Legal Document

385 U.S. 39 87 Supreme Court Reporter 242 17 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 149 Harriett Louise ADDERLEY et al., Petitioners,v.STATE OF FLORIDA. Number 19. Argued Oct. 18, 1966. Decided Nov. 14, Rehearing Denied Jan. 9, 1967. See 1020, 698. Richard Yale Feder, Miami, Fla., for petitioners. William D. Roth, Tallahassee, respondent, pro hac vice, by special leave of Court. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion 1 Petitioners, Adderley and 31 other persons, were convicted a jury in joint trial County Judge's Leon County, Florida, on charge 'trespass with malicious mischievous intent' upon premises county jail contrary to § 821.18 Florida statutes set out below.1 apparently all students Atlantic & M. University had gone from school about mile away, along many students, 'demonstrate' at mail their protests arrests protesting day before, perhaps protest more generally against state local policies practices racial segregation, including segregation jail. The sheriff, legal custodian grounds, tried persuade grounds. When this did not work, he notified them that they must leave, if would arrest trespassing, resisted as well. Some left but others, petitioners, remained arrested. On appeal convictions affirmed Circuit then District Appeal, 175 So.2d 249. That being highest court which could appeal, petitioners applied us certiorari contending that, view petitioners' purpose policies, conviction denied 'rights free speech, assembly, petition, due process law equal protection laws guaranteed Fourteenth Amendment Constitution States.' 'Question Presented' we granted certiorari. 382 1023, 86 643, 15 538. Petitioners present argument question four separate points, convenience deal each points order them. I. 2 have insisted beginning case it is controlled be reversed because our prior cases Edwards versus South Carolina, 372 229, 83 680, 9 697, Cox State Louisiana, 379 536, 559, 85 453, 476, 13 471, 487. We cannot agree. 3 case, like one, come up when number persons demonstrated public property State's policies. They also sang hymns danced, demonstrators case. But here analogies end. In Edwards, went Carolina Capital grounds protest. Traditionally, capitol are open public. Jails, built security purposes, not. through driveway entered told officials there right citizens go House long peaceful. Here used only purposes without warning or permission sheriff. More importantly, sought prosecute its charging common-law crime breach peace. This took pains point length indefinite, loose, broad nature charge; indeed, pointed out, Page 237, 684, itself declared 'breach peace' 'not susceptible exact definition.' Carolina's power prosecute, was emphasized, 236, 684 been different proceeded under 'precise narrowly drawn regulatory statute evincing legislative judgment certain specific conduct limited proscribed' such as, example, 'limiting periods during * *.' breach-of-the-peace thus struck down so all-embracing jeopardize press, assembly constitutional doctrine enunciated Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 307—308, 60 900, 904 905, 84 L.Ed. 1213 followed subsequent cases. And same ground vagueness supra, 551—552, 462—463, Louisiana Breach-of-the-peace invalidated. 4 trespass these charged challenged ground. It aimed one kind, is, person another intent. There no lack notice law, nothing entrap fool unwary. 5 seem argue void requires 'with intent words do broaden scope make cover multitude types does breach- of- the- peace charge. contrary, narrow offense. meaning argued definition, below,2 reasonable clear definition terms. use terms statute, instead contributing uncertainty misunderstanding, actually makes understandable clear. II. 6 invoke abatement announced Hamm City Rock Hill, 306, 384, 300. holding Civil Rights Act 1964, 78 Statutes-at-Large 241, made unlawful places accommodation deny service any race, effected an prosecutions seeking services arose passage Act. way involves prosecution establishments covered alleged grounds—a can prosecuted regardless fact means III. 7 next 'petty criminal may violate minorities' rights.' course true abstract proposition gets nowhere deciding IV. 8 contend 'Petitioners' based total relevant evidence.' If true, denial Garner 368 157, 82 248, 207, Thompson Louisville, 362 199, 80 624, 654. Both petition brief merits summary evidence 'does conflict facts contained Court's opinion' effect Appeal. statement correct facts, well Court, shows abundance support jury's verdict guilty both statements show testimony ample prove this: Disturbed upset schoolmates large assembled decided march wanted put too, already there.3 A group around 200 marched arrived singing clapping.4 directly jail-door entrance where met deputy evidently surprised arrival. He asked move back, claiming blocking fearing might attempt enter moved back part way, stood sat, singing, clapping dancing adjacent grassy area premises. particular normally public, sheriff's department transporting prisoners courts several blocks away commercial concerns servicing Even after partial retreat, continued block vehicular over jail.5 Someone called sheriff who moment conferring judges incidents connected demonstrations. returned jail, immediately inquired safe inside was. engaged conversation two leaders. trespassing give 10 minutes Neither leaders anything disperse crowd, get minister talked some themselves, just remain were. After minutes, voice loud enough heard all, premises, violation should forthwith them, attempted resist arrest, left. Others, leave. sat down. few realizing remaining intention leaving, ordered his deputies surround those placed 107 demonstrators, arrest. unequivocally testified than Of three testifying, arrested before chance to, she again explicitly attempting Under foregoing authorized find proven every essential element crime, defined court. interpretation course, binding us, leaving whether offense, defined, unconstitutionally deprives rights freedom petition. hold custodian, power, held, direct crowd people off shred record exercised, exercise sanctioned lower courts, objected what sung said disagreed objectives reveals presence reserved uses. occasion similarly groups permitted gather portion purpose.6 Nothing prevents even-handed enforcement general refusing obey remove themselves amounted curtilage jailhouse. State, less private owner property, has preserve control lawfully dedicated. For reason merit stay custodian's objections, 'area chosen peaceful civil demonstration 'reasonable' particularly appropriate Such major unarticulated premise assumption want propagandize views whenever however wherever please. concept vigorously forthrightly rejected rely on, 554—555 563—564, 464 480.7 reject again. forbid own lawful nondiscriminatory purpose. 11 These judgments affirmed. 12 Affirmed. DOUGLAS, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, BRENNAN, FORTAS concur, dissenting. 14 First Amendment, applicable (Edwards 235, 683), provides 'Congress shall abridging peaceably assemble, Government redress grievances.' rights, religion, preferred Constitution, explicit guarantee Edmond Cahn Confronting Injustice (1966) referred 'The Firstness Amendment.'1 With respect, therefore, errs treating ordinary picketing jailhouse, executive mansion, chamber, courthouse, statehouse supra) seats governments Tower London, Bastille, small houses political think unjustly obvious center grievances ancient history2 writing letter sending telegram congressman; confined appearing city council, letters President Governor Mayor. NAACP Button, 371 415, 429—431, 328, 335—336, 405. Conventional methods petitioning be, often been, shut citizens. Legislators turn deaf ears; formal complaints routed endlessly bureaucratic maze; let wheels justice grind very slowly. Those television radio, afford advertise newspapers circulate elaborate pamphlets type access officials. Their condemned tactics obstruction harassment peaceable, 16 trying integrate theatres. indicates understood rally. stated arrests, contradicted even questioned. gave handbills distributed, laden signs immaterial. sine qua non grievances. sing 'freedom' songs. history song powerful tool 546—548, 459—460. violence; threat break; storming prison; plan plot uncontradicted jailhouse routine; things would. None Indeed, instructed. shoving, pushing, disorder riot. blocked leading entrance. chief jailer, sure, vehicles able driveway. Never locate cause interference going coming undisputed cars, drive parking near obstructed path. Further, blocked. requested so. congestion, solution further request lawns areas, complete ejection claim tradesman waited protestants sitting leaning truck. supporting conclusion 'came door leave.' His consistent desire satisfy curiosity restraint. Finally, felt willing making outside seems wholly irrelevant. nonetheless though futility martyrdom attractive. violence permit 'petition grievances' turned into action. help analogize problem picketing. Picketing form usually directed interests. N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions see how rules governing express assemble first place marked 'NO TRESPASSING!' signs, nor respondent excluded Only fiat transformed trespass. To say done rally taken speak run government, proprietors. 18 forgets decisions drastically application inhibiting peacefully rights. As Roberts wrote Hague C.I.O., 307 496, 515—516, 59 954, 964, 1423: 19 '* Wherever title streets parks rest, immemorially held trust and, time mind, communicating thoughts between citizens, discussing questions. has, times, privileges, immunities, liberties privilege citizen communication national questions regulated interest all; absolute, relative, exercised subordination comfort convenience, consonance good order; not, guise regulation, abridged denied.' 20 aggrieved 'peaceably site Government' legislature. U.S., S.Ct., 683. tradition New Hampshire, 312 569, 61 762, 1049, 'immemorially associated' 'the opportunities thought discussion questions.' Id., 574, 765. allow construe her 'malicious trespass' bar knowing apply prohibition discard Edwards. Would if, common, building housed body? 21 clearly committed airing anomalous. instances assemblies petitions necessary property. noisy meeting keeping serenity quiet courthouse. No suggest Senate gallery proper vociferous adjust interests inhering uses put. supra; Poulos 345 395, 73 760, 97 1105. quite saying limits Jamison Texas, 318 413, 415—416, 63 669, 671, 869; supra. farther yet 'custodian' discretion decide ideas, especially C.I.O. Schneider Jersey, 308 147, 163 164, 146, 151, 155; 900; Largent 418, 667, 873; Niemotko Maryland, 340 268, 71 325, 95 267; Shuttlesworth Birmingham, 87, 211, 176. official, police commissioner (cf. Kunz People York, 290, 312, 280), assert mercy. gives him awesome whose ideas expressed air claims government. step today curtailed evil collateral right, isolated 'narrowly drawn' (Cantwell 307, 904) lest excesses suppress itself. Stromberg California, 283 359, 369, 51 532, 535, 75 1117; Herndon Lowry, 301 242, 258—259, 57 732, 739, 81 1066; 238, 684; N.A.A.C.P. 433, 338. 22 tragic consequence happens bludgeon government most grievous modern oppressions inflicting 23 What disregards admonition De Jonge Oregon, 299 353, 364—365, 255, 260, 278: 24 'These (First Amendment) abused using speech press incite crime. Legislatures protect abuse. intenvention justification dealing curtailed. greater importance safeguarding community incitements overthrow institutions force violence, imperative need inviolate maintain opportunity discussion, end responsive will changes, desired, obtained means. Therein lies Republic, foundation government.' Today penalize exercising right. Tomorrow disorderly vagrancy end.3 espoused. excuse given, know involving minority breaches peace, assemblies, parading permit. Penn, preached nonconformist street caused 'a great concourse tumult people' contempt King 'to disturbance peace.' How.St.Tr. 951, 955. 1670. also, justified legitimate function government.4 Yet allowing orderly civilized injustice suppressed, increase forces frustration conditions second-class citizenship generating amongst us. 'Every another, intent, punishment specially provided for, punished imprisonment exceeding months, fine hundred dollars.' Fla.Stat. 821.18, F.S.A. (1965). "Malicious' wrongful, you remember original charge, beyond doubt word 'malicious' wrongful act voluntarily, unlawfully justification. affidavits necessarily allege require defendant actual malice mind Another stating meant knowingly willfully "Mischievous,' required, inclined petty trivial trouble, annoyance vexation others intent.' R. 74. loudly proclaim latter version borne assertedly fellow city's none carried arriving speeches verbal made. officers interfere march, or, matter, knew ultimate destination. Although interfering traffic noticed vehicle driveway, impossible automobiles serviceman, finished business truck parked outside. there, 9:30 Monday morning, busy transport weekend inmates tradesmen calls 558, 466, emphasized: 'It appropriate, discretion, properly ordinances, concerning time, place, duration, manner vested administrative officials, 'exercised 'uniformity method treatment application, improper inappropriate considerations unfair discrimination' (and with) 'systematic, treatment, reference highways *.'" while fundamental democratic society, still mean everyone opinions beliefs address time. liberty implies existence organized society maintaining order, lost anarchy. insist cordon street, building, pass agree listen exhortations.' 554—555, 464. subject statute—picketing parading—is regulation intertwined expression association. examples principle forms mixed prohibited.' 563, 480. 'Where really principal danger republic? Not governors governors, governed governed, unequipped governors. enemies republican mental sloth, conformity, bigotry, superstition, credulity, monopoly market utter, benighted ignorance. Relying consent representative succeed unless receives information grasp issues sensible decisions. lights past meet needs present, suffice extensive complex problems future. Heretofore enlightenment manifest desideratum; constitutes necessity. says Black, 'reflects faith static advancing, fullest possible interchange attainment goal.' (From Feldman States, 322 487, 501, 64 1082, 1088, 88 1408 (dissenting opinion).)' Cahn, 102. historical antecedents deep, strike heart philosophy. C. Magna Carta provided: '(T)hat justiciar, bailiffs, servants wrong toward transgressed articles shown barons aforesaid twenty-five barons, kingdom, laying transgression, ask transgression corrected delay.' Sources Our Liberties (Perry ed. 1959). representatives gain initiative legislation Pollard, Evolution Parliament 329 331 (1964). By 1669 Commons resolved 'it inherent commoner England prepare Petitions house commons grievance,' 'That whatsoever hath judge censure Petition presented Parl.Hist.Eng. 432—433 (1669). Bill 1689 subjects king commitments illegal.' Adams Stephens, Select Documents English Constitutional History early asserted Colonies. Stamp Congress 1765 British colonies, either parliament.' 271 Declaration Resolves Continental Congress, adopted October 1774, Americans 'have consider grievances, king; prosecutions, prohibitory proclamations, same, 288. Independence assigned reasons break 'Our repeated answered injury.' constitutions specifically Mass.Const., Article (1780); Pa.Const., IX, (1790); N.H.Const., 32 (1784); N.C.Const., (1776). 1932 28,000 veterans demanding bonus Washington, D.C., paraded streets, camped mostly lands District, Virginia, Maryland Army. Waters, B.E.F. (1933). See, e.g., 255; Feiner 315, 303, 680; 453; 87. measures inhibit Alabama, 357 449, 1163, 1488; Bates Little Rock, 361 516, 412, 480; Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 247, 231; 328. invalidity regulations official curtailing unequivocal showing measure intended sorely lacking. crucial.

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