Document: 421 U.S. 809 95 S.Ct. 2222. 44 L.Ed.2d 600 Jeffrey Cole BIGELOW, Appellant,v.Commonwealth of VIRGINIA. No. 73—1309. Argued Dec. 18, 1974. Decided June 16, 1975. Syllabus Appellant, the managing editor a weekly newspaper published in Virginia, as result publishing New York City organization's advertisement announcing that it would arrange low-cost placements for women with unwanted pregnancies accredited hospitals and clinics (where abortions were legal there no residency requirements), was convicted violating Virginia statute making misdemeanor, by sale or circulation any publication, to encourage prompt processing an abortion. The trial court had rejected appellant's claim unconstitutional under First Amendment made applicable States Fourteenth being facially overbroad applied appellant. Supreme Court affirmed conviction, also rejecting holding commercial one which could be constitutionally prohibited State's police power, because appellant himself lacked legitimate interest inasmuch his activity 'was purely nature,' he standing challenge overbroad. Held: 1. Though intervening amendment practical matter moots overbreadth issue future, courts erred denying raise since 'pure speech' rather than conduct involved consideration given whether not alleged substantial. Pp. 815-818. 2. infringed protected speech Amendment. 818-829. (a) assuming advertising, such, entitled protection interest, is stripped merely appears form paid advertisement, fact question aspects reflected advertiser's interests did negate all guarantees. 818-821. (b) Viewed its entirety, conveyed information potential value diverse audience consisting only readers possibly need services offered, but those concerned subject law another State, seeking reform Virginia; thus coincided constitutional general public. 821-822. (c) A State does acquire power supervision over internal affairs own citizens' welfare health may affected when they travel other while seek disseminate so enable citizens make better informed decisions leave, not, guise exercising powers, bar citizen from disseminating about placement here at time advertised. 822-825. (d) Virginia's asserted regulating what Virginians hear read shielding activities outside borders (which powers do reach) little, if any, weight circumstances. 826-828. 214 Va. 341, 200 S.E.2d 680, reversed. Melvin L. Wulf, City, Mr. John C. Lowe, Charlottesville, Va., D. Patrick Lacy, Jr., Richmond, appellee. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. 1 An carried led conviction violation procuring editor-appellant's rights unconstitutionally abridged statute. Amendment, course, through Schneider v. 308 147, 160, 60 146, 150, 84 L.Ed. 155 (1939). 2 * Weekly Associates Charlottesville. It issued city circulated Albemarle County, particular focus on campus University Virginia. Bigelow, director responsible officer newspaper.1 3 On February 8, 1971, Weekly's Vol. V, 6, direct responsibility page following advertisement: 'UNWANTED PREGNANCY LET US HELP YOU 4 Abortions are now There requirements. FOR IMMEDIATE PLACEMENT IN ACCREDITED HOSPITALS AND CLINICS AT LOW COST Contact WOMEN'S PAVILION 5 515 Madison Avenue York, N.Y. 10022 call 6 (212) 371—6670 371—6650 AVAILABLE 7 DAYS WEEK STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. We will arrangements you help counseling.' observed announced Women's Pavilion obtain 'immediate low cost' 'make arrangements' 'strictly confidential' basis; offered 'information counseling'; gave address telephone numbers; stated 'are York' requirements.' Although contain name licensed physician, 'placement' referred 'accredited clinics.' 8 May 13 Bigelow charged Va.Code Ann. § 18.1—63 (1960). read: 9 'If person, lecture, manner, abortion miscarriage, shall guilty misdemeanor.'2 10 Shortly after utilized Bigelow's case, apparently before ever used again, Legislature amended changed prior application scope.3 11 Appellant first tried County County. He appealed Circuit county where de novo trial. §§ 16.1—132 16.1—136 In waived jury July 1971 judge. evidence consisted stipulated facts; excerpt, containing question, 1971; Redbook magazine, distributed App. 3, 8. adjudged him guilty. sentenced pay fine $500, $350 thereof suspended 'conditioned upon further violation' Id., 5. 12 granted review and, 4—2 vote, conviction. 213 191, 191 173 (1972). informational within 'encourage prompt' language held, instead, 'clearly exceeded status' 'constituted active offer perform service, passive statement fact.' 193, S.E.2d, 174. then claim. This, said, 'commercial advertisement' 'may state,' particularly 'where, here, advertising relates medical-health field.' 193—195, 174—176. issue, court's view, valid exercise power. answered this affirmative, noting statute's goal 'to ensure pregnant who decided have come their without pressure usually incidental box soap powder.' 196, 176. turned overbreadth. held 'standing rely hypothetical non-commercial zone.' 198, 177—178. took timely appeal During pendency appeal, Roe Wade, 410 113, 93 705, 355 147 (1973), Doe Bolton, 179, 739, 35 201 decided. subsequently vacated judgment remanded case light Doe. 413 909, 3057, 37 1020 (1973).4 14 such reconsideration, oral argument, again observing neither nor 'mentioned advertising' finding nothing 'which way affects our earlier view.'5 342, 680 (1973). Once appealed. noted probable jurisdiction order important presented. 418 94 3201, 41 1155 (1974). II 15 This often has recognized defendant's grounds depend shown privileged. consistently permitted 'attacks overly broad statutes requirement person attack demonstrate regulated drawn requisite narrow specificity.' Dombrowski Pfister, 380 479, 486, 85 1116, 1121, 22 (1965). See Grayned Rockford, 408 104, 114, 92 2294, 2302, 33 222 (1972); Gooding Wilson, 405 518, 520 521, 1103, 1105—1106, 31 Coates Cincinnati, 402 611, 616, 91 1686, 1689, 29 (1971), id., 619—620, 1690, 1691. (White, J., dissenting); NAACP Button, 371 415, 432, 83 328, 337, (1963); Thornhill Alabama, 310 88, 97—98, 736, 741—742, 1093 (1940). itself principle recently 'persons engage non-privileged precluded attacking convicted.' Owens Commonwealth, 211 633, 638—639, 179 477, 481 (1971). 'For appraising inhibitory effect (First Amendment) rights, hesitated take into account possible applications factual contexts besides bar.' U.S., 338. generally Note, Overbreadth breadth Doctrine, Harv.L.Rev. 844, 847—848 (1970). 16 'exception usual rules governing standing,' reflects transcendent society rpotected expression. give defendant overbroad, regardless more narrowly statute, 'danger tolerating, area freedoms, existence penal susceptible sweeping improper application.' 433, 17 Of standing, individual must present '(a)llegations subjective 'chill'.' 'claim specific objective harm threat future harm.' Laird Tatum, 1, 13—14, 2318, 2326, 154 That requirement, however, surely met circumstances prosecution already blossomed reality can doubt concerning personal stake outcome controversy. Baker Carr, 369 186, 204, 82 691, 703, 603 (1962). injury complains publisher newspaper; others. Moose Lodge 107 Irvis, 407 163, 166, 1965, 1968, 32 627 Breard Alexandria, 341 622, 641, 71 920, 932, 1233 (1951). Indeed, unlike some cases similarly been raised, facts well illustrate 'the applications.' 532—533, 1111 (Burger, C.J., dissenting). 18 Declaring 'is, manifestly, strong medicine,' 'has employed sparingly last resort.' Broadrick Oklahoma, 601, 613, 2908, 2916, 830 But we conclude claim, involved, 615, S.Ct., 2917, 2918. placed effective limiting construction characterized doctors, husbands, lecturers 'hypothetical,' seemed imply that, although these noncommercial zone, might apply them, too. 19 view 'effectively repeal' application, possibility pre-1972 chill As matter, become moot future. therefore decline rest decision pass inquiry, greater moment others, speech. III 20 A. central assumption guarantees press inapplicable advertisements. Our cases, clearly establish form. Pittsburgh Press Co. Human Rel. Comm'n, 376, 384, 2553, 2558, 669 (1973); Times Sullivan, 376 254, 266, 710, 718, 686 (1964). 21 free restraint sales 'solicitations,' Murdock Pennsylvania, 319 105, 110—111, 63 870, 873—874, 87 1292 (1943), printing it, 718; Smith California, 361 80 215, 217, 205 (1959), motive advertiser financial gain, Thomas Collins, 323 516, 531, 65 315, 323, 89 430 (1945). activity, itself, justification narrowing expression secured Amendment.' Ginzburg United States, 383 463, 474, 86 942, 949, (1966). categories speech—such fighting words, Chaplinsky Hampshire, 315 568, 572, 62 766, 769, 1031 (1942), obscenity, Roth 354 476, 481—485, 77 1304, 1306—1309, 1498 (1957), Miller 15, 23, 2607, 2614, 419 libel, Gertz Robert Welch, Inc., 2997, 789 (1974), incitement, Brandenburg Ohio, 395 444, 1827, 23 (1969)—have unprotected, contention embraced categories. appellee, relies Valentine Chrestensen, 316 52, 1262 unanimous Court, brief opinion, sustained ordinance interpreted ban distribution handbill exhibition submarine. solicited customers tour ship fee. promoter-advertiser attempted distribute single-faced denied permission so. printed, reverse side handbill, protest against official refusing use wharfage facilities. found message 'public interest' appended solely purpose evading constitute 'exercise freedom communicating opinion.' 54, 921. said: 24 'We equally clear Constitution imposes government respects advertising.' Ibid. 25 distinctly limited one: upheld reasonable regulation manner distributed. banning mean Chrestensen authority proposition immune challenge. obviously support unprotected per se.6 26 Court's untenable reading effect. supra, instituted civil libel action four clergymen Times. suit based criticizing members movement soliciting contributions movement. factually erroneous defamatory content, same degree ordinary 27 'That immaterial connection newspapers books sold.' U.S.A t 718. 28 distinguished ground propose transaction, whereas 'communicated information, expressed recited grievances, protested claimed abuses, sought behalf whose objectives matters highest public concern.' 30 enjoys reaffirmed There, divided construed forbid carry help-wanted advertisements sex-designated columns except bona fide occupational exemption. describe 'classic examples speech,' each 'no proposal employment.' 385, 2559. indicated received legal. illegality advertised stressed: 'Any served arguably outweigh governmental supporting altogether absent illegal restriction limitation economic activity.' 389, S.T., 2561. B. legitimacy demonstrated differences between presently Press. simply transaction. contained material interest.' Portions message, most prominently lines, 'Abortions York. requirements,' involve opinion. curiosity about, genuine in, development, mere typical organizations there, availability unnewsworthy. Also, pertained interests. Thus, public.7 34 Moreover, legally provided time.8 proscribed State.9 Huntington Attrill, 146 657, 669, 224, 228, 36 1123 (1892). Neither prevent residents traveling or, conceded, Tr. Oral Arg. 29, prosecute them going there. Guest, 745, 757—759, 1170, 1177—1178, 239 (1966); Shapiro Thompson, 394 618, 629—631, 1322, 1328—1330, (1969); 200, 751. possessed regulate York—the skills credentials physicians professionals assisted standards patients referred, practices charges referral services. State. leave. conclude, therefore, assumptions interest. decide precise extnet permits related legitimately even prohibit.10 Advertising, like expression, serves supra; Lehman Shaker Heights, 298, 2714, 770 (1974).11 To extent regulation, relationship factor, among considered weighing alleged. Advertising thereby protection. marketplace products valueless ideas. 38 'a cannot foreclose labels.' 429, 336. Regardless label State—whether calls 'commercial' 'solicitation'—a escape task assessing allegedly regulation. motives, means, messages widely varying degrees. afforded face kinds IV 39 balancing should undertaken reached decision. remand purpose, readily apparent said above. 40 appellee contends operations agencies associated practices, fee splitting, tend diminish, least adversely affect, quality medical care, lead interested mainly gain apart professional integrity responsibility. maintaining care borders. Barsky Board Regents, 347 442, 451, 74 650, 655, 98 829 (1954). No made, directed informative relating agency practitioner regulate. 42 sure, agency-advertiser's illegal, later proved 'inimical S.P.S. Consultants, Inc. Lefkowitz, 333 F.Supp. 1373, 1378 (SDNY 1971).12 development justify forbids using local agency. Here, really asserting is, effect, advancing borders, reach. understandable, 43 supported record, deceptive fraudulent,13 commodity service either otherwise furthered criminal scheme Virginia.14 invade privacy citizens, infringe rights. Observers thrust captive audience. Packer Corp. Utah, 285 110, 52 273, 274, 76 643 (1932). If circumstances, exert wide variety national publications interstate carrying similar appeared articles referred.15 Other same. burdens imposed impair, perhaps severely, proper functioning. Miami Herald Publishing Tornillo, 241, 257—258, 2831, 2839—2840, 730 know experience 'liberty peril soon tries compel go newspaper.' Z. Chafee, Government Mass Communications 633 (1947). policy favors dissemination '(t)he designed censorship merely, means discussion seems absolutely essential . .' Cooley, Constitutional Limitations 886 (8th ed.).' Curtis Butts, 388 130, 1975, 1989, 1094 (1967) (opinion Harlan, J.). 45 18.1 (1960), publication infringing 46 Reversed. 47 REHNQUIST, whom WHITE joins, dissenting. 48 confront head-on poses, makes contact series verbal sideswipes. fashioning doctrine reversal judgment, save harmless effects many inconsistent it. 49 I am agreement ante, 2230—2231, properly invalidated overbreadth,1 sole brought substantially altered issue. 'It review, abstract, academic questions doubtful case.' Saia 334 558, 571, 68 1148, 1155, 1574 (1948) (Jackson, 50 Since concludes, two lines 812, 'subject development' 'seeking Virginia,' 822, ad abortion, elevated stature concludes something traditionally accorded advertising. 825, n. 10. recognizing '(a)dvertising, interest,' 826, reasons entirely me 'little, weight.' Ante, 828. 51 does, indeed, turn conclusion Amendments, ought difference. say, factors somehow put different footing furnish basis, always refused distinguish purposes basis bucket shop operation Ponzi headquarters laws, difficult see why likewise out-of-state repealing 'blue sky' laws. threshold me, below, classic toward exchange apology "Weekly collective learned number groups charging done Liberation, Planned Parenthood, others." 194, 173, 175 Whatever slight content whatever laboriously alter predominantly content. evasion successful, every merchant desires broadcast append civic moral platitude, achieve immunity law's command.' 55, 922, (1942). e.g., 474 17, unable perceive instant example 292, 732, Nor able recognizes, 819-821, little 53 Assuming arguendo normal proposal, concedes, 825 10, long prevention field—both maintain high ethical profession protect unscrupulous practices. See, Semler Dental Examiners, 294 608, 612, 55 570, 79 1086 (1935); Williamson Lee Optical Co., 348 483, 490—491, 75 461, 465—466, 99 563 (1955); North Dakota Pharmacy Bd. Snyder's Stores, 414 156, 407, 379 And exploitation elect abortion: 54 state enact measures powder. rightfully seeing fall hands patient.' concern one. majority notes, 822-823 allowed profitmaking agencies, thereafter passed legislation prohibiting type 1971), quoted author passage: 56 "Because liberal Continental thousands country coming .. (M)ost came advertise nationally. These sizeable fee, patient. certain discounts lucrative, profit-making organizations. expense desperate, frightened huge profit—some, profit out Committee actually shocked.' 57 Mitchell, 66 Misc.2d 514, 321 N.Y.S.2d 756 (1971); Abortion Information Agency, 69 597 58 Without prohibit both occur instead focuses multistate nature concluding State.' 824-825. goes far suggest open invitation proposed situs crime. 828 14. 59 source rigid territorial federal system safeguard revealed. Court.2 Beginning Delamater South Dakota, 93, 100, 447, 448, 724 (1907), irrespective extraterritorial transactions participate retains independent business solicitation example, Head Mexico Board, 374 424, 1759, 983 (1963), radio station optometric Texas. Brennan, concurring contrary produce 'noman's land' best selective policing various abuses excesses very extensively law.' 446, 1772. (1932); Were statements taken literally, presage standard lowest common denominator ethics conduct. Securities issuers circumvent established blue-sky laws carefully establishing regulations, spreading offers throughout country. Loan sharks choose unregulated small loan industries, luring unwary imagination place limit 'no-man's together artificially created contacts bilk long-established schemes 61 saves area, fairly inferred intend results literal think today errs impact Cf. Young Masci, 289 253, 599, 1158 (1933). agency, barred, physically located physical says touted lies preventing needs citizens. So bans location diminish 'reasonable affirm His describes 'underground Brief 3. states record description. Appellee advised argument dated back 1878, 'in modern times,' 'at time.' 40. origin Va.Acts Assembly 1877 p. 281, c. 2, 1972, 725, reads: '18.1—63. profit, promote miscarriage performed article, misdemeanor.' restricts respect purport define 18.1—62.1 62.3 (Supp.1975), described repealed amendment,' citing amended, nonphysician. 38—39. event, dispute reach advertisement. Commercial Advertising: Va.L.Rev. asserts, feel, case' 'not 6; 26. Douglas, Member joined observed: 'The ruling casual, almost offhand. survived reflection.' Cammarano 358 498, 524, 534, 462 (1959) (concurring opinion). Justices Stewart, Marshall, Powell, 'There distinction continuing validity.' 314 2723, (1974) (dissenting 393, 2562, (1973) 398, 2564. (Douglas, 401, 2566 (Stewart, argued, too, appearance 'an implicit editorial endorsement' message. 29. Subsequent adopted Laws codified Art. Public Health Law (Supp.1974—1975). Section 4500 contains legislative finding: 'Medical services, organized enterprises state, practice medicine violations acts physicians. hereby declared invalid unlawful state.' 4501(1) provides: 'No firm, partnership, association corporations, agent employee thereof, whole part includes recommendation persons hospital, facility, dispensary treatment ailment condition. imposition charge create presumption engaged profit.' misdemeanor punishable imprisonment longer year $5,000 both. 4502(1). Article expressly nonprofit corporation exempt income taxation 501(c) Internal Revenue Code 1954, U.S.C. 501(c). 4503. 1373 1971). began, Acts 642, 18.1—417.2 (Supp.1975). for-profit referrals prohibits engaging condition.' Acceptance 'shall Violation $5,000, By 1973 amendment, 1973, 529, dealing unprofessional member profession, physician. Specifically, 54—317 he: '(13) Advertises directly indirectly costs, prices, fees, credit terms quality.' 54—278.1 54—317(4), (5), (6) We, occasion comment raised statutes. occasion, lower distinguishable situations. Wholly respective rationales developed here. existed regulating. Bob Lawrence Realty, F.2d 115, 121 (CA5), cert. denied, 131, Rockville Reminder, Postal Service, 480 (CA2 1973); Hunter, 459 (CA4), 409 934, 235, 189 ramifications prohibitions electronic media, 'unique characteristics' communication especially Capital Broadcasting 582, 584 (DC aff'd, 1000, 1289, 472 Banzhaf FCC, 132 U.S.App.D.C. 14, 1082 (1968), sub nom., Tobacco Institute, 396 842, 90 50, Columbia System, Democratic National Committee, 412 94, 2080, 772 holdings activity. (1954); (1935). Adderley Florida, 385 39, 46—48, 242, 246—248, 149 Cox Louisiana, 536, 554, 453, 464, 471 (1965); Poulos 345 395, 405, 73 760, 97 1105 (1953); Kunz 340 290, 293—294, 312, 280 (1951); 312 569, 575 576, 762, 765—766, 1049 (1941). Mitchell Family Planning, Royal Oak, 335 738 (ED Mich.1972). Freedom Expression Context, 78 1191, 1197—1198 Developments Deceptive 1005, 1010—1015 (1967). required consequences promoted narcotics possession DP strength augmented newspaper, practitioner. incurred serious overtones. argument. 37—38. It, never applied. 'effective repeal,' counsel during '(w)e know' how far, appellee's theory, reached. 38. 817, interpretation implied lecturers. error: interpret encompass 177 822-823, (1892), major premise relations occurred reads impose unthinking limitation, unspecified, conduct, plainly wrong. passage dictum then-prevalent common-law holding. attempt Holmes, writing Strassheim Daily, 221 280, 285, 560, 735 (1911): 'Acts jurisdiction, intended producing detrimental punishing cause ..' McKenna Hyde 225 347, 363, 793, 800, 1114 (1912), 'this fit administration men away "bookish theorick." Skiriotes 313 69, 74—75, 924, 928, 1193 (1941); Ford 273 593, 620—621, 540—541, 793 (1927). negligible proceeds involving residents, quite war cases.

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