Legal Document

431 U.S. 291 97 Supreme Court Reporter 1756 52 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 324 Jerry Lee SMITH, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. Number 75-1439. Argued Dec. 8, 1976. Decided May 23, 1977. Syllabus Petitioner, who had been indicted in the Southern District of Iowa for mailing obscene materials violation 18 Code KF62 § 1461, unavailingly sought to propound questions jury panel on voir dire relating members' knowledge contemporary community standards that with regard depiction sex and nudity. The case proceeded trial at close Government's later, petitioner unsuccessfully moved a directed verdict acquittal grounds, inter alia, obscenity statute effect time petitioner's conduct, which proscribed only dissemination minors, set forth applicable standard, prosecution not proved issue offended standard. Petitioner was convicted. Appeals affirmed, concluding (1) proposed were impermissible since they concerned ultimate question guilt or innocence rather than juror qualifications, (2) offense federal be determined basis state law. Held: 1. State law cannot define appeal prurient interest patent offensiveness under Miller versus California, 413 15, 93 2607, 37 419, are applied determining whether material is obscene, therefore conclusive as those standards. In prosecutions, such this issues fact jury, judged light its understanding Pp. 299-308. (a) Though legislatures completely foreclosed from setting substantive limitations cases, declare what shall be, any more could undertake "reasonableness." Cf. Hamling States, 418 87, 104-105, 94 2887, 2900-2901, 41 590. 301-303. (b) aspects 1461 implicate federal, state, It mailings here solely intrastate, enacted Congress' constitutional postal power, commerce power. 303-305. (c) Obscenity convictions remain reviewable various grounds. Pp, 305-306. (d) This Court's holding (which properly admitted into evidence) does nullify law, but State's right regulate field correlatively compel Federal Government allow mails used send State. 306-307. 2. did abuse discretion refusing ask tendered by about jurors' standards, no appropriate request description meaning "reasonableness" would have been. Pacific KF135 P2 308. 3. Section unconstitutionally vague type conduct covered can ascertained sufficient ease avoid due process pitfalls. supra. 308-309. Affirmed. Tefft W. Smith, Chicago, Ill., petitioner. Howard E. Shapiro, Washington, D. C., respondent. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. 1 419 (1973), rejected plea uniform national standard appeals patently offensive; held, instead, these essentially measured community. Id., 30-34, S.Ct., 2618-2620. instant presents leaves unregulated distribution adults, determination wholly intrastate. also raises circumstances, court, during prospective jurors, correctly refused proffered 2 * Between February October 1974 petitioner, knowingly caused mailed Des Moines, Iowa, post office box addresses Mount Ayr Guthrie Center, two communities southern Iowa. done written inspectors using fictitious names. so through system respective postmasters serving addresses. consisted "Intrigue" magazine, depicting nude males females engaged masturbation, fellatio, cunnilingus, sexual intercourse; film entitled "Lovelace," male female masturbation simulated acts (3) "Terrorized Virgin," intercourse. II 3 For many years prior statutes made it misdemeanor sell offer give away "any lewd, indecent, lascivious, filthy book, pamphlet, paper, . picture, photograph, writing ." deposit within article kind. §§ 725.5 725.6 (1973). 4 1973, however, response enunciated supra, unanimously held related companion statute, 725.3 1973 Code, prohibiting presentation immoral drama, play, exhibition, entertainment, overbroad. Wedelstedt, 213 North Western Reporter, 2nd 652.1 least implication we assume invalidated well. 5 On July 1, 1974, Laws chapters 1267 1268, became effective. These specifically repealed 725.3, 725.5, Code. addition, chapter (thereafter codified first 10 sections 725 1975 Code) defined, among other things, "obscene material," "a public offense" disseminate minors (defined persons "under age eighteen"). Dissemination adults criminal even proscribed. 92 (now 725.9 insured uniformly throughout State, lesser governmental unit impose stringent regulations material. 6 1976, Legislature "complete revision" "substantive laws." "Iowa Criminal Code" generally effective January 1978. existing definition material" remains unchanged, new provision, 2804 Ann. (Spec. Pamphlet 1977), although limited scope, applies terms adults. reads: 7 "Any person sells offers sale act involving sado-masochistic abuse, excretory functions, child, bestiality average adult taking whole applying find material, taken whole, lacks serious literary, scientific, political, artistic value shall, upon conviction guilty simple misdemeanor." 8 summary, therefore, until writings pictures; judicial nullification some statutory provisions year reasons overbreadth vagueness; enactment, replacement restricted their application minors; (4) enactment 1976 1978, provisions, somewhat minors. 9 Petitioner's mailings, described above forming his prosecution, took place after theretofore nullified obviously before legislation imposing liability respect certain transactions becomes Because there contention went minor, has case. And legislation, course, liability. Marks 430 188, 990, 51 260 (1977). Thus, clearly he it. observed, also, suggestion nonconsenting interstate. III 11 seven counts violating prohibits materials.3 He pleaded guilty. At start submitted six dire.4 court accepted substance utilized question; designed reveal connected an organization devoted regulating banning materials. declined five. One inquiry jurors Two isolate source remaining explored subject. 12 introduced evidence actual indictment. offered nothing else vel non. testify. Instead, defense, numerous sexually explicit available purchase "adult" bookstores Moines Davenport, several advertisements Register Tribune, copy then case, again all evidence, proscribing 13 denied motions jury. instructed whole. making determination, draw own views well presented purchase. App. 22-23. 14 found counts. sentenced concurrent three-year imprisonment, three months suspended, years' probation. 15 motion trial, asserted defined prosecution. denying motion, neither incorporates nor depends laws states," 33; policy simply different area. Furthermore, Iowa's decision mean people necessarily "approve(d) permitted conduct," ibid.; argument error extent knowledge; concept hold required introduce order sustain burden proof. "can do speak themselves." 34. address vagueness point.5 16 Eighth Circuit, per curiam opinion, agreed except first, impermissible, qualification. noted, whatsoever asked With question, noted admission stated when controlling, conviction, affirmed. 17 We granted certiorari review relationship between 426 946, 96 3164, 49 1183 (1976). IV "basic guidelines" trier out California form three-part test: 19 "(a) 'the person, standards' work, ; work depicts describes, offensive way, law; artistic, scientific value." U.S., 24, 2615 (citations omitted) 20 equally legislation. 200-ft. Reels Film, 123, 129-130, 2665, 2669-2670, 500 (1973) (importation 1305(a)); Orito, 139, 145, 2674, 2679, 513 (movement interstate commerce, 1462). 590 (1974), specifically, 21 phrasing test makes clear take considered reference underlying must resolved case.6 itself shows one resolve. indicates treated same way. 26, 30, 2616, 2618. See 2900-2901.7 measure against mean, area go unchecked. Both Jenkins Georgia, 153, 2750, 642 part contained component kinds label "patently offensive" "hard core" types suggested examples given Miller.8 114, 2906; cf. 160-161, 2754-2755. Literary, value, hand, discussed KF105 F3 Schauer, Law 123-124 22 resolve jury's determine circumscribed way Put another decide rely legislature (or smaller legislative body) may and, if declaration made, binding 1461. 23 Obviously, able vacuum. Rather, provide decides offensiveness. recognized analogy function "contemporary standards" cases cases: 24 "A vicinage comes just propensities 'reasonable' areas law." 2901. 25 inappropriate attempt freeze reasonableness try offensiveness, possible formulated. 26 say enacting cases. contrary, indicated occasions kind permissible. 25, 2615. still will regulated example, instituted aimed regulated.9 extreme, might seek hard-core pornography constitutionally could. "depicting bestiality," provides example intermediate approach. 2804. 27 If wished adopt slightly approach regulation, geographic limit defining selected legislating instructions add dimension regulation device zoning laws. Young American Mini Theatres, Inc., 427 50, 2440, 310 evident ample room left though apply, considered, legislatively. 28 An stronger reason us already Hamling, encompassed confined "the sort 'patently representations descriptions specific California.' " 2906. likewise present effect.10 should question. embodies requirement local applied.11 Similarly, according community, most prudish tolerant. supra; Roth 354 476, 77 1304, 1498 (1957). passed instructions. 29 intrastate immaterial That Article I, cl. 7, Constitution, Postal Power Clause distinguish matters. consistently upheld exercise power exclude obscene. See, e. g., Ex parte Jackson, 727, 736, L.Ed. 877 (1878); Public Clearing House Coyne, 194 497, 507-508, 789, 793, 48 1092 (1904) (power mail "information character calculated debauch morality"); Reidel, 402 351, 91 1410, 813 (1971). re Rapier, 143 110, 374, 36 (1892).12 30 Our juries accordance tolerance suggested, virtually unreviewable. stressed properly, consider entire subjective reactions, reactions sensitive callous minority. depicted fall adopted (1974). lack upheld; particularly amenable appellate review. Finally, always sufficiency evidence. Ginzburg 383 463, 86 942, 31 (1966). argues ignore practical nullifying agree. place, significance open decided resources prosecutors' offices matters deemed greater priority enforcement statutes. Such affirmatively desired free materials; consistent hope expectation prosecutions purposes. view over counter mails. conclude easier keep hands unconsenting retail establishments letter package arrives private residence. history suggests consenting because arrive compromise obscenity. 32 Arguments similar "nullification" thesis followed Stanley 394 557, 89 1243, 542 (1969). prohibit importation intended private, personal use possession. 1305(a). individual's possess home, meaningless prevent of, hence access to, 126-127, 2667-2668. based privacy represented line demarcation 127, 2668. Consequently, despite incidental prohibition statute. A result reached, face argument, There, 1462, knowing transportation issue. create receive, transport, distribute established home. 141, 2676. 33 laissez-faire attitude toward pornography, permits render States' meaningless. Paris Adult Theatre & N Immigration Nationality Decisions Slaton, 49, 64, 2628, 2638, 446 (1973); 357, 1413. Just correlative abolish force channels foreign purpose sending permissive 34 Even attitudes obscenity, said imply trial. relevant mores whose body quite appropriate, told weight expression feels deserves. Those decide, traditional role factfinder. Danley, 523 369 (C.A.9 1975), cert. denied, 424 929, 1143, 47 338 V 35 Atlantic reject arguments him. particular inquiries requested elicited useful information qualifications apply objective Neither term lends precise definition. preclude less conclusory dire. helpful know how long member heavily involved organizations having affiliated. propriety make instance. abused baron here. construction flows directly decisions Miller, Roth. As construed possibility reach conclusions unconstitutional. 492 n. 1313; 9, 2616. defect attributable like VI Since received everything entitled. To further, inconsistent our applied, improperly refused. 38 judgment 39 ordered. 40 POWELL, concurring. join write express my relative narrowness presented. 42 here, placed limits governs reversed. turns answers questions, requiring interpretation calling announced 43 easily answered, Congress incorporate agree ante, 303-304, 10, intent existed. 44 goes limit, reaching pornographic protected First Amendment. 195, 994, Under play important limit. second "community standards," follow changes Again, conclusion not. judge chosen, whatever reason, sanctions them. evolving brought attention But controlling 45 emphasize, concerning design sees fit chooses purposes Within boundaries staked retain broad latitude respect. 46 BRENNAN, whom STEWART MARSHALL join, dissenting. convicted Circuit reverse. previously 'clearly overbroad unconstitutional face,' see, Millican 947, 948, 3233, 1177 (1974) (dissenting denial certiorari) quoting 148, 2680, opinion). STEVENS, 50 prison 1873.1 request, pictures another. transaction one2 violated Nevertheless, "offensive" third parties see them, crime committed. Although affirmance represents logical extension recent developments sharply points up need principled re-examination premises rests. much area, merely endeavor identify weaknesses "offensiveness" touchstone3 explain why believe unacceptable method abating nuisance modicum Amendment protection. prescribe country. proposition obvious questioned 90 Comstock Act prosecuted.4 When uniformity appropriate.5 1963, Chief Warren concluded judging provable, substitution acceptable alternative.6 thereby planted seed eventually blossomed holdings Miller,7 Hamling,8 today's pronouncement "is legislatively." Ante, 303. 53 administered incapable administration insufficient authorizing courts engage ad hoc adjudication Quite questioning suitability mechanism erotic 54 significant failure equal articulate craftsman finds reaction concrete descriptive criteria primary definitional source.9 diversity Nation single impossible each so-called litigation prosecuted.10 Indeed, itself, California. culturally diverse Union hardly exist, yet assumed readily ascertainable 55 ways objectionable seen sometimes appear subject elastic adjustment suit needs prosecutor.11 Moreover, substantial decisional content evolved use, derivation countless dependent perceptions individuals happen compose 56 local, expected answer evenhanded consistency. oriented entirely social context. Studies shown large majority group neutral impact distorting members normally position.12 means subject, ascertainment task, individual sentiments inevitably influence minority.13 record never discloses actually effectively unreviewable court.14 final analysis, defendant primarily predictable rules 57 especially troubling image created words, sounds, produce wide variety reactions. Harlan noted: (It is) often true man's vulgarity another's lyric. think largely government officials jurors) distinctions Constitution taste style individual." Cohen 403 1780, 1788, 284. judgment, communications "offend" too blurred conduct. delimit protections 58 variable nature critically defective crime, very flexibility desirable feature civil rule protect select environment wants live. 59 dissent Jacobellis Ohio, 378 184, 84 1676, reminded "may number ways," id., 201, 1685, criminal. identified ignored current formulation standard: 60 "In put words themselves technical legal treatise inoffensive circumstances but, time, 'obscene' extreme sold displayed children." Ibid. (footnote omitted). 61 now focuses constant; vary widely put. Sutherland wrote context, "nuisance thing wrong pig parlor instead barnyard."15 Whether picture answered abstract. 62 485, 1309, 1498, "that speech press." rests, part, premise immune restraint, whereas outside utterly without hence, deserving Updated: Term expressly premise. 66-71, 2450-2452, 310; Virginia Pharmacy Board Consumer Council, 425 748, 771-773, 1817, 1830-1831, 346. regulation. misleading statements political oration censored, language courtroom16 securities prospectus surely regulated. Nuisances sound trucks17 displays residential abated appropriately flexible shield 63 totally suppress faithful paramount obligation complete neutrality point expressed communication, communication account differences matter. Lehman City Shaker Heights, 298, 2714, 770. seems me ridiculous display permissible unless comment.18 am prepared either citizen's amorphous fellow judges' appraisal merit deciding citizen communicate means.19 64 ugly20 beneficial value. demand comparable amusement information, satisfy curiosity interested persons.21 well-intentioned persuaded serve worthwhile purpose.22 Others arouse passions lead commission crimes; true, mountain zone capable motivating conduct.23 predictions baneful effects disturbingly reminiscent formerly availability valued works art. end, capacity marketplace ideas beautiful ugly worthless.24 65 offend one. anticipate delivery sealed envelopes prevented unwilling parties. constitute nuisance, follows, 66 respectfully dissent. ex rel. Faches N. D., 228 191 (Iowa 1975) (State enjoin showing movies "for lewdness," "lewdness" statutorily defined). "SEC. 9. sole Act, municipality, county ordinance All laws, ordinances regulations, become void, unenforceable date Act" (July 1974). provides, part: "Every vile article, matter, thing, device, substance; "Is declared nonmailable matter conveyed carrier. "Whoever uses mailing, carriage mails, anything section nonmailable, causes direction thereon fined $5,000 imprisoned five years, both, offense, $10,000 ten thereafter." were: "1. Are sympathy alleged materials? "2. Will raise district nudity magazines books? "(The following affirmative.) "3. Where you acquire information? "4. your are? "5. arriving understanding, consideration obscenity? "6. are?" 8. Despite discuss point, satisfied adequately preserved P 30. phrase 116-135 explained importance follows: "The early leading allowed isolated excerpt susceptible persons. Regina Hicklin, (1868) L.R. Q.B. 360. Some later substituted dominant theme interest. Hicklin test, passages persons, encompass legitimately treating sex, restrictive freedoms press. safeguards adequate withstand charge infirmity." 488-489, 1311 (footnotes expressions opinions vacillated coming position mandated, compare Manual Enterprises, Incorporated Day, 370 478, 488, 82 1432, 1437, 639 (1962) (opinion Harlan, J.), 1682, 793 (1964) Brennan, 2618, varied small, atypical segment exception deviant group. Mishkin New York, 502, 508, 958, 963, 6, 2634, 191-192, 1680 J.); 487 20, 1310; Kennerley, 209 119, 121 (S.D.N.Y.1913) (L. Hand, J.) (obscenity "present critical candor shame arrived now"). 486, 1436 (usually elements coalesce material). gave "plain examples" regulation: Patently acts, normal perverted, simulated. "(b) lewd exhibition genitals." 2639 (the "laissez-faire" "and drop controls commercialized prefer"); 1413, (1971) (nonregulation prove eventual course"). gives indication history. 12, infra. none usual advanced favor adoption concern, nationwide nationally recognizes fact, grant system. 7. general both concern. concern relevant, fully satisfies conflict, principles supremacy require policy. Clearfield Trust company 318 363, 573, 87 838 (1943); Standard Oil Co., 332 301, 67 1604, 2067 (1947); DeSylva Ballentine, 351 570, 76 974, 100 1415 (1956); Little Lake Misere Land 412 580, 2389, 187 Comment, Adopting Rule Decision: Proposed Test, U.Chi.L.Rev. 823 decline invitation compelled wanted instructing juries, amended detailed summary 500-511, 1443-1449 Cairns, Paul Wishner, Sex Censorship: Assumptions Anti-Obscenity Empirical Evidence, Minn.L.Rev. 1009, 1010-1011, (1962); Paul, Post Office Non-Mailability Obscenity: Historical Note, UCLA L.Rev. (1961); 8-29. Statutes-at-Large 598, "was hour Congressional debate, objection Senate. Reflecting origin, known Act." is, inspectors, names materials, There was, testimony. examining routine duties develop insensitivity "prurient" separate parts concepts overlap extent. different, offensive. 1962, wrote: "There 'community' decency judged. proper population reflects ethnic cultural backgrounds, decency. geographical framework intolerable consequence country acceptable, others prevailing decency." Brennan written: "It land diverse, confronted task reconciling rights individuals. Communities vary, respects toleration variances justify varying Constitution. regularly compelled, reviewing challenged Due Process Fourteenth Amendment, reconcile conflicting defendant. admittedly difficult delicate, inherent duty worked deprivation guaranteed shrunk discharging areas, explicitly tolerate whereby lines,' Pennekamp Florida, 328 (331), 335 (66 1029, 1031, 1295); justification allowing town lines. thus reaffirm status allegedly all, expounding." 194-195, 1681, 200-201, 1684-1685 419. Stewart, concurring 197, 1683, "hard-core pornography." note: "I today further understand embraced shorthand description; perhaps succeed intelligibly doing so. that." 30-31, assumes "draw community" "hypothetical unascertainable 'national standar(d).' Yet, assumption relate where enough acquainted tastes values. segments mobile, metropolitan society. surely, unascertainable" juror, almost hard urban Metropolitan typically contain commercial districts exploitation bookshops, theaters, nightclubs, burlesque houses; respectable citizens frequenting entertainments "anything goes." Another predicate enclaves include closely resembling bookstore, probably magazine drugstore presence rack customers. hybrid 142-145, 2919-2921 (Brennan, J., dissenting); McManus, 535 460 (C.A.8 1976), 429 1052, 766, 769. Edelstein Mott, Collateral Problems Regulation: Uniform Approach Prior Restraints, Community Standards Judgment Preclusion, Seton Hall 543, 566-571 Rosenblatt Rosenblatt, Six Member Juries Cases: Legal Psychological Considerations, St. John's 615, 631-632 Asch, Effects Group Pressure Modification Distortion Judgments, reprinted Cartwright, Dynamics 189-200 (1960). appealing assume, being correct, aberrant odds view, indicate Perhaps unanimously, popular sin tolerant introduction rarely enable differentiate resident instance, entered exhibits freely lawfully stores salacious, treatment defendants Yet overturn verdict, available, appreciated minority conform Testimony experts similarly discounted. Euclid Ambler Realty 272 365, 388, 118, 71 comments punished, comment, uttered inside courtroom, concerns pending litigation, relevance. Little, 404 553, 659, 708; 331, 1295; Bridges 314 252, 190, 192. Dellinger, 502 813, 815 (C.A.7 1974), sub nom. Dellinger 420 95 1425, 671; Theriault 481 1193, 1196 (C.A.5 1973), 414 1114, 847, 742. factors clear-and-present-danger Only combination word "fire") (a crowded theater) allows Holmes' famous Schenck 249 47, 52, 247, 249, 470. Saia 334 558, 68 1148, 1574; Kovacs Cooper, 336 77, 69 448, 513. underlie Maine Mississippi accept tolerable Las Vegas, York City." 32, 2619 misreads ways. protection speaker's deprive authority manner communication; Nevada's approval approve identical expression. More fundamentally, recipient accept; rather, involves desires. passage Kleindienst Mandel, 408 753, 762-763, 2576, 2581-2582, 683, quoted 757, 1823, 346, protects "receive ideas." Douglas once confidence common sense maturity great postulate democracy." Dennis 341 494, 590, 857, 907, 1137 citizen, element importance. portrayals violence, disease, intimate bodily functions (such birth child) viewed time. noteworthy unprotected representation 301 8; person. 25-26, 284: "Additionally, overlook linguistic serves dual communicative function: conveys relatively precise, detached explication, otherwise inexpressible emotions chosen emotive cognitive force. sanction while solicitous speech, little which, practically speaking, overall message communicated." effect, Winters 333 507, 510, 665, 667, 840: "We accede appellee's press exposition ideas. informing entertaining elusive basic right. Everyone familiar instances propaganda fiction. What amusement, teaches doctrine. society magazines, best literature." Final Report President's Commission Pornography (1970). Anthony Comstock, credit understood point. 'No embellishment art rob lust evil human nature,' Judge Kilpatrick, Smut Peddlers According Professor Schauer mong objects Comstock's scorn literature, pool halls, lotteries, gambling dens, weekly newspapers. Artistic motive irrelevant." Holmes "(W)hen men realized upset fighting faiths, come foundations good better reached trade truth thought get competition market, ground wishes safely carried out. rate theory Constitution." Abrams 250 616, 630, 17, 22, 1173

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