven Photographs, 363, 1400, 822, reconciled holdings earlier cases. insists 'as use.' At 376, 1408. never satisfactorily explained just why court's erroneous. seem citizen 'obscene' voluntarily mail. Certainly man legally purchases able hardly offensive others perusal hollow indeed carry privately entering 41 plurality suggest Photographs differs 'Customs surely observation distinguish police homes well, unquestioned reasonable Fourth 42 Perhaps, silently ultimate distribution feel intent commercially prove outlawed offending similar proving actual However, unequivocally rejected individual's 'read observe pleases' 'fundamental individual liberty.' 568, 1249. 43 Furthermore, banned stop simply ignores numerous touching freedoms precisely narrowly stifling expression protect. repeatedly rule past cases, Butler Michigan, 352 380, 524, 412 quarantine general rugged grown men women shield juvenile innocence.' 383, 526. Thornhill Alabama, 310 88, 736, 84 1093 (1940); Robel, 389 258, 508 44 offers plausible four overrule Stanley. Or good writes salacious attic, prints basement, reads living room. 45 appears concede started 368—369, 1405. Once reached proper affirm goes adding notes conveniently stayed judicially manufactured day, premise concludes enforced case. plurality's represents Constitution. renders previous violation 'whether (a defendant's) proscribed properly statute.' 56, 737. 'danger tolerating, freedoms, existence penal susceptible sweeping application.' NAACP Button, 371 415, 433, 328, 338, 405 (1963). face, such, end ado. nimbly avoids result writing statute. 47 determines substitute duly representatives people enacted. betrays uneasiness concedes specifically (1971). Maryland stated: 48 'How incorporate safeguards is, decide.' 60, 740. 49 With deference, rewritten Court. write entirely law, Nation live 50 claims find questions. 373, 1406. uphold done misusing substituting passed. justify like legislature committees redrafting supported deliberations 51 relies principally statements discussion Senate floor. defect reliance Senators' refer version passed Congress. Pittman, objecting drafts said: 'Why provided property seizing, 5240. 53 few minutes Montana propose 'that suggestion Nevada (Mr. Pittman) 5421. read: 54 'Upon appearance thereof transmit situated, destruction Ibid. (Emphasis added.) 55 referring remarks cited 'immediately' 'prompt' matter. 5422, 5424. Swanson's statement changed floor follows: situated place, forfeiture, confiscation, seized.' 57 requirement dropped law. comments quoted relied reference adopted support tell anything about attitude toward show put choose 58 considered Although involve statutes, declined attempt save mail-blocking plainly declared: 429. seeks 'would authors.' 369, 'expressed intention' testimony wanted 370, insignificant piece posed Yet task, involving statutes. 59 purports pointing contained distinguishes since (1968), provisions. Md.Ann.Code, Art. 66A, Municipal Code Chicago 155—7.4 (1961). stem demands point told 'only limits,' rules question. 374, 1407. strongly suggests 'interpret' 'construe' wording likely derived itself. really drawing Amendment, derivation both peculiar disturbing. considering surveying previously litigated guessing pose 'undue hardship' courts. Scant gives little comfort Colorado Alabama personal informed explanation 74-day York harbor 'undue.' Faced legal hire lawyer far home, coerced rights. whims congestion business Americans read. 61 leave wrote 62 fees abandon precedents protecting cherished speech. cannot, believe bowing popular passions perceives temper times. before, 'Our written sands washed wave blown successive political wind brings administrations temporary power.' Turner 396 398, 426, 90 642, 657, 610 (1970) society times fear importance basic easily forgotten. hope, calmer times, pressures, subside, restore liberties high preferred belong society.' Dennis 494, 581, 857, 903, 1137 (1951) ** STEWART pertinent part: 'All prohibited importing pamphlet, paper, writing, advertisement, circular, print, picture, drawing, representation figure, image paper cast, instrument, article immoral. separately packages entry, entry; and, unless satisfaction package inclosed therein knowledge consent importer, owner, agent, consignee, entire contents contained, subject hereinafter *. Protided, further, Secretary Treasurt may, discretion, admit so-called classics established scientific merit, classic noncommercial office, await provided; protest collector. Upon seized. adjudication character prohibited, destroyed destroyed. excluded 'In party interest demand facts appeal ordinary actions suits.' urges §§ 1602 1604. 'report immediately' district, 1604 once turned duty 'immediately inquire facts' 'forthwith cause prosecuted, delay,' appropriate. cure applicable, adequate invalidity. sections Attorney prosecution. Another flaw declines prosecute, Treasury direction, speed. reasoned planned makes error. person void sorts importation. reasoning, invalidate 1123 1124, dealt with, foreseeably Again, vel non juncture correctly says, unconstitutional, still stand narrowed falls Ante, 375, 3. Aptheker State, 378 500, 1659, 992.

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