Legal Document

394 U.S. 576 89 Supreme Court Reporter 1354 22 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 572 Sidney STREET, Appellant,v.State of NEW YORK. Number 5. Argued Oct. 21, 1968. Decided April 1969. David T. Goldstick, New York City, for appellant. Harry Brodbar, Brooklyn, N.Y., appellee. Mr. Justice HARLAN delivered the opinion Court. 1 Appellant Street has been convicted in courts violating former § 1425, subd. 16, par. d, Penal Law, McKinney's Consol.Laws, chapter 40, which makes it a misdemeanor 'publicly (to) mutilate, deface, defile, or defy, trample upon, ast contempt upon either by words act (any flag States).'1 He was given suspended sentence. We must decide whether, light all circumstances, that conviction denied to him rights free expression protected First Amendment and assured against state infringement Fourteenth Amendment. See Times company versus Sullivan, 376 254, 269, 271, 276—277, 84 710, 720, 721, 723—724, 11 686 (1964). 2 According evidence at trial, events led were these. testified during afternoon June 6, 1966, he listening radio his Brooklyn apartment. heard news report civil leader James Meredith had shot sniper Mississippi. Saying himself, 'They didn't protect him,' appellant, himself Negro, took from drawer neatly folded, 48-star American formerly displayed on national holidays. left apartment carried still-folded nearby intersection St. Place Lafayette Avenue. stood northeast corner intersection, lit with match, dropped pavement when began burn. 3 Soon thereafter, police officer halted patrol car found burning flag. The then crossed northwest where appellant 'talking out loud' small group persons. estimated there some 30 persons near five 10 as approached within 15 feet say, 'We don't need no damn flag,' asked whether burned replied: 'Yes; is my flag; & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions it. If they let happen we an flag.' admitted making latter response, but said anything else asserted always remained 4 Later same day, charged, information sworn before judge City Criminal Court, having committed 'the crime Malicious Mischief (he) did wilfully unlawfully cast burn Flag, violation 1425—16—D under following circumstances: * set fire Flag shout, 'If Meredith, Flag." 5 tried another judge, sitting without jury, malicious mischief d.2 subsequently Appellate Term, Second Department, affirmed opinion. Leave granted appeal Appeals, after plenary consideration court unanimously affirmed. 20 N.Y.2d 231, 282 N.Y.S.2d 491, 229 North Eastern Reporter, 2nd 187 (1967). noted probable jurisdiction. 392 923 (1968).3 6 argues unconstitutional three different reasons. First, claims overbroad, both its face applied, because section defy (an flag) *.' (Emphasis added.) Second, contends vague imprecise does not clearly define conduct forbids. Third, asserts may constitutionally punish one who publicly destroys damages means protest, such constitutes deem unnecessary consider two arguments, hold unconstitutionally applied appellant's case permitted be punished merely speaking defiant contemptuous about In taking this course, resist pulls constitutional issues involved broader basis than record us imperatively requires. 7 Though our conclusion narrow one, requires pursuit four lines inquiry: (1) constitutionality 'words' part statute passed Appeals; (2) if have rested whole utterances thus unconstitutional, these factors themselves require reversal; (3) Street's fact counted independently conviction; (4) provision statute, presented case, unconstitutional. I. 8 Appeals mention d.4 Hence, order vindicate jurisdiction deal particular issue, inquire question manner necessarily decided conviction. so presented, power 28 Code KF62 §§ 1257(2), 1257(3); Bailey Anderson, 326 203, 206—207, 66 66, 68, 90 L.Ed. (1945). Moreover, stated when, here, highest failed pass federal question, will assumed omission due want proper presentation courts, unless aggrieved party can affirmatively show contrary. See, e.g., supra; Chicago, L.R. McGuire, 196 128, 131—133, 25 200, 201, 49 413 (1905). 9 any occurred trial level, appears doubt issue raised briefs Term State suggest court, counsel motion: 'Before plead would like make motion dismiss ground facts constitute grounds: defendant engaged activity, wit, freedom speech. allegation simply says say: Under first amendment Constitution constitution speech provide protest many forms, flag, demonstration picketing. This form protest.' denied. It renewed end State's occasions again sufficiently properly itself ultimately bound decision courts.5 However, entirely clear cases scope review limited determining 'by-passed right forms local procedure' should matter 'de novo ourselves,' Ellis Dixon, 349 458, 463, 75 850, 853, 99 1231 (1955). event, think met burden showing adequately court. quoted above explicitly referred words. Appellant's termed overall activity 'demonstration' 'protest,' terms encompass well conduct. Indeed, intention alleged governmental inaction connection shooting essential element, them known object protest. 12 To extent governed law, statutes decisions greater specificity h re. fact, People McLucas, 167, 172, 256 799, 204 846, 848 (1965), held 'deprivation fundamental right' appellate correctness jury charge even though except reached result despite 420-a Procedure required exception taken 'expressly' preserved review. present surely 'fundamental,' law less precise objection instruction.6 13 Insofar sufficient independent decision, controlling principle forth leading ex rel. Bryant Zimmerman, 278 63, 67, 61, 73 184 (1928): 14 'There are various ways validity drawn repugnant States. No phrases essential, only claim invalidity therefor brought attention fair precision time. And shows expressly intendment done, regarded presented.' (Footnote omitted.) requirement satisfied previously raising courts.7 therefore conclude us. II. 16 next duty reverse find, do Parts III IV, infra, could cause uttering violate Constitution. 17 That made apparent number Stromberg California, 283 359, 51 532, 1117 (1931), California offense display red purposes. Finding first-named reason, rejected court's reasoning nevertheless sustained other statutory reasons severable constitutional. said: 18 'The verdict general one. specify rested. (I)t impossible say clause obta ned. clauses invalid, cannot determined clause. follows upheld.' Id., 367—368, 535. 19 established consistently followed. Williams Carolina, 317 287, 63 207, 87 279 (1942), compelled based prove founded theory support verdict. stated: 'To guilty upheld know rest invalid countenance procedure serious impairment rights.' 292, 210. 21 rule Cramer States, 325 1, 36, n. 45, 65 918, 935, 1441 (1945); Terminiello 337 5—6, 69 894, 896, 93 1131 (1949); Yates 354 298, 311, 77 1064, 1072, 1356 (1957). true rendered jury. judge's ascertained record, danger significantly just discussed. Cf. Thomas Collins, 323 516, 528—529, 315, 321—322, 430 Nor appropriate remand post hoc explanation grounds decision. Central Greyhound Lines, Incorporated Mealey, 334 653, 655, 68 1260, 1262, 92 1633 (1948). Stromberg, aside find solely resting unconstitutional—a shall turn moment. 23 assuming precludes inference might words, still act. supra. cited meeting allegedly violated restraining soliciting single individual join union nonunion men present. contention judgment solicitation alone. 24 fiat filed issued account invitations. adjudging terms, finding order, distinction between solicitations petition proved violations. sentence penalty. followed prayer fiat's recital, penalty imposed neither. 210, 279, 143 Law 1273; 368, 535, 1117, 1484.' U.S., 528 529, S.Ct., 322. (Footnotes stand, reversed entire conviction.8 26 As Thomas, here charged acts violative statute: introduced commission acts. Here too negates possibility violations, dictates '(t)he neither.' 27 take rationale single-count indictment charges virtue defendant's done unprotected, ensues elucidation, unacceptable trier 'intertwined' together. 540—541, 327. There comparable hazard several counts declared findings guilt certain those counts,9 instances positive considered each count own merits separately others. III. considering sole conviction, teaches, obviating examine ourselves ascertain grounds. mischief, more fully supra, 579, recited also '(did) Section violating, mutilate words.' 29 most used establish unlawful intent flag.10 careful examination comparatively brief unable certainty While emphasis placed action testify utterance never announced relying exclusively burning. indicated relating intent. immediately oral written setting element crime, subsequent speak sort, insufficient eliminate deed. IV. 31 come finally circumstances inflict criminal punishment ventures 32 relevant favorable State, following. At time arrest, standing street crowd; opposite lay crowd: flag'; questioned officer, crowds gathered around obstruct sidewalk neither unruly nor threatening. 33 interests conceivably furthered punishing words: interest deterring vocally inciting others commit acts; preventing inflammatory provoke retaliate physically him, thereby causing breach peace; protecting sensibilities passers-by shocked assuring regardless impact others, showed respect emblem. 34 believe justify did. begin incitement. alone, urge anyone unlawful. They amounted somewhat excited public advocacy idea abandon, least temporarily, symbols. prohibits imposing peaceful change institutions. Cox Louisiana (I), 379 536, 546—552, 85 453, 459—463, 471 (1965); Edwards South 372 229, 237 238, 83 680, 684, 697 (1963); 4—5, 895—896, cf. 318—319, 1076—1077, Even incitive together simultaneous purport amount incitement, limited. basis. 35 justified second mentioned above: possible tendency violent retaliation. conceivable listeners moved hearing disrespectful remarks inherently class 'fighting words' 'likely average person retaliation, peace.' Chaplinsky Hampshire, 315 568, 574, 62 766, 770, 86 1031 (1942). category, narrowly character, indication interpreted courts. distinguishable Chaplinsky, emphasized 'carefully unduly impair liberty 770. 36 Again, likely shock passers-by. Except perhaps incidental use word 'damn,' trial,11 effect attributed content ideas expressed. firmly settled prohibited offensive their hearers. Cantwell Connecticut, 310 296, 60 900, 1213 (1940). 'shock,' purpose. 37 Finally, supported above-quoted symbol demanded every citizen. West Virginia Board Educ. Barnette, 319 624, 1178, 1628 (1943), unwilling school-children salute Jackson wrote especially apposite here: 38 difficult principles obscure own. Nevertheless, apply limitations fear intellectually spiritually diverse contrary disintegrate social organization. (F)reedom differ things much. mere shadow freedom. test substance touch heart existing order. 39 fixed star constellation, official, high petty, prescribe what orthodox politics, nationalism, religion, matters force citizens confess faith therein. permit exception, now occur us.' 641—642, 1186. 40 guaranteed 'freedom contrary,' 'right order,' express one's opinions including contemptuous. 41 Since speech, since punished, stand. holding, reiterate occasion insofar perceive Brother WHITE's fears today reversal whenever offense. Assuming otherwise muster, view, nothing render impermissible rather way. O'Brien, 391 367, 369—370, 376—377, 88 1673, 1675, 1678—1679, 672 (1968). 42 add disrespect deplored vexed times calmer periods history. Halter Nebraska, 205 34, 419, 696 (1907). sustain expression, however distasteful, tolerates protects. 43 For forth, further proceedings inconsistent 44 ordered. 45 Reversed remanded. 46 Chief WARREN, dissenting. 47 dissent judgment, strained bring particularly declined meet resolve basic case. variously parties. below employed statement question: 48 called deliberate 'protest' crime.'1 tells is: 50 'May impose penal sanctions destroying damaging attempt dramatize concern conditions country?'2 York's identical: 52 deliberately desecrating dramatizing dissatisfaction Country?'3 53 Any distinctions questions significant difference. parties obviously flag-desecration posed succinct. Judge Fuld, writing unanimous answered squarely; likewise responsibility. But specifically refuses issue. Instead, searches microscopically opportunity peripheral ground, holding determine reading short leaves 54 From beginning issue: symbolic purpose casting dignified manner?4 'Sidney On aforesaid date, place time, Although stresses indicative demonstrate 55 outset information, revealing defense manner. 56 'Mr. Goldstick (appellant's counsel): Before 57 'Court: You demonstration? 58 Goldstick: Yes. 59 Motion Also, Federal provides refer Your Honor 61 'Court, interposing: So 1425 lawful disposition flag! continuing: page brief, referring condition longer fitting emblem display, destroyed way, preferably 'Now, supremacy clause, conflict takes precedence; precedence. you therefore, complaint convict man 64 Motions poor burned, illegal demonstration.' Defense insisted equated picketing, client punished. His colloquy give slightest suggestion being prosecuted spoken. believed act, demonstrated counsel's pre-emption argument. referred, Statutes-at-Large 377, 435, 173 et seq., concerns 4(j), 380, 176(j), mandates prohibition desecration, material particulars identical York's, District Columbia pre-empted legislation subject.5 testimony confirms belief contains arresting that, investigating source fire, responsible replied that: officer's concluded description people vicinity extinguishing fire. During cross-examination concerning what, anything, said. 67 dispute prosecution's version facts. Meredith's shooting, removed dresser drawer, walked Avenue crowd reference officer. Cross-examination prosecution explored motivation told rests does, strangely silent, crowd. spoke yet accused's desecration public. argues, contradiction spoken policeman purposes statute.6 evident desecrate it, necessary absence evidence, open designed destroy supplied mean Giboney Empire Storage Ice Co., 336 490, 498, 688, 834 (1949). Neither attached significance interpret ignores very thought trial—whether criminally ambiguous Court's speculation appell nt's 70 line allows avoid deciding fit mold. 71 Miss supervisors children's summer camp. She directed daily ceremony children Soviet pledge allegiance 'to worker's A opposition organized government invitation anarchistic aid propaganda seditious character. she impinge freedoms. disjunctive, i.e., conducted statutorily goals, her totally entitled protection. Presumably gives jury's verdict, 72 teaching protection, reversed. Strombery analysis factual patterns distinct. argue desecration. emphatically desecrated suggests otherwise. confronted consequent inability below. view probative Combining verbalization allow apply. My confirmed relies. presents pattern Stromberg. Williams, resident obtained Nevada divorce remarried Nevada. Upon return bigamous cohabitation. procured substituted service went bona fide residence obtain through fraud Holding Full Faith Credit Clause Carolina Williams' acquired service, Williams. facts, acquisition honor. 74 (1949), reflects approach. disorderly allowed Terminiello's stirred anger constituted prohibited, him. conduct; reversal. (1957), conforms pattern. Charged Smith Act, instructions 'advocacy' 'organizing' violation. instruction regard organizing erroneous; advocacy, not, however, base misapplication Relying (1945), holds act.' Ante, 587. Collins indicates, serve justification case.7 organizer contempt, fined, imprisoned disobeying enjoining Texas statute. labor organizers register procure organizer's card designated official memberships unions. Without registering procuring card, workers. extolled virtues membership specific become member. read named protection Amendment: 76 protected. occasion, meaning invitations, particular, parts inseparable incidents done. How 'laud unionism,' concede do, imply invitation, hard conceive. nub fails so.' 534—535, 324. Having held, enjoined. relief solicitation. 78 luxury refusing treat worthy 79 am complete agreement broad ones suffice dispose litigation. w ere task responsibility confront squarely increasingly integral protests, enacted States8 Congress9 widespread concern. Both seek shelter perpetrated course political enforce explicit reservation flag-burning prohibitions encourages streets National Government 80 disgrace. delineate view. me imagine faced resolved convinced dissent. 81 APPENDIX TO OPINION OF C.J., DISSENTING. 82 Honor— demonstration. 91 supremacy— Next motion! 'No argument, please! 94 Honor's rulings. 95 Proceed! sit down, counselor! Now, cases! One Disorderly Conduct Mischief. 96 see regarding Conduct. 97 ch rges me! 98 'Show complaints counsel! Bonomo (the prosecutor): separate complaints! (Handing papers Goldstick.) 100 charge, too, Honor. 101 Are ready case? 102 103 Do stipulate adduced wherever necessary, judgments rendered? 104 stipulate. 105 Let proceed! 106 Bonomo: call Patrolman Copeland!' 107 (Officer Copeland direct investigation discovery flag.) 108 That's all! 109 cross-examine move prima facie 110 going cross-examine? 111 Yes, cross-examination! 112 better cross-examine!' 113 (The Officer size gathered; words.) 114 questions. 115 People's case! 116 renew motions 117 118 Exception. stand!' 119 (Appellant gave incident. Reproduced spoken.) 120 'Q. Did him? Atlantic me. 121 What say? yes. 122 Then happened? (sic) 123 anybody officer? Nobody. 124 stop? noticed unusual 125 Where corner? Lafayette. 126 Were curb street? curb. laying 127 When came up flag? 128 came? 129 Other saying 'if time? 130 questions!' 131 (Cross-examination 132 rests. 133 rest. 134 provided Procedure, beyond reasonable doubt. 135 acquitted; convicted. 136 May Tuesday sentence? 137 No, enough time! August 9th sentence; bail continued.' 138 BLACK, 139 agree excellent Fuld upholding applied. construed something occurred. statements seems console reads Those desire degrade defame interpretation conviction's automatically feel constrained, be, search imagination suppressing balance away mandate abridged fashion whatsoever. accept flag—against York. 140 passes bars immaterial against. 'It rarely suggested press extends immunity valid statute.' quotation precisely applies here. talking 'as statute' affirm 141 WHITE, 142 spun intricate, technical web ensnared remorseless logic arrived governing law. schema this: forbids insults words; speech; judgment; logically alone deeds event passing flag.1 reach conclusion; affirmed, 144 reject assume judgment—which 'on convicted'—that True, permits insulting physical tongue check infers uttered. distortion manner, THE CHIEF JUSTICE convincingly demonstrates. infer burning, sheer fancy acquitted seriously claim; major point c nnot characterized validly deemed coverage speaking, certainly adhere, application terms. 145 proposition talking, initially cites invalid. prevailing country Collins. authority rule. reversal, dictum relies odds 146 Claassen 140, 146—147, 169, 170, 966 (1891), speaks time: 147 'And generally, containing error good warrants because, contrary, presumption awarded only. Locke Cranch, 339, 344 (3 364); Clifton How. 148 242, 250 (11 957); Snyder 216, Sup.Ct.Rep. (28 697); Bond Dustin, 604, 609, 296 835) Bish.Crim.Proc. 1015; Whart.Crim.Pl. Pr. 771.' 149 Many years later, Barenblatt 360 109, 1081, 1115 (1959), equally clear. indicted answer put congressional committee. six months' imprisonment fine $200 imposed. Because warranted, among cases, 150 'Since maximum authorized Count, Counts sustainable.' 115, 1087. 151 host effect.2 152 accepting notion imposed, affirmance count, Such lesser infirm. Reversal resentencing, convictions counts. 153 Viewed light, given. remanded resentencing Sentence applicable expired reviewed Appeals. 154 Recognizing aberrance new confusing gloss. reversed, told, intertwined, uncertain Aside extracts hardly qualifies standard willy-nilly charging dual capable discriminating insist newly fashioned doctrine 155 wrong reversing believes speaking. follow reaches finds Amendment.3 myself, benefit majority's thinking Amendment, 156 FORTAS, 157 dissenting JUSTICE, briefly why 158 chattel, subject rules private personalty, types regulation. example, regulations chattels reasonably life property, impingement quiet property facilities, unquestionably exercise power. defeated conflicted owner regulated property. Village Euclid, Ohio Ambler Realty 272 365, 114, 303 (1926); Berman Parker, 348 26, 98, (1954). 159 shirt trousers shoes thoroughfare, citizen's violated. arsonist Government's fiscal policies, prevail avert obstruction traffic action, purposes, pervasive 303—304, 903, subjected regulation appropriately into competing involved. 160 restricted reasonable, paramountcy values. If, submit, permissible prohibit personal sidewalk, applying immunize violator. (1968); 161 Beyond this, special kind personalty. Its traditionally universally early 1907, representation advertising. Statutes how displayed; lawfully disposed of; how, used. .e.g., 3; 172—177. 'own' ownership burdens responsibilities. sense; burdened peculiar obligations restrictions. Certainly, per se arbitrary 162 house, own, bround, sincere, breaking windows building Protest exonerate lawlessness. thoroughfare valid, excused flamboyant N.Y.Penal d (1909). 1967 superseded General Business Consol. Laws, 20, defines language. N.Y.Laws, 1965, 1031, 52. simultaneously events. stage dismissal lacked over moot. pointed received sentence, one-year period replaced prison expired. collateral consequences employer, Transit Authority, instituted disciplinary 'misconduct,' according Authority $100 suspension pay months still-pending sustained. 393—c, 482, 510 respectively rebut character future proceedings: available prior imposition felony sentenced 'habitual criminal.' Only last Ginsberg York, 390 629, 633, 2, 1274, 1277, 195 (1968), moot revocation expired, license operate luncheonette withdrawn consequence actual potential threat deprived employment, albeit temporarily. Sibron 50—58, 1889, 1896—1900, 917 served apparently completion impeachment sentencing proceedings. similarly unable, diligent appeals, year sentencing. penalties liable. dictate authoritatively construing Parker Illinois, 333 571, 708, 709, 886 (1948); Carter Texas, 177 442, 447, 687, 689, 839 (1900); R. Robertson KF105 F3 Kirkham, Jurisdiction (R. Wolfson Pacific KF135 P2 kurland ed. 1951), cited. 420—a rulings instructions: 'An adversely affected ruling submitted, party, sought made, position thereon otherwise.' unpersuasive argument raise shown failure invoke exclusionary Miranda Arizona, 384 436, 1602, 694 (1966), admission evidence. concedes Brief Appellee 45—46, reason irrelevant. arefully considered. originally argued 1943 ordered restored docket reargued inter alia, Thomas' (1891); Pinkerton 328 640, 1180, 1489 (1946); (1959). 'publicly,' d. although 578—579. 'shout(ed)' city street, satisfying 'publicly.' statements, flag' 'def(ied) admits 'single casual 45. Street, 234, 493, 187, 189 2. vague. Appendix reproduces full portions bearing 3. enacting scale until July 5, 1968, trial. preempt statutes. 291, 700(c) (1964 ed., Supp. IV). construe legislation. La Sister, Misc.2d 518, 170 702 (Ct.Spec.Sess.1958); Peacock, Me. 491 implicit assumption attempting secure judicial Walker Birmingham, 388 307, 1824, 1210 (1967); id., 336, 1840 (Douglas, J., dissenting). Desecration Hearings H.R. 271 Subcommittee House Committee Judiciary, 90th Cong., 1st Sess., ser. 4, 324—346 700 overbreadth; permitting E.g., 1181, Whitfield Ohio, 297 431, 438, 534, 778 (1936); Sinclair 263, 299, 268, 273, 692 (1929); Abrams 616, 619, 17, 18, 1173 (1919); Ballew 197—203, 267—269, (1895); Goode 663, 669, 136, 137, Evans 584, 595, 934, 939, 830 (1894); 608, (1894). recognized applicability court-martial proceedings, McClaughry, 183 384—387, 181, 189—190, 236 (1902); forfeiture actions, 217, 118, 119, (1884), 250, 957 (1846), Cranch 344, 364 (1813); 835 (1884). Gainey, 380 65, 754, 756, 658 related concurrent Transcript Record, 48—50, 13, October 1964. Arguably, today's critical proving disclaims result, explaining seemingly potentially application, rewritten

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