Document: 475 U.S. 868 106 S.Ct. 1610 89 L.Ed.2d 871 NEW YORK, Petitionerv.P.J. VIDEO, INC., dba Network Video, et al. No. 85-363. Argued March 4, 1986. Decided April 22, Syllabus Following an investigation by the Erie County, N.Y., District Attorney's Office, investigator viewed videocassette movies that had been rented from respondents' store a member of County Sheriff's Department. The then executed affidavits summarizing theme of, and conduct depicted in, each movie. These were attached to application for warrant search store, New York Supreme Court Justice issued authorizing seizure movies. was executed, seized. Respondents charged in with violating obscenity statute moved suppress seized on ground without probable cause believe obscene. granted motion dismissed charges, both Appeals affirmed. held there "higher" probable-cause standard issuing warrants seize such things as books than weapons or drugs, under this insufficient information permit justice question obscene law. Held: No required First Amendment issuance question. An materials presumptively protected should be evaluated same used review applications generally, namely, is "fair probability" evidence crime will found particular place searched. Evaluating supporting here standard, supported law, they not have suppressed. Pp. 873-878. 65 N.Y.2d 566, 493 N.Y.S.2d 988, 483 N.E.2d 1120, reversed remanded. REHNQUIST, J., delivered opinion Court, which BURGER, C.J., WHITE, BLACKMUN, POWELL O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. MARSHALL, filed dissenting opinion, BRENNAN STEVENS, joined, post, p. 884. John J. DeFranks, Buffalo, petitioner. Paul Cambria, Jr., respondent. REHNQUIST Court. 1 This case concerns proper Amendment. P.J. Inc., James Erhardt village Depew, York, six counts third degree § 235.05(1) Penal Law.1 five formed basis charges against respondents, informations respondents charged, 1120 (1985). We certiorari resolve conflict between decision instant decisions Sequoia Books, Inc. v. McDonald, 725 F.2d 1091 (CA7 1984), United States Pryba, 163 U.S.App.D.C. 389, 502 391 (1974), cert. denied, 419 1127, 95 815, 42 828 (1975). 474 918, 244, 88 253 now reverse judgment Appeals. 2 arose out Office. Investigator David Groblewski assigned 10 Department.2 their entirety, film. Depew Police Department store. 3 A warrant, next day and, according sworn, itemized inventory statement, police copies total 13 videocassettes who ordered temporarily retained trial. See N.Y.Crim.Proc.Law §§ 690.05-690.55 (McKinney 1984). 4 ultimately laws respect only 5 describing these appear full Appendix opinion.3 suppression videocassettes, alleging because personally State's appeal likewise affirmed, although different theory According Appeals, "there higher evaluation seeking films, distinguished one example (Roaden Kentucky, [413 496], 504 [93 2796, 2801, 37 757] [1973]; Marcus Search Warrant, 367 717, 730-731 [81 1708, 1715-16, 6 1127] [1961] ). In applying [Fourth] items, court must act 'scrupulous exactitude' (Stanford Texas, 379 476, 481-485 [85 506, 509-12, 431] [1965]; see also, Maryland Macon, 472 463, 105 2778, 86 370 [1985] )." N.Y.2d, at 569-570, N.Y.S.2d, 991, N.E.2d, 1123 (footnote omitted). Using submitted support application, stated: "Many scenes described contain explicit sexual activity, patently offensive any constitutional but allegations do indicate whether constitute all, most few presented films. . descriptions action are supplemented references narrative dialogue films affiant attempted describe 'character' 'theme' settings having nothing plot. He made no attempt reveal story line (or lack one) demonstrate 'predominant appeal' prurient interest. short, none inference more catalog parts whole." Id., 570-571, 992, 1124. 7 concluded did sufficient justice, "applying contemporary community standards, judge whole determine within statutory definitions thus entitled protection." 572, 1124 One dissented, arguing contained enough "to reasonably video legislatively defined." 573, 993, 1125 (Jasen, dissenting).4 8 long recognized content implicates raised other kinds seizures. For reason, we certain special conditions met before seizures may carried out. Roaden 413 496, 93 757 (1973), example, rely "exigency" exception Fourth Amendment's requirement conducting allegedly materials, circumstances where would effectively "prior restraint." Quantity Books Kansas, 378 205, 84 1723, 12 809 (1964), 81 1127 (1961), gone step farther, ruling large-scale constituting restraint" preceded adversary hearing obscenity. Heller 483, 2789, 745 emphasized that, even restraint," instead merely preserve trial, pursuant opportunity prompt postseizure judicial determination And Lee Art Theatre, Virginia, 392 636, 2103, 20 1313 (1968), issue based solely conclusory officer sought-after obscene, setting forth specific facts order magistrate "focus searchingly obscenity." Marcus, supra, 732, S.Ct., 1716; also Stanford 486, 85 512, 431 (1965).5 9 construed our prior area standing additional proposition areas But never said Heller, said: "[S]eizing destroy them block distribution exhibition very matter seizing single copy film bona fide purpose preserving it criminal proceeding, particularly where, here, showing pretrial claim prevented continuing If after neutral magistrate, following seizure, proceeding available request interested party, constitutionally permissible. 11 "The necessity protect gross abuses. ." U.S., 492-493, 2795 (emphasis added; footnotes think passage emphasizing means safeguarding interests, eschewing suggestion contexts, suggests saw need latter requirement. view, longstanding protections above, enunciated cases Roaden, adequate ensure interests impaired execution think, accordingly hold, generally.6 That recently set Illinois Gates, 462 213, 103 2317, 76 527 (1983): 14 " '[T]he term "probable cause," less justify condemnation. It imports suspicion.' [Locke States, Cranch 339, 348 [11 348, 364] (1813).]. Finely tuned standards proof beyond reasonable doubt preponderance evidence, useful formal trials, magistrate's decision. 15 16 task simply make practical, common-sense whether, given all affidavit him, fair probability contraband place. duty reviewing 'substantial conclud[ing,]' [Jones 362 257, 271, 80 725, 736, 697 (1960),] existed." 235, 238-239, 2330, 2332-33. 17 Applying Gates case, clear peradventure concede adequately established second three elements statute, "in manner" various specified statute. N.Y.Penal Law 235.00(1)(b) 1980). Our convinces us conclude satisfied first definition, "predominant [of movies] interest sex," "lac[k] serious literary, artistic, political, scientific value." 235.00(1)(a), (c) As Judge Jasen noted his dissent present case: 18 "Each clearly state outset 'the character above mentioned movie follows.' Inasmuch advertised defendants 'adult cassette movies,' him faithfully accurately substance whole. Each describes numerous acts deviate intercourse objectification women occurring majority offensive. relatively short duration. Manifestly, consume substantial time span. Thus, described, successive pervaded When title considered together its plot setting, general value, if any, discerned. nonconclusory fashion focus Under circumstances, authorize question." 580, 998, 1130 original). 19 analysis conclusion expressed completely consistent statement requires chance actual activity." n. 13, 2335, 13. hold correct cause, properly reversed, remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. so ordered. APPENDIX TO OPINION OF THE COURT AFFIDAVIT STATE YORK ) COUNTY ERIE SS: CITY BUFFALO 21 DAVID GROBLEWSKI, being duly deposes says: 22 I am presently Confidential Criminal Office this, State approximately 25 years. 23 On September 26th, 1983 tape "CALIFORNIA VALLEY GIRLS," 20th, 1983, 5868 Transit Road, York. Detective Sergeant Vincent Costanza, my office starting 12:00 Noon lasted until 1:33 P.M. 24 follows: Six white females, years age, unemployed living becoming prostitutes. scene bedroom two females involved love making, fondling cunnilingus. depicts male female back van. house girls, introduced art making. male, 35 teaching girls fellatio performing him. home husband wife, female, alone girl, perform include intercourse, fellatio, anal ends some lesbianism wife performs cunnilingus girl while she engage intercourse. [Signature] Subscribed sworn 26 me [21] 27 November, 1983. 28 Notary Public 29 30 31 23rd, "TABOO II," 9:00 A.M. several interruptions 12:12 32 movie: middle-class neighborhood performed. starts brother sister, other. another giving rubdown female. follow fellatio. There closes placing penis girl's breasts ejaculating into over her mouth. incestuous type activity sister again At point during mother enters observes becomes depressed about situation. later son couch become father asleep daughter sleeps father, father. 33 34 36 38 29th, "TABOO," 27th, 11:00 11:55 watched commencing 1:42 lasting 2:23 39 party many males portrays son, laying bed naked, mother, room. She makes breasts, ejaculation 40 41 43 44 45 46 28th, "ALL AMERICAN 11:35 A.M., 1:00 47 previously attended high school meeting reunion. room lesbianism, namely They leave Throughout reminisce days depicting partner. followed included 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 October 3rd, "DEBBIE DOES DALLAS," 30th, Costanza 2:50 4:23 55 moving west change atmosphere. jail put so-called Sheriff, he removes pants ejaculates buttocks. ranch, ill repute, including end female's scene, bathroom involving girls. participate foreplay Throughout, along 56 57 58 59 whom, STEVENS join, dissenting. 60 manner "the average person, find whole, predominant "considered lacks courts erred holding failed establish those met.1 what 235.00(1) mean how applied individual cases, course, instance law rightful province courts. While "clear peradventure," ante, 876, requisite result "clear" overturn courts' contrary judgment. 61 * inadequate court, per Wick, Magistrate apparently himself retired trooper compiled "obviously paid attention standards" "made presentations political App. Pet. Cert. A-37. Without stating exact decision, "[t]he material [in films] proscribed Section 235.05 equally, 'coarse, puerile, distasteful (and still not) proscribable.' A-38, quoting People Stabile, Misc.2d 905, 296 815 (N.Y.C.Crim.Ct.1969). motion. 62 LaMendola absence transcript proceedings, Magistrate, declared lower court's discretion "under finding relied officers viewing confiscated." A-33. LaMendola's reference "further viewing" plain regard Magistrate's invariable warrant. however, unsupported investigation, provided authorization. 63 decide guilt innocence preliminary way tripartite definition statute." 570, 1123. insufficient. 64 Near beginning reiterated Court's recent direction searches 468, 2781, (1985); (1965), "higher standard" determinations when seized, citing 2797, (1973). go on, apply extraordinary scrutiny cause. Rather, simple one: "There [the magistrate] form enable film, isolated it." 571, affidavits, explained, cataloged sex Such catalogs say appeal" impact whole," overall literary artistic value. "Undoubtedly, similar lists could readily excerpting merit. Stanley Kubrick's 'Clockwork Orange' federico Fellini's 'Satyricon' come quickly mind." Ibid. Because examination held, cannot inferred description excerpted scenes. II Taken abstract, reasoning unassailable. mere listing scenes, says little effect has regarded light standards. description, then, "[S]ex synonomous." Roth 354 487, 77 1304, 1310, 1498 (1957).2 armed 'focus obscenity,' majority, 874, concedes obligated do. 66 majority's rejection appears derive largely unarticulated feeling inappropriately case. result, notwithstanding sweeping legal principles rests mundane undisputed facts. wrongly scenes: allowed discern 'general value' 'pervaded' Ante, 877. 67 problem approach texts affidavits. Although boilerplate sentence invokes "content" conclusorily assert "throughout" every author chose describe. pervade hardly depictions Similarly, "general tone" clear, 68 purport exhaustive. can meaningful considering value taken films' appeal, assumes everything, almost worth noting incorporated Nothing justifies assumption. precisely condemned: listings selected sex. well "Last Tango Paris." 69 upholding authorization uninformed relating crucial especially incongruous overrules institution closely attuned elements: suited "contemporary standards," allows obscenity, unanimously achieve end. eagerness fact-bound expedite prosecution inappropriate reflects dubious notion institutional role. Cf. California Carney, 471 386, 395, 2066, 2071, 406 (1985) (STEVENS, dissenting). 70 dissent. Supp.1986) provides: "A person guilty when, knowing character, he: "1. Promotes, possesses intent promote, material. "Obscenity class misdemeanor." "obscenity," derived Miller California, 15, 2607, 1980): ". Any performance 'obscene' (a) sex, (b) manner, simulated: sodomy, bestiality, masturbation, sadism, masochism, excretion lewd genitals, Predominant shall judged ordinary adults unless dissemination designed children specially susceptible audiences." "California Valley Girls," "Taboo "Taboo," "All American "Debbie Does Dallas," "Body Magic," "Deep Throat," "Every Which Way Can," "Filthy Rich," "Little Girls Blue." Dallas." argue rested independent grounds, provisions Constitution state-court decisions, therefore jurisdiction disagree. explained Caldwell Mississippi, 320, 2633, 231 (1985): "[W]e assume grounds 'state fairly rest primarily federal interwoven adequacy independence possible face opinion.' 327, 2638, Michigan Long, 463 1032, 1040-1041, 3469, 3475-76, 1201 (1983). Here, cited once, near parenthetical Constitution. Moreover, repeatedly referred "First Amendment" "Fourth discussion merits strongly indicating believed governed Finally, citations appended language quoted text conclude, "plain statement" contrary, premised federal, state, Contrary position view seizure. 637, 2104. generally provides issue. contend limited extended able severely restricting public access thereby constituted stated "brought abrupt halt orderly legitimate exhibition" "calls hurdle reasonableness." 504, 2801. reject contention. reasonableness" intended related basic requirement, imposed obtain 'focus[ed] obscenity.' 2802, 1716. note burden defendant "substantial wishes escape rule does impose sort supra. branch providing depict simulated," 235.00(1)(b), 1, 1123, Obscene material, merit, must, predominantly "shameful morbid" Brockett Spokane Arcades, 491, 2794, 394 Indeed, outside boundaries Various Articles Merchandise, 709 132 (CA2 1983) ("Deep Blue" Southern York).

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