I s ~·-~'·""""· """""""' v ' t ;j, ,~=-- ~!"A~· J...-t- ( ~- ~~ '""1.--:~~11.,;-~ " ~....... c;..ct.. i ; , •. ) ·;t~ L#lii!IO'IC-' ~r -l 1../ b '7- fA .~ ' 'r. ~ /1 i11 )~ ~1-,.~t~"'-"~ ~ 'I 'f t ·~""8,-IU' I ,, ~ ~~ BENCH MEMO No. 70-69 OT 1971 United States v. Orito Appeal !rom the U ~t ED Wisconsin QUESTIONS PRESENTED (1) Does C~~~~ ss have the power under 18 U.S.C. § 1462 to prohibit the interstate transportation by common carrier of obscene - material when the material is being transported purely for private (2) If transportation for purely private use may not be pro- hibited, is the statute unconstitutional on its face or may it be saved by a narrowing construction? FACTS Appellee, George Joseph Orito, was indicted in the USDC ED Wisconsin on a charge of transporting obscene material by means of RELEVANT CASES: Roth v. United States, 354 U.S. 476 (1957); Stanley v. Georgia, 394 U.S. 557 (1969); United States v. Reidel, 402 U.S. 351 (1971); United States v. Thirty-seven Photographs, 402 U.S. 363 (1971) . . " .... a common carrier in interstate traffic in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 1462 reads, in pertinent part, as follows: § ll~62. "Whoever • • • knowingly uses any , , . common carrier, for carriage in interstate commerce • • • any obscene • • . motion-picture film • • • shall be fined no:t more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than 5 years • • . • The indictment charged appellee with carrying ..83 -,reels . of film from San Francisco to Milwaukee . The films were not described, -~ it only being noted that several of the film containers contained lot" the same number, indicating that they might be duplicates. Neither II was it charged that appellee intended to use the films for commer~ cial purposes, The DC dismissed the indictment on the strength of Stanley v. - Georgia, supra finding that the statute was overbroad and infringed on protected activity. The Government has taken a direct appeal under 18 .: u .s.c. ~ 3731, which allows direct appeal from the dismissal of an indictment premised on the invalidity of the underlying statute. CONTENTIONS OF THE PARTIES (1) QUESTION # l The statute, on its face, prohibits any transportation of .....--. obscene material in interstate commerce, irr;spective of the purpose "'" for which it is being transported. The statute draws no distinct- ion between transporting for private use as opposed to transporting for commercial distribution. On this record it is impossible to do more than speculate about what this appellee's purpose might have been. Therefore, the first question presented is whether the statute is unconstitutionally overbroad because it allows prosecution for transporting obscene films for purely private use. Both sides agree that Roth , Stanley, Reidel, and 37 Photographs are the pertinent First Amendment precedents. '. ' Those cases are discussed more ful l y in the Carrell Memo (pp . 3~11; 14-16) . and I will m only su~rize them here. Roth held that obscenity was not entitled to protection under the First Amendment since by definition material which is obscene is utterly without redeeming social value (see also Memoirs v. Massachusetts , 383 U.S. 413). That case (Roth) involved commercial distribution of obscene materials and Justice Marshall pointed out in his si bsequent opinion in Stanley v. Georgia , supra , that none of the Court ' s obscenity precedents "-- ~ . ... ' - had explored the questions of private use of obscene material in the home. In ~!!._Y the Court held that a man could not be prosecuted I for ?osse;;ron ~ obscene material (here films) in his home. The Court found that the State was without power to prohibit the pri~ vate use of such materials. The subsequent cases , Reidel and 37 Photographs , as well as the two cas es to be argued this week (the instant case and 12 200 ft reels) are concerned with the scope of that decision. In Reidel the Court held that the right to peruse obscene materials in the privacy of one's home does not carry with it the concomitant right on the part of a commercial disseminate distributor toI\ rMM£1. obscene materials through the mails. Justice - White (with whom the CJ , Brennan , Stewart and Blackmu n joined) held -· -.,, that this case was covered by Roth. -' o~9e~.ty ~ Amendment. its dis~ribution For them, ~ clearly placed"l outside the reach of the First ~ Stanley did not overrule Roth in the opinion of a majority of the Court. In 37 Photographs the defendant was challenging the Government ' s right to seize at the border obscene material. ~ Luros , the owner of the photos , claimed that if he had a right to possess obscene material in his home he had the right to import it for that private purpose.. After noting that Luros was importing for use in a commercial publication to be distributed to . ,. the public, the Court held (plurality.-.-White, CJ, Brennan, Blackmun) that the federal Government could act to keep obscene material out of the stream of commerce even if it were designed entirely for private use. The Government now contends in this case that Reidel and 37 Photographs have placed a gloss on Stanley which should be dispositive of this case. They argue that if one does not have a constitutional right to import for private use then he does not have the right to transport in interstate commerce for private use. The appellee views 37 Photographs and Reidel as cases dealing merely with commercial distribution and with the distributor's right rather than the right of the user of the material. a.pp~/1-e e. There- ~.-Jue.s , fore 'A they do not diminish Stanley 8 s holding of the right of private use. Appellee sets up a string of hypotheticals in an effort to show the logic of his point. First he assumes that one is free to read an obscene book on a bus or other instrumentality of interstate commerce. This he views as consistent with the individual's right to receive material in private. Second, if he has a right to read it, he has a right to carry it in his pocket. Tlt;..c/, _.rf ne has a right to carry it in his pocket, why may he not carry g it in his bagg'f for reading at a later time? Discussion of first issue he concludes that it deals only with the imporation for commercial distribution. The Court, although unnecessary to its judg- ment, clearly held that importation for purely private use would still be prohibitable. howe~er, That case is different than this, in that it involved the question of keeping obscenity out of the country whereas in this case the question is interstate trasnportation of material already within the c~0untry. That is probably, realistically speaking, a difference without a distinction. , And, of course, ta represents the view of only ~. I am impressed by the suggestion in the Carrell memo. The approach he suggests, focusing on the few legitimate interests of .... . . . .,. _..,_""" --the state and federal government in limiting obscenity law to .....,.........,'7t"'~- ____ •. cases ............ in which it was made available to children or forced on an -- unwanting pub~ic the merit of relieving this Court of much 1 has .,._ ... _..,,. of the volume of its cases in this area without sacrmficing .......... the real interests worthy of protection. I would add to that approach that in cases in which it would still be necessary to define obscenity I would retain the present Roth-Memoir standard - ..f!""l&.l but allow the state and federalAcourts greater leeway in finding whether particular material falls within the standard. This is essentially Justice Harlan's view and I agree with it. If the Court is not to re-evaluate the entire area then I is controlling although I do find that I decision inconsistent with the premise of Stanley. If the Cour·t is to re-evaluate,I urge close consideration of adopting a composite of the Marshall and Harlan view (look to the state's Y~w legitimate interests in limiting obscenity; in defning it allow broader local discretion). (2) Question# 2 This question is relevant only if the Court agrees with the DC that the statute is overbroad in its proscription of transportation for private use. The issue is whether the DC acted properly in holding the law ·unconstitutional on its face or whether it should have heard the case and given the statute a narrow construction to preserve its constitutionality, i.e., read the statute as proscribing only commercial transportation. On this leg of the case, the Government supposes that appellee , . .. probably was transporting for commercial rather than private use. This the Government infers because there were very many films and some of the cartons were marked with the same number indicating the possibility of duplication. The indictment did not charge I commercial distribution. If we knew this appellees purpose in transporting the films we would be faced with the question whether the appellee had standing to raise the unconstitutionality of the law. Some Justices, notably the CJ, believe that one whose conduct is clearly prohibitable by a statute may not complain that it is overbroad and, therefore, might restrict the activity of someone whose conduct is not constitutionally prohibitable. The pre- vailing view, however, is that where a statute is vague and overbroad in the first amendment area, anyone who is touched by the statute may challenge it. - Irrespective of this problem, I think we may not resolve the standing question on this record. V( On the question whether it would have been more appropriate to give the law a narrowing construction rather than strike it down, appellee points out that a law may be narrowly interpreted only when the law is susceptible of two or more interpretations and one of them is constitutional and one not. When the law is clear and unequivocal the Court may not rewrite--that is a task for the legislature not the Court. this case. The statute makes it a crime to use any facility of interstate commerce (common carrier) film. I think that doctrine covers t~ transport any obscene It is clear that the law was written to exclude all trans- portation not merely traasportation for commercial distribution. I tf{,S Appellee directs the Court's attention to 18 U.S.C. § which makes " it unlawful to transport in interstate commerce any obscene material for the "purpose of sale or distribution." The absence of similar language in section 1462 is indicative that that section was designed to have broader application than 1465 • .. The question is not without difficulty. The Government points out that in a footnote in 37 Photographs Justice White notes that if the DC had felt that the federal law was merely overbroad in its application the court should have construed it narrowly and applied it to the defendant in that case (see footnote 3 of majority opinion). For the reason stated--that the Court may not reconstruct legislation where there is no ambiguity--I think ' White's d~ctum is not controlling. If the Court holds that private transportation is protected, then I think it was proper for the lower court to strike down the law. Congress will then have the task of writing a new law limited in its scope to commercial distribution. CONCLUSION If no re-evaluation of existing precedents is to be undertaken, the 4-man opinion in 37 Photographs would appear to cover this case. If the entire area is to be re-examined, a composite Harshall-Harlan approach suggests itself to me as a way to solve this Court's "involvement" problem and at the same time protect the 11 private use 11 interests of the individual. Even if the law is overbroad I do not find it susceptible of a narrowing and saving construction. LAH 7 ~N~: ~ 'fcc ~- ~· v M~. ) '1-tr; F. 41.1$-G ~~~ s,~ ~~4-~~~ ~ iJ ~(ltv~~) f.....~"'b.J U-t~~~s~~~· /D~ , ~1~~~14/~·. J a_ c_;_, ~-v..J ~~ /.}-(.~ ~~ -~:So-t?~~~-~~~ 1- ~~~. ~~~~~ ~~~s~~5~ ~~~~~ -k ~:> ,~, 71-~~~~~-~ ~~4 uy ~. - -> }~ ~ f6J._ ~~~\'_ ~ ~ :.-v ~~kL?~~ ~· 5Pc::.... I Cf{s; L ~ ~ -.f--0 ~ ~ ~~~~~ ~ ~ C;f. ~v~- ~~ f/k;_, /1.-~ ~ ~~tv rkJ ~'-Z Lt. ( ({_~ t!ls; & ~~. ~ ;Lo ~vv__~) . Sf:ts__~"Q ~~ ~kR ~I~ a-c..~~".. ~·c:;:_ ~~~ ~ ~ ~ llf(o-z_ ¥-co~~ 1-o ~ ~~~ ~ _t_,L. I~" -~~~~ . ' . ' ' ' . ~~5~~~~~0 t:):_ Cv~ ~ t>~~ ~. ;;;._~~ 0·~4/1-'- 4---~ -~ -1-o ~ ~ ~/U-v..-~1 ~ Jf- i Vt.--~~~5~~-~~ I-1D ~ ~-~ ·~. /i~ • 1A .~ ~:::r ~ L / _ _.-,.A. r~,\..~ ~ ~~v ~vy~~ .. 11 .. l lfp/ss 1/20/72 No. 79-69 U.S . v. Orito Argued 1/19/72 This case , similar in many respects on principle to 12 200 Ft. Reels involves the validity of 18 U.S.C.A. Section 1462, which prohibits the interstate transportation by common carrier of obscene material. Section 1462 broadly prohibits such transportation, drawing no distinction between purely private use and commercial or other proposed use. The defendant, Orito, was indicted for transportimg obscene material by carrying 83 reels of film from San Francisco to Milwaukee by airplane. He claimed this was for his own private use, and the government could not disprove this. See my notes on 12-200Ft. Reels. For the reason there stated, I incline tentatively - subject to conference discussion - to the view that Stanley established the principle of validity of private use, and it is difficult to say that this principle is applicable only to possession in one's home. Unless the Conference discussion, plus my further study, sheds new light on this, I am inclined to affirm the judgment of the District Court - which found that the statute was overly broad and infringed the First Amendment right to private use. Con£. 1/21/72 Court ................... . Voted on .................. , 19 .. . Argued ...1/.~~0? ......... , 19 .. . Assigned .................. , 19 . . . Submitted ................ , 19 . . . Announced ...... .......... , 19 .. . No. 70-69 UNITED STATES vs. GEORGE JOSEPH ORITO /zf/71======================= =============================~t====t · HOLD FOR CERT. Powell, J .... .. ........ ...... . Blackmun, J ................. . Marshall, J .................. . White, J ..................... . Stewart, J ................... . Brennan, J ................... . Douglas, J .................... . Burger, Ch. J ................ . NOT MERITS MOTION AB- ~---r--+---.----.----.---+--,.....--1---r----lSENT VOTG Rehnquist, J .......... ... .... . JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT D N POST DIS AFF REV AFF G D lNG DouGLAs, BRENNAN, STEWART, J. ~ J. BLACKMUN, J. REHNQUIST, J. J. a_u_,__,.,:.A~ --LL_,:.;:..:.::; ~~~~-. ... C' "2-1-6..~ -; WHITE, J. ~ .~.,.~_....~ ~u:p-rmtt Q}~ud ~f t4t 'Jilttitt~ j)taftg 'J/D'a:Gl(htgron.lO. Q}. 2!l.;t'!-.;t June 14, 1972 CHAMBERS OF" THE CHIEF JUSTICE l l' No. 70-69 -- U.S. v. Orito Circ MEMORANDUM TO THE CONFERENCE: la~.. JUN 14. 1972 a.: _______ _ Recirculated: ___._________ I have regarded our pending obscenity cases as something of a age" problem. 11 pack- Here are my views on the above case on the assumption there is a court for all since they are related. Appellee Orito was arraigned in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on a one count indictment charging that he had violated 18 U.S. C. 1462 in that he did ''knowingly transport and carry in inter state commerce from San Francisco • • . to Milwaukee . • • by means of a common carrier, that is, Trans World Airlines and North Central Airlines, copies of [specified] lewd, lascivious, and filthy materials. 11 The materials specified included some 80 reels of film, with as many as eight to ten copies of some of the films. Appellee moved to dismiss the indictment on the ground that the statute violated his First and Ninth Amendment rights. The District Court granted his motion to dismiss on the ground that the statute was unconstitutionally overbroad under the First and Ninth Amendments, relying chiefly on this Court's prior decisions in Redrup v. New York, 394 U.S. 767 (1967) and Stanley v. Georgia, 394 U.S. 557 (1969). -2It is not entirely clear whether the District Court viewed the statute as overbroad because it covered transportation intended solely for the private use of the transporter, or because , regardless of the intended use of the materials, the statute extended to "non-public" transportation which in itself involved no risk of exposure to the children or unwilling adults. 18 usc The United States brought this direct appeal under former 3731. Under United States v . Thirty-Seven (37) Photographs, 402 U.S. 363 (1971) and United States v . Reidel, 402 U . S . 351 (1971) it is clear that the statute in question may be validly applied to prohibit interstate transportation intended for subsequent commercial distribution or public exhibition. On the other hand, in United States v . 12 200-Ft. Reels of Super 8 mm.. Film, et al., ante a t - - - - - - - ·' we have held that 19 USC 1305(a) may not be applied to prohibit importation of such materials intended solely for the private personal use of the importer . There is no logical basis to distinguish the instant case from that holding . Indeed, the privacy interests of the importer at the border would appear less substantial than the interests of a citizen travelling in interstate commerce within the United States, given the pervasive sweep of a sovereign 1 s control of its borders. In either case , the non-public transportation of obscene materials intended solely for the private use of the transporter falls within Stanley v. Georgia. Thus, we must conclude that the statute in question cannot validly be applied to reach interstate transportation of obscene materials intended solely for the private use of the transporter. It does not follow from this -3conclusion, however, that the District Court was correct in striking down the statute on its face. Whatever "chilling" effect the statute might have is easily eliminated by limiting its applications to cases in which the transportation is for the purpose of commercial exploitation or public exhibition, as opposed to transportation for the purely private use of the person transporting it. Here, as in U.S. v 12 200-Ft. Reels, supra, the claim of private purpose and use will inevitably lose some of its force if the carrier transports multiple copies or if he exhibits to others and especially if there is any access permitted to minors. Therefore, the statute may be sustained by drawing a clear line between its constitutional and unconstitutional applications; there is no basis for invalidating the statute on its face. Dombrowski v. Pfister, 380 U.S. 479, 491 (1965); See United States v. Thirty-Seven (37) Photographs, 402 U.S. 363, 375 n. 3; id. at 377 (Harlan, J., concurring); id. at 379 (Stewart, J., concurring). Accordingly, the case must be remanded for fu rther proceedings to the end that the District Court may inquire into the government 1 s position as to appellee 1 s intended use of the materials. appropriate to permit In our view, it would also be the United States to obtain an amended indictment specifying the purpose with which it is charged that appellee was transporting the materials. Regards, . ' .ju;vumt <.!fcurt cf tqt 'Jitnittb' ,jtaftg ~aglftttghm. ~. <!f. 2ll~J!.~ June 14, 1972 CHAMBERS OF' THE CHIEF JUSTICE No. 70-73 -- Miller v. California Dear Bill: I have your very interesting memo on the broad problem of the above case. this job. In the short time you have had I marvel at how you have done We need more exchanges of this kind to develop our thinking. Given the lateness of the season, I will undertake to comment with less than the time I would like on a matter of this importance. 1. I accept your proposition, if I read you correctly, that the Court has not been able to come up with a definition that will separate protected from non-protected 2. 11 sex material. 11 I think I agree that people in the commercial world are uncertain of the standards. We are, and they merely reflect our uncertainty. I con- fess I do not see it as a threat to genuine First Amendment values to have commercial porno-peddlers feels some unease. For me the First Amend- ment was made to protect commerce in ideas, but even at that I would go a long way concerning ideas on the subject that has had a high place in the human animal's consciousness for several thousand (?) years. a little 11 chill 11 will do some of the good for the country. 11 In short, pornos 11 no great harm and it might be ~- Even accepting that the "Redrup technique" compounds uncertainty, I prefer it to a new, uncharted swamp. 3. I strongly agree with you that there are some obscene materials not protected by the Constitution. 4. I agree we must at some point make it possible for governments to stop pandering and touting by mail or otherwise with brochures, etc., that offend. 5. My views in Rowan coincide with your memo. I agree (if it is your view) that all public display that goes beyond mere nudity and depicts or sugges1s conduct can be barred. I think if it can be barred on 14th and Constitution Avenue, it can be barred in a saloon and probably theatre • . 6. I consider the state free to make a serious felony out of any conduct that permits access of minors to non-protected material. 7. In general I agree that traffic via words in print is in a different category from pictures, movies, or live shows. I would cover this by the "access" and "anti-solicitation" route. 8. I read your memo as drawing substantially on the recommendations of the Commission on Obscenity and Pornography. For me, the Commission 1 s Report is interesting but I do not think I am ready to make it a basis for constitutional adjudication. I question the ••ripeness 11 of the ideas of the Report. 9. I am by no means content with my own approach in the Miller memo I circulated, but the Court has made enough false steps. We now need to -3retrace so that I feel we need to be very cautious about embarking on a new broad scale "solution. 11 I fear that no solution will ever really be final -- First Amendment problems do not readily "finalize." Since I circulated my Miller memo on May 19, I put my hand to something of the course you have laid out , but I concluded it was, for me at least, not ready for circulation. I think I would prefer to continue with one step at a time, clarifying the "national standard" concept in Miller to "marinate. and let the other problems continue 11 I would therefore stand on Miller as proposed, but treat Thurgood's Stanley holding as I have in my memo on the border-importation case, and would follow the border case in Orito for interstate commerce . Within this framework, I welcome suggestions that would lead any others to join Miller in what I consider to be a step-by-step treatment of one problem at a time . Mr. Justice Brennan Copies to Conference 6/15/72--LAH Rea Obseenity Cases Judge a It occurred to me that during the discussion at conference this morning questions are likely to arise regarding the three obscenity cases under submission. I thought, there- fore, that I should refresh your memory and bring you up to date on the latest developments. First, in Miller v. California the CJ has circulated a memorandum in which he basically concludes that local standards govern questions of the content of allegedly obscene material and that this is essentially a question for the jury based on a determination whether it transcends local levels of decency and good taste. As my short note to you in that case indicates, whatever approach the Court is to take, I cannot justify that one. It is flatly contradictory to the entire course of constitutional adjudication under the First Amendment. Moreover it presents the gravest questions of vagueness--convicting a man for the sale of something that he had no way of knowing would be found obscene. Justice Brennan has circulated a long memorandum, a copy of which you have, in which he propaes another alternative basically premised on the interest analysis approach. No one, to my knowledge has joined either side yet. Second, in Orito (the case involving the federal statute against interstate transportation) the CJ has circulated a memo which is attached. Justice Douglas has circulated a dissent or contrary memorandum. Orito, like Millerp turns to a significant extent on the question of private v commercial use. It is in my view inextricably intertwined with Miller. Finally, the CJ has just circulated a memo responding the Brennan memorandum. It points out, I think, the complexity of the cases. I suggest that if the question is raised you consider the possibility of reargument of all three of the pending obscenity cases. They are interrelated and terribly complex. The primary interest is in finding some cohesive apprach which will serve the First Amendment and at the same time end this Court's involvement and provide an underst andable framework for the lower courts. There simply is not adequate time at present for so ambitious and important an undertaking. UH October 24, 1972 Memorandum to the file From: Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Obscenit~ Cases (Notes on Court onference) Bill Brennan Our problem differs from England as we have the First Amendment. ~~ ~~-A4/ au ~~cc.r.aJ Roth established that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment. It also established that all erotic expression has protection unless it is obscene. Finally, whether expression is obscene is a constitutional question which we cannot delegate to juries. (Bill cites John Harlan and also Bill says Redruet so held unanimously. ) have Since Roth, there JmB never been five votes in accord as to what the definition means. This has resulted in two problems: (i) vagueness for parties, and (ii) institutional uncertainty on part of law enforcement and legislature. Stanley departs from Roth. Its principle is contrary to Reidel and 37 Photographs. Bill, who joined these two cases, now would overrule them. I I -2Bill now thinks state may control erotic material rather than suppress it. This control may be rational state action if it applies only to minors and non-assenting adults. if".u..u-.:c..,~ ~ Bill would redefine in specific terms -e.g., description of proscribed material (e.g., actual or simulated intercourse). He referred to Oregon statute. ~M-­ ~e.-' ~~ Bill would allow states or Congress to proscribe obscene live shows even for adults. This is conduct - a view shared by ~~y. Douglas. But Bill distinguishes motion pictures from live shows - arguing that a movie is "expression" not conduct. As to minors, Bill has modified views expressed in his memo. He now likes Harlan's dissent in Jacabellais which suggests "standards" Bill would now accept as to minors. This would enable this Court to review only the standards and not the particular expression. (But how does this position square with Bill's view that we cannot delegate to anyone the responsibility of determining what is obscene l) Would not require expert testimony. -3- Potter Stewart Would draw no distinction between live shows and movies. Cases before us all involve lburteenth Amendment state action. It is settled that First Amendment has been incorporated. Two of the cases next week involve Federal statutes. Harlan and Jackson thought that in obscenity cases the First Amendment was not adopted in its entirety. Potter thinks we would have to overrule long line of cases to accept Harlan's view. States may regulate and protect minors. States also may protect unwilling public from what may be an'assault" on their sensibilities. Byron White Thinks we have over-emphasized the obscenity issue. If in legislature, he might eliminate most obscenity laws. But as judges, we must decide whether all state and Federal obscenity statutes are invalid. Specific definition -of acts (intercourse) -of hard core would help. -4- There should be national standards for definitional purposes -but allow juries to apply community standards within the definitional standards. In general would adhere to Roth. Would not overrule Roth but would redefine obscenity in terms of specifics. Would make no distinction between adults and minors or consenting and non-consenting. If definition is sufficiently explicit -even narrower than Oregon statute -he would allow states to regulate as to everyone. **** have There laal never been five votes for the Jacabellais and memoirs for "redeeming social value." Thurgood Marshall With Brennan. Likes Oregon statute. .. :.. . .• ~ ",;.' -5Harry Blackman Closer to White and Chief than to Brennan. Emphasized key role of jury as reflecting community judgments. Would not overrule Roth. Would re-examine definition. Does not agree that printed text cannot be regulated. What about Suite 69 ? But is intrigued by Brennan's "privacy" rationale. Bill Rehnquist Not sure that Harlan's view is wrong. Certainly up to time of the Fourteenth Amendment, states were free to regulate obscenity. Would reaffirm Roth with greater specificity. We should vote to deny cert more regularly than we have in past. MY NOTES FOR CONFERENCE ON OCTOBER 24, 1972 Complement Bill and Chief At time First Amendment was adopted, no one then thought that it protected obscene expression from legislative regulation or control. I agree with Roth formulation that obscenity is not protected expression. I think I would have voted with majority in Stanley accepting its disclainer that it was undercutting Roth. The problem that has confounded everyone is how to define obscenity -vagueness, etc. I would not overrule Roth but would redefine in terms of specific standards. Definitions can be made specific - except as to books. Some sort of administrative procedure would help on vagueness issue. Am closer to Chief than to Bill- but am unsure on several points and will await next drafts of opinions. L.F.P.,Jr. LFP, Jr. :pls ', ' 70-69 U.S. v. ORITO No. ~ ~~ -1--o ' ~ Argued 11/6/72 /z_- 2-u ~~~ i<:> fd. ~ ~~ , ~~ · c.? I g Q S C.., f<.{{o 2.. L--L.. ~ ~ ~~ I ~ ~1-t.J_ -f:t-4 ~ ,.~ Ly TuJ/1- ~~ ~ ~ ~lW.f4;:) ~ ~ ~ . ~HJ._ (~,,~ ~ ·~ . ~~ ~~~~ ~(/l>)-L1 ~ ~ ~~· &-/ ~~ ~ · ~ ~~oY~~} ~/&~ ·~~ - -~~ / ~~c~~ v-w._~ ~ ~37 J?~~~ Vz- C-t/).<_, ~-~ ~. ~of d2a~ ~~­ LQ . s .. ~~ ..f-D ~ ~~ ~· LV+-t.- ~~J ~~ ~(~) ~D--e~~~ ~~~~. &..>--_ ~ ~. 1-W._ U... S. - ~ v _,) 1--t:J ~~ Z • l-u '~ ~ ·- - - kits.eeJ ~ • s:>2- F.~ '883 u. ~. ~.) ~~ ~~~~~~~a_~ 1---fu_ ~ ~ t...c...- ~ ~ 7 ~. ~~37~ u..J.-L u.. <;:, V, 7.~. a 1 jzt: ~ 'f6 -z- ~ ~. u..___ ! .1r1 ~ ~ ~ ~~(~6)~~ ~ ~~c¢1 ~· u. s. (/ c ' 2~ 332- /-::. ~· 8'"ff2 L-t-- ~~ LL /_(J ~ ~(~~);'1--- ~~~ai/f ~. ~~ ~ ~~~~fd-1JL&/~ s· ~ '---'-' ov-e.-v - ~ ( 1 'if u. s c /L_~-J.... 1769/t 0 ~ ~ l'f!(.:j ~~ ~ ~ It~ UA._-~ 1-o ~ '\ - - -- - - - - - - r ~~ -~ ~{yOCf ~~ ~~t7(~ ~ _ 5~~~~~~~ ~ . w~~~~~~~ ' 1--<J ~~ .~ ~ ~~ ~¢:o. ,/ '~~ - ~~ '4tJ-~ ~41\~ :_y ~ ~ ~ ~LJ- ~ N--u~t..::f ~~~~~~~~~ tt~e~~ ~. ' ~ ~ ~ 12-<!) ~-~ ~ t..::1 ~/1..-VQ ~ ~ /h_;_-4 ~ ~ ~~ ~ · I ~ - ~~~~~~~ ~ ~9 .<:7-J ~~~-~--~~~ /~ ~~ ·-k ~~ · ~ ~ ~ ~~ ____ w-Dz-z- KJ ~ ~~/-tA-t~ ..:.____ - - - - - " ~ 4--0 o-v-"--v-~~ ~~-v4 ,. 6-.H- ~(-{- Conf. 11/1v/72 Court ................... . Voted on ............ . .... . , 19 .. . Argued .. ....... ....... . . . , 19 .. . Assigned . . ....... .... . .... , 19 . . . Submitted ............... . , 19 . . . Announced . . ... . ...... .... , 19 . . . No. 70-69 u.s. vs. ORITO .L HOLD FOR CERT. G Rehnquist, J ................. . Powell, J .................... . Blackmun, J ................ . . Marshall, J .................. . White, J .... . . . .............. . Stewart, J ................... . Brennan, J ... . ............... . Douglas, J .................... . Burger, Ch. J ................ . D JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT N POST DIS AFF MERITS REV AFF MOTION G D AB- NOT VOTSENT lNG I {{; ~ -r6 f- c ~ d~ 1 '=t 1, q 0 ~ J-.4 0 :> (/) ::::) ~ co I 0 t- 1- .-; '-' 0 ~ ::q ~ ~ ~ t~l~~,_ ~~ ,... 't~ ~ ~---~ ~~ ~~" ~J~~ "' ~ ~ -.!:_ ~ '~ -! ~ ........._ ~ ,,~ ~ ~ I