Legal Document

357 U.S. 449 78 Supreme Court Reporter 1163 2 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1488 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR the ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, a Corporation, Petitioner,v.STATE ALABAMA, ex rel. John PATTERSON, Attorney General. Number 91. Argued Jan. 15, 1958. Decided June 30, [Syllabus from pages 449-450 intentionally omitted] Mr. Robert L. Carter, New York City, for petitioner. Edmon Rinehart, Montgomery, Ala., respondent. Justice HARLAN delivered opinion of Court. 1 We review standpoint its validity under Federal Constitution judgment civil contempt entered against petitioner, National Association Advancement Colored People, in courts Alabama. The question presented is whether Alabama, consistently with Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment, can compel petitioner to reveal State's General names and addresses all Alabama members agents, without regard their positions or functions Association. was based upon petitioner's refusal comply fully court order requiring part production membership lists. Petitioner's claim that order, circumstances shown by this record, violated rights assured Constitution. has statute similar those many other which requires foreign corporation, except as exempted, qualify before doing business filing corporate charter Secretary State designating place an agent receive service process. imposes fine on corporation transacting intrastate qualifying provides criminal prosecution officers such corporation. Ala.Code, 1940, Tit. 10, §§ 192—198. People nonprofit organized laws York. Its purposes, fostered nationwide basis, are indicated name,* it operates through chartered affiliates independent unincorporated associations, therein equivalent first were 1918. Since time aims have been advanced activities affiliates, 1951 itself opened regional office at employed two supervisory persons one clerical worker. never complied qualification statute, considered exempt. 3 In 1956 brought equity suit Circuit Court, Montgomery County, enjoin conducting further within, oust from, State. Among things bill alleged had various Alabama; recruited solicited contributions within State; given financial support furnished legal assistance Negro students seeking admission state university; supported boycott bus lines seating passengers race. recited Association, continuing do complying '* * causing irreparable injury property residents citizens actions law afford no adequate relief *.' On day complaint filed, issued parte restraining pendente lite, engaging forbidding take any steps therein. 4 Petitioner demurred allegations moved dissolve order. It contended did not subject requirements event what sought accomplish would violate freedom speech assembly guaranteed Amendment States. Before date set hearing motion, large number Association's records papers, including bank statements, leases, deeds, containing 'members' 'agents' documents necessary preparation hearing, view denial conduct meaning statute. Over objections, ordered substantial requested records, lists, postponed later than production. 5 Thereafter filed answer equity. admitted substantially qualified Although still disclaiming statute's application it, offered if bar made lifted, submitted executed forms required However failure adjudged fined $10,000. provided be reduction remission compliance forthcoming five days but otherwise increased $100,000. 6 At end five-day period produced data called could constitutionally disclosure, modify vacate judgment, stay execution pending appellate review. This motion denied. While application, denied, adjudging increasing already imposed Under law, see Jacoby versus Goetter, Weil & Co., 74 Ala. 427, effect adjudication foreclose obtaining merits underlying ouster action, taking temporary parte, until purged contempt. But cf. Harrison St. Louis S.F.R. 232 318, 34 333, 58 L.Ed. 621; Hovey Elliott, 167 409, 17 841, 42 215. 7 thereafter twice dismissed petitions certiorari final time, 265 699, 91 So.2d 221, insufficiency petition's second procedural grounds. 349, 214. granted because importance constitutional questions presented. 353 972, 77 1056, 1135. I. 8 address ourselves respondent's contention we lack jurisdiction rests nonfederal ground, namely, applying pursued wrong remedy law. Respondent recognizes our defeated ground relied 'without fair support,' Ward Board County Commissioners, 253 17, 22, 40 419, 421, 64 751. thus becomes duty ascertain, guaranties may appropriately enforced, asserted non-federal independently adequately supports judgment.' Abie Bank Bryan, 282 765, 773, 51 252, 255, 75 690. 9 held consider issues related power lists limited instances where lacked proceeding, face disobeyed void, respect citation like observed, fact sustained page 353, 217. proper means obtain light claims, said court, way mandamus quash discovery prior adjudication. Because pursue remedy, challenge restricted above Apparently deeming objections draw into 'on void,' found infirmity scope same go produce untenable since privileged disclosure pursuant reasonable demands privilege self-incrimination available corporations. 10 unable reconcile holding present case past unambiguous holdings writ addressed judgment. As early 1909 case, Ex Dickens, 162 272, 276, 279—280, 50 Southern KF135 S69 218, 220, 221: 11 'Originally, certiorari, only inquired into; limit removed, now 'examines involved affect merits.' (T)he action cases kind appeal. 12 'We think better mandamus, 'mandamus' require lower judge act, 'to correct error reverse judicial action,' whereas, proceeding errors corrected.' 13 statement full accord earlier Boscowitz, 84 463, 279, practice cases, reach one, appears entirely consistent rule. See Wheeler, 231 356, 357, 165 74, 75—76; Blakey, 240 517, 199 857; Sellers, 250 87, 88, 33 350. For example, Morris, 252 551, decided late 1949, his obey Ku Klux Klan. grounds urged reversal conviction. denying concluded accorded due process, explaining rejected claims relating There intimation selected inappropriate form consideration raised 14 indicate, below, evidence reviewed petition mandamus.' (Italics added.) Hart, 642, 200 783; Driver, 255 118, 413. discover nothing suggests exclusive reviewing orders after disobedience them led judgments. Nor, so far find, these decisions indicate drawn defendant opportunity apply mandamus. below distinction, argues situation there adjudications, unlike here, followed almost immediately orders. Even indeed rationale Court's decision, local rule, although appear retrospect pattern procedures review, cannot avail fairly deemed apprised existence. Novelty permitted thwart applied who, justified reliance decisions, seek vindication federal rights. Cf. Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust Savings company Hill, 281 673, 451, 1107. 15 That here disposing case. stressed issues, '(t)he (Association) (is) Writ Certiorari Court.' stated: 16 'It established rule method common *. 'But feel (for stay) presently us warrants interference stayed.' 18 hold entertain claims. II. 19 both urges entitled resist official inquiry assert, behalf members, right personal protected compelled affiliation revealed more nexus sufficient permit act representative concluding, reject argument lacks standing assert pertaining who course parties litigation. 20 To breadth must dealt particular litigation, generally insisted rely themselves. Tileston Ullman, 318 44, 63 493, 87 603; Robertson Kirkham, Jurisdiction (1951 ed.) § 293. broader doctrine should possible avoided. Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 346—348, 56 466, 482—483, 80 688 (concurring opinion). principle disrespected effectively vindicated appropriate Barrows Jackson, 346 249, 255—259, 73 1031, 1034—1036, 97 1586; Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee McGrath, 341 123, 183—187, 71 624, 654—656, 95 817 21 If rank-and-file withhold connection despite manifest properly assertable claimed themselves result nullification very moment assertion. party rights, every practical sense identical. constitution '(a)ny person accordance (its) principles policies *' become member, medium individual make effective expression own views. likelihood diminished adversely affected factor pointing towards complain members. Pierce Society Sisters, 268 510, 534—536, 45 571, 573—574, 69 1070. III. 22 litigation trespasses fundamental freedoms Amendment. facts will abridge engage lawful association beliefs. contends governmental which, directly suppressing association, nevertheless carries consequence, some overriding valid interest 23 Effective advocacy public private points view, particularly controversial ones, undeniably enhanced group once recognized remarking close between assembly. De Jonge Oregon, 299 364, 57 259, 81 278; Thomas Collins, 323 516, 530, 65 315, 322, 89 430. beyond debate advancement beliefs ideas inseparable aspect 'liberty' embraces speech. Gitlow York, 652, 666, 625, 629, 1138; Palko Connecticut, 302 319, 324, 149, 151, 82 288; Cantwell 310 296, 303, 60 900, 1213; Staub City Baxley, 355 313, 321, 277, 281, 302. Of course, immaterial pertain political, economic, religious cultural matters, curtailing associate closest scrutiny. 24 relevant taken direct supra; Near Minnesota, 283 697, 1357, restrict freely, does American Communications Douds, 339 382, 402, 70 674, 685, 94 925. domain indispensable liberties, speech, press, recognize abridgement even though unintended, inevitably follow varied action. Thus legislation challenged, regulate labor unions secure stability interstate commerce, 'of discouraging' exercise political 393, 681, upheld concluding reasons enactment justify deterrent freedoms. Similar recognition unconstitutional intimidation free advocate underlay narrow construction authority congressional committee investigating lobbying Act regulating lobbying, neither effort suppress Rumely, 345 41, 46—47, 543, 546, 770; Harriss, 347 612, 625—626, 808, 815—816, 98 989. challenged totally unrelated liberties. Statutes imposing taxes rather prohibiting activity struck down when perceived consequence unduly liberty press Grosjean Press 233, 444, 660; Murdock Pennsylvania, 319 105, 891, 1292. 25 hardly novel perception groups engaged constitute restraint thought likely involved. vital relationship privacy one's associations. When referring might interfere assembly, supra, 686: 'A requirement adherents faiths wear identifying arm-bands, obviously nature.' Compelled organization Inviolability preservation espouses dissident 58, 550—551 26 respects question, regarded entailing association. uncontroverted showing occasions revelation identity exposed economic reprisal, loss employment, threat physical coercion, manifestations hostility. circumstances, apparent ability collective foster they admittedly advocate, induce withdraw dissuade others joining fear exposure associations consequences exposure. 27 answer, whatever repressive compulsory participation follows community pressures. crucial interplay initial exertion represented takes hold. 28 turn demonstrated disclosures seeks well 400, 684; Schneider State,308 147, 161, 146, 150, 155. Such subordinating compelling,' Sweezy Hampshire, 354 234, 265, 1203, 1219, 1311 acted solely branch, legislative judicial, asked scrutinize. 29 important bear mind asserts absolute immunity investigation, disregard Alabama's laws. deny information desires concerning purposes objected divulging it. ordinary therefore analogous involving protecting dealings paid solicitors agents corporations identifications. 306, 904; 538, 326. 30 Whether 'justification' instance turns substantiality During aside length, examination reason requesting purpose determine violation registration expected help resolve question. commenced character extent suggested permanent Without intimating slightest perceive bearing either them. matters stand (1) presence 1918; (2) preserving it; (3) apparently satisfactorily furnishing directors officers, total amount dues. These last items record furnished, overcome 31 From said, Bryant Zimmerman, 278 63, 49 61, 184, position, markedly different considerations terms disclosure. There, member chapter Klan, demanded oath condition file officials copies constitution, by-laws, rules, regulations membership, together roster list current year.' N.Y. Laws 1923, 664, 53, 56. opinion, took care emphasize nature regulate. decision Klan's activities, acts unlawful violence, assumed legislature enacted notice. Furthermore, significantly Bryant, York's refused furnish activities. 32 scrutiny interests privately freely come protection And conclude fallen short controlling justification enjoyment have. Accordingly, $100,000 resulted fall. IV. joins attack constitutionality preventing soliciting precludes noted above, received suit, here. pertinent 'The ultimate aim petitioners however, proceeding.' 352, 216. raising injunction appeal, court. Only disposition appeal stated, reversed remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 35 Reversed. Certificate Incorporation principal objects voluntarily promote equality eradicate caste race prejudice among States; advance colored citizens; impartial suffrage; increase opportunities securing justice courts, education children, employment according ability, complete law.'

Classification Label: 2