Legal Document

430 U.S. 705 97 Supreme Court Reporter 1428 51 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 752 Neal R. WOOLEY, etc., et al., Appellants,v.George MAYNARD ux. Number 75-1453. Argued Nov. 29, 1976. Decided April 20, 1977. Syllabus New Hampshire statutes require that noncommercial motor vehicles bear license plates embossed with the state motto, "Live Free or Die," and make it a misdemeanor to obscure motto. Appellees, Maynard his wife, who are followers of Jehovah's Witnesses faith, view motto as repugnant their moral, religious, political beliefs, accordingly they covered up on jointly owned family automobiles. Appellee was subsequently found guilty in court violating statute three separate charges upon refusing pay fines imposed sentenced to, served, 15 days jail. Appellees then brought this action Federal District pursuant 42 Code KF62 § 1983, seeking injunctive declaratory relief against enforcement statutes; three-judge enjoined State from arresting prosecuting appellees future for covering plates. Held : 1. The principles equitable restraint enunciated Younger versus Harris, 401 37, 91 746, 27 669, do not preclude exercising jurisdiction. Pp. 709-712. (a) When genuine threat prosecutions exists, litigant is entitled resort federal forum seek redress an alleged deprivation rights, and, aside principles, may such under 1983. 709-710. (b) sought wholly prospective, i. e., further prosecution violate constitutional failure appellate review criminal convictions does bar court. Huffman Pursue, Ltd., 420 592, 95 1200, 43 482, distinguished. 710-711. (c) repeated both appellees, effect continuing ability perform ordinary tasks daily life automobile, sufficient justify relief, hence limited granting relief. 711-712. 2. constitutionally individual participate dissemination ideological message by displaying private property manner express purpose be observed read public. 714-717. Hampshire's statute, forcing individual, part indeed constantly while automobile public instrument advocating adherence point he finds unacceptable, "invades sphere intellect spirit which First Amendment . reserve all official control," Board Education Barnette, 319 624, 642, 63 1178, 1187, 87 L.Ed. 1628. 714-715. State's claimed interests requiring display (1) so facilitate identification passenger vehicles, (2) promote appreciation history, individualism, pride, sufficiently compelling infringement appellees' rights. first interest could achieved less drastic means, second cannot outweigh individual's right avoid becoming courier message. 715-717. 406 F.Supp. 1381, affirmed. Robert V. Johnson II, Concord, N.H., appellants. Richard S. Kohn, Washington, D.C., appellees. Mr. Chief Justice BURGER delivered opinion Court. 1 issue appeal whether enforce sanctions persons cover Die" vehicle because moral religious beliefs. 2 3 Since 1969 has required Die."1 N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. 263:1 (Supp. 1975). Another makes "knowingly (to obscure) figures letters any number plate." 262:27-c term "letters" section been interpreted highest include Hoskin, 112 N.H. 332, 295 Atlantic Reporter, 2nd 454 (1972). 4 George wife Maxine faith. Maynards consider beliefs,2 therefore assert objectionable disseminate automobiles.3 Pursuant these began early 1974 plates.4 5 On November 27, 1974, issued citation 262:27-c. December 6, appeared pro se Lebanon, N. H., answer charge. After waiving counsel, entered plea proceeded explain objections trial judge expressed sympathy Maynard's situation, but considered himself bound authority supra, hold guilty. A $25 fine imposed, execution suspended during "good behavior." 6 28, again charged He January 31, 1975, chose represent himself; guilty, fined $50, six months Grafton County House Corrections. jail sentence ordered also offense. informed that, matter conscience, refused two fines. thereupon him period days. served full sentence. 7 Prior offense yet third violation 3, 1975. complaint same day offense, was, again, This conviction "continued sentence" received no punishment addition 8 March 4, present 1983 Hampshire. They §§ 262:27-c, 263:1, insofar plates, made motto.5 11, single Judge temporary restraining order arrests Maynards. Because injunction grounds its unconstitutionality, convened 28 2281. Following hearing merits,6 enjoining "from (the Maynards) at time over portion contains 'Live Die.' "7 1381 (1976). We noted probable jurisdiction appeal. 426 946, 96 3164, 49 1183 9 (3) 10 (1-3) Appellants argue precluded case 669 (1971). In recognized judicial economy, well proper state-federal relations, courts enjoin ongoing prosecutions. Id., 43, S.Ct., 750. However, when See Steffel Thompson, 415 452, 94 1209, 39 505 (1974); Doran Salem Inn, Inc., 422 922, 930-931, 2561, 2567-2568, 45 648 (1975). aside, 609-610, n. 21, 1210-1211, 482 now placed "between Scylla intentionally flouting law Charybdis forgoing what believes protected activity enmeshed (another) proceeding." U.S., 462, 1217. Mrs. Maynard, joint owner automobiles likely than her husband subjected prosecution. Under circumstances denied consideration remedy. 11 Appellants, however, out failed cite propositions "a necessary concomitant party appellee's posture must exhaust remedies before Court," 608, 1210, "Younger standards met intervention proceeding losing exhausted remedies," id., 609, 1211. Huffman, inapposite. There appellee prevent, means state-court judgment declaring theater nuisance. held appeals barred Younger: "Federal post-trial intervention, fashion designed annul results deprives function quite legitimately left them, overseeing dispositions issues arise civil litigation have jurisdiction." Ibid. 12 (4) Here, suit way "designed trial" since already sustained imprisonment prior offenses.8 record expunged, collateral effects those have, e. g., driving privileges. only free violations statutes. 13 (5) complaint, although " '(o)rdinarily practical (injunctive declaratory) will virtually identical,' 931, 2567, quoting Samuels Mackell, 66, 73, 764, 768, 688 (1971), "district can generally protect plaintiff entering judgment, stronger medicine unnecessary." Doran, 2567. It correct "the even though unconstitutional," Spielman Motor company Dodge, 89, 95, 55 678, 680, 79 1322 (1935), "(s)uch result seriously impairs enforcing laws, implicates concerns federalism lie heart Younger," 2568. But absolute policy some appropriate. "To interference there exceptional clear showing afford adequate protection rights." Co., 680. 14 (6) situation here for, we noted, successive were undertaken span five weeks. different claim threatened time. Cf. Douglas City Jeannette, 157, 877, 1324 (1943). unwilling say Having determined stay hand either appellee,9 turn merits Maynards' claim. (7) plate, engaging symbolic speech "New defacement restriction (appellee's) expression." F.Supp., 1389. find unnecessary pass "symbolic speech" issue, more appropriate affirm Court.10 instead our essence objection requirement succinctly summarized statement affidavit filed Court: 16 "I refuse coerced into advertising slogan & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions morally, ethically, religiously politically abhorrent." App. 5. 17 thus faced question so. 18 * (8, 9) begin proposition freedom thought includes speak freely refrain speaking all. 633-634, 1182-1183, 1628 (1943); 645, 1188 (Murphy, J., concurring). system secures proselytize political, causes guarantee decline foster concepts. complementary components broader concept "individual mind." 637, 1185. illustrated recent Miami Herald Publishing Tornillo, 418 241, 2831, 41 730 (1974), where unconstitutional Florida placing affirmative duty newspapers publish replies candidates whom had criticized. concluded deprived newspaper fundamental decide print omit: 19 "Faced penalties would accrue published news commentary arguably within reach right-of-access editors might conclude safe course controversy. Therefore, operation electoral coverage blunted reduced. Government-enforced access inescapably 'dampens vigor limits variety debate,' York Times Sullivan, 376 (254,) 279 (84 710, 686 (1964))." 257, 2839 (footnote omitted). 20 (10) school students ceremonies honoring flag words traditional salute gestures. overruling decision Minersville Gobitis, 310 586, 60 1010, 84 1375 (1940), ceremony touching matters attitude (not) powers committed organization Constitution." 636, 1184. Compelling act involved serious personal liberties passive carrying difference essentially one degree. measure forces fostering unacceptable. doing so, Constitution control." 1187. 21 (11) requires use "mobile billboard" suffer penalty, has. As condition virtual necessity most Americans hundreds people each day.11 fact individuals agree thrust test; acceptable. protects majority foster, commands, idea morally objectionable. B 22 (12) Identifying implicating protections end inquiry however. determine countervailing See, O'Brien, 391 367, 376-377, 88 1673, 1678-1679, 672 (1968). advanced facilitates vehicles,12 promotes pride. 23 points commercial, trailer, other Thus, argument proceeds, officers easily able reveals normally consist specific configuration numbers, them readily distinguishable types without reference motto.13 Even credit reasons "even governmental legitimate substantial, pursued broadly stifle narrowly achieved. breadth legislative abridgment viewed light achieving basic purpose." Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 488, 81 247, 252, 231 (1960) (footnotes 24 ideologically neutral. communicate others individualism. Of course, pursue ways. ideology, how acceptable some, message.14 25 (13) motto15 plates; accordingly, 26 Affirmed. WHITE, BLACKMUN REHNQUIST join part, dissenting part. proceedings pending, threatened, respect regard strictures open should circumstances. 463, Then (1975), approved issuance preliminary prosecution, pending subject "stringent" cause district "weigh carefully sides," prohibiting plaintiff, final resolution case, "seriously Younger." Although finding abuse discretion distinguished between pendente lite permanent successful conclusion case; 29 true teachings (1943), underlying invalidated, relying established rule "that equity ordinarily restrain prosecutions." 163, 881. guaranties, ground ." An danger irreparable injury "great immediate," citing authorities relied supra. cited cases ruled enter injunction. "The general interfere prevent unconstitutional. To (1935). 30 plainly departed teaching cases. whole Jeannette's admonition once issued, depend existence unusual thereafter. Here declaration unconstitutionality appear performance officers. If much amounts warrant injunction, standard obviously eroded. 31 cases, therefore, shown Court's extent dissent. 32 REHNQUIST, joins, dissenting. 33 holds displayed plate. path travels demonstrates difficulty supporting it. "required affirmation belief." Court, expressly contention, analogous reached precisely opposite result. obscuring speech." avoided appears disagree adopted Court; expression "substantially undermined" very action. Ante, 713 10. 34 implicit recognition think goes far undermine ultimate holding element here. forced "say" anything; ideas nonverbal actions reasonably likened "speech," wearing lapel button promoting candidate waving gesture. simply all* tags Die." reject motto; State, police power, carry auto tag registration purposes. 35 Part 4-A, relies almost solely cites Barnette right, "refrain speaking." 714. What demonstrate "speech" "speaking" context case. "right (religious, ideological) concepts," ibid., treats if proselytize, advocate view. begs question. unconfronted displaying, do, tags, format known having prescribed views. 36 recognizes, must, substantially differs schoolchildren recite pledge allegiance giving salute. states degree." 715. rather obvious differences why obtain. suggests test "to unacceptable." But, merely conclusory words, barren analysis. For example, erect multitude billboards, proclaiming tax citizens cost erection maintenance, clearly "fostered" citizen-taxpayers just "instruments" communication. Certainly, fall ambit Barnette. belief. implicated, place citizen position apparently actually "asserting true" focus distinguishes one. 37 run afoul 336, A.2d, 457, aptly articulated belief case: 38 defendants' membership class bearing carries implication endorse profess adopt nothing precludes disagreement long methods used Thus bumper conspicuous sticker explaining uncertain terms violently connotations displaced, statutory tourist promotion invalidated fiction unconstitutionally affirm, in, 40 logic leads startling, believe totally results. mottoes "In God Trust" "E Pluribus Unum" coin currency States. imagine statutes, see 331 333, proscribing impinge rights atheist. atheist uses not, meaningful sense, convey Trust." Similarly, reverse License trailers, agricultural car dealers, antique automobiles, Governor Hampshire, Congressional Representatives, Attorney General, Justices veterans, chaplains legislature, sheriffs, others. described motto: "(B)y training belief, my 'government' Kingdom offers everlasting life. contrary give state, meant living bondage. obey laws conflict directly odds deeply convictions. ". grounds. precious freedom." Affidavit 3. At commenced Toyota Corolla Plymouth station wagon. Both registered domiciled. May June snipped "or off resulting hole, Free," tape. done, according neighborhood children kept removing new disavowed intention physically mutilating them. injunctions years Several elapsed merits. delay occasioned request bill Legislature inclusion optional owner. gain enactment. evidence 1, sentence," 708, "(n)o consequences attach unless arrested prosecuted NHRSA future." 1384. totality appellants' arguments accepted, never According appellants, argue, effect, premature instituted. spouses similarly situated fail ever leave room note undermined prayer special 5, hardly consistent stated intent opposition Whether practice tape communicative sustain expression, "expurgated" requested surely satisfy standard. supra; Spence 405, 410-411, 2727, 2730, 842 376, 1678, (Mr. Brennan note.) Some certain documents seal stamp purposes recordation. Such contain, albeit obscurely, symbol philosophical implications. seal, advertise bears authenticate document origin. Police testified "enforcement facilitated Motto appearing benefits being ease distinguishing similar colors discovering misuse instance, 'trailer' plate non-commercial vehicle." Brief 20. followed four numbers. No category displays combination, approximately 325,000 9,999 follow regular pattern, numbers only, preceded letters. 50-53. advocacy values enhanced citizens' cars officials Governor, Justices, Members Congress sheriffs. suggested today's sanctioning obliteration national coins currency. That us today currency, passed hand, significant respects associated operator. Currency carried purse pocket need bearer publicly ante, 707 de minimis exceptions.

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