Document: 373 U.S. 262 83 S.Ct. 1130 10 L.Ed.2d 335 F. L. SHUTTLESWORTH and C. Billups, Petitioners,v.CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALA. No. 67. Argued Nov. 6, 7, 1962. Decided May 20, 1963. Mrs. Constance B. Motley, New York City, for petitioners. Watts E. Davis, Birmingham, Ala., respondent. Mr. J. M. Breckenridge, Archibald Cox, Sol. Gen., the United States, as amicus curiae, by special leave of Court. Chief Justice WARREN delivered opinion 1 The petitioners, both Negro ministers, were tried convicted in Alabama, Recorder's Court aiding abetting a violation city criminal trespass ordinance. complaint filed with respect to Shuttlesworth charged: 2 'Comes City municipal corporation, complains that Shuttlesworth, within twelve months before beginning this prosecution, Birmingham or police jurisdiction thereof, did incite aid abet an ordinance towit, Section 14361 General Code 1944, another person go remain on premises after being warned not do so, contrary 8242 1944.' (Footnotes added.) 3 An identical was charging Billups. 4 On appeal Circuit petitioners received trial de novo again convicted. Petitioner sentenced 180 days jail at hard labor fine $100. Billups 30 $25. further Alabama Appeals convictions affirmed. 41 Ala.App. 318, 319, 134 So.2d 213, 215. Supreme denied writs certiorari. 273 Ala. 704, 713, 214, Because grave constitutional questions involved, we granted 370 934, 82 1580, 8 805. 5 Though took separate appeals, they jointly evidence is sketchy character. Only one witness testified, detective who had listened petitioners' Court.3 testified his recollection testimony two college boys whom (among others) alleged have incited commit trespass. 6 These James Gober Albert Davis. They proceeding subsequent trial. In v. 374, 1311, hold authority Peterson Greenville, 244, 1119, Davis are constitutionally invalid. stated follows: 7 students, went home petitioner, Rev. March 30, 1960, where there other students. Petitioner, drove there, present when asked volunteers participate 'sit-down demonstrations.' 'testified response asking sit down strikes he volunteered Pizitz 10:30 take part A list made someone, announced would get them out jail. participated sit-down demonstrations following day others present. This sole upon which There no any resulted from meeting disorderly otherwise law. 9 Petitioners contend show guilt charged offense. See Garner Louisiana, 368 157, 248, 207; Thompson Louisville, 362 199, 80 624, 654. We need reach question since more compelling reason why these cannot stand. inciting, aiding, 'violation' committed 1311.4 Since been set aside, it follows crime, therefore their own must be aside. 11 It generally recognized can conviction someone innocent act. See, e.g., Edwards 286 F.2d 681 (C.A.5th Cir. 1960); Meredith 238 535 (C.A.4th 1956); Colosacco 196 165 (C.A.10th 1952); Karrell 181 981, 985 (C.A.9th 1950); Manning Biddle, 14 518 (C.A.8th 1926); Kelley Florida, 79 Fla. 182, So. 909, 16 A.L.R. 1465 (1920); Commonwealth Long, 246 Ky. 809, 811—812, 56 S.W.2d 524, 525 (1933); Cummings Commonwealth, 221 301, 313, 298 S.W. 943, 948 (1927); State St. Philip, 169 La. 468, 471—472, 125 451, 452 (1929); Haines, 51 La.Ann. 731, 25 372, 44 L.R.A. 837 (1899); Wages State, 210 Miss. 187, 190, 49 246, 248 (1950); Cushing, 61 Nev. 132, 146, 120 P.2d 208, 215 (1941); Hess, 233 Wis. 4, 8—9, 288 N.W. 275, 277 (1939); cf. Langham 243 564, 571, 131, 137 (1942). 12 Reversed. Code, § 1436, provides: 'After Warning—Any enters into dwelling house, goes remains another, shall conviction, punished provided provided, apply officers discharge official duties.' 824, 'It unlawful incite, in, law city, provision state law, misdemeanor.' objected all hearsay grounds, but objections overruled. court stated, '(Y)ou here ten students thinks misused misled Ordinance has so ruled.' As understand record, based inciting Gober.

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