Legal Document

414 U.S. 478 94 Supreme Court Reporter 664 38 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 666 Denis M. VACHONv.State of NEW HAMPSHIRE Number 73—573. Jan. 14, 1974. Rehearing Denied Feb. 25, See 415 952, 1477. PER CURIAM. 1 A 14-year-old girl bought a button inscribed 'Copulation Not Masturbation' at the Head Shop in Manchester, New Hampshire. In consequence, appellant, perator shop, was sentenced to 30 days jail and fined $100 after conviction upon charge 'wilfully' contributing delinquency minor violation Hampshire's Rev.Stat.Ann. § 169:32 (Supp.1972).1 affirming conviction, Hampshire held that component offense required State prove accused acted "voluntarily intentionally not because mistake or accident other innocent reason." 113 N.H. 239, 242, 306 Atlantic Reporter, 2nd 781, 784 (1973). Thus, produce evidence knowing be minor,2 personally sold her button, caused another sell it her. Appellant unsuccessfully sought dismissal close State's case on ground had produced no meet this requirement, urged same as reason for reversal Court. We have reviewed transcript trial issue, pursuant Rule 40(1) (d)(2) Rules Court.3 2 Our independent examination record discloses is completely lacking appellant even he aware sale present store time. The only witness sale. She testified she friend entered looked around until they saw 'a velvet display card counter' from which 'picked out (the) pin.' went some person with 'cupped (her) hand' paid 25 cents button. did say person, him store. Rather, could identify who was. therefore agree Justice Grimes, dissenting, 'there whatever defendant knew been minor, authorized such sales minors time sale.' N.H., 244, A.2d, 785. This fatal void filled by appellant's concession 'controlled premises July 26.' That most operated shop; way probative crucial element crime 3 these circumstances, must reversed. 'It beyond question, course, based any relevant charged . violate(s) due process.' Harris versus States, 404 1232, 1233, 92 10, 12, (1971). (Douglas, J., chambers); Thompson Louisville, 362 199, 80 624, 4 654 (1960); Johnson Florida, 391 596, 88 1713, 20 838 (1968); see also Adderley 385 39, 44, 87 245, 17 149 (1966). judgment reversed remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 5 It so ordered. 6 Mr. REHNQUIST, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE WHITE join, dissenting. 7 Vachon operates Hampshire, where sells various beads, dresses, posters, like. 1969, accompanied friend, shop seeking purchase pin like one purchased previous week. found Masturbation,' salesperson conceded courts control made. At jury-waived trial, convicted statutory proscribed words: 8 '(A)nyone shall knowingly wilfully encourage, aid, cause, abet, connive at, has done act produce, promote, contribute (a) child, may punished ..' N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. (Supp.1972). 9 affirmed conviction. 781 10 decides under statute violates rights secured Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment, concluding basis its 'independent record' 'evidence 11 * sense there can doubt Court's conclusion an record,' since claim sustained here neither made constitutional form nor presented his jurisdictional statement Court.* 12 litigant preserve review make clear lower nature claim, but constitutionally grounded. Bailey Anderson, 326 203, 66 66, 90 L.Ed. (1945). closest came brief appeal discussing issue opinion turns sixth section (at 17—18), headed: 'The failure introduce scienter should resulted following presentation case.' makes customary appellate arguments insufficiency does much mention either Constitution single decided treated raising classic state law insufficient scienter; nothing court's remotely suggests treating having than law. 13 purports decide question Court, provides: 14 '1. Briefs petitioner merits printed prescribed contain order indicated— 15 '(d)(2) phrasing questions need identical set forth petition certiorari, raise additional change substance already those documents. Questions according paragraph will disregarded, save court, opinion, notice plain error presented.' 16 very language rule applies cases previously noted probable jurisdiction granted certiorari. cited support what are necessarily orally argued; addition, each arose federal courts. Columbia Heights Realty company Rudolph, 217 547, 581, 54 877 (1910); Sibbach Wilson & Co., 312 1, 61 422, 85 479 (1941); Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, Incorporated University Illinois Foundation, 402 313, 91 1434, 28 788 Whatever import 40(1)(d)(2) arising courts, surely give power simply ignore limitations placed Code KF62 1257 our final judgments highest court State. permits upheld against challenge, writ certiorari challenge 'specifically up claimed' court. prior establish we 'not issues raised first decisions.' Cardinale Louisiana, 394 437, 438, 89 1161, 1162, 22 398 (1969). Crowell Randell, Pet. 368, 458 (1836). Since sufficiency evidence, resolution congressional limitation II 18 Even if sufficiency-of-the-evidence contention said (1960), N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions would nonetheless unable join disposition it. Thompson, reaching were Louisville Police right higher written construed convicted. choice engage own construction doing concluded 'entirely charges.' Id., 204, 628. obviously extraordinary case, now saved situations; heretofore broadened lack evidentiary several elements infirmity 19 Here, however, defining adduced sufficient finding offense. While say, indicates, reason," 784, context paragraphs treatment Just reading relying opinions ill-advised seize phrase context, think treat observations about bear 'wilfulness' focuses: uncontested There 'like that.' These pins displayed counter. opportunity conclude whether minority apparent whoever pin. find character being offered establishment. 21 'Defendant selling causing question. To 'to voluntarily reason.' (Citations omitted.) properly intentional. seller type realized tend harmful morals purchaser others. R.S.A. warrant ruling contributed complaint. omitted.)' 784. casts aside authoritative law, seizes concludes '(knew) her.' word 'personally' contribution statute; contained statute, once used dealing facts case. Indeed, entire thrust guilty fair above-quoted mean 'personally,' controlled prominently willfulness. 23 seem us somewhat broad 'knowingly,' though words given variety meanings their context: 24 difference between willful pay tax when due, misdemeanor, wilful attempt defeat evade one, felony easy detect define. Both willful, said, many meanings, often influenced context. Murdock, 290 389, 223, 78 381. well something more applied nonpayment return. Mere voluntary purposeful, distinguished accidental, omission timely return might test willfulness.' Spies 317 492, 497—498, 63 364, 367, 418 (1943). But authority convictions limited vindication claims rights, take meaning knowingly' uses, proposition settled decisions: 26 'We course bound interpretation substitute becomes necessary analyze purpose determining supports findings court.' Garner 368 157, 166, 82 248, 253, 207 (1961). 27 do appropriate hold criminal warning conduct embraced within Cole Arkansas, 333 196, 68 514, 644 (1948); Bouie City Columbia, 378 347, 84 1697, 894 (1964). far cry rewriting require highly specific intent, then turning saying before kind intent requires. least note over oral argument. instead chooses, without ever heard argument, rewrite dissent. provides pertinent part: fine five hundred dollars imprisonment year both.' complaint 'did obscene material slogan same, wit, child age years, provides, part, that: 'Questions (the requirements rule) option, discretion long acknowledged, (1910). recently 320 n. 6, 1438, (1971), extends record, (1941). Terminiello Chicago, 337 69 894, 93 1131 (1949). two contentions statement: First, statutes delivery (N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. §§ 571—A:1, 571—A:2 (Supp.1972)) infringes First Amendment rights; and, second, unconstitutionally vague. else statement.

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