Document: 333 U.S. 507 68 S.Ct. 665 92 L.Ed. 840 WINTERSv.PEOPLE OF STATE NEW YORK. No. 3. Reargued Nov. 10, 1947. Decided March 29, 1948. Appeal from the Court of Special Sessions City New York, State York. Mr. Arthur N. Seiff, York City, for appellant. Whitman Knapp, appellee. Justice REED delivered opinion Court. 1 Appellant is a bookdealer, convicted, on information,1 misdemeanor having in his possession with intent to sell certain magazines charged violate subsection 2 § 1141 Penal Law, Consol.Laws, c. 40. It reads as follows: 's 1141. Obscene prints and articles 3 '1. A person * who, 4 '2. Prints, utters, publishes, sells, lends, gives away, distributes or shows, has sell, lend, give distribute show, otherwise offers sale, loan, gift distribution, any book, pamphlet, magazine, newspaper other printed paper devoted publication, principally made up criminal news, police reports, accounts deeds, pictures, stories deeds bloodshed, lust crime; 5 'Is guilty misdemeanor, *.' Upon appeal Sessions, trial court, conviction was upheld by Appellate Division Supreme Court, 268 App.Div. 30, 48 N.Y.S.2d 230, whose judgment later Appeals. 294 N.Y. 545, 63 N.E.2d 98. 6 The validity statute drawn question state courts repugnant Fourteenth Amendment Constitution United States that it denied accused right freedom speech press, protected against interference Amendment. Gitlow v. 652, 666, 45 625, 629, 69 1138; Pennekamp Florida, 328 331, 335, 66 1029, 1031, 90 1295. principle free press covers distribution well publication. Lovell Griffin, 303 444, 452, 58 669, 82 949. As section ws final highest court this constitutional challenge, jurisdiction under Judicial Code, 237(a), 28 U.S.C.A. 344(a). This argued at October 1945 Term set down reargument before full bench 1946 Term. then reargued again further present term. 7 appellant contends violates because vague indefinite. settled so indefinite, form interpreted, permit within scope its language punishment incidents fairly protection guarantee void, face, contrary Stromberg People California, 283 359, 369, 51 532, 535, 75 1117, 73 A.L.R. 1484; Herndon Lowry, 301 242, 258, 57 732, 739, 81 1066. failure limiting expression fair notice what acts will be punished such statute's inclusion prohibitions expressions, principles First an accused's rights procedural due process press. Where alleged vagueness had been cured confining statute, Rem. & Bal. 2564, punishing circulation publications 'having tendency encourage incite commission crime' 'encouraging actual breach law,' affirmed stated limitation meaning. publication read advocating crime indecent exposure. Fox Washington, 236 273, 277, 35 383, 384, 59 573. 8 We recognize importance exercise state's power minimize all incentives crime, particularly field sanguinary salacious their stimulation juvenile delinquency. Although we are dealing aspect relation public morals, unrestricted admonish us particular maintenance standards certainty prosecution violation statutory distribution. do not accede appellee's suggestion applies only exposition ideas. line between informing entertaining too elusive basic right. Everyone familiar instances propaganda through fiction. What one man's amusement, teaches another's doctrine. Though can see nothing possible value society these magazines, they much entitled best literature. Cf. Hannegan Esquire, 327 146, 153, 158, 456, 460, 462, 586. They equally subject control if lewd, indecent, obscene profane. Ex parte Jackson, 96 727, 736, 24 877; Chaplinsky Hampshire, 315 568, 62 766, 86 1031. 9 1141(2), which information filed part 'indecency' article law. comes caption 'Obscene articles.' Other sections make punishable various indecency. For example, 1141(1), here issue but same caption, punishes obscene, lascivious, filthy, disgusting magazines.2 Section 1141(2) originally aimed minors news crime.3 broadened include population phases production possession. 10 many states have similar statutes, they, like early statutes restricting paupers changing residence, lain dormant decades. Edwards 314 160, 176, 164, 168, 119. Only two courts, reports printed, appear construed laws involved. In Strohm Illinois, 160 Ill. 582, 43 N.E. 622, suppress exhibiting minor child character considered. upheld. case, however, apparently did involve problem denial uncertainty 11 McKee, Conn. 18, 46 A. 409, 413, 49 L.R.A. 542, 84 Am.St.Rep. 124, considered sale 'devoted lust, crime.' gist offense thought 'selection immoralities treated excite attention interest sufficient command mainly collection matters.' page 27, 124. said, apropos provision speech, act relating held, 31, 414, principal evil directed 'the massed immorality.' charge might committed 'whenever objectionable matter leading feature paper, special prohibited items,' felt failed meaning reversed. raised. 12 On involved rule cases, supra, void. detective stories, treatises battle carnage, et cetera. recognition obvious defect, Appeals limited construction. Its interpretation pertinent given case. After pointing out generally refer sexual impurity, interpreted forbid 'indecent obscene' different manner. held collections bloodshed 'can become vehicles inciting violent depraved crimes case admissible sense, 550, 100. 'This idea,' goes say, 'was reason enactment statute.' left open whether extends characterized lust' 'are pictures lust.' terms extended crimes, may supposed reservation account doubts wide prohibition. declared: 'In short, accumulations details heinous wrongdoing plainly carried portion who (as recent records remind us) disposed take vice own sake.' Further, Appeals, 549, 99, 'outlaw commentaries tales scientific treatises' ground legislature intend literalness caused filing were sense just explained. no occasion weigh magazine exhibits more frequently used scales note 2. interpret punish publications, usual 'massed' crimes. Thus interpreting expanded concept indecency obscenity opinion, met appellant's contention invalidity indefiniteness saying, 551, pages 100, 101, 13 nature things there precise test written than continuing changeable experience community types books likely bring about corruption morals analogous injury order. Consequently, times must determined fact, unless appearances necessarily harmless stand-point order morality.' 14 went explain would hazardous degree concluded, 552, 101. 15 'So when reasonable men classify naturally mistaken view publisher immaterial.' 16 authoritative applicable that, besides meeting particulars 'as person.' Thus, forbids massing way person. construction fixes puts words definitely amended legislature. Hebert Louisiana, 272 312, 317, 47 103, 104, 71 270, 1102; Skiriotes 313 69, 79, 61 924, 930, 85 1193. assume defendant, time he acted, chargeable knowledge subsequent interpretation. Compare Lanzetta Jersey, 306 451, 618, 83 888. lewdness 1141(1) run excluded, incitation becomes important element. 17 Acts gross obscenity, injurious indictable common law, violative policy requires offender retributionf flaunt accepted conduct. Bishop, Criminal 9th Ed., 500; Wharton, 12th 16. When legislative body concludes mores call extension impermissible limits, power, does transgress boundaries fixed expression. offenses higher those depending primarily upon civil sanction enforcement. 'must defined appropriate definiteness.' Pierce States, 306, 311, 237, 239, 226; Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 60 900, 1213, 128 1352. There ascertainable guilt. Men intelligence cannot required guess enactment.4 regard persons act, 888, tests ascertain guilt.5 18 confronted problems involving connection speech. Diamond, 27 N.Mex. 477, 202 P. 988, 989, 20 1527, 'any kind whatsoever purpose aim destruction organized government, federal, municipal, cause done antagonistic opposition attempt revolution government' construed. 479, 1527: 'Under distinction man advocates change our government means, abandonment peaceful methods, overthrow armed revolution, force violence.' Later void uncertainty, 485, 991, 19 'Where uses determinative meaning, general indefinite embrace commonly recognized reprehensible, also others unreasonable presume intended criminal, declared uncertainty.' Again Klapprott, 127 N.J.L. 395, 22 A.2d 877, invalid attack constitutionality federal provisions protect individual's follows, 396, 878: 21 'Any h all, presence persons, language, utter statement declaration, incites, counsels, promotes, hatred, abuse, violence hostility group groups residing being race, color, religion manner worship, shall misdemeanor.' 401, 402, 881: 23 'It punitive sanction, tends restrict say lest one's utterances incited advocated 'by worship.' But additionally looking now strict construction, definite, clear infirmity indefinite? That 'hatred,' 'abuse,' 'hostility,' abstract admits contradiction. arise? Is jury conclude beyond doubt emotion hatred aroused mind listener result speaker said? Nothing law invoked justify discretion. Code definite informative citizenry interdicted conduct illicit.' far uphold deal offenses, difficult define, entwined limitations expression.6 attitude toward statutes.7 majority justifies reversal responsibility statute. 25 impossibility defining permissible describing understood long use disgusting—and unconstitutional leaves uncertain conduct—massing crime—has resulted three arguments bodies draftsmanship obviously difficulty judicial Nevertheless despite difficulties, determine 'that meaning.' Connally General Constr. Co., 269 385, 391, 126, 127, 70 322. entire text subjects dealt furnish adequate standard.8 abridging involves vulgar magazines. next decision political views light subversive activities. 26 prohibits even considerin gloss put literal Appeals' restriction 'so passion,' find specification petitioner. Even though criminology forbidden, omitted think actor trier know where new standard guilt draw allowable forbidden publications. No required—no heretofore known meaningful concrete instances. example enough. clause proposes printing juries influence commit conspiracy required. See Musser Utah, 397, effective crime. technical Nor gained whole Article Law appears. said Cohen Grocery Co. 255 89, 41 300, 65 516, 1045: open, therefore, widest conceivable inquiry, foresee foreshadow adequately guard against.' limit formerly understood. violated. seem honest distributor could ignored Collections war horrors, unexceptionable, found 'vehicles crimes.' innocent sustained. 259, 29 To carries implication matter, assuming Amendment, apt describe 1141, 1, quoted 2, example. Neither nor Congress prevented requirement specificity carrying duty eliminating evils which, judgment, rise. 30 Reversed. 31 FRANKFURTER, joined JACKSON BURTON, dissenting. 32 By today's strikes sixty years,1 twenty legislation. Four tenor brought into decision, variations nicety preclude saying four enactments fall condemnation decision. Most legilsation years old. latest differentiated York's dates 1909. deserves noted legislation judicially apl ied sustained nearly fifty ago. instance pressure proximity led measure concentrated region States. impressiveness number reinforced throughout country range adoption measure.2 Hughes, C.J., West Coast Hotel Parrish, 300 379, 399, 578, 585, 703, 108 1330. 33 These decision:3 34 1. Gen.Stat.Conn.1930, 329, 6245, derived L.1885, 47, 2.* Ill.Ann.Stat.Smith-Hurd, 38, 106, Act June 3, 1889, p. 114, (minors). 36 Iowa 1946, 725.8, Acts, Gen.Assembly, 177, (1886) 37 4. Gen.Stat.Kan.1935, 21—1102, L.1886, 38 5. Ky.Rev.Stat.1946, 436.110, L.1891—93, 182, 217 (1893) (similar). 39 6. Rev.Stat.Maine 1944, 121, 348, 40 7. Ann.Code Md.1939, Art. 496, L.1894, 271, 8. Ann.Laws Mass. 1933, 272, Resolves 1885, 305 42 9. Mich.Stat.Ann.1938, 28.576, Pub. Laws 1931, 328, 344, 138. 10. Minn.St.1945 M.S.A., 617.72, L. 268, 44 11. Mo.Rev.Stat.1939 4656, Mo.R.S.A., April 12. Rev.Code Mont.1935, 11134, 4, 1891, 255, 13. Rev.Stat.Neb.1943, 28-924, L.1887, 113, 14. N.Y.Consol.L. (1944), L.1884, 380. 15. N.D.Rev.Code 1943, 12-2109, L.1895, 84, Ohio Ann.Throckmorton 1940, 13035, Sess.L. 184 (1885) 50 17. Or.Comp.L.Ann.1940, 23-924, Feb. 25, 126 18. Pa.Stat.Ann. 4524, P.L. 52 19. Rev.Stat.Wash.Remington, 1932, 2459(2), L.1909, 249, 207(2). 53 20. Wis.Stat.1945, 351.38(4), L.1901, 256. 54 following somewhat similar, rendered Court's instant case: 55 Colo.Stat.Ann.1935, 48, 217, 9, 172, 56 Ind.Stat.Ann.1934, 2607, Burns' Ann.St. 10-2805, 109. S.D.Code 1939, 13.1722(4), L.1913, 241, Tex.Stat.Vernon, 1936, 527, 1897, 116. represents attempts legislatures solve perhaps most persistent, intractable, elusive, demanding society—the and, particularly, prevention. invalidates almost half Union. destructiveness far-reaching. situations belongs Nation. invalidated 'vague contours' Due Process Clause. thus operates Congressional authority especially, far-reaching consequences belief among score prohibited, empty desirous obeying aware doing prohibited. Fundamental fairness course people avoid. If undisclosed, legislature's revealed, offends should meted understanding wished observe boundary overstepped included conception 'due law.' legal jargon forewarning 'indefiniteness.' 'indefiniteness' quantitative concept. components. itself thing abstract, sufficiency expressed term ascertained. entail punishment. 'fair' depends relates. Unlike stuff mathematics, quantitatively elements natural science, greatly concerned multiform psychological complexities individual social Accordingly, demands legislation, responses, variable multiform. meaningless another permits, dealw ith altogether denied. every look unspecific definitions drawing circles matters dilemma. framed narrow particularity, easy opportunities afforded nullify purposes drafted advance condemned conduct, enforced defined. merely tax measures task reconciling extremes—of avoiding throttling particularity unfair generality delicate confronting legislators. reconciliation contradictories empiric enterprise largely problem. risks caught net designed them? How really pursue unaware? explicitly particular? necessary leave penumbral margin sufficiently revealed want sail close shore questionable conduct? questions confront draftsmen. Answers manual work great opinions peculiarly competence legislatures. discharge naught notions 64 action today invalidating support Union rests essentially never issues 'Headquarters Detective' basis us, deemed contents relevant cast, bearing 'literature' delinquency, Such abstractions disregard considerations moved justified explicit are. reject outlawed outlaw, effort curb violence, recklessly real hazard thereby inhibited, subjected prosecution. brings immediate focus. deny, I assume, violence. Presumably also, lower rate. bold indeed confident knows causes Those lives regarding role 'causes' Bibliographies reveal depressing volume writings theories causation. e.g., Kuhlman, Guide Material Crime (1929) Item Nos. 292 1211; Culver, Bibliography (1927—1931) 877—1475, (1932—1937) 799—1560. seriously questioned, incitement offense? He word less spoken. Fourteent enact Herbert Spencer's Social Statics' (Holmes, J., dissenting Lochner 198 45, 75, 539, 546, 937, Ann.Cas. 1133) neither dogmas Spencerian era. painful confusing economic edicts ought repeated finding barriers State's counter inexpert assumptions offend presuppositions incitements curtailment utterance. ready, pronounce causative factors mental disturbance Without formally professing so, actually 'indefinite.' Not play 'Hamlet' without Hamlet. summarizes says 'we magazines.' From jumps conclusion nevertheless, 'they literature.' Wholly neutral futilities, course, come fully Keats' poems Donne's sermons. 'nothing society' truth. denies them goodness. disregards mischief. determination, prohibition 'violent person,' defendant convicted exposed materials. essence prevent grave rational harmlessness. resting, done, deepseated existence means checking it. drew experience, 'many records' convictions practical reasons pass struck down. 67 spoke extensive matters, local again, carry greatest weight denying adjust needs. peculiar concluding 'collections unquestionably murder High Australia sheds induced validity. lad turned seventeen age, victim driver taxicab. quote Dixon: evidence voir dire Graham (a friend very reliable witness) knew Boyd Sinclair (the murderer) moods him; occasions outlined plans embarking life plan based thrillers reading time. obtaining motor car automatic gun.' King, Comm.L.R. 316, 330. 'Magazine thrillers' hardly characterizes outlawed. lay hold regardless treatment.' So authoritatively informed us. 99. person' 'pictures others. sheer dogmatism professional judges deny believe type proscribed cater morbid immature minds—whether chronologically permanently immature. some instances, young Sinclair, deeply embedded, unconsicious impulses discharged destructive often fatal action. 'has enacted arbitrary extent estimate legislature.' Tanner Little, 240 691. fails enough 'upon habit, insiduous potentialities.' Rast Van Deman Lewis 342, 364, 370, 377, 679, L.R.A.1917A, 421 Ann.Cas.1917B, 455. day indicated constitutionality, need employ old practice preambles, accompanied memorandum explanation setting forth enactment. Woods Cloyd W. Miller 138, 144, 421, 424. challenged 'indefiniteness,' spelled beliefs enactment: Whereas, adventurous potentialities boys adolescents, adults weak drab stimulated person; juveniles susceptible characters fact least partly exploit characters; 72 belief, capable statistical demonstration, supported specialists qualified express psychology disproved others; event gain State, edification enlightenment amusement good kind; 74 possibility harm utterance remote negligible consequence concerned; Be therefore that— 76 Unless intrinsically reasonably entertainable legislature, record disproves them, facts views, touching fanciful evils, te adapted serious addressed. rejected hand. 77 Surely prepared prohibit traffic exploiting 'criminal outlawing confined. Washington tending advocate disrespect judged wanting, broad lines: 78 'We understand confined encouraging Therefore argument both unjutifiable liberty fail. tend produce unfavorable general. encouraged it—an overt technically act. accord usages English manifested disrespect, active going happened yet, stretched point. 79 'If farther go it, trouble 80 respected recognizing application gave abstractly considered, applied unbridled looseness. Since crimes,' claimed law' bars crimes? incitement, allowed translating presents difficulties instruments incitement. avoid unbounded affords 'a sort.' 81, 92, 298, 301, 1045. Legislation refrain. tight phrasing area evasion ampler condemned. escape, hand, futile judged, other, particularized defeat evasion, heart process. calls accommodation factors. respect, concerns clearly Here asked declare expresses balance gets to. alternatives legislature? 'become surely otherwise. o t impose entertained, 'massing print pictures' minds stimulation. while constitutionally deem 'obscene,' operate enjoy prerogative? presumed faculty chemistry, fortunate. Burns Baking Bryan, 264 504, 412, 813, 661, ventured 'tolerance' breadmaking. Considering domain inquiry recently transformed how transformation still pioneer stage, suppose feel confidence issues. At events, prefer views—for, bottom, underlies case—to implicit impressive abundance sustaining nullifying. told policy, looks meaningless. Suppose wishes meet objection definiteness law? Should enumerate name 'inciting crimes'? spell detail ingredients accomplish 'inciting'? dark meant risk Conan Doyles, Edgar Allen Poes, William Rougheads, ordinary tribe story writers, publishers, booksellers run? Insofar derives condemnation, varying circumstances cases. Clause fallibilities administration justice men. Our penal codes loaded ascertainment fallible motive—on ascertainment, is, inner thoughts, feelings purposes. Of runs peers misjudge him. Holmes conclusive answer protects hazard: fate estimating rightly, subsequently estimates degree. wrong, incur fine short imprisonment, here; penalty death.' Nash 229 373, 780, 781, 1232. countered history, inadmissible laws. insights lead frame past? formulate impossible themselves exacts error, respectfully suggest, outcome prosecutions prohibits. diversity trials unavoidable justice. diversities human fallibility, deprive considering legislate closely related function crossing awareness, putting law-abiding astutely alert hazards vaguely phrased zealously protective See, Phyfe, 136 554, 978, 141; Briggs, 193 457, 522; Shakun, 251 107, 167 187, 1066; Grogan, 260 183 1266. remind, certitude certainty. differ exploitation potentialities, sufficient, according pronouncements abstain And both. grapple delinquency seen fit outlaw. Moreover, momentum immediately nullification checks highly desirable unconstitutional. 87 Almost last first, admonished employing strike enactments, grounds commend judges, offensive itself. economics subtly supplanted judgment. 'I carte blanche embody moral prohibitions.' wrote summing protest thirty using cut Baldwin Missouri, 281 586, 595, 436, 439, 1056, 1303 (dissenting). 88 Indeed, guide deciding speaking process, directions followed criteria applied. Pursuit require offended placed counteract avoidable e praved 89 Reference already first trilogy, supra. repelled Sherman §§ 1—7, note, inoperative side.' rested critical analysis 'definiteness' admonishing generalization degree.' Inasmuch restraint trade' 'taken up' derive past usage. imparted reason,' guiding consideration applying gathered since substantially divided dozen cases determining situation fell undefined limits Law.4 invokes doctrine 'permissible uncertainty' assumes 'long use' assurance condemning 'restraint 'obscenity' unequivocal guides furnishes, cast 'estimating rightly' decide, second series International Harvester Kentucky, 234 216, 853, 855, 1284, likewise anti-trust quite Law. However latter, whereby 'it throws rightly degree,' care keep safety. Kentucky amount compel men, 'to guess, peril indictment, (commodities) continually conditions are, extent; divine prophetically reaction partially determinate imaginations desires purchasers, exact gifts mankind possess.' 223, 224, 856, 1284. vast difference forewarnn g goes, needs laboring. 91 teaching framing caution, provided warning bent obedience near area. subject, behalf unanimous Wurzbach, 280 167, 169, 508. Federal Corrupt Practices Act, 208. hand quoted: length Congress, valid. concerning embraced now. representatives, difficulty, intimating, consider raised someone whom concerns. 'political purposes.' satisfactory respondent's counsel. imagine search any. Wherever draws each opposite sides. uncertain, knowing thinks, him risk. 1232.' 93 Jersey N.J.S.A. 2:136—4, seek 'vagrancy.' class themselves, abuses put. Note, Col.L.Rev. 613, 625. Definiteness designedly avoided allow large, enable undesirable eyes prosecution, although offense. 'vagrancy statutes,' 'gangs' fenced avoided. 94 exceeded immunity effect trust tribunals, ultimately safeguard inoffensive Every utterance, however valid, serve inroad protects. 1352, Holmes' dissent Abrams 250 616, 624, 17, 20, 1173. solely restricted issue. counts charged, An 'Fourth Count 'And I, District Attorney aforesaid, information, accuse Unlawfully Possessing 'The year city county away unlawfully offer Detective, True Cases Police Blotter, 1940,' '§ distribue distribute, advertises manner, gift, newspaper, writing, picture, drawing, photograph, figure image, character; misdemeanor. *' Ch. 380, 1884; ch. 692, 1887; 925, 1941. Const. 392, 127—128, 322: 'But decisions upholding certain, employed phrases reach correctly apply well-settled common-law notwithstanding element definition differ, or, broadly Chief White (65 1045), 'that, either dealt, sort afforded." 89—93, 300—301, 1045; Champlin Refining Corporation Commission, 286 210, 559, 567, 1062, 403; Smith Cahoon, 553, 564, 1264. Omaechevarria Idaho, 246 343, 323, 763; Waters-Pierce Oil Texas, 212 86, 220, 417. Petrillo, 332 1538; Gorin 312 19, 429, 488. Hygrade Provision Sherman, 266 497, 501, 141, 142, 402; Mutual Film Industrial 245, 246, 387, Ann.Cas.1916C, 296; Screws 325 91, 94—100, 1032—1035, 1495, 162 original N.Y.L. 1884, twice details. 1887, 692; 1941, 925. form, casual passing whim shown history. passed campaign Society Supression Vice Prevention Cruelty Children. 8th Ann.Rep., Soc. Suppression (1882) 7; id. (1883) 9; 10th (1884) 8; 11th pp. 7—8. former organization, least, sought covering literature 6—9; 9—12. sales, etc., children removed. 692. More recently, add remedies available combat 1941 conferred chief executive community, enjoin Crim.Proc. 22-a. (The additional injunctions, cf. Near Minnesota ex rel. Olson, 697, 1357, us.) filed, Conn.L.1935, repealing provision, called my attention. statistics, knowledge, incidence violations Suffice industrialized York—have them. Shoe Machinery 247 32, 473, 968; Steel Corporation, 417, 293, 1121; Reading 253 26, 425, 760; American Column Lumber 257 284, 1093; Maple Flooring Mfrs' Ass'n 563, Cement Protective 588, 1104; Trenton Potteries 273 700, 989; Interstate Circuit, Inc. 208, 467, 610; Socony-Vacuum 150, 811, 1129; South-Eastern Underwriters Ass'n, 322 533, 1162, 1440; Associated Press 326 1416, 2013; Line 287, 550.

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