Document: 370 U.S. 375 82 S.Ct. 1364 8 L.Ed.2d 569 James I. WOOD, Petitioner,v.GEORGIA. No. 369. Argued March 29, 1962. Decided June 25, Milton Kramer, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. E. Freeman Leverett, Elberton, Ga., respondent. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 We granted certiorari to consider scope constitutional protection be enjoyed by persons when publication their thoughts and opinions is alleged in conflict with fair administration justice state courts. The petitioner, an elected sheriff Bibb County, Georgia, contends that Georgia courts, holding him contempt court expressing his personal ideas on a matter was presently before grand jury its consideration, have abridged liberty free speech as protected First Amendment Due Process Clause Fourteenth Federal Constitution. 2 On 6, 1960, judge Superior Court issued charge regularly impaneled jury, giving it special instructions conduct investigation into political situation which had allegedly arisen county. advised there appeared 'an inane inexplicable pattern Negro bloc voting' 'rumors accusations' been made indicated candidates public office paid large sums money effort gain favor obtain vote. explained certain leaders, after having met endorsed candidate, switched support opposing candidate who put up sum money, this 'create(d) unhealthy, dangerous, unlawful (which) tend(ed) corrupt holders some office.' continued indicating violations law would involved should find charges founded truth.1 In addition, questions were posed investigate inquiring election violations.2 given midst local campaign judge, order publicize investigation, requested reporters all news media present courtroom delivered. 3 following day, while session investigating matters set forth court, petitioner press written statement he criticized judges' action urged citizenry take notice highest judicial officers threatened intimidation persecution voters county under guise enforcement. This release, published disseminated general public, stated: 4 'Whatever Judges' intention, * ordering (the jury) 'negro block will considered one most deplorable examples race agitation come out Middle recent years. 5 'At time thinking people want preserve good cooperation between races appears either crude attempt at negro or, best, vote' issue politics. 6 'No question duty Grand Jury any violations. However, simple demand Judge not single particular investigation. 7 'Negro little difference principle attempted summons inquiry physical demonstration such used K.K.K. 'It hoped let high party intimidate community. 9 seems incredible three our Judges, themselves hold office, are so politically nieve (naive) actually believe County sell votes fashion, or leaders. 10 'If anyone community (should) racial prejudice, Judges. It shocking charging style language baiting office. 11 'However popular judges may time, they employing practice far more dangerous elections than anything investigated. 12 'James Wood.' 13 bailiff stationed entrance room, 'An Open Letter Jury,' available petitioner's request. letter, implying court's false, asserted opinion, Democratic Executive Committee organization responsible corruption purchasing votes, well-advised also organization. 14 A month later, July 7, cited two counts based above statements. citation charged designed calculated contemptuous ridicule ordered charge, 'to hamper, hinder, interfere obstruct' release from Sheriff's Office, located courthouse where deliberating, imputed lack integrity charge. An amendment statements 'in (themselves) created clear, imminent danger being conducted proper Court.' 15 next day further repeated substantially defense spoken truth. thereupon amended including third count latter statement. contained same allegations other and, presented clear handling against 16 At hearing trial judge,3 facts stipulated: suggested court; voting tabulations documents, endorsements groups relating primaries participated active supporter candidates; members seen read releases stipulated sworn response admitted evidence. response, must true absence contrary evidence findings fact included verification capacity private citizen county; directly personally interested outcome current primary only but announced held November, running contestant prevailed democratic primary; believed employed nature tended create emphasize issues likely drastic impact upon purpose issuing simply inform what sincerely side charge; intended hinder adopted method distributing views did disseminating No witnesses no introduced show publications resulted actual interference obstruction work jury. gravamen citation, State's case mere publishing constituted itself justice. 17 without making reasons, adjudged guilty imposed concurrent sentences 20 days separate fines $200 each. writ error Appeals convictions affirmed conviction two, open letter reversed. Wood v. 103 Ga.App. 305, 119 S.E.2d 261. After Supreme Court, declined review first counts, sought we granted. 368 894, 178, 92. 18 start premise right courts business untrammeled way lies foundation system government necessarily possess means punishing tends prevent discharge functions. While continuously authority power maintain courtrooms assure litigants trial, exercise bare questioned case. Here power, commit person jail utterance presence has accused's expression. burden define limitations according terms 19 Bridges California, 314 252, 62 190, 86 L.Ed. 192, occasion utilized punish publisher out-of-court accused contended guaranteed infringement Amendment.4 To determine protection, reviewed history both England country. 'the conclusion supported (that) unqualified prohibitions laid down framers give liberties, broadest could countenanced orderly society.' Id., 265, 194, 195.5 Thus clarifying context protections assured Amendment, governed standard, described 'a working substantive evil extremely serious degree imminence utterances can punished.' 263, 194.6 Subsequently, Pennekamp Florida, 328 331, 66 1029, 90 1295, noting '(f)ree discussion problems society cardinal Americanism—a zealous preserve' (id., 346, 1037), reaffirmed belief 'essential coercion (is) consonant recognition freedom allowed compatible supremacy order.' 334, 1031.7 Court's last application type Craig Harney, 331 367, 67 1249, 91 1546. There warrant sanction '(t)he fires expression) kindles constitute imminent, merely likely, threat remote even probable; immediately imperil.' 376, 1255.8 these principles mind us. Initially, however, noted determined inherent judiciary9 thus ignored express Legislature statements.10 deprives judgment coming 'encased armor wrought prior legislative deliberation,' supra, 261, basis proceed. 21 differs Pennekamp, first, below upheld proceedings standard punishment conduct. But preclude us responsibility examine see whether furnishes rational characterization it' (In re Sawyer, 360 622, 628, 79 1376, 1379, 1473) enunciation constitutionally acceptable describing effect ultimate limits regarding expression rests 335, 1031; Chambers 309 227, 228—229, 60 472, 473, 84 716; Fiske Kansas, 274 380, 385—386, 47 655, 656—657, 71 1108; claimed liberties abridged, cannot allow presumption validity close examination claim presented.11 22 Despite justice, cite discuss Bridges, Harney cases, nor display awareness standards enunciated those cases finding danger.12 conclusions citation. indicate manner how interfered jury's Unlike elaborate conclusion,13 record barren findings. prosecution called functioning disturbed; showing reading comments newspapers, felt unable unwilling complete assigned task because 'interfered' completion.14 nothing ultimately successful if not, failure. And extent hearing, indeed novel circumstances might substantial him. What harm assertion inflict stated opinion. Nor record.15 23 told, factual support, State great importance created. 'danger' evidenced precisely types activity envisioned Founders presenting ratification. 'Those won independence confidence fearless reasoning communication discover spread truth.' Thornhill Alabama, 310 88, 95, 736, 740, 1093. reiterated said broad conception necessary 24 supply need information education respect significant times. (footnote omitted.) Freedom discussion, fulfill historic function nation, embrace about needed appropriate enable cope exigencies period.' 102, 744.16 25 Men entitled speak please vital them; errors unsubstantiated exposed, course, through Under government, counterargument weapons expose matters, abridgment rights assembly. Cf. Brandeis, concurring Whitney 357, 378, 641, 649, 1095. Hence, impede course justification silence protected. 26 respondent attempts distinguish offering, here influence coerce judge. case, argument unpersuasive. 27 First, important does represent individual trial; 'judicial proceeding pending' sense prejudice result litigant ill-considered misconduct aimed influencing proceeding. Compare Smith Texas, 311 128, 61 164, 85 84; Pierre Louisiana, 306 354, 59 536, 83 757; Tumey Ohio, 273 510, 437, 749; Moore Dempsey, 261 86, 43 543. Moreover, pause variant factors involving petit Neither 'trials like elections, use meeting-hall, radio, newspaper' (314 U.S., 271, 197), assume different proportion directed toward compared Rather, conducting touching each member 28 Historically, body regarded security innocent hasty, malicious oppressive persecution; serves invaluable standing accuser accused, individual, minority group, other, reason dictated intimidating malice ill will.17 Particularly investigations kept real become obscured effectively operate vacuum. 'ancestors 'grand jurors' neither exactly accusers, witnesses; voice common repute.' Pollock Maitland, History English Law (2d ed. 1909), 642. necessity independent informed becomes readily apparent For panel judges, instructing corruption, exercised another representative honestly And, prove truth rejected, irrelevant falsity expressed publications. 321, 273. If silenced manner, problem States evident. 29 prosecuting attorney alone, necessitates enlightened public. Nothing gained attitude part civic irresponsibility apathy voicing sentiments problems. attack impeding manifestly unjust stand inspection.18 corrective force political, economic influences inevitably grave importance. motivation rumor, existed several Yet primarily group height highly primary, which, positions, apart official status. envisions opportunity sides circumstances. That privilege lightly curtailed ably passage Cooley's Constitutional Limitations (8th 1927) 885, includes need: 30 '* protect parties concern, secure events measures, every bring bar just criticism conferred them.' 31 difficult imagine alleviated talk comment solution. isolated lawsuit, affects entire Nation. When performing investigatory area, specific regard society's interest best served thorough extensive greater disinterestedness impartiality allowing expenssion Consistent suppression affect pending mean continuing grievances never discussed all, least moment needed. produces 'restrictive results precise naturally height,' '(n)o suggestion found Constitution bears inverse ratio timeliness seeking expression.' 268, 269, 196. Thus, undertakings lacks persuasion illustrating justify power. 1255, 1256, 1546; 349—350, 1038—1039, 1295. 32 Finally, told that, thereby owes severely average citizen. rejected. 33 although do rely point exclusively, outset sheriff; fact, allegation accepted uncontroverted respondent, distributed Nowhere record, twice amended, word relied likelihood disrupt justice.19 articulate reliance fact,20 responses inquiries subject during oral arguments illuminating. signed reference capacity. Only sent room sheriff, law. light understand releases. 34 assuming provides cultailing speech. performance duties duties, had, connection dealing refuses summonses building; nor, shows, act solution placed it. 35 enter field controversy, particularly life stake.21 1473. role officials play makes imperative freely 36 Our content leads conclude vitiate chosen. 37 38 FRANKFURTER took decision 39 WHITE consideration 40 HARLAN, whom CLARK joins, dissenting. 41 Whether doctrine 260—263, 192—194, 197, deemed limit federal entourage scandalized relation I reach expansive view off-shoots upheld. 42 Over fifty years ago Holmes wrote: 'The theory (judicial) reached induced outside influence, print.' Patterson Colorado, 205 454, 462, 556, 558, 51 879. repeatedly criminal verdict jurors influenced extrajudicial consistently due process E.g., Irvin Dowd, 366 717, 81 1639, 751. invalidation infected remedy combat processes; confer frustrate processes impunity. uniformly citations improper them. Sustaining 463, 879, 'When finished people; propriety preventing premature statement, argument, hardly denied.' speech, strong though be, absolute; conflicts impartial proceeding, accommodation essence both. said: very 'trial' connotes decisions properly advanced court. Legal trials newspaper. therefore turn unfair consequence, sufficient summary punishment.' 44 again 347, 1037, 1295: 'Courts interests prisoners them unseemly efforts pervert action.' See 372—373, 1252—1253, 45 professes recognize principles. holds nevertheless applied arguing investigation,' p. 390, S.Ct., 1373, unsupported record. agree proposition. 46 integral process, Levine United States, 362 610, 617, 80 1038, 1043, 989; Gates State, 73 824, 826, 311, 312; sanctions supra. Congress recognized safeguarding deliberations juries crime juror communication.1 Even permit unlike statements, explicitly left Beck 369 541, 546, 955, 958, 98, certainly compel course. dispute this. But, says here; indicting opinion.' 392, 1374. This, surely policy legitimately view. suggest attempting mantle insulate transaction nonjudicial criticism; traditional why shall tasks. stake jury: 48 'if acts, then participating, white colored, non-candidates, indicted parties, any, brought trial.' 49 tend aid rather implicated individuals equally rightly afforded significance; well 50 declaring 'outside' improperly departed her own maintained undertook something standard. held: 'With acts defendant present, charges, found, supports finding.' 52 sure examining itself. latitude sitting review. functions exhausted once met. incumbent deal detail earlier 'display cases,' make 'elaborate findings' demonstrate 'how investigation.' pp. 386—387, 1371. 53 Accepting purposes test, inference danger. II. 54 test amply here. Petitioner, connected courthouse, fomenting hatred; misusing persecute minorities; naivete , hypocrisy. He calling activities Ku Klux Klan. undisguised naive Negroes selling votes. formal 55 considers insufficient jury,' 'felt completion,' failure.' 387, Surely punishable successful. Speech creating punished regardless materializes. Feiner New York, 340 315, 320—321, 303, 306, 95 267. Indeed, stringent applies determining aside prejudicial reaching infringed infringement, affected, answer expresses remains able impartial. 728, 1645, 751; cf. Marshall 310, 312—313, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1250; Spano 324, 1202, 1207, 1265. less stringent. 56 'only inspection.' 391, 1373. discredit persuasiveness purports value highly. Any merits deliberations. instance increased Craig, None concerned whose requires execute return orders sessions Ga.Code Ann., 1959, § 24—2813. Petitioner law-enforcement officer, sitting. sheriff,' it, words assumed overtone quality lent weight beyond ordinary 57 Of equal chosen independence, integrity, courage trained experience discipline him, laymen serve limited term population County. jurors, 1546, 'men fortitude, thrive hardy climate.' seriously endanger jeopardize Maryland Baltimore Radio Show, Inc., 338 912, 920, 70 255, 94 562 (opinion Frankfurter, J.). 58 Craig. here, bias, hypocrisy, intimidation, persecution, comparison Klan, 'did threaten future adverse reasonably expected anyway,' electricity atmosphere, generated facts; added (petitioner's statement) dismissed negligible.' 273, 278, 201. sheriff's remarks 348, criticisms rulings already made, attacks disposition They characterized, 374—375, 1254, reports others; editorial id., 376—377, went squarely impugned motives honesty denied juror, instructed undertake bigots discriminatory laws repression, incredibly characterize 'defense,' contempt. Defenses, judicially press. affirmance hamper still considering court.' conclusion, repetition number previous true,2 clearly justified. saved attacked officials, plitical moment. ample closed. 'Political interest' excuse affecting inquiry. affirm. provided misdemeanor '(b)uy sell, offer buy vote, (to) buying selling, contribute thing vote *.' 34—9907. 34—1907, More fully, relevant part, following: 'Gentlemen Jury: now you formulated Judges en banc joint consultations fully sanctioned 'A over few feels thoroughly completely investigated Jury. 'In involved, possibly cause supporting inexpicable voting. 'Now existing going know gather himself thousands 'This hereby kind past apparent. Although many intelligent among colored deplore situation, obvious 80% 85% engage (T)he persistent rumors accusations concerning methods solicita- tion bartering leaders get supporters paid, accepted, candidates. 'These circulated, charged, false wherein lies. 'Some answered your are: Was candidates? so, done? contact leaders? any? How used? workers employed? promises make, vote? 'Now, gentlemen, develop trial. 'Furthermore, practices technically violation law, yet immoral destructive elections. additional laws, amendments adequately faced recommend enactment thereof Legislature. enormity recognized, citizens, private, honest elective willing disclose instructed.' prepared Another presided hearing. 1093; Schneider 308 147, 160, 146, 150, 155; De Jonge Oregon, 299 353, 278; Near Minnesota, 283 697, 707, 625, 627, 75 1357; Gitlow 268 652, 666, 629, 69 1138. Specifically, behind adoption rejected idea accommodated applying adopted. 263—268, 194—196, 192. source materials subject, Chafee, Free (1941), c. 1; Fox, Contempt (1927), passim; Stansbury, Trial H. Peck (1833), Thayer, Control Press (3d 1956), 483 et seq. Deutsch, Liberty Expression Minn.L.Rev. 296 (1943); Nelles King, Publication Col.L.Rev. 401, 525 (1928). say 'purport mark furthermost boundaries (and does) minimum compulsion Bill Rights.' 194. concluded (the) clearness immediacy door permissible comment. closed, closes doors it.' 350, 1039. none review, full 373, 1253, Atlanta Newspapers, 216 Ga. 399, 116 580; McGill 209 500, 74 78; Bradley 111 168, S.E. 630, L.R.A. 691. Townsend 188 560. legislature enacted statute 24—105, provides: 'Powers contempt.—The powers attachments extend misbehavior near thereto obstruct transactions, disobedience resistance officer party, witness, lawful writ, order, rule, decree, command determination California briefly 192 260—261, n. 3, 'it analyze enforcement assured.' Norris 294 587, 590, 579, 580, 1074. Hooven & Allison Co. Evatt, 324 659, 65 870, 874, 89 1252; Truax Corrigan, 257 312, 325, 124, 127, 254. Criminal Texas Ex parte 150 Tex.Cr. 598, 193 S.W.2d 204 842. drawn findings, 370—371, 385—389, 1251—1252, 1259, 1260, See, e.g., Toledo Newspaper 247 402, 414—416, 560, 562, 563, 1186. presumably permits testify: 'Grand everything occurs service whenever State.' Code 59—302. note 13, 425, 566, 1186 (Holmes, J., dissenting). Lovell City Griffin, 303 444, 949; Stromberg 359, 532, 1117. generally Bancroft, (1885), Orfield, Procedure Arrest Appeal (1947), 144—146. Hale Henkel, 201 43, 59—66, 370, 372 375, 652. Note, Investigatory Body, Harv.L.Rev. 590 (1961). Holmes, dissenting 673, 632, 1095; 1048, 1295 (concurring opinion) ('To arising (every) idle unless impossible carry justice'). alleged: Respondent, Wood, Sheriff full-time employee salary services officer. Respondent Appeals, affirming overruling demurrer quoted stricken, failure relevant. civil servant, official, hence Public Workers Mitchell, 330 75, 754, congress circumscribe employees career service. 'Whoever member, pertaining writing sending communication, matter, fined $1,000 imprisoned six months, 'Nothing section construed prohibit request appear jury.' U.S.C. 1504, U.S.C.A. 1504. Petitioner's follows: 'My Anyone read, point, my true. wrong Bloc Voting', slogan Talmadge, similar phrases instruct hocking office' pointing truth? stating morally suddenly indictments forgotten violated. (sic) hypocrisy dust off old blue rigid voters' speaking professionally affairs. 'threaten carried enforcement' 'this Vote' politics.' Can indictment 'influencing almost violated law? long reciting appearance Likewise deny agitates issue? testify behalf drew 'Is just, play, threat, publicly honest, sincere practical effects caused 'Two wrongs right, me except am prosecuted daring criticise 'I ill-will stirred permitted die face-saving presentment Courts' end remained silent despite grossly discrediting presented. Now satisfaction do, saying done finds wrong. '/s/ Wood'

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