Legal Document

394 U.S. 103 89 Supreme Court Reporter 956 22 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 113 Elliott GOLDEN, as District Attorney of the County Kings, Appellant,v.Sanford ZWICKLER. Number 370. Argued Jan. 16, 1969. Decided March 4, Samuel Atlantic Hirshowitz, New York City, for appellant. Emanuel Redfield, appellee. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 This case was here before Zwickler versus Koota, 389 241, 88 391, 19 444 (1967). We there held that three-judge Eastern erred in abstaining from deciding whether Zwickler, appellee instant case, entitled to a declaratory judgment respecting constitutionality Penal Law, McKinney's Consol. Laws, chapter 40, § 781—b, now Election Consol.Laws, 17, 457, and we remanded determination question. Section 781—b made it crime distribute anonymous literature connection with an election campaign.1 had been convicted violating this provision by distributing handbills 1964 congressional election. That conviction reversed, on state law grounds, Court, Appellate Term. The Appeals affirmed 1965 filed memorandum which stated constitutional questions not reached. People 16 N.Y.2d 1069, 266 N.Y.S.2d 140, 213 North Reporter, 2nd 467. A few months thereafter, April 22, 1966, brought suit. 2 complaint sets forth facts regarding prosecution its termination. Congressman standing re-election criticized handbill opposing two amendments Foreign Aid bill.2 alleged 'will become candidate 1966 reelection * has political figure public official many years,' 'desires intends at place where he previously done so various places said (Kings) County, leaflet herein described similar leaflets any time during campaign subsequent campaigns or party officials, nomination office position may occur 1966.' 3 It disclosed argument Koota left House Representatives York. deemed development relevant question prerequisites issuance were present. noted, however, that, probably because decision abstain, parties addressed themselves to, adjudicated, U.S., 244, n. 3, S.Ct., 393. Therefore, directed remand 'appellant (Zwickler) must establish elements governing judgment.' Id., 252, 15, 398; see also 252—253, 398. 4 hearing limited largely oral counsel, no testimony taken concerning existence judgment. court establis ed complaint, fact who original target would again stand did affect said: 5 'The attempt defendant moot controversy thus abort declaration invalidity citing circumstance whom published since State fail. When action initiated genuine, substantial immediate, even though date pertinent already passed. 6 '* fortuitous relation whose bid circulated had, while vindication inched tediously forward, removed himself role does plaintiff's further far broader right general adjudication unconstitutionality his prays for. reason Zwickler's assertion challenged statute currently impinges upon freedom speech deterring him handbills. His own interest well others like anonymity practise free environment persuade us justice plea.' 290 F.Supp. 248, 249 (1968). 7 noted probable jurisdiction sub nom. 393 818, 136, 21 91 reverse. 8 holding relief if essential existed '(w)hen initiated.' proper inquiry 'controversy' requisite under Declaratory Judgment Act remand.3 undertake inquiry. 9 '(T)he federal courts established pursuant Article III Constitution do render advisory opinions. For issues 'concrete legal issues, presented actual cases, abstractions' are requisite. is true judgments other field.' Public Workers American (C.I.O.) Mitchell, 330 75, 89, 67 556, 564, L.Ed. 754 (1947). difference between abstract contemplated necessarily one degree, be difficult, possible, fashion precise test determining every such controversy. Basically, each alleged, all circumstances, show controversy, having adverse interests, sufficient immediacy reality warrant Maryland Casualty company Pacific Coal & Oil Co., 312 270, 273, 61 510, 512, 85 826 (1941). 10 think circumstances most unlikely Congress precluded finding 'sufficient reality' here.4 allegations focus then forthcoming when, re-election. identified distributed elections 'similar leaflets.' On record therefore only supportable conclusion sol concern relating record.5 Since statute's prohibition applies directly pertaining compaigns, prospect neither real nor immediate involving Congressman, wholly conjectural another occasion might arise when prosecuted referred complaint. brief former can 'a again' hardly substitute evidence 'immediacy reality.' Thus sharp contrast Evers Dwyer, 358 202, 79 178, 222 (1958), relied 11 enough say, nevertheless 'further (in) (h)is *.' question, First Amendment otherwise, context specific live grievance. In America supra, 89—90, 12 power courts, ultimately pass acts arises interests litigants require use judicial authority their protection against interference. hypothetical threat enough.' 13 same statutes. No court, district 'jurisdiction pronounce statute, either States, void, irreconcilable constitution, except called adjudge rights controversies.' Liverpool, N.Y. P.S.S. Commissioners, 33, 39, 352, 355, 28 899 (1885). (Emphasis added.) See Raines, 362 21, 80 519, 522, 524 (1960). express limitation cases 'of controversy' explicit recognition principle. 14 conclude judgment, should have dismissed accordingly intimate view correctness Court's statute. direction enter new dismissing 15 ordered. reversed direction. part, misdemeanor 'distribute quantity contains statement party, officers, officials without reproducing thereon name post-office address person instance uch text follows: 'REPRESENTATIVE MULTER—EXPLAIN YOUR POSITIONS 'AID TO NASSER 'On September 2, 1964, amendment proposed foreign aid bill (Public Law 480). substance, cut off Arab Republic. Multer spoke length amendment, words, urged defeat 'as earnestly N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions can.' He based 'humanitarian instinct.' (Congressional Record 20792.) 'In respect, following '(a) Multer's permits diversion funds Dictator Nasser armaments buildup. '(b) Republic recipient Communist Russia. '(c) Egypt employing technical skills scientists, formerly employ Nazis. '(d) debated eve summit conference Cairo threatening peace Near East Israel particular. 'SOVIET ANTI—SEMITISM passed Senate sponsored Senator Abraham Ribicoff (D., Conn.) strongly condemned anti-Semitic practices Soviet Union. issue House-Senate conferees, much more decrying types religious bigotry adopted. 'Representative praised 'watered down' measure floor, stated: "While version point finger Russia, finally adopted, think, better one. "I believe, instead pointing culprit bar world being severely condemned, go doing now, persecution wherever raise ugly head.' 22850.) 'WHY MR. MULTER, WHY?????' Act, Code KF62 2201, expressly provides: within filing appropriate pleading, declare relations interested seeking declaration, could sought.' Congressman's term years. allegation 'party officials' indicate otherwise. elective leader. F.Supp., 248.

Classification Label: 8