Legal Document

422 U.S. 205 95 Supreme Court Reporter 2268 45 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 125 Richard ERZNOZNIK, etc., Appellant,v.CITY OF JACKSONVILLE. Number 73—1942. Argued Feb. 26, 1975. Decided June 23, Syllabus A Jacksonville, Fla., ordinance making it a public nuisance and punishable offense for drive-in movie theater to exhibit films containing nudity, when the screen is visible from street or place, held facially invalid as an infringement of First Amendment rights. Pp. 208-217. (a) The by discriminating among movies solely on basis content has effect deterring theaters showing any however innocent even educational, such censorship otherwise protected speech cannot be justified limited privacy interest persons streets, who if offended viewing can readily avert their eyes. 208-212. (b) Nor exercise city's police power protection children against films. Even assuming that its purpose, restriction broader than permissible since not directed sexually explicit nudity limited. 212-214. (c) traffic regulation. If this were would strikingly underinclusive legislative classification singles out all other might distract passing motorist. 214-215. (d) possibility narrowing construction appears remote, particularly where appellee city offered several distinct justifications in broadest terms. Moreover, deterrent legitimate expression form both real substantial. 215-217. 288 So.2d 260, reversed. William Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Maness, appellant. Lee Allen, appellee. Mr. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 This case presents challenge facial validity prohibits place. 2 * Appellant, Erznoznik, manager University Drive-In Theatre Jacksonville. On March 13, 1972, he was charged with violating § 330.313 municipal code exhibiting motion picture, which 'female buttocks bare breasts shown.'1 ordinance, adopted January 14, provides: 3 '330.313 Theaters, Films Visible From Public Streets Places. It shall unlawful hereby declared ticket seller, taker, usher, picture projection machine operator, manager, owner, person connected employed City exhibit, aid assist exhibiting, slide, human male female buttocks, breasts, areas are shown, Violation section Class Contract offense.' 4 consent prosecutor, successfully moved stay his prosecution so could tested separate declaratory action. In action appellee, introduced evidence appellant's two adjacent streets nearby church parking lot. There also testimony indicating people had been observed watching while sitting outside parked cars grass. 5 trial court upheld municipality's power, ruled did infringe upon District Appeal, Florida, affirmed, 260 (1974), relying exclusively Chemline, Incorporated versus Grand Prairie, 364 Federal Reporter, 2nd 721 (CA5 1966), sustained similar ordinance.2 Florida denied certiorari, three judges dissenting. 294 93 (1974). We noted probable jurisdiction,3 419 822, 37, 42 46 now reverse. II 6 Appellee concedes sweeps far beyond restraints obscenity, see Miller California, 413 15, 2607, 37 (1973), thus applies Amendment. See Joseph Burstyn, Wilson, 343 495, 72 777, 96 L.Ed. 1098 (1952); Jenkins Georgia, 418 153, 94 2750, 41 642 Nevertheless, maintains place may suppressed nuisance. Several theories advanced justify contention. Atlantic 7 Appellee's primary argument protect citizens unwilling exposure materials offensive. Jacksonville's however, does offend; rather presumably because lawmakers considered them especially offensive passersby. 8 analogous issues—pitting rights speakers those viewers auditors—in variety contexts. See, e.g., Kovacs Cooper, 336 77, 69 448, 513 (1949); Breard Alexandria, 341 622, 641—645, 71 920, 932—934, 1233 (1951); Cohen 403 91 1780, 29 284 (1971); Lehman Shaker Heights, 298, 2714, 770 generally Haiman, Speech Privacy: Is Right Not To Be Spoken To?, 67 Nw.U.L.Rev. 153 (1972). Such cases demand delicate balancing because: 9 'In th(e) sphere collision between claims (free or) free press, interests sides plainly rooted traditions significant concerns our society.' Cox Broadcasting Corporation Cohn, 420 469, 491, 1029, 1044, 43 328 (1975). 10 Although each ultimately must depend own specific facts, some general principles have emerged. State municipality individual enacting reasonable time, manner regulations applicable irrespective content. supra; Louisiana, 379 536, 554, 85 453, 464, 13 471 (1965); Adderley 385 39, 87 242, 17 149 (1966). But government, acting censor, undertakes selectively shield kinds ground they more others, strictly limits power. Police Dept. Chicago Mosley, 408 92, 92 2286, 33 212 (1972); Fowler Rhode Island, 345 67, 73 526, 97 828 (1953); supra, U.S., at 97, S.Ct., 458 (Jackson, J., concurring). selective restrictions only speaker intrudes home, Rowan Post Office Dept., 397 728, 90 1484, 25 736 (1970),4 degree captivity makes impractical viewer auditor avoid exposure. supra.5 As Harlan cautioned: 11 'The ability consonant Constitution, shut off discourse others hearing . dependent substantial being invaded essentially intolerable manner. Any view authority effectively empower majority silence dissidents simply matter personal predilections.' 21, 1786. 12 plain, times disquieting, truth pluralistic society, constantly proliferating new ingenious forms expression, 'we inescapably captive audiences fror many purposes.' 736, 1490. Much we encounter offends esthetic, political moral, sensibilities. Constitution permit government decide types sufficiently require listener viewer. Rather, absent narrow circumstances described above,6 burden normally falls 'avoid further bombardment (his) sensibilities averting eyes.' Spence Washington, 405, 412, 2727, 842 Jacksonville discriminates content.7 Its deter educational.8 discrimination means preventing intrusions privacy. seeks keep these seen places short, 'so obtrusive make impossible it.' Redrup New York, 386 767, 769, 1414, 1415, 18 515 (1967). Thus, conclude content.9 B 14 attempts support undoubted children. though prohibit display adults, present protecting minors type visual influence. 15 well settled adopt stringent controls communicative available youths adults. Ginsberg 390 629, 88 1274, 20 195 (1968). entitled measure protection, Tinker Des Moines School Dist., 393 503, 89 733, 21 731 (1969), relatively well-defined bar dissemination them. Interstate Circuit, Dallas, 676, 1298, 225 (1968); Rabeck 391 462, 1716, 741 16 case, aimed prohibiting films, permissible. nor sweepingly forbids uncovered context pervasiveness. Thus film baby's nude body war victim, scenes culture indigenous. newsreel opening art shots bathers beach. Clearly deemed obscene minors. supra.10 broad governmental pertaining neither subject proscription young ideas images thinks unsuitable most circumstances,11 values no less control flow information supra. Cf. West Virginia Bd. Ed. Barnette, 319 624, 63 1178, 1628 (1943). intended regulate accessible overbroad proscription.12 At oral first sought claimed distracts motorists, slowing increasing likelihood accidents. Nothing record text suggests Indeed, screens purpose nonetheless invalid. By singling fleeting glimpses underinclusive. reason think wide customary diet, ranging soap opera violence, distracting 19 frequently classifications sound theory legislature deal one part problem without addressing it. Williamson Optical Co., 348 483, 488—489, 75 461, 464—465, 99 563 (1955). presumption statutory validity, force turns expression. '(A)bove else, restrict message, ideas, matter, content.' 95, 2290. 'under Equal Protection Clause, mention itself,' id., 96, 2290 regulation discriminate unless there clear reasons distinctions. 559, 581, 466, 470 (opinion Black, J.). Williams Rhodes, 5, 24 Shapiro Thompson, 394 618, 1322, 22 600 (1969). offers justification, aware any, distinguishing designed traffic. Absent salvaged rationale.13 III none will sustain remains us whether should invalidated face. long recognized demonstrably statute Nonetheless, considering necessary proceed caution restraint, invalidation result unnecessary interference state regulatory program. accommodating competing courts, Dombrowski Pfister, 380 479, 497, 1116, 1126, (1965), Broadrick Oklahoma, 601, 612 615, 2908, 2915—2917 (1973). Note, Overbreadth Doctrine, 83 Harv.L.Rev. 844 (1970). limiting remote. explicitly joined test agreeing prosecution.14 plain terms easily susceptible construction.15 courts presented overbreadth made effort application. Compare Coates Cincinnati, 402 611, 612—613, 1686, 1688, 214 (1971), Brandenburg Ohio, 395 444, 448—449, 1827, 1830, 23 430 Hampshire, 312 569, 575—576, 61 762, 765, 1049 (1941), Chaplinsky 315 568, 572—573, 62 766, 769—770, 86 1031 (1942). circumstances, here terms, assume decisively narrowed. Gooding 405 518, 520—527, 1103, 1105—1108, 31 Grayned Rockford, 104, 111—112, 2294, 2300, 222 Time, Hill, 374, 397, 534, 546, 456 Since specifically theaters, owners operators faced unwelcome choice: themselves employees either offerings construct adequate protective fencing extremely expensive physically impracticable.16 Lake Carriers' Assn. MacMullan, 406 498, 513, 1749, 1758, 32 257 (1972) (Powell, dissenting). IV concluding do deprecate asserted hold satisfy rigorous constitutional standards apply Where freedoms stake repeatedly emphasized precision drafting clarity essential. These prerequisites here. Accordingly judgment below Reversed. 26 DOUGLAS, concurring. 27 & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions join wholeheartedly Court's issue fatally overinclusive respects others. doubt under proper narrowly drawn utilized within boundaries audiences1 promote highway safety. days heavy traffic, attempt remove distractions increase cannot, content—a 'pure' apt just drivers 'impure' one, intrusive but audience. regulates content, obscenity standard2 criterion, impermissibly guaranteed Fourteenth Amendments. 28 Chief BURGER, whom REHNQUIST, joins, pays lip service proposition 'each facts,' ante, 209, strikes down Code mechanical application 'general principles' distilled having little other. Because accept approach result, dissent. 30 analysis seems begin end sweeping that, regardless 'communicative' activity certain 'special circumstances,' told, ignore purveyor take steps view. four short sentences reasoned support, 211-212, concludes pass muster tests, therefore down. None relies remotely implies ever establish inexorable limitations area. Many purport define so. E.g., (1974); (1970); (1949). Other relied expressly impliedly decided equal grounds and, although recognizing involved, turned 'the crucial question appropriate suitably furthered differential treatment.' 2290, (1953). standard necessarily requires particularized review. Finally, yet cited vagueness overbreadth. (1965). Again, doctrines scrutiny involved reliance generalizations. 544—558, 458—459. nothing prior decisions justifies disregard admonition nature forum conflicting remained important determining afforded (First) question.' 302—303, 2718 (plurality Blackmun, applying principle contexts instant members cautioned every medium communication 'is law unto concurring), 'tyranny absolutes' 'to meet problems generated need accommodate diverse affected pictures compact modern communities.' 788, (1952) (Frankfurther, careful consideration illustrates, me, inadequacy rigidly simplistic approach. conclusion supported completely ignores unique directed. Whatever notion passersby eyes applied words printed individual's jacket, flag hung second-floor apartment window, distorts reality outsize theater. invariably huge;1 indeed, photographs included show petitioner's dominated including residences highways. projected combination color animation dark background to, results in, attracting holding attention observers. Motion Pictures Amendment, 60 Yale L.J. 696, 707—708 (1951). Similar considerations led Brandeis, writing Packer Utah, 285 105, 52 273, 76 643 (1932), regulating billboard displays advertising: 34 "Advertisements sort before observers choice volition part. advertising ordinarily observer. adults message thrust arts devices skill produce. newspapers magazines, seeking read advertisement. radio off, car placard. distinctions clearly kind advertisement position classified prohibitions imposed class." 35 Id., 110, 274. 36 So here, eye-catching highly distracting. authorities power; example, safety target unreasonable believe giant screen, night hundreds automobiles, tendency divert task cause No defensible defective nudity. significance fact explained footnote: 38 'Scenes movie, like book, whole work respect distinguishable traditionally indecent-exposure laws.' 39 Ante, 211 n. 7. 40 Both analogy distinction flawed. Unlike reading books, consider fragments 'whole work' simple hear performance, cf. L.J., 707, 27; passengers highways display. value somewhere range slight nonexistent. legitimately desire 'work whole' foreclosed doing shows arose exhibited indoor And owner prevented nonobscene involving shields loosely display, 'message.' 95—96, 2290; 115, 2302, trivial best. hand, arguendo play performed actors genuine same conduct park prosecuted indecent interpreted authorize access, incidental communication. nudist colony, lawfully set up shop Central Park Lafayette Park, established generally. Paris Adult Slaton, 49, 2628, 2640, 446 (1973); Roth States, 354 476, 512, 77 1304, 1323, 1498 (1957) (Douglas, Whether mores insure undistracted enjoyment open greatest number people—or rationale fortiori through technology capable revealing emphasizing intimate details anatomy. sum, model draftsmanship, exhibitions nudity; absurd suggest operates suppress ideas. conveniently ignoring facts deciding absolutes adds sacrifices interests. affirm Appeals.2 WHITE, 44 asserts selected allegedly expressive conduct, actor invades home him 'that 212. broadside taken literally, forbid 'expressive' parks, time 'limited interest' merely look way. am ready step analysis, one. If, holds Part II—B opinion, unconstitutionally children, population II—A surplusage. 'Class '74,' rated 'R' Picture Association America. An rating indicates admitted accompanied parent guardian. Friedman, Rating System 1968: Constitutional Analysis Self-Regulation Film Industry, Col.L.Rev. 185 regarding parties agree includes buttocks. Appeals reached contrary result. Cinecom Theaters Midwest Fort Wayne, 473 1297 (CA7 1973). local purposes invoking jurisdiction KF62 1257(2). King Mfg. company Council Augusta, 277 100, 48 489, 801 (1928). federal permits receiving 'pandering advertisement' believes 'erotically arousing provocative' instruct Postmaster General inform sender mail sent future. statute, greater noting right let alone' placed scales communicate.' 736—738, policy barring advertisements permitting nonpolitical buses. created 'public forum' thereby obligated itself advertising. While established, plurality concurring opinions resultant intrusion significantly passenger bus street. 302—304, 2716—2718, J.), 306—308, 2718—2720 Utilities commission Pollak, 451, 467, 813, 823, 1068 suggested proscribe, properly framed law, willful use scurrilous language calculated offend audience.' Rosenfeld Jersey, 901, 905, 2479, 2481, 321 Ginzburg 383 463, 942, seek 'force confrontation potentially aspects work.' 470, 947. speech, much deliberate 'verbal (or visual) assault,' Rosenfeld, 906, proscription. appellant trying reach, shock, viewers. Appellant manages commercial enterprise depends success paying customers, freeloading Presumably, economically feasible, shielded pay. Scenes work. 24, 2614, Kois Wisconsin, 229, 2245, laws. dissenting) ('No places'). O'Brien, 367, 1673, 672 THE CHIEF JUSTICE's dissent, response point, states '(u)nlike performance .. Post, (emphasis original). operate attends establishments. cost 8, infra. incur additional costs. want drive-ins unable regard whole, isolated deterrent, total suppression movies, restraint Speiser Randall, 357 518—519, 78 1332, 1338, 1460 (1958). indicate how block costs vary circumstances. expense estimated approximately quarter million dollars. Olympic Theatre, Pagedale, 441 South Western (Mo. 1969). concerned zoning restricting location nondiscriminatory homes audible theaters. variation adult enunciated (1957), Memoirs Massachusetts, 413, 975, (1966) opinion). abandoned Roth-Memoirs judging occasion what formulation. clear, proscribed. 'such be, way, erotic.' 20, 1785, (1971). 106—107, 2659 2660, (1973) (Brennan, 'co-extensive adults.' 515, 741, (1969) (Stewart, '(A) permissibly determine least precisely delineated areas, child—like someone audience—is possessed full capacity presupposition guarantees.' 649—650, 1285—1286, assessing minor requisite age factor. 1492 III, say requiring screening motorists 98, (1972), cited. arises posture differs challenges Typically unprotected activity. able constitutionality 'as applied' 'on face.' occurs limit Neither limitation, perhaps rewriting reach himself manager. Hence statute's acts personally; raise hypothetical 641, 932, 305, 2720, (1974) judgment); adhere my prohibited Constitution. 508—514, 1321—1324, (dissenting); 47, 2624, 70—73, 2642, (dissenting). For measured feet 70 stood 54 above ground. Bloss Township, Mich. 157 North issues discussed Parts II—B, II—C, opinion.

Classification Label: 2