Legal Document

400 U.S. 410 91 Supreme Court Reporter 423 27 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 498 Winton M. BLOUNT, Postmaster General, et al.v.Tony RIZZI, dba the Mail Box. Number 55. Argued Nov. 10, 1970. Decided Jan. 14, 1971.* Syllabus Title 39 Code KF62 § 4006 permits General to stamp as 'Unlawful' and return sender letters addressed any person prohibit payment of postal money orders that if he finds, on 'evidence satisfactory (him),' is obtaining or seeking through mails for 'an obscene * matter' using distribute information about how such items may be obtained. Under departmental regulations, following cmplaint notice hearing, a Judicial Officer holds hearing renders his opinion 'with all due speed,' from which there an administrative appeal. Section 4007 district courts order defendant's incoming mail detained pending completion proceedings, upon showing 'probable cause' believe being violated, under standards fixed by Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 65. In 55, appellee, retail magazine distributor against whom had instituted proceeding, brought action in District declaratory injunctive relief. A three-judge court held statute unconstitutional failure meet requirements Freedman versus Maryland, 380 51, 85 734, 13 649 with respect scheme censorship (1) censor must initiate judicial review prove material unprotected expression; (2) 'prompt review' mandatory; (3) restraint before final determination limited shortest, period compatible sound resolution. 58, where applied order, Court, appellee distributor's counterclaim, supra, 4007's standard was constitutionally insufficient support temporary detention order. Held: The created §§ 4006, violates First Amendment since it lacks adequate safeguards undue inhibition protected expression. Pp. 416—422. (a) statutory does not require governmentally initiated participation procedure barring magazines assuring prompt review. 417—418. (b) authority given apply cure defects only discretionary requirement satisfied finding. 419—420. (c) fails provide preceding determination' preservation status quo shortest resolution.' U.S., at 59, S.Ct., 739. 421—422. 305 F.Supp. 634; 306 1023, affirmed. Peter L. Strauss, Washington, D.C., appellants. Stanley Fleishman, Hollywood, Cal., Tony Rizzi. Robert Eugene Smith, Towson, Ind., Book Bin. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered Court. 1 55 (hereafter Box) draws into question constitutionality (now 3006, Postal Reorganization Act,*** 84 Statutes-at-Large 747), *** codification Act will appear 1970 edition Code. This treats old sections current. hearings, halt use commerce allegedly materials. 58 Bin) also and, addition, 3007), 748, obtain permitting him detain outcome proceedings him. 2 provides pertinent part: 3 'Upon evidence attempting remittances property kind matter *, depositing causing deposited where, how, same obtained, may— 4 '(1) direct postmasters office registered other arrive, representative, marked 'Unlawful'; 5 '(2) forbid postmaster representative note drawn either remitters sums named notes.' 6 Proceedings are conducted according regulations. proceeding begun Counsel Post Office Department written complaint hearing. Federal Regulations 952.5, 952.7, 952.8. trial-type full record transcribed. He includes findings fact statement reasons. 952.9—952.25. decision 'be rendered 952.24(a), 952.25. No issue defendant until proceeding. If, however, wishes termination resides, 4007, part provides:1 7 'In preparation during pendency (§ 4006) this title, receives shall, application therefor probable cause enter restraining preliminary injunction pursuant rule 65 Rules Civil Procedure directing conclusion appeal therefrom. open examination clearly connected alleged unlawful activity. An taken hereunder affect determine proceedings.'2 8 Box, began November 1, 1968. concluded December 5, filed 31, 1968, finding specified were therefore, entered order—61 days after filed. Box Central California judgment enforcement convened 'is its face, because Maryland (1965) 649.' 634, 635 (1969). court, vacated directed delivery 'forthwith' enjoined enforce 4006. 9 Bin, Northern Georgia Bin.3 Bin counterclaimed, asserted both their should enjoined. unconstitutional. It agreed procedures fatally deficient (1965), merely sufficient 1023 10 We noted jurisdiction Government's appeals. 397 959, 960, 90 990, 991, 25 252 (1970). affirm each case. 11 Our discussion appropriately begins Holmes' frequently quoted admonition that, 'The Sttaes give up when sees fit, but while carries ues almost much free speech right our tongues *.' ex rel. Milwaukee Social Democratic Pub. company Burleson, 255 407, 437, 41 352, 363, L.Ed. 704 (1921) (dissenting opinion); see Lamont 381 301, 1493, 14 398 (1965). Since applied, designed deny commercial distributors literature, those violate unless they include built-in curtailment expression, Government adopt whatever pleases dealing obscenity without regard possible consequences speech.' Marcus Search Warrant, 367 717, 731, 81 1708, 1716, 1127 (1961). Rather, requires incorporated 'ensure often separated dim uncertain line. insistence regulations scrupulously embody most rigorous procedural special instance large principle freedoms expression ringed bulwarks. *' Bantam Books, Incorporated Sullivan, 372 66, 83 631, 637, 584 (1963). we have recognized 'the line between unconditionally guaranteed legitimately regulated finely drawn. (t)he separation legitimate illegitimate calls sensitive tools Speiser Randall, 357 513, 525, 78 1332, 1342, 1460 (1958). 12 established implementing omit 'sensitive tools' essential satisfy Amendment. correctly these cases 734 compels conclusion. considered motion picture administered State Board Censors. avoid constitutional infirmity must: place burdens initiating proving censor; review'—a merits within specified, brief period—to prevent achieving effect finality; limit resolution, imposed advance determination. 58—60, 738 740. These lacking regulations.4 has no provision requiring bars mails, even differ involved could exhibited whereas refuse pay been obscene. This, redress fatal flaw failing seek material; rather, once disapprove 'must assume burden instituting persuading (magazines are) expression.' 59—60, demands burden. teaching adversary ensures necessary sensitivity freedom suffices impose valid restraint.' 739.5 15 Moreover, distributor, review, immediately purchase Such 'presents peculiar dangers speech. Because censor's business censor, inheres danger well less responsive than court—part independent branch government—to interests And made unduly onerous, reason delay otherwise, practice final.' 57 738.6 Appellants suggest raised construing section whatever, sought Apart suggestion neither appellants nor determination, Congress, rewrite statute. 16 therefrom plainly remedy That adjudication challenged magazine.7 First, entirely Attorney whether institute magazines. Second, required grant relief violated. agree demand 'it vital obscenity—rather cause—be assured initiative severe restrictions invoked.' F.Supp., 1028. Indeed, expressly 'An proceedings.'8 17 event itself requisites Any issued remains 'pending therefrom.'9 Thus, make obscenity, giving Officer, '(a)ny 18 appellees here afforded 'can get obscenity—by would actually bound—after lengthy then (their) own initiative. During interim, prolonged threat adverse administrat(ive) reality sweeping restriction exercise (appellees') rights—all obscenity.' 19 judgments Nos. 20 Affirmed. 21 BLACK concurs result. Together al. Georgia. enacted 1950. 64 451. 1956 obtained power himself impounded. expire end federal continuing impounding. 70 699. 1959, extensive hearings House Office's request 20-day extended 45 days, necessity changed 'public interest.' Hearings Obscene Matter Sent Through Subcommittee Operations Committee Service, 86th Cong., 1st Sess., pts. 2, (1959); Detention Temporary Periods Sess. (1959). Instead, Congress stripped interim period, court. One Senate Report expressed misgivings originally impounding power: committee recognizes present form bill gives extraordinary summary powers substantial penalty person's courts. directly contrary letter spirit normal process, exemplified Administrative Act, imposed. case legislation grounds deal fly-by-night operators defraud peddle pornography, who go out business—or change name address—before legal can operation. recommended, approve, substitute bringing indictment violation criminal code involving well-established operations. approve publishers newspapers, magazines, books might take objection article, issue, volume.' S.Rep. 2234, 84th 2—3 (1956), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin. News 1956, Pages 3598—3599. authorizes 4005 (1964 ed., Supp. V), now 3005. 4005, amended (82 1153), sent perpetrator what finds means false representations. upheld attack. Donaldson Read Magazine, 333 178, 68 591, 92 628 (1948). argue 'Section like fraud meets standards.' Brief 20. On oral argument, suggested affirmance jeopardize validity continued vitality Donaldson. But argument offered suggestion. single one magazine. therefore occasion consider Georgia, 394 557, 89 1243, 22 542 (1969), presupposes individual possession materials mail. 1962, three Justices stated: '(We have) doubt authorize noncriminal process nature closely defined safeguards. fully raises gravest doubts.' Manual Enterprises, Day, 370 478, 518—519, 82 1432, 1453, 639 (1962) (opinion Brennan, J.). appointed 'perform quasi-judicial duties designate.' 308a. functions examiner many addition enjoys 'many insulations judges enjoy.' What Constitution requires, censoring participation. Clearly, so provide. said Kingsley Brown, 354 436, 77 1325, 1469 (1957), 'a model (of an) sale books.' 60, added Summerfield desired forestall 'This guarantee counsel mailer able raise successfully bar further failed prevail injunction.' Letter Arthur E. Summerfield, Senator Olin D. Johnston, Chairman, Admin.News, Page 3249 (1960). testified: spite frustrations complications, decisions (which described handing down very broad definition obscenity') N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions feel responsibility public attempt indecent material, indictments prosecutions offenses, though argued falls category concerning previous rulings favorable promoters.' Hearing pt. point generally allow addressee post receive first class demonstrated use. provided light 4057 '(o)nly employee opening dead holding search warrant authorized law parcel custody Department.' See 117.1. But, query 'official act,' viz., examining mail, constitutes limitation addressee's rights.

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