Document: 361 U.S. 147 80 S.Ct. 215 4 L.Ed.2d 205 Eleazar SMITH, Appellant,v.PEOPLE OF THE STATE CALIFORNIA. No. 9. Argued Oct. 20, 1959. Decided Dec. 14, Rehearing Denied Jan. 25, 1960. Motion to Vacate June 13, See 950, 399. Stanley Fleishman, Hollywood, Cal., and Sam Rosenwein, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Roger Arnebergh, Los Angeles, appellee. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Appellant, proprietor a bookstore, was convicted in California Municipal Court under Angeles City ordinance which makes it unlawful 'for any person have his possession obscene or indecent writing, (or) book * place business where books are sold kept sale.'1 The offense defined by Court, Appellate Department Superior Court,2 affirmed judgment imposing jail sentence on appellant, as consisting solely possession, appellant's certain found upon judicial investigation be obscene. definition included no element scienter—knowledge appellant contents book—and thus construed 'strict' 'absolute' criminal liability.3 made timely objection below that if were so would conflict with Constitution United States. This contention, together other contentions based Constitution,4 rejected, case comes here appeal. 28 U.S.C. s 1257(2), U.S.C.A. § 1257(2); 358 926, 79 317, 3 299. 2 Almost 30 years ago, Chief Hughes declared this Court: 'It is longer open doubt liberty press speech within safeguarded due process clause Fourteenth Amendment from invasion state action. It impossible conclude essential personal citizen left unprotected general guaranty fundamental rights property *.' Near v. State Minnesota ex rel. Olson, 283 697, 707, 51 625, 628, 75 L.Ed. 1357. too familiar citation such has been doctrine respect these freedoms, ever since. And also requires elaboration free publication dissemination forms printed word furnish very applications constitutionally protected freedoms. course matter takes commercial auspices. Joseph Burstyn, Inc., Wilson, 343 495, 72 777, 96 1098; Grosjean American Press Co., 297 233, 56 444, 660. Certainly retail bookseller plays most significant role distribution books. imposed strict absolute responsibility not shop. 'the existence mens rea rule of, rather than exception to, principles Anglo-American jurisprudence.' Dennis States, 341 494, 500, 71 857, 862, 95 1137.5 Still, doubtless competent States create liabilities defining offenses without scienter—though even freedom-of-expression question involved, there precedent power limitations. Lambert People California, 355 225, 78 240, 228. But validity ordinance's elimination scienter requirement—an may tend work substantial restriction freedom press. Our decisions examples legal devices doctrines consistent Constitution, cannot applied settings they collateral effect inhibiting expression, making individual more reluctant exercise it. generally regulate allocation burden proof their courts, common procedural device impose taxpayer proving entitlement exemptions taxation, but we conceived being manner tending cause self-imposed struck down its application. Speiser Randall, 357 513, 1332, 1460. supra, at pages 712—713, 629—630. stated usual separability constitutional unconstitutional statutes apply leave standing statute patently capable many applications, threatening those who validly expression expense inconvenience prosecution. Thornhill Alabama, 310 88, 97—98, 60 736, 741, 742, 84 1093. Cf. Staub Baxley, 313, 277, 302.6 intimated stricter standards permissible statutory vagueness having potentially speech; man less required act peril here, because ideas loser. Winters New York, 333 507, 509—510, 517—518, 68 665, 667, 671, 92 840. Very much point mental an offense, Court's holding Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 73 215, 97 216. There oath past membership subversive organizations, exacted qualification public employment, held violate distinction between members had, had not, known organization's character. said context: 'To inhibit movement stifle flow democratic controversy one chief suorces.' Id., page 191, 219. These guide us our decision here. We writings guarantees Roth 354 476, 77 1304, 1498.7 question, sure, only imposes sanctions fact shop book. does recognize restrict obscene; think liability feature seriously effect, penalizing booksellers, though slightest notice character sold. appellee court analogize strict-liability penal dispense knowledge part charged, food drug legislation principal example. find analogy instructive examination before us. rationale interest purity great warrant imposition highest standard care distributors—in will hear distributor's plea amount he used. Balint, 258 250, 252 253, 254, 42 301, 302, 303, 66 604. His ignorance irrelevant. specific inhibition against distributors good strictest censors merchandise, stand way similar requirement bookseller. By dispensing seller, tends severe limitation public's access matter. For criminally liable contents, fulfills purpose,8 sells inspected; well literature. observed that: 'Every placed obligation make himself aware every altogether unreasonable demand near approach omniscience.'9 King Ewart, 25 N.Z.L.R. 709, 729 (C.A.). bookseller's become burden, restricting him reading restricted. If bookshops periodical stands restricted material proprietors inspection, might depleted indeed. could familiarize himself, timidity face liability, suppress directly. self-censorship, compelled State, censorship affecting whole public, hardly virulent privately administered. Through it, all books, both obscene, impeded. 5 argued unless dispensed with, regulation ineffective, booksellers falsely disclaim books' deny reason suspect obscenity. observe some time now since law viewed itself impotent explore actual man's mind. Pound, Role Will Law, Harv.L.Rev. 1. Communications Ass'n, C.I.O., Douds, 339 382, 411, 70 674, 690, 94 925. Eyewitness testimony perusal need necessary awareness contents. circumstances inference what contained, despite denial. 6 definitely do pass today sort requisite prosecution carrying stock; whether honest mistake constituted obscenity excuse; require investigate further, put explaining why did be. Doubtless form applicable induce tendency self-censorship inhibitory consider goes extent eliminating elements crime. 7 said: 'The freedoms contributed greatly development well-being society indispensable continued growth. Ceaseless vigilance watchword prevent erosion Congress door barring federal intrusion into area ajar; must tightly closed opened crack encroachment important interests.' 488, 1311.10 opens far. State's mean can barrier practical power. Dean Milk Co. Madison, Wisconsin, 340 349, 295, 329. plain aimed matter, Constitution. 8 Reversed. 9 BLACK, concurring. 10 sentenced prison possessing bookstore 'obscene' violation city ordinance.1 I concur unconstitutional, reasons given opinion. 11 invalidates penalizes mere book, unaware grounds draws punishes 'obscenity' persuasive me. Those conviction when 'will inspected,' therefore 'may speech.' is, course, sentences punishment correctly points out how little extra prosecutors requiring book's possessed Constitution's easily met, result particular gains freedom, merely adding few new words old laws. safeguards gain little. Their victory, any, Pyrrhic one. Beauharnais Illinois, 267, 275, 725, 739, 919 (dissenting opinion). 12 That apparently intended governments abridge (to approves) indicated following statements opinion: "The (freedom press) hightly far.' statement raises number questions What 'more important' interests protection second place? determine abridgment 'too far' slight enough allowable? Is momentous majority case-by-case basis? express provision provisions precarious position subordination insecurity? 13 First Amendment's language leaves room abridgments just slight. provides, simple words, 'Congress shall abridging speech, press.' read 'no abridging' abridging. Amendment, supreme land, fixed own value putting wholly 'beyond reach' abridge.2 No purports dilute scope unequivocal commands Amendment. Consequently, believe agencies, including authority subordinate contrary notion my judgment, court-made Constitution-made. 14 different terms refers laws passed Congress. adhere prior State. cases collected concurring 530, 1344, follows am reversing sets up Amendments. 15 If, seems, national censorship, suggest again grave doubts mind desirability constitutionality becoming Supreme Board Censors—reading viewing television performances whether, permitted, adversely affect morals people throughout diversified local communities vast country.3 true 'obscene writing.' kind considered obnoxious thing mildest least repulsive 'illegitimate practices get first footing *. duty courts watchful citizen, stealthy encroachments thereon.' Boyd 116 616, 635, 524, 535, 29 746. While 'obscenity indecency' today, experience mankind—both ancient modern—shows type elastic phrase can, likely will, synonymous political maybe religious unorthodoxy tomorrow. 16 Censorship deadly enemy progress. forbids protest Judiciary giving foothold 17 FRANKFURTER, 18 violating prohibiting bookshop. appeal asked reverse. Appellant claims three invalidity Due Process Clause He urges guarantee 'liberty' action, holds apart regarding infirmity urged exclusion appropriately offered through duly qualified witnesses prevailing literary moral criteria relevantly comparable deemed deprived claim, relevant bearing issue defense. ultimate contention questioned forbidden. 19 reach, neither I, disposes exclusively sustaining claim precludes bookshop touching 20 accepts settled principle traffic literature outlawed amenable outlawry chargeable Obviously obviously, hold insulates about offending thereby maintain emporium smut. How suffices establish scienter, evidence satisfy little, another day. 21 iI friend deciding beyond immediate requires, particularly limits stake. On hand, case. Inevitably disposition carries implications gives directions facts. Were guilty associated concept crimes infamous, further elucidation needed. normal crime, problem confronts assume, like substantially know nor exculpate studious avoidance then, submit, invalidating dispenses indication quality required. ought clear, future litigation, nullify conceded prohibit trafficking 22 Of difference feeds belly brain. 604, appropriate limits. prosecutions so-called welfare doing prerequisite infliction punishment. Morissette 342 246, 288. balance vital overriding menace inherent noxious drugs carried over balancing society's dealing pornography. non-obscene absorb deal certainly wrong them attribute Jefferson Madison doctrinaire absolutism bar denial speech.1 yet told defamation inciting crime see Fox 1915, 236 273, 35 383, 59 573, impermissible curbs unrestrictable utterance. Jefferson's view, view Holmes Brandeis, JJ., originating architects protective speech. 23 Accordingly, nature purposes Out regard interest, suggests unguiding, vague establishing 'awareness' challenged contradiction disclaimer A may, cover, or, sense, As right carry hazard Such difficulties hazards domains avail factors ascertained quantitatively impersonally. 24 uncertainties pertaining speculative entail, considerations reinforce charged obscenity—a implicit obscenity—to enlighten tribunal, jury judge, community experts. immaterial basis irrelevance, incompetence experts testify matters. two coalesce, psychological physiological consequences established except Therefore, exclude expert irrelevant essence defense process. determination rests judge jury. displace determining relating art patent suits determines patentability controverted device. external measuring rod Neither, ascertainment subjective reflection taste outlook jurors judges. Since functionaries 'applying contemporary standards' constitutes obscenity, 489, 1311, 1498, surely rational, allow light shed 'contemporary are. interpretation depend necessarily limited, hit-or-miss, believed juror judge. bears repetition upbringing life, standards.' Can doubted 1959 compared 1859? derives shift feeling prurient effects attributable writing. Changes intellectual climate society, views findings specialists, afford shifting foundations attribution. consonant 'with mid-Victorian morals, seem me answer understanding morality present time.' Kennerley, 209 F. 119, 120. Judge Learned Hand decades ago reflecting atmosphere propriety closer days ours. Unless disbelieve literary, fruitful illuminating subjects inquiry give life inquiries, violative 'due process' proffered importance impressively attested recent debates House Commons insertion enactment Obscene Publications Act, 1959, & Eliz. 2, Ch. 662 (see 597 Parliamentary Debates, H.Comm., 36 (December 16, 1958) cols. 1009—1010, 1042—1043; 604 100 (April 24, 1959), col. 803), thinking subject proposed Model Penal Code Law Institute. A.L.I. Code, Tentative Draft (1957), 207.103 indicated, introduce prosecutions. 26 DOUGLAS, 27 repeat dissent 508, 1321, underline author distributor punished Bill Rights publishing distributing publications utterances developed country later adoption legislative developments show. leading authorities summarized follows: 'In Civil War reported involving circulation time; persistence pornography entirely strong inference. Nor totally indifferent proprieties read. In 1851 Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter bitterly attacked immoral degraded encouraged social licentiousness. lack means thought sufficient justify arousing forces censorship.' Lockhart McClure, Literature, Obscenity, 38 Minn.L.Rev. 324—325. Neither legislatures power, weigh values utterance silence. suppressing narrow. it; while me, showing attempted My case, U.S., 514, S.Ct., 1324: 'Freedom suppressed if, that, closely brigaded illegal action inseparable Giboney Empire Storage Ice 336 490, 498, 69 684, 688, 93 834; National Labor Relations Virginia Electric Power 314 469, 477—478, 62 344, 348, 86 348. people, relax standard. test suppresses cheap tract gem All incite lascivious arouse lustful desire. list judges juries category endless.' 31 Yet minority; fluid tests prevail condemned censor ourselves edifying school perform harm, perhaps good, fashioned scienter. recognizes implicitly rights, command Amendment—a Amendment—are preferred rights. possibly provide small degree safeguard patrol bookstalls proceed high handedly custom.* 32 HARLAN, dissenting part. 33 striking always serious 503—508, 1318—1321, expressed field wider intimately related impact effective proscribe broad quite Proof entail obviously material; however, difficult debatable. involves order depending involved. ordinance, meagre date reach absence renders unconstitutional. say, generalties unconvinced. 34 From ideas, ground offerings nonobscene merchandise fear unwittingly shelves publication. protecting citizens material, says digestion, intimates relaxed requirements. rough competing unavoidably adjudication, notwithstanding arises domain critical appraisal sides balance, possible us, seems ground. For, opinions Brothers BLACK FRANKFURTER show, conclusion embodying legitimate dialectical real. persuaded unconstitutionally instance court's refusal admit testimony. agree Brother trier take account standards,' 1498. regardless law, permit obtained here1 complained exceed candor set standards.2 cannot, issue, condemn tolerates. so, process—'using term primary sense opportunity heard defend (a) substantive right,' Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust Savings Hill, 281 673, 678, 50 451, 453, 74 1107 litigant score. debarred embodiment standards, standards,3 privileged rebuff efforts persuade trier. However, admitted, specifically, oral heard. ways made, demonstrates. compare allegedly openly published, purchased, received wide acceptance. Where variety means, convenient practicable method proof, going far say compelled, conclude, responsive traditional grounds, sanction mode proof. 37 fatally defective trial record, turned aside attempt standards. exclusionary rulings limited depriving offer issue. reverse below, remand trial. 41.01.1 Angeles. provides: 'Indecent Writings, Etc.—Possession Prohibited: pamphlet, picture, photograph, drawing, figure, motion picture film, phonograph recording, wire recording transcription places: '1. school, school-grounds, park playground place, street 300 yards playground; '2. ice-cream, soft drinks, candy, food, supplies, magazines, pamphlets, papers, pictures postcards sale; '3. toilet restroom public; '4. poolroom billiard parlor, alcoholic liquor sale '5. records, photographs, pictures, transcriptions used, maintained, exhibited.' proceeding, had.' 1257, 1257. Cal.Const. art. VI, §§ 4, 4b, 5. Edwards 160, 171, 164, 165, 119. Hall, General Principles Criminal p. 280. Department's 161 Cal.App.2d Supp. 860, 327 P.2d 636. was, fact, assigned upholding supplementary municipal occupied 311, state-wide contentions, allowed permitted introduced; facts; permissibility presented questions. discussion, assume adjudged Williams, Law—The Part, 238 et seq. Note, 61 1208. decided Alberts dealt area. effectiveness promoting caution subjected criticism. pp. 300—301. 267—274; Sayre, Public Welfare Offenses, Col.L.Rev. 55; Mueller, Common Mens Rea, 1043; Common-law strictly adhered discussion Attorney-General Simpson, Irish L.T. 33, 37—38 (Dist.Ct.). c. 66, 2(5); Institute 207.10(7) (Tentative 6, May 1957), Comments, 49—51. statute, note 3, sustained supra. Note. 7. emphasized Roth, 484, 1308, 'limited area' prevail, listed representative page. shown Note opinion, possess places kind. Another James Thomas Federal Government. men during long lives define precise complete certainty. several indicate 'doctrinaire absolutism.' exploring sweep Government 1789, said, secured; expressly (Emphasis supplied.) Annals Cong. 738. reports discussions 424—449, 660, 704—756. Eleven wrote: 'without tracing farther subject, scarcely whatever supposed delegated originally stood, amendment positive reservation it.' Writings (Hunt ed. 1906), 341, 391, generally, 385—393, breadth prohibition illustrated 1798: '(The Amendment) guard(s) same sentence, religion, press; insomuch, violates either, throws sanctuary covers others, libels, falsehood, defamation, equally heresy false withheld cognizance tribunals.' Jefferson, (Ford 1904), 464—465. early St. George Tucker's comments adequacy forums grant needed libel. Blackstone, Commentaries (Tucker 1803) faced until prohibitions At lived, passed, libel Barron, Use Tiernan Mayor Council Baltimore, Pet. 243, 672. meaning understood renowned applies First, force brings bear Government, See, e.g., West Education Barnette, 319 624, 639, 63 1178, 1186, 87 1628, 1460 (concurring 288, 746, (Court opinions). Kingsley International Pictures Corp. Regents University 360 690—691, 1362, 1366, 1512 accepted, still inappropriate 'Board Censors' country. conceding 'there obscenity,' argues determined standards'—'the community.' reject 'experts' 'obscenity,' odd should final clearly common-law England 1927 Rex Curl, Str. 788, overruled Reg. Read, (1708) Mod. 142, jurisdiction ecclesiastical courts. Wilkes, (1770), Burr. 2527. across Atlantic appears 1786, copyright specifically 'nothing Act authorise Person Persons publish Book profane, treasonable, defamatory, injurious Morals Religion.' An Promote April 29, LIV, IV, Laws York (Jones Varick) (1777—1789) 321. Pennsylvania, 1815, founded liability. Commonwealth Sharpless, Serg. R. 91. Maryland, regulating enacted 1853, recited 'although Legislature, advertisements contra bonos mores, punishable desirable re-enacted enforced; *' Md.Laws 183. Moreover, eleventh year reign Queen Anne (1711—1712), emerged England, Massachusetts provided 'that whosoever composing, printing publishing, filthy prophane Song, Pamphlet Acts 1711—1712, Charter Province Massachusetts-Bay, 172 (1759). unclear well-known 1821, Holmes, Mass. 336, although 1945 Judicial regarded seccessor 1835, Revised Statutes Massachusetts, 130, (1836). Isenstadt, 318 543, 547, N.E.2d 840, Grant Angoff, Censorship, III, B.U.L.Rev. (1930). Thereafter March 1848, VIII, 7, (1847—1848) Va.Laws 111; 183 (1853) Maryland 212; 28, 1868, 430, N.Y.Stat. Large (1867—1870) 309. Section '(1) proved article justified science, literature, learning, objects concern. '(2) hereby artistic, scientific merits admitted proceedings either negative ground.' Subsection (2) draft section provides part: '* admissible show: '(a) audience designed directed; '(b) predominant ordinary adults special audience, probably behavior people; '(c) scientific, educational '(d) acceptance country; '(e) thereof, advertising promotion 'Expert author, creator publisher entering admissible.' Chafee, Free Speech (1941), 536—540; 302—316; Daniels, Books (1954), 76 seq.; Blanshard, Right Read (1955), 180 Fellman, (1957). Library World Literature Allen, 114 F.Supp. 823. concerned portrays, teaches. 1512. notable Hand, 121: 'If abstract definition, compromise shame arrived now?' exposition Institute, 6), 30. embodies restriction, 487, 1310, id., 499—500, 1316—1317 (separate tried according

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