Legal Document

342 U.S. 337 72 Supreme Court Reporter 329 96 L.Ed. 367 BOYCE MOTOR LINES, Inc.v.UNITED STATES. Number 167. Argued Dec. 4, 1951. Decided Jan. 28, 1952. Mr. Archie O. Dawson, New York City, for petitioner. Robert W. Ginnane, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The petitioner is charged with violation a regulation promulgated by Interstate Commerce Commission under 18 United States Code KF62 § 835, Annotated KF65 U5 835.1 Regulation provides: 'Drivers motor vehicles transporting any explosive, inflammable liquid, compressed gas, or poisonous gas shall avoid, so far as practicable, and, where feasible, prearrangement routes, driving into through congested thoroughfares, places crowds are assembled, street car tracks, tunnels, viaducts, and dangerous crossings.'2 statute directs that '(w)hoever knowingly violates' be subject to fine imprisonment both.3 2 indictment, in counts 1, 3, 5, charges on three separate occasions sent one its trucks carrying carbon bisulphide, Holland Tunnel, thoroughfare. In each instance, truck was en route from Cascade Mills, York, Brooklyn, York. On third these trips load bisulphide exploded tunnel about sixty persons were injured. indictment further states 'there other available more practicable routes transportation said shipment, * (petitioner) well knew shipment Tunnel regulations Commission. *'4 There no allegation feasibility not omission respect. 3 District dismissed those which based upon question, holding it invalid ground words 'so feasible' vague indefinite make standard guilt conjectural.' 90 F.Supp. 996, 998. Appeals Third Circuit reversed, Regulation, interpreted conjunction statute, establishes reasonably certain conduct. Cir., 188 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 889. We granted certiorari. 846, 75. 4 A criminal must sufficiently definite give notice required conduct who would avoid penalties, guide judge application lawyer defending violation.5 But few possess precision mathematical symbols, most statutes deal untold unforeseen variations factual situations, practical necessities discharging business government inevitably limit specificity legislators can spell out prohibitions. Consequently, than reasonable degree certainty demanded. Nor unfair require deliberately goes perilously close an area proscribed take risk he may cross line.6 5 Sproles versus Binford, 1932, 286 374, 52 581, 587, 76 1167, principles applied upholding similar now before us. Chief Hughes, speaking unanimous court, there said: "Shortest route' expression too understood. requirement does preclude use ordinary terms express ideas find adequate interpretation common usage understanding. 6 experience glossary necessary meet demands legislation.'7 7 challenged here product long history yhe explosives inflammables. Congress recognized need protecting public against hazards involved early 1866.8 inadequacy legislation then enacted led passage, 1908, Transportation Explosives Act,9 later extended cover inflammables.10 accordance Act, same year issued applicable railroads. 1934 exercised authority Act promulgate governing moor trucks, including question.11 1940 this amended substantially present terminology.12 That terminology adopted only after years study number drafts. trucking industry participated extensively process, making suggestions relating drafts submitted carriers their organizations, taking part several hearings. Regulation's indicates careful consideration given difficulties framing practically aspect problem presented highways.13 8 punishes violate Regulation. This presence culpable intent element offense much destroy force argument held invalid.14 evident effect case. To sustain conviction, Government prove could have taken another both commercially appreciably safer (in avoidance crowded etc.) did follow. It also shown such yet took tunnel, willfully neglected exercise duty inquire availability alternative route.15 9 effort point argument, asserts might followed pass they avoid. If true congestion surrounding lower Hudson way crossing River avoided points danger greater extent taken, has violated plainly matter proof at trial. conversant all we may, facts record us, assume allegations false.16 will thus distort judicial concept strike down consultation affected penalizing prohibition. 10 therefore affirm judgment remanding cause directions reinstate indictment. 11 Affirmed. 12 JACKSON, whom BLACK FRANKFURTER join, dissenting. 13 apparently found comprehensive needed inflammables intricate detailed own processes. delegated task made knowing them criminal. Where federal crimemaking power body, justified requiring considerable exercise. Kraus & Bros. States, 327 614, 621—622, 66 705, 707—708, 894. 14 prohibit carriage explosives. presupposes transported, therefore, attempts lay rule choice routings. Petitioner admonished streetcar viaducts crossings. Nobody suggests possible origin destination. except practicable.' N Immigration Nationality Decisions do disagree Hughes that, context used, understood.' basic prescribed definiteness—distance. ordinarily prevail, if departed from, trucker prepared offer justifications. 15 us contains start calculation his duty. leaves equally open closed. carrier choose what 'practicable,' not, case, weighing distance obstacles passage. course, geography. Delivery goods impossible passing many thoroughfares either bridges. An explosion been incriminating them. What guidance gleaned how comply requirements? 16 said, however, definiteness achieved trial because expert testimony advise jury preferable. Defects solution twofold: first, direct, confine test second, none choosing between conflicting opinions. 17 suggested defendant protected indefiniteness conviction authorized violations. seems finds meaning accused violating. With exception Screws 325 91, 65 1031, 89 1495, rests very particularized basis, knowledge requisite distinguished law. suppose intends suggest nothing existence ignorance constitute defense. prescribes care moving shipment. utmost protect prosecution it. One learn 'reasonable care' 'high care.' Of sure whether trier fact particular measure up requirements law, but least strive for, regulation. 19 question only. some circumstances feel better case should proceed our decision reserved until review results. information standards definition crime. acquittal disagreement leave unworkable, standing badly needs intelligible rather tight remain, extent, incoherent barrier state enactment enforcement local subject. Would interest justice pronounce invalid, responsible supervision traffic go specify conduct? 835: 'The formulate safe within limits jurisdiction articles, flammable liquids, solids, oxidizing materials, corrosive gases, substances, binding engaged interstate foreign commerce transport articles land, shippers shipments via land water. 'Such accord best-known means securing safety transit, covering packing, marking, loading, handling while precautions determine material when offered proper condition transport.' 49 Regulations 197.1(b). 'Whoever violates fined $1,000 imprisoned year, both; death bodily injury person results violation, $10,000 ten years, both.' U.S.C 835 (sixth paragraph). R. 2. Lanzetta Jersey, 1939, 306 451, 59 618, 83 888. Nash 1913, 229 373, 377, 33 780, 781, 57 1232; Hygrade Provision company Sherman, 1925, 266 497, 502—503, 45 141, 142—143, 69 402; Petrillo, 1947, 332 7—8, 67 1538, 1541 1542, 91 1877. 393, 586, 1167. provision upheld concerned basically distance, applying practicability, just designated danger, like practicability. Statutes-at-Large 81. 35 554, amended, 1134. 41 1444. CFR, 1938, 85.34(b); see Explosives, 211 I.C.C. 351, 354 (1935). Supp., 197—7.3082: liquids So accomplished routes.' section form 1942. Fed.Reg. 2869. Compare 7, 1541, 1877; Miller Strahl, 1915, 239 426, 434, 36 147, 149, 60 364; Baltimore Ohio Comm., 1911, 221 612, 620, 31 621, 625, 55 878, 1945, 101—103, 1035—1036, 1495; Ragen, 1942, 314 513, 524, 62 378, 86 383; Gorin 1941, 312 19, 27—28, 61 429, 433—434, 85 488; Omaechevarria State Idaho, 1918, 246 343, 348, 38 323, 325, 763. officers, agents, employees every 'become conversant' transportation. 197.02. granting motion dismiss mention familiar stage true.

Classification Label: 7