Document: 402 U.S. 351 91 S.Ct. 1410 28 L.Ed.2d 813 UNITED STATES, Appellant,v.Norman George REIDEL. No. 534. Argued Jan. 20, 1971. Decided May 3, Rehearing Denied June 14, See 403 924, 2223. Syllabus Appellee, who had advertised in the newspaper sale to persons over 21 years of age a booklet entitled 'The True Facts about Imported Pornography,' was indicted for mailing copies violation 18 U.S.C. § 1461, which prohibits knowing use mails delivery obscene matter. Appellee moved dismiss indictment, contending that statute unconstitutional. Assuming, arguendo, booklets were obscene, trial judge granted motion on ground appellee made constitutionally protected and 1461 unconstitutional as applied him. Held: Section is not distribution materials willing recipients state they are adults. Roth v. United States, 354 476, 77 1304, 1 1498. The decision Stanley Georgia, 394 557, 89 1243, 22 542, holding State's power regulate obscenity does extend mere possession by an individual privacy his own home, did disturb Roth, supra. Pp. 353—356. Reversed. Solicitor Gen. Erwin N. Griswold, appellant. Sam Rosenwein, Studio City, Cal., appellee. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. Title 18, U.S.C., matter.1 issue presented jurisdictional statement this case whether constitutional District Court held it not.2 We disagree reverse judgment. 2 * On April 15, 1970, appellee, Norman Reidel, three counts, each count charging him with having mailed single copy illustrated About Pornography. One been postal inspector stipulated be 21, responded advertisement.3 other two seized during search appellee's business premises; both them deposited mail Reidel but returned their original envelopes bearing mark 'undelivered.' As these booklets, Government conceded no evidence identity or addressees willingness receive booklets. Nor record indicate why undelivered. 3 before contending, among things, Assuming purpose hence Government's direct appeal here under 3731. II 4 In 1498 (1957), convicted circulars advertising.4 affirmed conviction, 'obscenity within area speech press,' id., at 485, S.Ct., 1309, 'applied according proper standard judging obscenity, do(es) offend safeguards against convictions based upon material, fail give men acting adequate notice what prohibited.' Id., 492, 1313. has overruled. It remains law governs case. like charged using material. His if occurs found fact would more vulnerable than Roth's. 5 542 (1969), compels different result. There, pornographic films Stanley's home he Georgia statutes possessing This reversed private matter cannot crime. But neither overruled nor disturbed Roth. Indeed, Court's view, constitutionality proscribing first impression Court, question involved decided its point expressly: 'Roth cases following impaired today's holding. we have said, States retain broad obscenity; simply home.' 568, 1249. Nothing questioned validity insofar material concerned. Clearly thought questioning those who, routinely disseminating through claim, could make none, unwanted governmental intrusions into home. considered sufficiently clear warrant summary affirmance judgment Northern rejecting claims Georgia's book sellers. Gable Jenkins, 397 592, 90 1351, 25 595 (1970). 6 ignored express limitations reach decision. Relying 'the Constitution protects right information ideas regardless social worth.' U.S., 564, 1247, reasoned 'if person possess then someone must deliver him.' He concluded validly 'where directed children, unwilling public, where such solicited adults *.' 7 gave too wide sweep. To extrapolate from peruse First Amendment sell effectively scuttle precise result abjured. Whatever scope 'right receive' referred Stanley, so immunize dealings engaged here—dealings unprotected Amendment. 8 asserted read observe pleases—the satisfy intellectual emotional needs 565, 1248. response 'a State telling man, sitting alone house, books may watch. Our whole heritage rebels though giving government control men's minds.' Ibid. focus language freedom mind one's require fashion recognize people distribute materials. personal rights homes do depend protected. Their view independently saved Constitution. 9 wholly position. complaints violations thoughts fantasies, stands squarely claimed process. placed outside remain there today. overrule decline now. III 10 A postscript appropriate. interpreted insulate statutory regulation. itself proscribes directs suggests legislative oversight area. relevant issues arisen courts only because lawmakers exclusive consistently insisted making crime otherwise regulating laws pass challenged invasions free press. 11 urged developing sentiment should complete produce, deal in, possess, consume whatever communicative law's involvement limited situations children necessary prevent imposition age. concepts said elusive inherently unenforceable without extravagant expenditures time effort enforcement officers basic reassessment wise essential. prove desirable eventual course. is, task restructuring lies pass, repeal, amend ordinances. pose obstacle developments. 12 reversed. 13 So ordered. 14 15 HARLAN, concurring. 16 I join which, understand it, holds Federal prohibit commercial properly classifiable obscene.* today correctly rejects contention recognition privileged carries any modes long precautions taken dissemination unconsenting children. contends, effect, language, 564—565, 1247—1248, constituted content. Governmental efforts proscribe would, interpretation, constitutional; rather, Governments now restricted regulation engage category 'speech' light permissible interests, protection 17 That interpretation however, flatly inconsistent square (1957): 'We hold press.' 19 Either means rather merely reference nothing all. And far overruling even purport limit facts: 20 Fourteenth Amendments *' explicit reaffirmance former limiting geared public interests judicially assessed legitimate illegitimate nature special speech. Rather, rest part proposition recognized exercised exclusion individual. treatment consistent approach problem prior restraints area; chooses system aid goal designed minimize impact Blount Rizzi, 400 410, 416, 423, 428, 27 498 (1971); Marcus Search Warrant Property, etc., 367 717, 731, 81 1708, 1715—1716, 1127 (1961). Freedman Maryland, 380 51, 85 734, 649 (1965). analogous interest situation restricts programs control, however might justified terms objectives. For me, least, rests manipulation content man's necessitates ban punishment memorabilia dreams, unless can related stronger simple desire such. words, existence destroy serious risk infringing thoughts; protective zone ensuring inner life, rich sordid. Cf. West Virginia Board Education Barnette, 319 624, 642, 63 1178, 1187, 87 L.Ed. 1628 (1943). 23 MARSHALL, dissenting 133 concurring 24 Only ago fully canvassed range possibly justify obscenity. refused legitimize argument outlawed somehow encourage antisocial conduct, unequivocally rejected outlandish notion police citizenry. did, approve regulatory action protect exposure deemed obscene. need course arises when distributed displayed publicly; reaffirmed principles Redrup New York, 386 767 (1967), decisions Thus, turned assessment legitimately underpin action, disingenuous contend conviction luggage, locus search. employ similar adjudicative deciding presently claimant's luggage return European trip. Although claimant intended some photographs illustrate later commercially, items purely threatened anyone else. my ample opportunity valid take place. Since threats arise context distribution, magnitude best actually occurs; always possible include final product abandon intention them.* find particularly troubling plurality's suggestion scrutinize behavior 'border search' involved. While necessity dictate diminution traditional our National's borders, reduction heighten jealously liberties suspension all safeguards. 26 534 presents allegedly mails. Plainly, order poses danger will sent although indicated intent requested wares, sole safeguard receipt merchandise minors requirement buyers declare reveal received materials, believe distributors purportedly required stringent steps guard minors. comes us benefit full trial, and, sparse record, am prepared conduct construction federal statute. Accordingly, dissent concur pertinent provides: 'Every lewd, lascivious, indecent, filthy vile article, matter, thing, device, substance; and— written printed card, letter, circular, book, pamphlet, advertisement, kind information, directly indirectly, where, how, whom, mentioned matters, articles, things obtained made, whom act operation procuring producing abortion done performed, how conception prevented produced, sealed unsealed *. 'Is declared nonmailable shall conveyed post office letter carrier. 'Whoever knowingly uses mailing, carriage mails, anything section nonmailable, causes direction thereon, place addressed, takes thing circulating disposing thereof, aiding circulation disposition fined $5,000 imprisoned five years, both, offense, $10,000 ten offense thereafter.' ruled orally bench. advertisement follows: 'IMPORTED PORNOGRAPHY—learn true facts sending money abroad. Send $1.00 booklet. You state. Normax Press, P.O. Box 989, Fontana, California, 92335.' heard Alberts 78 8, 60, upheld provisions California Penal Code. Of course, vel non juncture Moreover, component ultimately distributed, viewing isolation principle determinations entire work, see, e.g., 489, 1311 (1957).

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