Legal Document

333 U.S. 196 68 Supreme Court Reporter 514 92 L.Ed. 644 COLE et al.v.STATE OF ARKANSAS. Number 373. Argued Feb. 4, 5, 1948. Decided March 8, Messrs. David Rein and Joseph Forer, both of Ws hington, D.C., for petitioner. Oscar E. Ellis, Salem, Ark., Shields M. Goodwin, Little Rock, respondent. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 The petitioners were convicted a felony in an Arkansas state court sentenced to serve one year penitentiary. State affirmed, judge dissenting on ground that evidence was insufficient sustain convictions. 202 South Western Reporter, 2nd Series 770, 771. A petition certiorari here alleged deprivation important rights guaranteed by Fourteenth Amendment. We granted because record indicated at least questions presented substantial, 332 834, 217. That question, present record, is only we find it appropriate consider. question is: 'Were denied due process law * violation Amendment circumstance their convictions affirmed under criminal statute which they had not been charged'? 2 are information. urge information charged them with § Act 193 1943 Legislature tried violating 2. shown violated describes offense separate distinct from described 3 charged: '* Walter Ted Campbell, acting concert other persons, assembled Southern Cotton Oil Company's plant Pulaski County, Arkansas, where labor dispute existed, force violence prevented Otha Williams engaging lawful vocation. said Roy Cole, Louis Jones Jessie Bean,1 County aforesaid, 26th day December, 1945, did unlawfully feloniously, eath (sic) other, promote, encourage aid such unlawful assemblage against peace dignity Arkansas.' 4 foregoing language describing substantially identical following Act. section provides: 'It shall be any person or more assemble near place 'labor dispute' exists prevent vocation, assemblage.' indicates request prosecuting attorney, trial read jury. He then instructed 'includes two offenses, first, action between persons resulting prevention means And, second, promoting, encouraging aiding among defendants as here. latter this case.' 5 also jury could convict unless 'convinced beyond reasonable doubt promoted, encouraged, aided Company, purpose preventing vocation.' This instruction, like preceding one, told 2, since makes ingredient defines 12 does not. Thus cla rly promoting made using 1.3 6 When case reached appeal, recognized drawn include charge held accused 'using working,' 'use violence, threat use 1.' For reason 'without invoking part *.' accordingly refused pass upon petitioners' federal constitutional challenges It later rehearing argued: 'To conviction grounds no opportunity upon, deprives fair jury, denies 14th United States Constitution.' 7 therefore have situation. charging Act, used. construed effect. assemblage, 'of violence.' Without completely ignoring judge's charge, having committed separate, distinct, different defined 1.4 Yet consider validity s convicted. though 1, neither nor 8 No principle procedural clearly established than notice specific chance heard issues raised if desired, every proceeding all courts, federal. In re Oliver, 257, 499, cases there cited. If, held, doubtful fairly informed sought defend themselves charge; certain found guilty it. much send prison he never trid would him made. De Jonge versus Oregon, 299 353, 362, 57 255, 259, 81 278. 9 Furthermore, provides appeal considers Federal Constitution, proceedings must stand fall. Frank Mangum, 237 309, 327, 35 582, 587, 59 969. Cf. Mooney Holohan, 294 103, 113, 55 340, 342, 79 791, 98 American Law Reports 406. has these basis afforded. Petitioners urged support They serious objections Constitution.5 None contentions passed when truth single distinctly 1. To conform law, entitled appraised consideration determined court. 10 constrained hold safeguards law—safeguards essential liberty government dedicated justice law. 11 cannot those challenge judgment reversed remanded inconsistent opinion. Reversed remanded. Bean's based evidence, his conviction, directed cause dismissed him. 'Section attempt vocation within State. Any deemed felony, thereof punished confinement Penitentiary less (1) year, (2) years.' 193, Acts 1943. previous indictment set aside erroneous admission Cole al. State, 210 Ark. 433, 582. 'Under construction Section creates alleges crimes covered impose defendant duty 'threat' provisions 586. pressed argued were: deprived freedom speech assembly 2; charges too vague indefinite process; (3) equal protection laws making conduct, otherwise misdemeanor, striking workmen.

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