Legal Document

373 U.S. 284 83 Supreme Court Reporter 1240 10 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 349 Nathaniel WRIGHT et al., Petitioners,v.STATE OF GEORGIA. Number 68. Argued Nov. 7, 1963. Decided May 20, James M. Nabrit, III, New York City, for petitioners. Sylvan Atlantic Garfunkel, Savannah, Ga., respondent. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioners, six young Negroes, were convicted breach peace peacefully playing basketball in a public park Georgia, on early afternoon Monday, Januay 23, 1961. The record is devoid evidence any activity which statute might be thought to punish. Finding that there no adequate state ground bar review by this and convictions are violative due process law secured Fourteenth Amendment, we hold judgments below must reversed. 2 Only four witnesses testified at petitioners' trial: two arresting officers, city recreational superintendent, sergeant police. All prosecution witnesses. No witness contradicted testimony given other On day question petitioners court Daffin Park, Georgia. owned operated purposes, about 50 acres area, customarily used only whites. A white woman notified police officer presence park. They investigated, according one officer, 'because some colored people & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions did not ask lady how old these were. As soon as found out immediately went there.' also conceded 'I have never made previous arrests Park because played * *. arrested Park. One reason was they negroes. observed conduct people, when doing nothing besides basketball, just normally none children from schools particular time.' admitted 'were necessarily creating disorder, 'shooting goal,' that's all doing, wasn't disturbing anything.' Petitioners neat well dressed. Nevertheless, officers ordered leave petitioner asked 'by what authority' he them leave; responded 'didn't need orders come *.' But 'it (not) unusual inquire 'why' being arrested.' When obeyed without disturbance entered cruiser transported headquarters. crowd assembled. 3 superintendent's confused contradictory. In essence school had preference use park's playground facilities but objection older persons if time. present p.m. released their students 2:30 and, it would been least 30 minutes before could reached playground. stated know whether reserved age group rules City Recreational Department. It trial signs posted indicating areas, any, younger hours. oral argument regulations printed. 4 accusation charged with assembling 'for purpose dispersing command officers. jury charged, respect offense itself, terms statute.1 Upon conviction five sentenced pay fine $100 or serve months prison. Petitioner Wright $125 5 Petitioners' principal contention give warning violated enactment derogation rights under Due Process Clause Amendment Constitution States. This plainly raised trial, both demurrer motions new pressed appeal Georgia Both number issues. held error denial considered properly briefed appeal. nevertheless seemed pass upon claim demurrer,2 affirmed convictions. 217 Ga. 453, 122 South Eastern Reporter, 2nd 737. Certiorari granted. 370 935, 82 1580, 8 806. 6 Since vagueness demurrer,3 prefer rest our jurisdiction firmer foundation. We hold, reasons set forth hereinafter, court's refusal consider trial. I. 7 commentator procedure has concluded '(p)robably phase pleading fraught more technicalities than raising constitutional issues.'4 Examination cases bears assertion. an extraordinary attempt raise issues frustrated holding pursued. '(w)hatever springes State may those who endeavoring assert confers, assertion Federal rights, reasonably made, defeated name local practice.' Davis versus Wechsler, 263 22, 24, 44 13, 14, 68 L.Ed. 143. See Love Griffith, 266 32, 45 12, 69 157; Stromberg California, 283 359, 51 532, 75 1117; Terminiello Chicago, 337 1, 894, 90 1131; Staub Baxley, 355 313, 78 277, 302; N.A.A.C.P. Alabama ex rel. Patterson, 357 449, 1163, 1488. case '(t)here argument, citation authority, statement (the grounds reversal motions) still relied upon.' 'the applicable rule, laid down Henderson Lott, 163 326 (2), 136 Southeastern KF135 S6 403, (to be) *: 'Assignments error, insisted counsel briefs otherwise, will treated abandoned. mere recital existence assignment authorities its support, counsel, insufficient save abandoned." 454—455, S.E.2d, 740. Presumably restating requirements § 6—1308 Annotated Code 1935. That section provides: 'All questions motion shall appellate except where so expressly impliedly abandoned either brief argument. general insistence sufficient.' 9 To ascertain precise examine submitted connection specifically assigned overruling And devoted stated: 'Plaintiffs-in-Error assembled fact municipally park, State's own evidence. said prohibited assemblies 'disturbing committing unlawful act.' Where vague make criminal innocent act, cannot sustained. Murray Winters York, 333 507 (68 665, 92 840). Plaintiffs-in-Error possibly predetermined wording punished misdemeanor assembly basketball.' 11 Obviously argue point press Thus rather explicitly identified short require say something like following end paragraph quoted above: 'A fortiori overrule trial.' similar coming us courts, 'would force resort arid ritual meaningless form.' supra, 320, 281. do here Staub. Here, Staub, inadequate. Its inadequacy especially apparent prior respondent cited nor gives notice requirement court. '(A) procedural although now appear retrospect form part consistent pattern procedures *, avail here, petitioner(s) fairly deemed apprised existence. Novelty permitted thwart 457, 1169. proceed consideration merits claim. II. 12 Three possible bases suggested. First, failure obey constitutes traditional peace. Obviously, however, failing itself Constitution. doubly violation rights. obviously based, themselves, intention enforce racial discrimination For order Equal Protection Amendment. Orleans Improvement Association Detiege, 358 54, 79 99, 46, affirming Cir., 252 122. because, seen, asserted basis order—the possibility disorder others—could justify exclusion constitutionally refusing If guilty violating disobeyed falls within rule generally worded construed punish unconstitutionally extent fails boundary between permissible impermissible applications statute. Cf. 507, 840; see Cole Arkansas, 196, 514, 644. 13 Second, argued likely cause others. support 'The asking keep trouble, looked me start—there cars driving around time, people.' 'was traffic time day.' area. Respondent contends forewarned violate Samuels State, 103 Ga.App. 66, 118 231. sufficient again statute, punished, vague. others place otherwise right (founded Clause) present. Taylor Louisiana, 154, 1188, 395; Garner 368 157, 174, 248, 257, 207; Buchanan Warley, 245 60, 80—81, 38 16, 62 149. 14 Third, However, neither posting such proved. Lambert 225, 228, 240, 242, 228. inform knowledge themselves. Furthermore, sign printed regulation rule. 15 Under view facts alleged constitute maintained established does process. Lanzetta Jersey, 306 451, 59 618, 888; Connally General Construction Co., 269 385, 46 126, 70 322; L. Cohen Grocery 255 81, 41 298, 65 516; National Dairy Products Corp., 372 29, 594, 561. 16 Reversed. Ga.Code Ann., 1953, 26—5301, 'Unlawful assemblies.—Any assemble disperse commanded judge, justice, sheriff, constable, coroner, misdemeanor.' refused claims demurrer. allegations unconstitutional administration settled constitutionality charge based attacked Court, over years ago, '(u)nder accusation) accused arraigned brought question.' Newman 101 534, 536, 28 1005 (1897). later qualified defendant his attack particularity See, e.g., 123 465, 466, 386. numerous assumed Teague Keith, 214 853, 108 489; Harris 191 243, 64; Carr 176 747, 169 201; Dalton 645, 198; 55, 166 827, 167 103; Hughes Board Medical Examiners, 162 246, 134 42. 113 1148, 39 446. certain procedures, demurrer, proper method based. each device. Eaves 749, 758, 318, 321; Boswell 114 40, 41, 897; Hendry 147 260, 265, 93 413, 415; Starling 149 172, 99 619; Savannah Elec. company Thomas, 154 258, 806; Moore 194 672, 22 510; Stone 202 203, 42 727; Loomis 203 394, 405, 47 58, Flynt Dumas, 205 702, 54 429; Corbin 212 231, 91 764; Renfroe Wallace, 685, 107 225. exists insofar arises against speaking demurrers, i.e., demurrers rely accusation. Though demur rer (in stating vagueness) facts, considering Leverett, Hall, Christopher, Shulman, Procedure Practice (1957), 38.

Classification Label: 1