Document: 384 U.S. 214 86 S.Ct. 1434 16 L.Ed.2d 484 James E. MILLS, Appellant,v.STATE OF ALABAMA. No. 597. Argued April 19, 1966. Decided May 23, Kenneth Perrine and Alfred Swedlaw, Birmingham, Ala., for appellant. Burgin Hawkins, Leslie Hall, Montgomery, appellee. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The question squarely presented here is whether a State, consistently with United States Constitution, can make it crime editor daily newspaper to write publish an editorial on election day urging people vote certain way issues submitted them. 2 On November 6, 1962, Alabama, held decide they preferred keep their existing city commission form government or replace mayor-council government. Birmingham Post-Herald, newspaper, carried written by its editor, appellant, Mills, which strongly urged adopt government.1 Mills was later arrested complaint charging that publishing he had violated § 285 Alabama Corrupt Practices Act, Ala.Code, 1940, Tit. 17, §§ 268 286, makes 'to do any electioneering solicit votes * in support opposition proposition being voted affecting such candidates propositions held.'2 trial court sustained demurrers grounds state statute abridged freedom speech press violation Constitution First Fourteenth Amendments Constitution. appeal Supreme Court publication undoubtedly law then went reverse holding as applied did not unconstitutionally abridge press. Recognizing limit restrict both press, State nevertheless valid exercise State's police power chiefly because, said, 'restriction, everything considered, within field reasonableness' 'not unreasonable limitation upon free speech, includes press.' 278 Ala. 188, 195, 196, 176 So.2d 884, 890. case under 28 U.S.C. 1257 (1964 ed.). I. 3 has moved dismiss this ground Court's judgment 'final judgment' therefore appealable 1257.3 argues since remanded further proceedings inconsistent (which would include trial), cannot be considered 'final.' This argument surface plausibility, true literally end case. It did, however, render binding must convict if wrote published editorial. concedes no defense court. Thus goes back court, trial, so far record shows, more than few formal gestures leading inexorably towards conviction, another formally repeat rejection Mills' constitutional contentions whereupon could once wind weary us unquestionably final appealable. Such roundabout process only inexcusable delay benefits Congress intended grant providing Court, but also result completely unnecessary waste time energy judicial systems already troubled delays due congested dockets.4 language we construed Pope v. Atlantic Coast Line R. Co., 345 379, 381—383, 73 749, 750—751, 97 L.Ed. 1094, does require consequences. See Local 438 Construction & General Laborers' Union, AFL-CIO Curry, 371 542, 548 551, 83 531, 535—537, 8 236; Richfield Oil Corp. Board, 329 69, 72—74, 67 156, 158—159, 91 80. Following those cases hold have jurisdiction. II. 4 We come now merits. Amendment, applies through Fourteenth, prohibits laws 'abridging abridges punish doing particular election. should point out at involves extent regulate conduct around polls order maintain peace, decorum there. sole reason charge voters cast favor changing 5 Whatever differences may exist about interpretations there practically universal agreement major purpose Amendment protect discussion governmental affairs. course discussions candidates, structures forms government, manner operated operated, all matters relating political processes. specifically selected newspapers, books, magazines, humble leaflets circulars, see Lovell City Griffin, 303 444, 58 666, 82 949, play important role public serves designed serve powerful antidote abuses officials constitutionally chosen means keeping elected responsible whom were serve. Suppression right praise criticize agents clamor contend against change, muzzles one very agencies Framers our thoughtfully deliberately improve society free. Act criminal penalties editorials silences when most effective. difficult conceive obvious flagrant abridgment guaranteed 6 Admitting restricted editor's day, constitutionality restrictions 'reasonable restrictions' least 'within reasonableness.' reached conclusion because thought imposed minor restricting days—and served good purpose. said: 7 'It salutary legislative enactment protects from confusive last-minute charges countercharges distribution propaganda effort influence day; practical matter, lack time, answered truth determined until after over.' 195—196, argument, even relevant law, fatal flaw. leaves hurl campaign up last minute before answer 'last-minute' effectively answered. Because prevents adequate reply these charges, wholly ineffective protecting electorate 'from countercharges.' test reasonableness save invalidation urge publicly 9 reversed opinion. 10 ordered. 11 Judgment remanded. 12 DOUGLAS, BRENNAN joins, concurring. 13 Although I join think appropriate add words finality today, particularly view observation separate HARLAN 'limitations jurisdiction respected turned off pleasure members suit convenience litigants.' 14 decision approved which, my view, blatant threat penal sanctions has, are told, taken toll Alabama: Press Association Southern Newspaper Publishers Association, amici curiae, tell 1962 comment been nonexistent Alabama. chilling effect prosecution thus anything hypothetical; currently experienced newspapers 15 deal rights basic form: express views electorate. In light appellant's concession other offer go compare 1094; 80, considering importance stake litigation, regard some remote, theoretical interests federalism conclude lacks unlikely possibility jury might disregard judge's instructions acquit. Indeed, appellant unwilling concede defense—apart question—to him, warranted reviewing That follows fortiori holdings where jeopardized nature, threatens deter others exercising rights, federal will take extraordinary step enjoining prosecution. Dombrowski Pfister, 380 479, 85 1116, 22; Cameron Johnson, 381 741, 1751, 715. As noted, brought halt throughout Our NAACP Button, 415, 433, 328, 338, 405, grim relevance here: 'The (of rights) almost potently actual application sanctions.'* 17 For reasons, reasons stated final. 18 Separate HARLAN. 19 'final' ed.) entertain appeal. Republic Natural Gas Co. Oklahoma, 334 62, 68 972, 92 1212; cf. Parr States, 351 513, 76 912, 100 1377. 20 his demurrer overruled highest still faces him. If jury1 fails convict—a unless courtroom antennae former lawyer become dulled years bench, remote unusual is—the issue decided prematurely adjudicated. But mistaken thinking well bit teeth acquit, despite ruling admitted authorship question, nonetheless commands adjudicate run courts, adversely 21 much said deciding now, sides indicated desire so, continue believe permissible limitations contained are, litigants.2 traditional policy 'finality' changed, body it. want 22 Since otherwise, feel making summary statement merits agree below stand. rest reversal provision statute—'to (on day) held'—did give context (ante, 216, n. 2) absence authoritative decision, fair warning kind foregoing provisions Act. Winters People New York, 333 507, 665, 840. deem broader unnecessary. part: 'Mayor Hanes' proposal buy employees promise pay raises cost taxpayers nearly million dollars year cause enough destroy confidence left why overwhelmingly today Mayor-Council 'Now Hanes, arrogance, proposes set himself news censor Hall 'win lose' says instruct him neither regarding business entrusted nor discuss reporters either Post-Herald News. 'If Mayor Hanes displays arrogant public's know eve what expect future Commission retained? 'Let's chances. 'Birmingham deserve better break. A them.' '§ (599) practices elections enumerated defined.—It corrupt practice person intimidate attempt elector officers; or, obstruct hinder hinder, prevent forming lines awaiting opportunity enter booths; hire let automobile conveyance conveying electors polls; nomination candidate, held.' 17. Section provides 'Final judgments decrees rendered had, reviewed *.' instituted three one-half ago. refused, get finally determined. California Stewart, 383 903, 882, 661, conviction grounds, ruled motion obtain review though new remained held. otherwise permanently precluded raising permitting acquittal. And 36; Mercantile National Bank Langdeau, 555, 520, 523. At oral counsel conceded obtainable, 13, 326; 15, 321 (1958 Recomp.), Compare AFL—CIO 236, cited ante, p. 218, fall short supporting us. None them involved trials, each instance returned lower posture matter done judgment. What over erodes rule.

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