U.S.

Supreme Court
Ginsberg v. New York, 390 U.S. 629 (196!
Ginsberg v. New York
No. "#
$rgue% &'nu'r( 16, 196
)e*i%e% $pri+ 22, 196
390 U.S. 629
$,,-$. /012 34- $,,-..$3- 3-02 1/ 34- SU,0-2- C1U03
1/ N-5 Y106, S-C1N) &U)7C7$. )-,$032-N3
S(++'bus
$ppe++'nt, w8o oper'tes ' st'tioner( store 'n% +un*8eonette, w's *onvi*te% o9 se++ing :gir+ie:
m'g';ines to ' 16<(e'r<o+% bo( in vio+'tion o9 = ""<8 o9 t8e New York ,en'+ .'w. 38e st'tute
m'kes it un+'w9u+ :knowing+( to se++ . . . to ' minor: un%er 1# :('! 'n( pi*ture . . . w8i*8 %epi*ts
nu%it( . . . 'n% w8i*8 is 8'rm9u+ to minors,: 'n% :(b! 'n( . . . m'g';ine . . . w8i*8 *ont'ins >su*8
pi*tures? 'n% w8i*8, t'ken 's ' w8o+e, is 8'rm9u+ to minors.: $ppe++'nt@s *onvi*tion w's '99irme%
b( t8e $ppe++'te 3erm o9 t8e Supreme Court. 4e w's %enie% +e've to 'ppe'+ to t8e New York
Court o9 $ppe'+s.
4e+%A
1. 38e m'g';ines 8ere invo+ve% 're not obs*ene 9or '%u+ts, 'n% 'ppe++'nt is not b'rre% 9rom
se++ing t8em to persons 1# (e'rs o9 'ge or o+%er. ,p. 390 U. S. 63"<63B.
2. 1bs*enit( is not wit8in t8e 're' o9 prote*te% spee*8 or press, 0ot8 v. Unite% St'tes, 3B" U. S.
"#6, 3B" U. S. "B, 'n% t8ere is no issue 8ere o9 t8e obs*enit( o9 t8e m'teri'+ invo+ve%, 's
'ppe++'nt %oes not 'rgue t8't t8e m'g';ines 're not :8'rm9u+ to minors.: ,. 390 U. S. 63B.
3. 7t is not *onstitution'++( impermissib+e 9or New York, un%er t8is st'tute, to '**or% minors un%er
1# (e'rs o9 'ge ' more restri*te% rig8t t8'n t8't 'ssure% to '%u+ts to Cu%ge 'n% %etermine 9or
t8emse+ves w8't seD m'teri'+ t8e( m'( re'% 'n% see. ,p. 390 U. S. 63#<6"3.
('! 38e St'te 8's power to '%Cust t8e %e9inition o9 obs*enit( 's 'pp+ie% to minors, 9or even w8ere
t8ere is 'n inv'sion o9 prote*te% 9ree%oms, :t8e power o9 t8e st'te to *ontro+ t8e *on%u*t o9
*8i+%ren re'*8es be(on% t8e s*ope o9 its 'ut8orit( over '%u+ts.: ,rin*e v. 2'ss'*8usetts, 321 U.
S. 1B, 321 U. S. 1#0. ,p. 390 U. S. 63<639.
(b! Constitution'+ interpret'tion 8's *onsistent+( re*ogni;e% t8't t8e p'rents@ *+'im to 'ut8orit( in
t8e re'ring o9 t8eir *8i+%ren is b'si* in our so*iet(, 'n% t8e +egis+'ture *ou+% proper+( *on*+u%e t8't
t8ose prim'ri+( responsib+e 9or *8i+%ren@s we++being 're entit+e% to t8e support o9 +'ws %esigne% to
'i% %is*8'rge o9 t8't responsibi+it(. ,. 390 U. S. 639.
,'ge 390 U. S. 630
(*! 38e St'te 8's 'n in%epen%ent interest in prote*ting t8e we+9're o9 *8i+%ren 'n% s'9egu'r%ing
t8em 9rom 'buses. ,p. 390 U. S. 6"0<6"1.
(%! 38is Court *'nnot s'( t8't t8e st'tute, in %e9ining obs*enit( on t8e b'sis o9 its 'ppe'+ to
minors un%er 1#, 8's no r'tion'+ re+'tion to t8e obCe*tive o9 s'9egu'r%ing su*8 minors 9rom 8'rm.
,p. 390 U. S. 6"1<6"3.
". Subse*tions (9! 'n% (g! o9 = ""<8 're not voi% 9or v'gueness. ,p. 6"3<6"B.
('! 38e New York Court o9 $ppe'+s, in Eook*'se, 7n*. v. Ero%eri*k, 1 N.Y.2% #1, #6, 21 N.-.2%
66, 6#1, *onstrue% t8e %e9inition o9 obs*enit( :8'rm9u+ to minors: in subse*tion (9! :'s virtu'++(
i%enti*'+ to: t8is Court@s most re*ent st'tement o9 t8e e+ements o9 obs*enit( in 2emoirs v.
2'ss'*8usetts, 33 U. S. "13, 33 U. S. "1, 'n% '**or%ing+( t8e %e9inition gives '%eFu'te
noti*e o9 w8't is pro8ibite%, 'n% %oes not o99en% %ue pro*ess reFuirements. ,. 390 U. S. 6"3.
(b! Sin*e t8e New York .egis+'ture@s 'ttention w's %r'wn to ,eop+e v. /inke+stein, 9 N.Y.2% 3"2,
1#" N.-.2% "#0, w8i*8 %e9ine% t8e n'ture o9 s*ienter 9or New York@s gener'+ obs*enit( st'tute,
w8en it *onsi%ere% = ""<8, it m'( be in9erre% t8't t8e re9eren*e in provision (i! o9 subse*tion (g!
to know+e%ge o9 t8e :*8'r'*ter 'n% *ontent: o9 t8e m'teri'+ in*orpor'tes t8e g+oss given t8e term
:*8'r'*ter: in ,eop+e v. /inke+stein. ,. 390 U. S. 6"".
(*! ,rovision (ii! o9 subse*tion (g! st'tes eDpress+( t8't ' %e9en%'nt must be '*Fuitte% on t8e
groun% o9 :8onest mist'ke: i9 8e proves t8't 8e m'%e :' re'son'b+e bon' 9i%e 'ttempt to
's*ert'in t8e true 'ge o9 su*8 minor.: ,. 390 U. S. 6"B.
$99irme%.
,'ge 390 U. S. 631
20. &US37C- E0-NN$N %e+ivere% t8e opinion o9 t8e Court.
38is *'se presents t8e Fuestion o9 t8e *onstitution'+it( on its 9'*e o9 ' New York *rimin'+
obs*enit( st'tute w8i*8 pro8ibits t8e s'+e to minors un%er 1# (e'rs o9 'ge o9 m'teri'+ %e9ine% to
be obs*ene on t8e b'sis o9 its 'ppe'+ to t8em, w8et8er or not it wou+% be obs*ene to '%u+ts.
$ppe++'nt 'n% 8is wi9e oper'te :S'm@s St'tioner( 'n% .un*8eonette: in Ee++more, .ong 7s+'n%.
38e( 8've ' +un*8 *ounter, 'n%, 'mong ot8er t8ings, '+so se++ m'g';ines, in*+u%ing some so<
*'++e% :gir+ie: m'g';ines. $ppe++'nt w's prose*ute% un%er two in9orm'tions, e'*8 in two *ounts,
w8i*8 *8'rge% t8't 8e person'++( so+% ' 16<(e'r<o+% bo( two :gir+ie: m'g';ines on e'*8 o9 two
%'tes in 1*tober, 196B, in vio+'tion o9 = ""<8 o9 t8e New York ,en'+ .'w. 4e w's trie% be9ore '
Cu%ge wit8out ' Cur( in N'ss'u Count( )istri*t Court 'n% w's 9oun% gui+t( on bot8 *ounts.
>/ootnote 1? 38e Cu%ge 9oun% (1! t8't t8e
,'ge 390 U. S. 632
m'g';ines *ont'ine% pi*tures w8i*8 %epi*te% 9em'+e :nu%it(: in ' m'nner %e9ine% in subse*tion
1(b!, t8't is
:t8e s8owing o9 . . . 9em'+e . . . butto*ks wit8 +ess t8'n ' 9u++ op'Fue *overing, or t8e s8owing o9
t8e 9em'+e bre'st wit8 +ess t8'n ' 9u++( op'Fue *overing o9 'n( portion t8ereo9 be+ow t8e top o9
t8e nipp+e . . . ,:
'n% (2! t8't t8e pi*tures were :8'rm9u+ to minors: in t8't t8e( 8'%, wit8in t8e me'ning o9
subse*tion 1(9!,
,'ge 390 U. S. 633
:t8't Fu'+it( o9 . . . represent'tion . . . o9 nu%it( . . . >w8i*8? . . . (i! pre%omin'nt+( 'ppe'+s to t8e
prurient, s8'me9u+ or morbi% interest o9 minors, 'n% (ii! is p'tent+( o99ensive to prev'i+ing
st'n%'r%s in t8e '%u+t *ommunit( 's ' w8o+e wit8 respe*t to w8't is suit'b+e m'teri'+ 9or minors,
'n% (iii! is utter+( wit8out re%eeming so*i'+ import'n*e 9or minors.:
4e 8e+% t8't bot8 s'+es to t8e 16<(e'r<o+% bo( t8ere9ore *onstitute% t8e vio+'tion un%er = ""<8 o9
:knowing+( to se++ . . . to ' minor: un%er 1# o9 :('! 'n( pi*ture . . . w8i*8 %epi*ts nu%it( . . . 'n%
w8i*8 is 8'rm9u+ to minors,: 'n% :(b! 'n( . . . m'g';ine . . . w8i*8 *ont'ins . . . >su*8 pi*tures? . . .
'n% w8i*8, t'ken 's ' w8o+e, is 8'rm9u+ to minors.: 38e *onvi*tion w's '99irme% wit8out opinion
b( t8e $ppe++'te 3erm, Se*on% )ep'rtment, o9 t8e Supreme Court. $ppe++'nt w's %enie% +e've to
'ppe'+ to t8e New York Court o9 $ppe'+s, 'n% t8en 'ppe'+e% to t8is Court. 5e note% prob'b+e
Curis%i*tion. 3 U.S. 90". 5e '99irm. >/ootnote 2?
,'ge 390 U. S. 63"
7
38e :gir+ie: pi*ture m'g';ines invo+ve% in t8e s'+es 8ere 're not obs*ene 9or '%u+ts, 0e%rup v.
New York, 36 U. S. #6#. >/ootnote 3? Eut = ""<8 %oes not b'r t8e 'ppe++'nt
,'ge 390 U. S. 63B
9rom sto*king t8e m'g';ines 'n% se++ing t8em to persons 1# (e'rs o9 'ge or o+%er, 'n% t8ere9ore
t8e *onvi*tion is not inv'+i% un%er our %e*ision in Eut+er v. 2i*8ig'n, 3B2 U. S. 30.
1bs*enit( is not wit8in t8e 're' o9 prote*te% spee*8 or press. 0ot8 v. Unite% St'tes, 3B" U. S.
"#6, 3B" U. S. "B. 38e t8ree<pronge% test o9 subse*tion 1(9! 9or Cu%ging t8e obs*enit( o9 m'teri'+
so+% to minors un%er 1# is ' v'ri'b+e 9rom t8e 9ormu+'tion 9or %etermining obs*enit( un%er 0ot8
st'te% in t8e p+ur'+it( opinion in 2emoirs v. 2'ss'*8usetts, 33 U. S. "13, 33 U. S. "1.
$ppe++'nt@s prim'r( 'tt'*k upon = ""<8 is +eve+e% 't t8e power o9 t8e St'te to '%'pt t8is 2emoirs
9ormu+'tion to %e9ine t8e m'teri'+@s obs*enit( on t8e b'sis o9 its 'ppe'+ to minors, 'n% t8us
eD*+u%e m'teri'+ so %e9ine% 9rom t8e 're' o9 prote*te% eDpression. 4e m'kes no 'rgument t8't
t8e m'g';ines 're not :8'rm9u+ to minors: wit8in t8e %e9inition in subse*tion 1(9!. 38us, :>n?o
issue is presente% . . . *on*erning t8e obs*enit( o9 t8e m'teri'+ invo+ve%.: 0ot8, supr', 't 3B" U.
S. "1, n. .
38e New York Court o9 $ppe'+s :up8e+% t8e .egis+'ture@s power to emp+o( v'ri'b+e *on*epts o9
obs*enit(: >/ootnote "?
,'ge 390 U. S. 636
in ' *'se in w8i*8 t8e s'me *8'++enge to st'te power to en'*t su*8 ' +'w w's '+so '%%resse% to
= ""<8. Eook*'se, 7n*. v. Ero%eri*k, 1 N.Y.2% #1, 21 N.-.2% 66, 'ppe'+ %ismisse% 9or w'nt o9
' proper+( presente% 9e%er'+ Fuestion, sub nom. Eook*'se, 7n*. v. .e'r(, 3B U. S. 12. 7n
sust'ining st'te power to en'*t t8e +'w, t8e Court o9 $ppe'+s s'i%, Eook*'se, 7n*. v. Ero%eri*k, 't
#B, 21 N.-.2% 't 6#1A
:>2?'teri'+ w8i*8 is prote*te% 9or %istribution to '%u+ts is not ne*ess'ri+( *onstitution'++( prote*te%
9rom restri*tion upon its %issemin'tion to *8i+%ren. 7n ot8er wor%s, t8e *on*ept o9 obs*enit( or o9
unprote*te% m'tter m'( v'r( '**or%ing to t8e group to w8om t8e Fuestion'b+e m'teri'+ is
%ire*te% or 9rom w8om it is Fu'r'ntine%. Ee*'use o9 t8e St'te@s eDigent interest in preventing
%istribution to *8i+%ren o9 obCe*tion'b+e m'teri'+, it *'n eDer*ise its power to prote*t t8e 8e'+t8,
s'9et(, we+9're 'n% mor'+s o9 its *ommunit( b( b'rring t8e %istribution to *8i+%ren o9 books
re*ogni;e% to be suit'b+e 9or '%u+ts.:
$ppe++'nt@s 'tt'*k is not t8't New York w's wit8out power to %r'w t8e +ine 't 'ge 1#. 0't8er, 8is
*ontention is t8e bro'% proposition t8't t8e s*ope o9 t8e *onstitution'+ 9ree%om o9 eDpression
se*ure% to ' *iti;en to re'% or see m'teri'+ *on*erne% wit8 seD *'nnot be m'%e to %epen% upon
w8et8er t8e *iti;en is 'n '%u+t or ' minor. 4e '**or%ing+( insists t8't t8e %eni'+ to minors un%er
1# o9 '**ess to m'teri'+ *on%emne% b( = ""<8, inso9'r 's t8't m'teri'+ is not obs*ene 9or
persons 1# (e'rs o9 'ge or o+%er, *onstitutes 'n un*onstitution'+ %epriv'tion o9 prote*te% +ibert(.
5e 8've no o**'sion in t8is *'se to *onsi%er t8e imp'*t o9 t8e gu'r'ntees o9 9ree%om o9
eDpression upon t8e tot'+it( o9 t8e re+'tions8ip o9 t8e minor 'n% t8e St'te, *9. 7n re G'u+t, 3# U.
S. 1, 3# U. S. 13. 7t is enoug8 9or t8e purposes o9 t8is *'se t8't we inFuire w8et8er it w's
,'ge 390 U. S. 63#
*onstitution'++( impermissib+e 9or New York, inso9'r 's = ""<8 %oes so, to '**or% minors un%er
1# ' more restri*te% rig8t t8'n t8't 'ssure% to '%u+ts to Cu%ge 'n% %etermine 9or t8emse+ves w8't
seD m'teri'+ t8e( m'( re'% or see. 5e *on*+u%e t8't we *'nnot s'( t8't t8e st'tute inv'%es t8e
're' o9 9ree%om o9 eDpression *onstitution'++( se*ure% to minors. >/ootnote B?
$ppe++'nt 'rgues t8't t8ere is 'n inv'sion o9 prote*te% rig8ts un%er = ""<8 *onstitution'++(
in%istinguis8'b+e 9rom t8e inv'sions un%er t8e Nebr'sk' st'tute 9orbi%%ing *8i+%ren to stu%(
Germ'n, w8i*8 w's stru*k %own in 2e(er v. Nebr'sk', 262 U. S. 390G t8e 1regon st'tute
inter9ering wit8 *8i+%ren@s 'tten%'n*e 't priv'te 'n% p'ro*8i'+ s*8oo+s, w8i*8 w's stru*k %own in
,ier*e v. So*iet( o9 Sisters, 26 U. S. B10, 'n% t8e st'tute *ompe++ing *8i+%ren, 'g'inst t8eir
re+igious s*rup+es, to give t8e 9+'g s'+ute, w8i*8 w's stru*k %own in 319 U. S. B09G Eook*'se, 7n*.
v. Ero%eri*k, supr', 't #B, 21 N.-.2% 't 6#1. 38't t8e St'te 8's power to m'ke t8't '%Custment
seems *+e'r, 9or we 8've re*ogni;e% t8't, even w8ere t8ere is 'n inv'sion o9 prote*te% 9ree%oms,
:t8e power o9 t8e st'te to *ontro+ t8e *on%u*t o9 *8i+%ren re'*8es be(on% t8e s*ope o9 its 'ut8orit(
over '%u+ts. . . .: ,rin*e v. 2'ss'*8usetts, 321 U. S. 1B, 321 U. S. 1#0. >/ootnote 6? 7n ,rin*e,H
we sust'ine% t8e *onvi*tion
,'ge 390 U. S. 639
o9 t8e gu'r%i'n o9 ' nine<(e'r<o+% gir+, bot8 members o9 t8e se*t o9 &e8ov'8@s 5itnesses, 9or
vio+'ting t8e 2'ss'*8usetts C8i+% .'bor .'w b( permitting t8e gir+ to se++ t8e se*t@s re+igious tr'*ts
on t8e streets o9 Eoston.
38e we++being o9 its *8i+%ren is, o9 *ourse, ' subCe*t wit8in t8e St'te@s *onstitution'+ power to
regu+'te, 'n%, in our view, two interests Custi9( t8e +imit'tions in = ""<8 upon t8e 'v'i+'bi+it( o9
seD m'teri'+ to minors un%er 1#, 't +e'st i9 it w's r'tion'+ 9or t8e +egis+'ture to 9in% t8't t8e minors@
eDposure to su*8 m'teri'+ mig8t be 8'rm9u+. /irst o9 '++, *onstitution'+ interpret'tion 8's
*onsistent+( re*ogni;e% t8't t8e p'rents@ *+'im to 'ut8orit( in t8eir own 8ouse8o+% to %ire*t t8e
re'ring o9 t8eir *8i+%ren is b'si* in t8e stru*ture o9 our so*iet(.
:7t is *'r%in'+ wit8 us t8't t8e *usto%(, *'re 'n% nurture o9 t8e *8i+% resi%e 9irst in t8e p'rents,
w8ose prim'r( 9un*tion 'n% 9ree%om in*+u%e prep'r'tion 9or ob+ig'tions t8e st'te *'n neit8er
supp+( nor 8in%er.:
,rin*e v. 2'ss'*8usetts, supr', 't 321 U. S. 166. 38e +egis+'ture *ou+% proper+( *on*+u%e t8't
p'rents 'n% ot8ers, te'*8ers 9or eD'mp+e, w8o 8've t8is prim'r( responsibi+it( 9or *8i+%ren@s
we++being 're entit+e% to t8e support o9 +'ws %esigne% to 'i% %is*8'rge o9 t8't responsibi+it(.
7n%ee%, subse*tion 1(9!(ii! o9 = ""<8 eDpress+( re*ogni;es t8e p'rent'+ ro+e in 'ssessing seD<
re+'te% m'teri'+ 8'rm9u+ to minors '**or%ing :to prev'i+ing st'n%'r%s in t8e '%u+t *ommunit( 's '
w8o+e wit8 respe*t to w8't is suit'b+e m'teri'+ 9or minors.: 2oreover, t8e pro8ibition 'g'inst s'+es
to minors %oes not b'r p'rents w8o so %esire 9rom pur*8'sing t8e m'g';ines 9or t8eir *8i+%ren.
>/ootnote #?
,'ge 390 U. S. 6"0
38e St'te '+so 8's 'n in%epen%ent interest in t8e we++being o9 its (out8. 38e New York Court o9
$ppe'+s sFu're+( bottome% its %e*ision on t8't interest in Eook*'se, 7n*. v. Ero%eri*k, supr', 't
#B, 21 N.-.2% 't 6#1. &u%ge /u+%, now C8ie9 &u%ge /u+%, '+so emp8'si;e% its signi9i*'n*e in t8e
e'r+ier *'se o9 ,eop+e v. 68'n, 1B N.Y.2% 311, 206 N.-.2% 333, w8i*8 8'% stru*k %own t8e 9irst
version o9 = ""<8 on groun%s o9 v'gueness. 7n 8is *on*urring opinion, i%. 't 312, 206 N.-.2% 't
33", 8e s'i%A
:58i+e t8e supervision o9 *8i+%ren@s re'%ing m'( best be +e9t to t8eir p'rents, t8e know+e%ge t8't
p'rent'+ *ontro+ or gui%'n*e *'nnot '+w'(s be provi%e% 'n% so*iet(@s tr'ns*en%ent interest in
prote*ting t8e we+9're o9 *8i+%ren Custi9( re'son'b+e regu+'tion o9 t8e s'+e o9 m'teri'+ to t8em. 7t is,
t8ere9ore, '+toget8er 9itting 'n% proper 9or ' st'te to in*+u%e in ' st'tute %esigne% to regu+'te t8e
s'+e o9 pornogr'p8( to *8i+%ren spe*i'+ st'n%'r%s, bro'%er t8'n t8ose embo%ie% in +egis+'tion
'ime% 't *ontro++ing %issemin'tion o9 su*8 m'teri'+ to '%u+ts.:
7n ,rin*e v. 2'ss'*8usetts, supr', 't 321 U. S. 16B, t8is Court, too, re*ogni;e% t8't t8e St'te 8's
'n interest :to prote*t t8e we+9're o9 *8i+%ren: 'n% to see t8't t8e( 're :s'9egu'r%e% 9rom 'buses:
w8i*8 mig8t prevent t8eir :growt8 into 9ree 'n% in%epen%ent we++ %eve+ope% men
,'ge 390 U. S. 6"1
'n% *iti;ens.: 38e on+( Fuestion rem'ining, t8ere9ore, is w8et8er t8e New York .egis+'ture mig8t
r'tion'++( *on*+u%e, 's it 8's, t8't eDposure to t8e m'teri'+s pros*ribe% b( = ""<8 *onstitutes
su*8 'n :'buse.:
Se*tion ""<e o9 t8e +'w st'tes ' +egis+'tive 9in%ing t8't t8e m'teri'+ *on%emne% b( = ""<8 is :'
b'si* 9'*tor in imp'iring t8e et8i*'+ 'n% mor'+ %eve+opment o9 our (out8 'n% ' *+e'r 'n% present
%'nger to t8e peop+e o9 t8e st'te.: 7t is ver( %oubt9u+ t8't t8is 9in%ing eDpresses 'n '**epte%
s*ienti9i* 9'*t. >/ootnote ? Eut obs*enit( is not prote*te% eDpression, 'n% m'( be suppresse%
wit8out ' s8owing o9 t8e *ir*umst'n*es w8i*8 +ie be8in% t8e p8r'se :*+e'r 'n% present %'nger: in
its 'pp+i*'tion to prote*te% spee*8. 0ot8 v. Unite% St'tes, supr', 't "6<"#. >/ootnote 9? 3o
sust'in st'te power to eD*+u%e m'teri'+ %e9ine% 's obs*enit( b( = ""<8 reFuires on+( t8't we be
'b+e to s'( t8't it w's not irr'tion'+ 9or t8e +egis+'ture to 9in% t8't eDposure to m'teri'+ *on%emne%
b( t8e st'tute is 8'rm9u+ to minors. 7n 2e(er v. Nebr'sk', supr', 't 262 U. S. "00, we were 'b+e
to s'( t8't *8i+%ren@s know+e%ge o9 t8e Germ'n +'ngu'ge :*'nnot re'son'b+( be reg'r%e% 's
8'rm9u+.: 38't *'nnot be s'i% b( us o9 minors@ re'%ing 'n% seeing seD m'teri'+. 3o be sure, t8ere
is no +'*k o9 :stu%ies: w8i*8 purport to %emonstr'te t8't obs*enit( is or is not :' b'si* 9'*tor in
imp'iring t8e et8i*'+ 'n% mor'+ %eve+opment o9 . . . (out8 'n% ' *+e'r 'n% present
,'ge 390 U. S. 6"2
%'nger to t8e peop+e o9 t8e st'te.: Eut t8e growing *onsensus o9 *omment'tors is t8't,
:w8i+e t8ese stu%ies '++ 'gree t8't ' *'us'+ +ink 8's not been %emonstr'te%, t8e( 're eFu'++(
'gree% t8't ' *'us'+ +ink 8's not been %isprove%, eit8er. >/ootnote 10?:
5e %o not %em'n% o9 +egis+'tures
,'ge 390 U. S. 6"3
:s*ienti9i*'++( *ert'in *riteri' o9 +egis+'tion.: Nob+e St'te E'nk v. 4'ske++, 219 U. S. 10", 219 U. S.
110. 5e t8ere9ore *'nnot s'( t8't = ""<8, in %e9ining t8e obs*enit( o9 m'teri'+ on t8e b'sis o9 its
'ppe'+ to minors un%er 1#, 8's no r'tion'+ re+'tion to t8e obCe*tive o9 s'9egu'r%ing su*8 minors
9rom 8'rm.
77
$ppe++'nt *8'++enges subse*tions (9! 'n% (g! o9 = ""<8 's, in 'n( event, voi% 9or v'gueness. 38e
'tt'*k on subse*tion (9! is t8't t8e %e9inition o9 obs*enit( :8'rm9u+ to minors: is so v'gue t8't 'n
8onest %istributor o9 pub+i*'tions *'nnot know w8en 8e mig8t be 8e+% to 8've vio+'te% = ""<8.
Eut t8e New York Court o9 $ppe'+s *onstrue% t8is %e9inition to be
:virtu'++( i%enti*'+ to t8e Supreme Court@s most re*ent st'tement o9 t8e e+ements o9 obs*enit(.
>2emoirs v. 2'ss'*8usetts, 33 U. S. "13, 33 U. S. "1?,:
Eook*'se, 7n*. v. Ero%eri*k, supr', 't #6, 21 N.-.2% 't 6#2. 38e %e9inition t8ere9ore gives :men
in '*ting '%eFu'te noti*e o9 w8't is pro8ibite%,: 'n% %oes not o99en% t8e reFuirements o9 %ue
pro*ess. 0ot8 v. Unite% St'tes, supr', 't 3B" U. S. "92G see '+so 5inters v. New York, 333 U. S.
B0#, 333 U. S. B20.
$s is reFuire% b( Smit8 v. C'+i9orni', 361 U. S. 1"#, = ""<8 pro8ibits on+( t8ose s'+es m'%e
:knowing+(.: 38e *8'++enge to t8e s*ienter reFuirement o9 subse*tion (g! *enters on t8e %e9inition
o9 :knowing+(: inso9'r 's it in*+u%es :re'son to know: or
:' be+ie9 or groun% 9or be+ie9 w8i*8 w'rr'nts 9urt8er inspe*tion or inFuir( o9 bot8A (i! t8e *8'r'*ter
'n% *ontent o9 'n( m'teri'+ %es*ribe% 8erein w8i*8 is re'son'b+( sus*eptib+e o9 eD'min'tion b(
t8e %e9en%'nt, 'n% (ii! t8e 'ge o9 t8e
,'ge 390 U. S. 6""
minor, provi%e% 8owever, t8't 'n 8onest mist'ke s8'++ *onstitute 'n eD*use 9rom +i'bi+it(
8ereun%er i9 t8e %e9en%'nt m'%e ' re'son'b+e bon' 9i%e 'ttempt to 's*ert'in t8e true 'ge o9 su*8
minor.:
$s to (i!, = ""<8 w's p'sse% '9ter t8e New York Court o9 $ppe'+s %e*i%e% ,eop+e v. /inke+stein,
9 N.Y.2% 3"2, 1#" N.-.2% "#0, w8i*8 re'% t8e reFuirement o9 s*ienter into New York@s gener'+
obs*enit( st'tute, = 11"1 o9 t8e ,en'+ .'w. 38e *onstitution'+ reFuirement o9 s*ienter, in t8e
sense o9 know+e%ge o9 t8e *ontents o9 m'teri'+, rests on t8e ne*essit(
:to 'voi% t8e 8';'r% o9 se+9<*ensors8ip o9 *onstitution'++( prote*te% m'teri'+ 'n% to *ompens'te
9or t8e 'mbiguities in8erent in t8e %e9inition o9 obs*enit(,:
2is8kin v. New York, supr', 't 33 U. S. B11. 38e Court o9 $ppe'+s in /inke+stein interprete% =
11"1 to reFuire :t8e vit'+ e+ement o9 s*ienter: 'n% %e9ine% t8't reFuirement in t8ese termsA
:$ re'%ing o9 t8e st'tute >= 11"1? 's ' w8o+e *+e'r+( in%i*'tes t8't on+( t8ose w8o 're in some
m'nner 'w're o9 t8e *8'r'*ter o9 t8e m'teri'+ t8e( 'ttempt to %istribute s8ou+% be punis8e%. 7t is
not inno*ent but *'+*u+'te% purve('n*e o9 9i+t8 w8i*8 is eDor*ise%. . . .:
9 N.Y.2% 't 3""<3"B, 1#" N.-.2% 't "#1. (-mp8'sis supp+ie%.! 7n 2is8kin v. New York, supr', 't
33 U. S. B10<B11, we 8e+% t8't ' *8'++enge to t8e v'+i%it( o9 = 11"1 9oun%e% on Smit8 v.
C'+i9orni', supr', w's 9ore*+ose% in +ig8t o9 t8is *onstru*tion. 58en = ""<8 w's be9ore t8e New
York .egis+'ture, its 'ttention w's %ire*te% to ,eop+e v. /inke+stein 's %e9ining t8e n'ture o9
s*ienter reFuire% to sust'in t8e st'tute. 196B N.Y.S..eg.$nn. B"<B6. 5e m'( t8ere9ore in9er t8't
t8e re9eren*e in provision (i! to know+e%ge o9 :t8e *8'r'*ter 'n% *ontent o9 'n( m'teri'+ %es*ribe%
8erein: in*orpor'tes t8e g+oss given t8e term :*8'r'*ter: in ,eop+e v. /inke+stein. 7n t8't
*ir*umst'n*e, 2is8kin reFuires reCe*tion o9 'ppe++'nt@s *8'++enge to provision (i! 'n% m'kes it
unne*ess'r( 9or
,'ge 390 U. S. 6"B
us to %e9ine 9urt8er to%'( :w8't sort o9 ment'+ e+ement is reFuisite to ' *onstitution'++( permissib+e
prose*ution,: Smit8 v. C'+i9orni', supr', 't 361 U. S. 1B".
$ppe++'nt '+so 'tt'*ks provision (ii! 's impermissib+( v'gue. 38is 'tt'*k 8owever is +eve+e% on+( 't
t8e proviso '**or%ing t8e %e9en%'nt ' %e9ense o9 :8onest mist'ke: 's to t8e 'ge o9 t8e minor.
$ppe++'nt 'rgues t8't :t8e st'tute %oes not te++ t8e bookse++er w8't e99ort 8e must m'ke be9ore 8e
*'n be eD*use%.: 38e 'rgument is w8o++( wit8out merit. 38e proviso st'tes eDpress+( t8't t8e
%e9en%'nt must be '*Fuitte% on t8e groun% o9 :8onest mist'ke: i9 t8e %e9en%'nt proves t8't 8e
m'%e :' re'son'b+e bon' 9i%e 'ttempt to 's*ert'in t8e true 'ge o9 su*8 minor.: C9. 196# ,en'+
.'w = 23B.22(2!, n 1, supr'.
$99irme%.
>/or *on*urring opinion o9 20. &US37C- 4$0.$N see post, p. 390 U. S. #0".?
I390 U.S. 629'pp'I
$,,-N)7J $ 31 1,7N71N 1/ 34- C1U03.
New York ,en'+ .'w = ""<8 's en'*te% b( ..196B, *. 32#, provi%esA
:= ""<8. -Dposing minors to 8'rm9u+ m'teri'+s:
:1. )e9initions. $s use% in t8is se*tionA :
:('! @2inor@ me'ns 'n( person un%er t8e 'ge o9 seventeen (e'rs.:
:(b! @Nu%it(@ me'ns t8e s8owing o9 t8e 8um'n m'+e or 9em'+e genit'+s, pubi* 're' or butto*ks wit8
+ess t8'n ' 9u++ op'Fue *overing, or t8e s8owing o9 t8e 9em'+e bre'st wit8 +ess t8'n ' 9u++( op'Fue
*overing o9 'n( portion t8ereo9 be+ow t8e top o9 t8e nipp+e, or t8e %epi*tion o9 *overe% m'+e
genit'+s in ' %is*ernib+( turgi% st'te. :
,'ge 390 U. S. 6"6
:(*! @SeDu'+ *on%u*t@ me'ns '*ts o9 m'sturb'tion, 8omoseDu'+it(, seDu'+ inter*ourse, or p8(si*'+
*ont'*t wit8 ' person@s *+ot8e% or un*+ot8e% genit'+s, pubi* 're', butto*ks or, i9 su*8 person be '
9em'+e, bre'st.:
:(%! @SeDu'+ eD*itement@ me'ns t8e *on%ition o9 8um'n m'+e or 9em'+e genit'+s w8en in ' st'te o9
seDu'+ stimu+'tion or 'rous'+.:
:(e! @S'%o<m'so*8isti* 'buse@ me'ns 9+'ge++'tion or torture b( or upon ' person *+'% in
un%erg'rments, ' m'sk or bi;'rre *ostume, or t8e *on%ition o9 being 9ettere%, boun% or ot8erwise
p8(si*'++( restr'ine% on t8e p'rt o9 one so *+ot8e%.:
:(9! @4'rm9u+ to minors@ me'ns t8't Fu'+it( o9 'n( %es*ription or represent'tion, in w8'tever 9orm,
o9 nu%it(, seDu'+ *on%u*t, seDu'+ eD*itement, or s'%om'so*8isti* 'buse, w8en itA :
:(i! pre%omin'nt+( 'ppe'+s to t8e prurient, s8'me9u+ or morbi% interest o9 minors, 'n%:
:(ii! is p'tent+( o99ensive to prev'i+ing st'n%'r%s in t8e '%u+t *ommunit( 's ' w8o+e wit8 respe*t to
w8't is suit'b+e m'teri'+ 9or minors, 'n%:
:(iii! is utter+( wit8out re%eeming so*i'+ import'n*e 9or minors.:
:(g! @6nowing+(@ me'ns 8'ving gener'+ know+e%ge o9, or re'son to know, or ' be+ie9 or groun% 9or
be+ie9 w8i*8 w'rr'nts 9urt8er inspe*tion or inFuir( o9 bot8A :
:(i! t8e *8'r'*ter 'n% *ontent o9 'n( m'teri'+ %es*ribe% 8erein w8i*8 is re'son'b+( sus*eptib+e o9
eD'min'tion b( t8e %e9en%'nt, 'n%:
:(ii! t8e 'ge o9 t8e minor, provi%e% 8owever, t8't 'n 8onest mist'ke s8'++ *onstitute 'n eD*use
9rom +i'bi+it( 8ereun%er i9 t8e %e9en%'nt m'%e ' re'son'b+e bon' 9i%e 'ttempt to 's*ert'in t8e
true 'ge o9 su*8 minor. :
,'ge 390 U. S. 6"#
:2. 7t s8'++ be un+'w9u+ 9or 'n( person knowing+( to se++ or +o'n 9or monet'r( *onsi%er'tion to '
minorA :
:('! 'n( pi*ture, p8otogr'p8, %r'wing, s*u+pture, motion pi*ture 9i+m, or simi+'r visu'+
represent'tion or im'ge o9 ' person or portion o9 t8e 8um'n bo%( w8i*8 %epi*ts nu%it(, seDu'+
*on%u*t or s'%o<m'so*8isti* 'buse 'n% w8i*8 is 8'rm9u+ to minors, or:
:(b! 'n( book, p'mp8+et, m'g';ine, printe% m'tter 8owever repro%u*e%, or soun% re*or%ing
w8i*8 *ont'ins 'n( m'tter enumer'te% in p'r'gr'p8 ('! o9 sub%ivision two 8ereo9, or eDp+i*it 'n%
%et'i+e% verb'+ %es*riptions or n'rr'tive '**ounts o9 seDu'+ eD*itement, seDu'+ *on%u*t or s'%o<
m'so*8isti* 'buse 'n% w8i*8, t'ken 's ' w8o+e, is 8'rm9u+ to minors.:
:3. 7t s8'++ be un+'w9u+ 9or 'n( person knowing+( to eD8ibit 9or ' monet'r( *onsi%er'tion to ' minor
or knowing+( to se++ to ' minor 'n '%mission ti*ket or p'ss or knowing+( to '%mit ' minor 9or '
monet'r( *onsi%er'tion to premises w8ereon t8ere is eD8ibite%, ' motion pi*ture, s8ow or ot8er
present'tion w8i*8, in w8o+e or in p'rt, %epi*ts nu%it(, seDu'+ *on%u*t or s'%o<m'so*8isti* 'buse
'n% w8i*8 is 8'rm9u+ to minors.:
:". $ vio+'tion o9 'n( provision 8ereo9 s8'++ *onstitute ' mis%eme'nor.:
I390 U.S. 629'ppbI
$,,-N)7J E 31 1,7N71N 1/ 34- C1U03.
St'te obs*enit( st'tutes 8'ving some provision re9erring to %istribution to minors 'reA
C'+.,en.Co%e == 311<312 (Supp. 1966!G Co+o.0ev.St't.$nn. == "0<9<16 to "0<9 2# (1963!G
Conn.Gen.St't.0ev. == B3<2"3 to B3<2"B (Supp. 196B!G )e+.Co%e $nn., 3it. 11, == "3B, #11<#13
(19B3!G /+'.St't.$nn. == "#.011<"#.06 (196B 'n% Supp. 196!G G'.Co%e $nn. == 26<6301 to
26<6309' (Supp. 196#!G 4'w'ii 0ev..'ws
,'ge 390 U. S. 6"
= 26#< (19BB!G 7%'8o Co%e $nn == 1<1B06 to 1<1B10 (Supp. 196#!G 7++.$nn.St't., *. 3, == 11<
20 to 11<21 (Supp. 196#!G 7ow' Co%e $nn. == #2B."<#2B.12 (19B0!G 6(.0ev.St't. == "36.100<
"36.130, "36.B"0<"36.B0 (1963 'n% Supp. 1966!G .'.0ev.St't. == 1"A91.11, 1"A92, 1"A106
(Supp. 196#!G 2e.0ev.St't.$nn., 3it. 1#, == 2901<290B (196"!G 2%.$nn.Co%e, $rt. 2#, == "1#<"2B
(19B# 'n% Supp. 196#!G 2'ss.Gen..'ws $nn., *. 2#2 == 2<33 (19B9 'n% Supp. 196!G
2i*8.St't.$nn. == 2.B#B<2.B#9 (19B" 'n% Supp. 196!G 2o.$nn.St't. == B63.2#0<B63.310
(19B3 'n% Supp. 196#!G 2ont.0ev.Co%es $nn. == 9"<3601 to 9"<3606 (19"# 'n% Supp. 196#!G
Neb.0ev.St't. == 2<926.09 to 2<926.10 (196B Cum.Supp.!G Nev.0ev.St't. == 201.2B0, 20#.10
(196B!G N.4.0ev.St't.$nn. == B#1<$A1 to B#1<$AB (Supp. 196#!G N.&.St't.$nn. == 2$A11B<1.1 to
2$A11B<" (Supp. 196#!G N.C.Gen.St't. = 1"<19 (Supp. 196#!G N.).Cent.Co%e == 12<21<0# to 12<
21<09 (1960!G 18io 0ev.Co%e $nn. == 2903.10<2903.11, 290B.3"<290B.39 (19B" 'n% Supp.
1966!G 1k+'.St't.$nn., 3it. 21, == 1021<102", 1032<1039 (19B 'n% Supp. 196#!G ,'.St't.$nn.,
3it. 1, == 331<333, "B2" (1963 'n% Supp. 196#!G 0.7.Gen..'ws $nn. == 11<31<1 to 11<31<10
(19B6 'n% Supp. 196#!G S.C.Co%e $nn. == 16<"1".1 to 16<"21 (1962 'n% Supp. 196#!G
3eD.,en.Co%e, $rts. B26, B2#b (19B2 'n% Supp. 196#!G Ut'8 Co%e $nn. = #6<39<B, #6<39<1#
(Supp. 196#!G Kt.St't.$nn., 3it. 13, == 201<20B (19B9!G K'.Co%e $nn. == 1.1<22# to 1.1<
236.3 (1960 'n% Supp. 1966!G 5.K'.Co%e $nn. = 61<<11 (1966!G 5(o.St't.$nn. == 6<103, #<1"
(19B#!.
>/ootnote 1?
$ppe++'nt m'kes no 'tt'*k upon = ""<8 's 'pp+ie%. 5e t8ere9ore 8've no o**'sion to *onsi%er
t8e su99i*ien*( o9 t8e evi%en*e, or su*8 issues 's bur%en o9 proo9, w8et8er eDpert evi%en*e is
eit8er reFuire% or permissib+e, or 'n( ot8er Fuestions w8i*8 mig8t be pertinent to t8e 'pp+i*'tion
o9 t8e st'tute. $ppe++'nt %oes 'rgue t8't, be*'use t8e tri'+ Cu%ge in*+u%e% ' 9in%ing t8't two o9 t8e
m'g';ines :*ont'ine% verb'+ %es*riptions 'n% n'rr'tive '**ounts o9 seDu'+ eD*itement 'n%
seDu'+ *on%u*t,: 'n o99ense not *8'rge% in t8e in9orm'tions, t8e *onvi*tion must be set 'si%e
un%er Co+e v. $rk'ns's, 333 U. S. 196. Eut t8is *'se w's trie%, 'n% t8e 'ppe++'nt w's 9oun%
gui+t(, on+( on t8e *8'rges o9 se++ing m'g';ines *ont'ining pi*tures %epi*ting 9em'+e nu%it(. 7t is
t8ere9ore not ' *'se w8ere %e9en%'nt w's trie% 'n% *onvi*te% o9 ' vio+'tion o9 one o99ense w8en
8e w's *8'rge% wit8 ' %istin*t+( 'n% subst'nti'++( %i99erent o99ense.
38e 9u++ teDt o9 = ""<8 is 'tt'*8e% 's 390 U. S. 7t w's en'*te% in .. 196B, *. 32#, to rep+'*e 'n
e'r+ier version 8e+% inv'+i% b( t8e New York Court o9 $ppe'+s in ,eop+e v. 6'8'n, 1B N.Y.2% 311,
206 N.-.2% 333, 'n% ,eop+e v. Eook*'se, 7n*., 1" N.Y.2% "09, 201 N.-.2% 1". Se*tion ""<8, in
turn, w's rep+'*e% b( ..196#, *. #91, now == 23B.20<23B.22 o9 t8e ,en'+ .'w. 38e m'Cor
*8'nges un%er t8e 196# +'w '%%e% ' provision t8't t8e one *8'rge% wit8 ' vio+'tion :is presume%
to >se++? wit8 know+e%ge o9 t8e *8'r'*ter 'n% *ontent o9 t8e m'teri'+ so+% . . . ,: 'n% t8e provision
t8't
:it is 'n '99irm'tive %e9ense t8'tA ('! 38e %e9en%'nt 8'% re'son'b+e *'use to be+ieve t8't t8e
minor invo+ve% w's seventeen (e'rs o+% or more, 'n% (b! Su*8 minor eD8ibite% to t8e %e9en%'nt '
%r'9t *'r%, %river@s +i*ense, birt8 *erti9i*'te or ot8er o99i*i'+ or 'pp'rent+( o99i*i'+ %o*ument
purporting to est'b+is8 t8't su*8 minor w's seventeen (e'rs o+% or more.:
Neit8er '%%ition is invo+ve% in t8is *'se. 5e intim'te no view w8'tever upon t8e *onstitution'+
v'+i%it( o9 t8e presumption. See in gener'+ Smit8 v. C'+i9orni', 361 U. S. 1"#G Speiser v. 0'n%'++,
3B# U. S. B13G "1 N.Y.U...0ev. #91 (1966!G 30 $+b'n( ..0ev. 133 (1966!.
38e 196# +'w '+so repe'+e% outrig8t = ""<i, w8i*8 8'% been en'*te% one week '9ter = ""<8.
..196B, *. 32#. 7t 9orb'%e s'+es to minors un%er t8e 'ge o9 1. 38e New York Court o9 $ppe'+s
sust'ine% its v'+i%it( 'g'inst ' *8'++enge t8't it w's voi% 9or v'gueness. ,eop+e v. 3'nnenb'um,
1 N.Y.2% 26, 220 N.-.2% #3. /or 'n 'n'+(sis o9 = ""<i 'n% ' *omp'rison wit8 = ""<8, see 33
Erook+(n ..0ev. 329 (196#!.
>/ootnote 2?
38e *'se is not moot. 38e 'ppe++'nt mig8t 8've been senten*e% to one (e'r@s imprisonment, or '
LB00 9ine or bot8. N.Y.,en'+ .'w = 193#. 38e tri'+ Cu%ge, 8owever, eDer*ise% 'ut8orit( un%er
N.Y.,en'+ .'w = 21, 'n%, on 2'( 1#, 1966, suspen%e% senten*e on '++ *ounts. Un%er = "#' o9
t8e New York Co%e o9 Crimin'+ ,ro*e%ure, t8e Cu%ge *ou+% t8ere'9ter re*'++ 'ppe++'nt 'n% impose
senten*e on+( wit8in one (e'r, or be9ore 2'( 1#, 196#. 38e Cu%ge %i% not %o so. $+t8oug8 St.
,ierre v. Unite% St'tes, 319 U. S. "1, 8e+% t8't ' *rimin'+ *'se 8'% be*ome moot w8en t8e
petitioner 9inis8e% serving 8is senten*e be9ore %ire*t review in t8is Court, St. ,ierre '+so
re*ogni;e% t8't t8e *'se wou+% not 8've been moot 8'%
:petitioner s8own t8't, un%er eit8er st'te or 9e%er'+ +'w, 9urt8er pen'+ties or %is'bi+ities *'n be
impose% on 8im 's resu+t o9 t8e Cu%gment w8i*8 8's now been s'tis9ie%.:
7%. 't 319 U. S. "3. 38e St'te o9 New York *on*e%es in its brie9 in t8is Court '%%resse% to
mootness :t8't *ert'in %is'bi+ities %o 9+ow 9rom t8e *onvi*tion.: 38e brie9 st'tes t8't 'mong t8ese
is :t8e possibi+it( o9 ine+igibi+it( 9or +i*ensing un%er st'te 'n% muni*ip'+ +i*ense +'ws regu+'ting
v'rious +'w9u+ o**up'tions. . . .: Sin*e t8e 'rgument, t8e p'rties '%vise% t8e Court t8't, '+t8oug8
t8is is t8e 9irst time 'ppe++'nt 8's been *onvi*te% o9 'n( *rime, t8is *onvi*tion mig8t resu+t in t8e
revo*'tion o9 t8e +i*ense reFuire% b( muni*ip'+ +'w 's ' prereFuisite to eng'ging in t8e
+un*8eonette business 8e *'rries on in Ee++more, New York. Ee++more is 'n :unin*orpor'te%
vi++'ge: wit8in t8e 3own o9 4empste'%, .ong 7s+'n%, 196# N.Y.S..eg.2'n. 11B". 38e town 8's '
+i*ensing or%in'n*e w8i*8 provi%es t8't t8e :Commissioner o9 Eui+%ings . . . m'( suspen% or
revoke 'n( +i*ense issue%, in 8is %is*retion, 9or . . .(e! *onvi*tion o9 'n( *rime.: .. 21, 3own o9
4empste'%, e99. )e*ember 1, 1966, = .1(e!. 7n t8ese *ir*umst'n*es, t8e *'se is not moot, sin*e
t8e *onvi*tion m'( ent'i+ *o++'ter'+ *onseFuen*es su99i*ient to bring t8e *'se wit8in t8e St. ,ierre
eD*eption. See /iswi*k v. Unite% St'tes, 329 U. S. 211, 329 U. S. 220<222. 5e were not 'b+e to
re'*8 t8't *on*+usion in 3'nnenb'um v. New York, 3 U. S. "39, or &'*obs v. New York, 3 U.
S. "31, in w8i*8 t8e 'ppe'+s were %ismisse% 's moot. 7n 3'nnenb'um, t8ere w's no *ontention
t8't t8e *onvi*tions un%er t8e now repe'+e% = ""<i ent'i+e% 'n( *o++'ter'+ *onseFuen*es. 7n
&'*obs, t8e 'ppe'+ w's %ismisse% on motion o9 t8e St'te w8i*8 '++ege%, inter '+i', t8't New York
+'w %i% not impose :'n( 9urt8er pen'+t( upon *onvi*tion o9 t8e mis%eme'nor 8ere in issue.:
$ppe++'nt %i% not t8ere s8ow, or *onten%, t8't 8is +i*ense mig8t be revoke% 9or :*onvi*tion o9 'n(
*rime:G 8e 'sserte% on+( t8't t8e *onvi*tion mig8t be t8e b'sis o9 ' suspension un%er ' provision
o9 t8e $%ministr'tive Co%e o9 t8e Cit( o9 New York reFuiring t8e )ep'rtment o9 .i*enses to 'ssure
t8't motion pi*ture t8e'tres 're not *on%u*te% in ' m'nner o99ensive to :pub+i* mor'+s.:
>/ootnote 3?
1ne o9 t8e m'g';ines w's 'n issue o9 t8e m'g';ine :Sir.: 5e 8e+% in Gent v. $rk'ns's, %e*i%e%
wit8 0e%rup v. New York, 36 U. S. #6#, 36 U. S. #69, t8't 'n $rk'ns's st'tute w8i*8 %i% not
re9+e*t ' spe*i9i* 'n% +imite% st'te *on*ern 9or Cuveni+es w's un*onstitution'+ inso9'r 's it w's
'pp+ie% to suppress %istribution o9 'not8er issue o9 t8't m'g';ine. 1t8er *'ses w8i*8 turne% on
9in%ings o9 nonobs*enit( o9 t8is t(pe o9 m'g';ine in*+u%eA Centr'+ 2'g';ine S'+es, .t%. v. Unite%
St'tes, 39 U. S. B0G Conner v. Cit( o9 4'mmon%, 39 U. S. "G ,otom'* News Co. v. Unite%
St'tes, 39 U. S. "#G 2';es v. 18io, 3 U. S. "B3G $ Mu'ntit( o9 Eooks v. 6'ns's, 3 U. S.
"B2G Eooks, 7n*. v. Unite% St'tes, 3 U. S. ""9G $%'( v. Unite% St'tes, 3 U. S. ""#G $v'nsino
v. New York, 3 U. S. ""6G S8ep8er% v. New York, 3 U. S. """G /rie%m'n v. New York, 3 U.
S. ""1G 6ene( v. New York, 3 U. S. ""0G see '+so 0osenb+oom v. Kirgini', 3 U. S. "B0G
Suns8ine Eook Co. v. Summer9ie+%, 3BB U. S. 3#2
>/ootnote "?
,eop+e v. 3'nnenb'um, 1 N.Y.2% 26, 2#0, 220 N.-.2% #3, #B, %ismisse% 's moot, 3 U. S.
"39. 38e *on*ept o9 v'ri'b+e obs*enit( is %eve+ope% in .o*k8'rt N 2*C+ure, Censors8ip o9
1bs*enit(A 38e )eve+oping Constitution'+ St'n%'r%s, "B 2inn...0ev. B (1960!. $t B, t8e 'ut8ors
st'teA
:K'ri'b+e obs*enit( . . . 9urnis8es ' use9u+ 'n'+(ti*'+ too+ 9or %e'+ing wit8 t8e prob+em o9 %en(ing
'%o+es*ents '**ess to m'teri'+ 'ime% 't ' prim'r( 'u%ien*e o9 seDu'++( m'ture '%u+ts. /or
v'ri'b+e obs*enit( 9o*uses 'ttention upon t8e m'keup o9 prim'r( 'n% perip8er'+ 'u%ien*es in
v'r(ing *ir*umst'n*es, 'n% provi%es ' re'son'b+( s'tis9'*tor( me'ns 9or %e+ine'ting t8e obs*ene
in e'*8 *ir*umst'n*e.:
>/ootnote B?
Suggestions t8't +egis+'tures mig8t give 'ttention to +'ws %e'+ing spe*i9i*'++( wit8 s'9egu'r%ing
*8i+%ren 'g'inst pornogr'p8i* m'teri'+ 8've been m'%e b( m'n( Cu%ges 'n% *omment'tors. See,
e.g., &'*obe++is v. 18io, 3# U. S. 1", 3# U. S. 19B (opinion o9 &US37C-S E0-NN$N 'n%
Go+%berg!G i%. 't 3# U. S. 201 (%issenting opinion o9 34- C47-/ &US37C-!G Gin;burg v. Unite%
St'tes, 33 U. S. "63, 33 U. S. "9, n. 1 (%issenting opinion o9 20. &US37C- S3-5$03!G
7nterst'te Cir*uit, 7n*. v. Cit( o9 )'++'s, 366 /.2% B90, B93G 7n re .ouisi'n' News Co., 1# /.Supp.
2"1, 2"#G Unite% St'tes v. .evine, 3 /.2% 1B6G Unite% St'tes v. )ennett, 39 /.2% B6"G 0. 6u8,
/oo+is8 /ig+e'vesO 2B<260 (196#!G -merson, 3ow'r% ' Gener'+ 38eor( o9 t8e /irst $men%ment,
#2 Y'+e ..&. ##, 939 (1963!G Gerber, $ Suggeste% So+ution to t8e 0i%%+e o9 1bs*enit(, 112
U.,'...0ev. 3", " (196"!G 4enkin, 2or'+s 'n% t8e ConstitutionA 38e Sin o9 1bs*enit(, 63
Co+...0ev. 391, "13, n. 6 (1963!G 6'+ven, 38e 2et'p8(si*s o9 t8e .'w o9 1bs*enit(, 1960
Sup.Ct.0ev. 1, #G 2'gr't8, 38e 1bs*enit( C'sesA Gr'pes o9 0ot8, 1966 Sup.Ct.0ev. #, #B.
38e obs*enit( +'ws o9 3B ot8er St'tes in*+u%e provisions re9erring to minors. 38e +'ws 're +iste%
in 390 U. S. None is ' pre*ise *ounterp'rt o9 New York@s = "<8, 'n% we imp+( no view w8'tever
on Fuestions o9 t8eir *onstitution'+it(.
>/ootnote 6?
2'n( *omment'tors, in*+u%ing m'n( *ommitte% to t8e proposition t8't :>n?o gener'+ restri*tion on
eDpression in terms o9 obs*enit(@ *'n . . . be re*on*i+e% wit8 t8e 9irst 'men%ment,: re*ogni;e t8't
:t8e power o9 t8e st'te to *ontro+ t8e *on%u*t o9 *8i+%ren re'*8es be(on% t8e s*ope o9 its 'ut8orit(
over '%u+ts,: 'n% '**or%ing+( '*know+e%ge ' supervening st'te interest in t8e regu+'tion o9
+iter'ture so+% to *8i+%ren, -merson, 3ow'r% ' Gener'+ 38eor( o9 t8e /irst $men%ment, #2 Y'+e
..&. ##, 93, 939 (1963!A
:)i99erent 9'*tors *ome into p+'(, '+so, w8ere t8e interest 't st'ke is t8e e99e*t o9 eroti* eDpression
upon *8i+%ren. 38e wor+% o9 *8i+%ren is not stri*t+( p'rt o9 t8e '%u+t re'+m o9 9ree eDpression. 38e
9'*tor o9 imm'turit(, 'n% per8'ps ot8er *onsi%er'tions, impose %i99erent ru+es. 5it8out 'ttempting
8ere to 9ormu+'te t8e prin*ip+es re+ev'nt to 9ree%om o9 eDpression 9or *8i+%ren, it su99i*es to s'(
t8't regu+'tions o9 *ommuni*'tion '%%resse% to t8em nee% not *on9orm to t8e reFuirements o9
t8e 9irst 'men%ment in t8e s'me w'( 's t8ose 'pp+i*'b+e to '%u+ts.:
See '+so Gerber, supr', 't "G 6'+ven, supr', 't #G 2'gr't8, supr', 't #B. ,rin*e v.
2'ss'*8usetts is urge% to be *onstitution'+ 'ut8orit( 9or su*8 regu+'tion. See, e.g., 6u8, supr', 't
2B<260G Comment, -D*+usion o9 C8i+%ren 9rom Kio+ent 2ovies, 6# Co+...0ev. 11"9, 11B9<1160
(196#!G Note, Constitution'+ ,rob+ems in 1bs*enit( .egis+'tion ,rote*ting C8i+%ren, B" Geo...&.
13#9 (1966!.
>/ootnote #?
1ne *omment'tor w8o 'rgues t8't obs*enit( +egis+'tion mig8t be *onstitution'++( %e9e*tive 's 'n
imposition o9 ' sing+e st'n%'r% o9 pub+i* mor'+it( wou+% give e99e*t to t8e p'rent'+ ro+e 'n% '**ept
+'ws re+'ting on+( to minors. 4enkin, 2or'+s 'n% t8e ConstitutionA 38e Sin o9 1bs*enit(, 63
Co+...0ev. 391, "13, n. 6 (1963!A
:1ne must *onsi%er '+so 8ow mu*8 %i99eren*e it m'kes i9 +'ws 're %esigne% to prote*t on+( t8e
mor'+s o9 ' *8i+%. 58i+e m'n( o9 t8e *onstitution'+ 'rguments 'g'inst mor'+s +egis+'tion 'pp+(
eFu'++( to +egis+'tion prote*ting t8e mor'+s o9 *8i+%ren, one *'n we++ %istinguis8 +'ws w8i*8 %o not
impose ' mor'+it( on *8i+%ren, but w8i*8 support t8e rig8t o9 p'rents to %e'+ wit8 t8e mor'+s o9
t8eir *8i+%ren 's t8e( see 9it.:
See '+so -+i's, SeD ,ub+i*'tions 'n% 2or'+ CorruptionA 38e Supreme Court )i+emm', 9 5m. N
2'r( ..0ev. 302, 320<321 (196#!.
>/ootnote ?
Comp're 2emoirs v. 2'ss'*8usetts, 33 U.S. 't 33 U. S. "2" (opinion o9 )1UG.$S, &.! wit8
i%. 't 33 U. S. ""1 (opinion o9 C+'rk, &.!. See 6u8, supr', **. 1<19G G'(+in, Eook 0eview, ##
Y'+e ..&. B#9, B91<B9B (196!G 2'gr't8, supr', 't B2.
>/ootnote 9?
1ur *on*+usion in 0ot8, 't 3B" U. S. "6<"#, t8't t8e *+e'r 'n% present %'nger test w's
irre+ev'nt to t8e %etermin'tion o9 obs*enit( m'%e it unne*ess'r( in t8't *'se to *onsi%er t8e
%eb'te 'mong t8e 'ut8orities w8et8er eDposure to pornogr'p8( *'use% 'ntiso*i'+ *onseFuen*es.
See '+so 2is8kin v. New York, supr'G Gin;burg v. Unite% St'tes, supr'G 2emoirs v.
2'ss'*8usetts, supr'.
>/ootnote 10?
2'gr't8, supr', 't B2. See, e.g., i%. 't "9<B6G )ibb+e, 1bs*enit(A St'te Mu'r'ntine to ,rote*t
C8i+%ren, 39 So.C'+...0ev. 3"B (1966!G 5'++, 1bs*enit( 'n% Yout8A 38e ,rob+em 'n% ' ,ossib+e
So+ution, Crim...Eu++., Ko+. 1, No. , pp. 2, 30 (196B!G Note, BB C'+...0ev. 926, 93" (196#!G
Comment, 3" /or%...0ev. 692, 69" (1966!. See '+so &. ,'u+ N 2. S*8w'rt;, /e%er'+ Censors8ipA
1bs*enit( in t8e 2'i+, 191<192G E+'ke(, Eook 0eview, "1 Notre )'me .'w. 10BB, 1060, n. "6
(1966!G Green, 1bs*enit(, Censors8ip, 'n% &uveni+e )e+inFuen*(, 1" U. 3oronto ..0ev. 229, 2"9
(1962!G .o*k8'rt N 2*C+ure, .iter'ture, 38e .'w o9 1bs*enit(, 'n% t8e Constitution, 3
2inn...0ev. 29B, 3#3<3B (19B"!G Note, B2 6(...&. "29, ""# (196"!. Eut %espite t8e vigor o9 t8e
ongoing *ontrovers( w8et8er obs*ene m'teri'+ wi++ per*eptib+( *re'te ' %'nger o9 'ntiso*i'+
*on%u*t, or wi++ prob'b+( in%u*e its re*ipients to su*8 *on%u*t, ' me%i*'+ pr'*titioner re*ent+(
suggeste% t8't t8e possibi+it( o9 8'rm9u+ e99e*ts to (out8 *'nnot be %ismisse% 's 9rivo+ous. )r.
G'(+in o9 t8e Co+umbi' Universit( ,s(*8o'n'+(ti* C+ini*, reporting on t8e views o9 some
ps(*8i'trists in ## Y'+e ..&. 't B92<B93, s'i%A
:7t is in t8e perio% o9 growt8 >o9 (out8? w8en t8ese p'tterns o9 be8'vior 're +'i% %own, w8en
environment'+ stimu+i o9 '++ sorts must be integr'te% into ' work'b+e sense o9 se+9, w8en
sensu'+it( is being %e9ine% 'n% 9e'rs e+'bor'te%, w8en p+e'sure *on9ronts se*urit( 'n% impu+se
en*ounters *ontro+ << it is in t8is perio%, un%r'm'ti*'++( 'n% wit8 time, t8't +eg'+i;e% pornogr'p8(
m'( *on*eiv'b+( be %'m'ging.:
)r. G'(+in emp8'si;es t8't ' *8i+% mig8t not be 's we++ prep're% 's 'n '%u+t to m'ke 'n
inte++igent *8oi*e 's to t8e m'teri'+ 8e *8ooses to re'%A
:>,?s(*8i'trists . . . m'%e ' %istin*tion between t8e re'%ing o9 pornogr'p8(, 's un+ike+( to be per
se 8'rm9u+, 'n% t8e permitting o9 t8e re'%ing o9 pornogr'p8(, w8i*8 w's *on*eive% 's potenti'++(
%estru*tive. 38e *8i+% is prote*te% in 8is re'%ing o9 pornogr'p8( b( t8e know+e%ge t8't it is
pornogr'p8i*, i.e., %is'pprove%. 7t is outsi%e o9 p'rent'+ st'n%'r%s, 'n% not ' p'rt o9 8is
i%enti9i*'tion pro*esses. 3o open+( permit imp+ies p'rent'+ 'pprov'+, 'n% even suggests se%u*tive
en*our'gement. 79 t8is is so o9 p'rent'+ 'pprov'+, it is eFu'++( so o9 so*iet'+ 'pprov'+ << 'not8er
potent in9+uen*e on t8e %eve+oping ego.:
7%. 't 9".
20. &US37C- S3-5$03, *on*urring in t8e resu+t.
$ %o*trin'ire, knee<Cerk 'pp+i*'tion o9 t8e /irst $men%ment wou+%, o9 *ourse, %i*t'te t8e
nu++i9i*'tion o9
,'ge 390 U. S. 6"9
t8is New York st'tute. >/ootnote 2P1? Eut t8't resu+t is not reFuire%, 7 t8ink, i9 we be'r in min% w8't
it is t8't t8e /irst $men%ment prote*ts.
38e /irst $men%ment gu'r'ntees +ibert( o9 8um'n eDpression in or%er to preserve in our N'tion
w8't 2r. &usti*e 4o+mes *'++e% ' :9ree tr'%e in i%e's.: >/ootnote 2P2? 3o t8't en%, t8e Constitution
prote*ts more t8'n Cust ' m'n@s 9ree%om to s'( or write or pub+is8 w8't 8e w'nts. 7t se*ures 's
we++ t8e +ibert( o9 e'*8 m'n to %e*i%e 9or 8imse+9 w8't 8e wi++ re'% 'n% to w8't 8e wi++ +isten. 38e
Constitution gu'r'ntees, in s8ort, ' so*iet( o9 9ree *8oi*e. Su*8 ' so*iet( presupposes t8e
*'p'*it( o9 its members to *8oose.
58en eDpression o**urs in ' setting w8ere t8e *'p'*it( to m'ke ' *8oi*e is 'bsent, government
regu+'tion o9 t8't eDpression m'( *oeDist wit8 'n% even imp+ement /irst $men%ment gu'r'ntees.
So it w's t8't t8is Court sust'ine% ' *it( or%in'n*e pro8ibiting peop+e 9rom imposing t8eir
opinions on ot8ers :b( w'( o9 soun% tru*ks wit8 +ou% 'n% r'u*ous noises on *it( streets.:
>/ootnote 2P3? $n% so it w's t8't m( Erot8ers E.$C6 'n% )1UG.$S t8oug8t t8't t8e /irst
$men%ment itse+9 pro8ibits ' person 9rom 9oisting 8is uninvite% views upon t8e members o9 '
*'ptive 'u%ien*e. >/ootnote 2P"?
7 t8ink ' St'te m'( permissib+( %etermine t8't, 't +e'st in some pre*ise+( %e+ine'te% 're's, ' *8i+%
>/ootnote 2PB? << +ike someone in ' *'ptive 'u%ien*e << is not possesse% o9 t8't
,'ge 390 U. S. 6B0
9u++ *'p'*it( 9or in%ivi%u'+ *8oi*e w8i*8 is t8e presupposition o9 /irst $men%ment gu'r'ntees. 7t is
on+( upon su*8 ' premise, 7 s8ou+% suppose, t8't ' St'te m'( %eprive *8i+%ren o9 ot8er rig8ts <<
t8e rig8t to m'rr(, 9or eD'mp+e, or t8e rig8t to vote << %epriv'tions t8't wou+% be *onstitution'++(
into+er'b+e 9or '%u+ts. >/ootnote 2P6?
7 *'nnot 8o+% t8't t8is st'te +'w, on its 9'*e, >/ootnote 2P#? vio+'tes t8e /irst 'n% /ourteent8
$men%ments.
>/ootnote 2P1?
38e /irst $men%ment is m'%e 'pp+i*'b+e to t8e St'tes t8roug8 t8e /ourteent8 $men%ment.
Stromberg v. C'+i9orni', 23 U. S. 3B9.
>/ootnote 2P2?
$br'ms v. Unite% St'tes, 2B0 U. S. 616, 2B0 U. S. 630 (%issenting opinion!.
>/ootnote 2P3?
6ov'*s v. Cooper, 336 U. S. ##, 336 U. S. 6.
>/ootnote 2P"?
,ub+i* Uti+ities Comm@n v. ,o++'k, 3"3 U. S. "B1, 3"3 U. S. "66 (%issenting opinion o9 20.
&US37C- E.$C6!, 3"3 U. S. "6# (%issenting opinion o9 20. &US37C- )1UG.$S!.
>/ootnote 2PB?
38e 'ppe++'nt %oes not *8'++enge New York@s power to %r'w t8e +ine 't 'ge 1#, 'n% 7 intim'te no
view upon t8't Fuestion.
>/ootnote 2P6?
Comp're .oving v. Kirgini', 3 U. S. 1, 3 U. S. 12G C'rrington v. 0's8, 30 U. S. 9, 30 U.
S. 96.
>/ootnote 2P#?
$s t8e Court notes, t8e 'ppe++'nt m'kes no 'rgument t8't t8e m'teri'+ in t8is *'se w's not
:8'rm9u+ to minors: wit8in t8e st'tutor( %e9inition, or t8't t8e st'tute w's un*onstitution'++(
'pp+ie%.
20. &US37C- )1UG.$S, wit8 w8om 20. &US37C- E.$C6 *on*urs, %issenting.
58i+e 7 wou+% be wi++ing to reverse t8e Cu%gment on t8e b'sis o9 0e%rup v. New York, 36 U. S.
#6#, 9or t8e re'sons st'te% b( m( Erot8er /103$S, m( obCe*tions strike %eeper.
79 we were in t8e 9ie+% o9 subst'ntive %ue pro*ess 'n% seeking to me'sure t8e propriet( o9 st'te
+'w b( t8e st'n%'r%s o9 t8e /ourteent8 $men%ment, 7 suppose t8ere wou+% be no %i99i*u+t( un%er
our %e*isions in sust'ining t8is '*t. /or t8ere is ' view 8e+% b( m'n( t8't t8e so<*'++e% :obs*ene:
book or tr'*t or m'g';ine 8's ' %e+eterious e99e*t upon t8e (oung, '+t8oug8 7 serious+( %oubt t8e
wis%om o9 tr(ing b( +'w to put t8e 9res8, ev'nes*ent, n'tur'+ b+ossoming o9 seD in t8e *'tegor( o9
:sin.:
38't, 8owever, w's t8e view o9 our pre*eptor in t8is 9ie+%, $nt8on( Comsto*k, w8o w'ge% 8is w'r
'g'inst :obs*enit(: 9rom t8e (e'r 1#2 unti+ 8is %e't8 in 191B. Some o9 8is views 're set 9ort8 in
8is book 3r'ps 9or t8e Young, 9irst pub+is8e% in 13, eD*erpts 9rom w8i*8 7 set out in 390 U. S.
,'ge 390 U. S. 6B1
38e tit+e o9 t8e book re9ers to :tr'ps: *re'te% b( S't'n :9or bo(s 'n% gir+s espe*i'++(.: Comsto*k,
o9 *ourse, oper'te% on t8e t8eor( t8't ever( 8um'n 8's 'n :inborn ten%en*( tow'r% wrong%oing
w8i*8 is restr'ine% m'in+( b( 9e'r o9 t8e 9in'+ Cu%gment.: 7n 8is view, 'n( book w8i*8 ten%e% to
remove t8't 9e'r is ' p'rt o9 t8e :tr'p: w8i*8 S't'n *re'te%. 4en*e, Comsto*k wou+% 8've
*on%emne% ' mu*8 wi%er r'nge o9 +iter'ture t8'n t8e present Court is 'pp'rent+( in*+ine% to %o.
>/ootnote 3P1?
7t w's Comsto*k w8o w's responsib+e 9or t8e /e%er'+ $nti<1bs*enit( $*t o9 2'r*8 3, 1#3. 1#
St't. B9. 7t w's 8e w8o w's '+so responsib+e 9or t8e New York $*t w8i*8 soon 9o++owe%. 4e w's
responsib+e 9or t8e org'ni;'tion o9 t8e New York So*iet( 9or t8e Suppression o9 Ki*e, w8i*8, b( its
'*t o9 in*orpor'tion, w's gr'nte% one<8'+9 o9 t8e 9ines +evie% on peop+e su**ess9u++( prose*ute%
b( t8e So*iet( or its 'gents.
7 wou+% *on*+u%e 9rom Comsto*k 'n% 8is 3r'ps 9or t8e Young 'n% 9rom ot8er 'ut8orities t8't '
+egis+'ture *ou+% not be s'i% to be w8o++( irr'tion'+ >/ootnote 3P2? (/erguson
,'ge 390 U. S. 6B2
v. Skrup', 3#2 U. S. #26, 'n% see 5i++i'mson v. .ee 1pti*'+ Co., 3" U. S. "3G )'nie+ v. /'mi+(
7ns. Co., 336 U. S. 220G 1+sen v. Nebr'sk', 313 U. S. 236! i9 it %e*i%e% t8't s'+e o9 :obs*ene:
m'teri'+ to t8e (oung s8ou+% be b'nne%. >/ootnote 3P3?
38e prob+em un%er t8e /irst $men%ment, 8owever, 8's '+w'(s seeme% to me to be Fuite
%i99erent. /or its m'n%'te (origin'++( 'pp+i*'b+e on+( to t8e /e%er'+ Government, but now
'pp+i*'b+e to t8e St'tes 's we++ b( re'son o9 t8e /ourteent8 $men%ment! is %ire*te% to 'n( +'w
:'bri%ging t8e 9ree%om o9 spee*8, or o9 t8e press.: 7 'ppre*i'te t8't t8ere 're t8ose w8o t8ink t8't
,'ge 390 U. S. 6B3
:obs*enit(: is imp+ie%+( eD*+u%e%G but 7 8've in%i*'te% on prior o**'sions w8( 7 8've been un'b+e
to re'*8 t8't *on*+usion. >/ootnote 3P"? See 33 U. S. 196 (*on*urring opinion o9 20. &US37C-
E.$C6!G 0ot8 v. Unite% St'tes, 3B" U. S. "#6, 3B" U. S. B0 (%issenting opinion!. $n% t8e
*oro++'r( o9 t8't view, 's 7 eDpresse% it in ,ub+i* Uti+ities Comm@n v. ,o++'k,H 3"3 U. S. "B1, 3"3
U. S. "6#, 3"3 U. S. "6 (%issenting opinion!, is t8't Eig Erot8er *'n no more s'( w8't ' person
s8'++ +isten to or re'% t8'n 8e *'n s'( w8't s8'++ be pub+is8e%.
38is is not to s'( t8't t8e Court 'n% $nt8on( Com sto*k 're wrong in *on*+u%ing t8't t8e kin% o9
+iter'ture New York *on%emns %oes 8'rm. $s ' m'tter o9 9'*t, t8e notion o9 *ensors8ip is 9oun%e%
on t8e be+ie9 t8't spee*8 'n% press sometimes %o 8'rm, 'n% t8ere9ore *'n be regu+'te%. 7 on*e
visite% ' 9oreign n'tion w8ere t8e regime o9 *ensors8ip w's so stri*t t8't '++ 7 *ou+% 9in% in t8e
bookst'++s were tr'*ts on re+igion 'n% tr'*ts on m't8em'ti*s. 3o%'( t8e Court %etermines t8e
*onstitution'+it( o9 New York@s +'w regu+'ting t8e s'+e o9 +iter'ture to *8i+%ren on t8e b'sis o9 t8e
re'son'b+eness o9 t8e +'w in +ig8t o9 t8e we+9're o9 t8e *8i+%. 79 t8e prob+em o9 st'te 'n% 9e%er'+
regu+'tion o9 :obs*enit(: is in t8e 9ie+% o9 subst'ntive %ue pro*ess, 7 see no re'son to +imit t8e
+egis+'tures to prote*ting *8i+%ren '+one. 38e :Cuveni+e %e+inFuents: 7 8've known 're most+( over
,'ge 390 U. S. 6BB
B0 (e'rs o9 'ge. 79 r'tion'+it( is t8e me'sure o9 t8e v'+i%it( o9 t8is +'w, t8en 7 *'n see 8ow mo%ern
$nt8on( Comsto*ks *ou+% m'ke out ' *'se 9or :prote*ting: m'n( groups in our so*iet(, not
mere+( *8i+%ren.
58i+e 7 9in% t8e +iter'ture 'n% movies w8i*8 *ome to us 9or *+e'r'n*e eD*ee%ing+( %u++ 'n% boring,
7 un%erst'n% 8ow some *'n 'n% %o be*ome ver( eD*ite% 'n% '+'rme%, 'n% t8ink t8't somet8ing
s8ou+% be %one to stop t8e 9+ow. 7t is one t8ing 9or p'rents >/ootnote 3PB? 'n% t8e re+igious
org'ni;'tions to be '*tive 'n% invo+ve%. 7t is Fuite ' %i99erent m'tter 9or t8e st'te to be*ome
imp+i*'te% 's ' *ensor. $s 7 re'% t8e /irst $men%ment, it w's %esigne% to keep t8e st'te 'n% t8e
8'n%s o9 '++ st'te o99i*i'+s o99 t8e printing presses o9 $meri*' 'n% o99 t8e %istribution s(stems 9or
'++ printe% +iter'ture. $nt8on( Comsto*k w'nte% it t8e ot8er w'(G 8e in%ee% put t8e po+i*e 'n%
prose*utor in t8e mi%%+e o9 t8is pub+is8ing business.
7 t8ink it wou+% reFuire ' *onstitution'+ 'men%ment to '*8ieve t8't resu+t. 79 t8ere were '
*onstitution'+ 'men%ment, per8'ps t8e peop+e o9 t8e *ountr( wou+% *ome up wit8 some n'tion'+
bo'r% o9 *ensors8ip. Censors 're, o9 *ourse, prope++e% b( t8eir own neuroses. >/ootnote 3P6?
,'ge 390 U. S. 6B6
38't is w8( ' univers'++( '**epte% %e9inition o9 obs*enit( is impossib+e. $n( %e9inition is in%ee%
8ig8+( subCe*tive, turning on t8e neurosis o9 t8e *ensor. 38ose w8o 8've ' %eep<se'te%,
sub*ons*ious *on9+i*t m'( we++ be*ome eit8er gre't *rus'%ers 'g'inst ' p'rti*u+'r kin% o9
+iter'ture or 'vi% *ustomers o9 it. >/ootnote 3P#? 38't, o9 *ourse, is t8e %'nger o9 +etting 'n( group
o9 *iti;ens be t8e Cu%ges o9 w8't ot8er peop+e, (oung or o+%, s8ou+% re'%. 38ose wou+% be issues
to be *'nv'sse% 'n% %eb'te% in *'se o9 ' *onstitution'+ 'men%ment *re'ting ' regime o9
*ensors8ip in t8e *ountr(. $n% i9 t8e peop+e, in t8eir wis%om, +'un*8e% us on t8't *ourse, it wou+%
be ' *onsi%ere% *8oi*e.
3o%'(, t8is Court sits 's t8e N'tion@s bo'r% o9 *ensors. 5it8 '++ respe*t, 7 %o not know o9 'n(
group in t8e *ountr( +ess Fu'+i9ie%, 9irst, to know w8't obs*enit( is w8en t8e( see it, 'n% se*on%,
to 8've 'n( *onsi%ere% Cu%gment 's to w8't t8e %e+eterious or bene9i*i'+ imp'*t o9 ' p'rti*u+'r
pub+i*'tion m'( be on min%s eit8er (oung or o+%.
7 wou+% 'w'it ' *onstitution'+ 'men%ment t8't 'ut8ori;e% t8e mo%ern $nt8on( Comsto*ks to
*ensor +iter'ture be9ore pub+is8ers, 'ut8ors, or %istributors *'n be 9ine% or C'i+e% 9or w8't t8e(
print or se++.
I390 U.S. 629'ppiI
$,,-N)7J 7 31 1,7N71N 1/ 20. &US37C- )1UG.$S, )7SS-N37NG
$. C12S31C6, 30$,S /10 34- Y1UNG 222 (13!.
$n% it *'me to p'ss t8't 's S't'n went to 'n% 9ro upon t8e e'rt8, w't*8ing 8is tr'ps 'n% reCoi*ing
over
,'ge 390 U. S. 6B#
8is numerous vi*tims, 8e 9oun% room 9or improvement in some o9 8is s*8emes. 38e %'i+( press
%i% not meet '++ 8is reFuirements. 38e week+( i++ustr'te% p'pers o9 *rime wou+% %o 9or (oung men
'n% sports, 9or brot8e+s, gin<mi++s, 'n% t8ieves@ resorts, but were 9oun% to be so gross, so
+ibi%inous, so monstrous, t8't ever( %e*ent person spurne% t8em. 38e( were eD*+u%e% 9rom t8e
8ome on sig8t. 38e( were too 8ig8<pri*e% 9or *8i+%ren, 'n% too *umbersome to be *onvenient+(
8i% 9rom t8e p'rent@s e(e or *'rrie% in t8e bo(@s po*ket. So 8e reso+ve% to m'ke 'not8er tr'p 9or
bo(s 'n% gir+s espe*i'++(.
4e '+so reso+ve% to m'ke t8e most o9 t8ese vi+e i++ustr'te% week+( p'pers b( +ining t8e news<
st'n%s 'n% s8op<win%ows '+ong t8e p't8w'( o9 t8e *8i+%ren 9rom 8ome to s*8oo+ 'n% *8ur*8, so
t8't t8e( *ou+% not go to 'n% 9rom t8ese p+'*es o9 instru*tion wit8out giving 8im opportunit( to
%e9i+e t8eir pure min%s b( 9+'unting t8ese 'tro*ities be9ore t8eir e(es.
$n% S't'n reCoi*e% gre't+( t8't pro9essing C8risti'ns were si+ent 'n% 'pp'rent+( '*Fuies*e% in 8is
p+'ns. 4e 9oun% t8't our most re9ine% men 'n% women went 9ree+( to tr'%e wit8 persons w8o
%isp+'(e% t8ese tr'ps 9or s'+eG t8't 9ew, i9 'n(, 8'% mor'+ *our'ge to enter ' protest 'g'inst t8is
pub+i* %isp+'( o9 in%e*en*ies, 'n% s*'r*e+( one in '++ t8e +'n% 8'% t8e bo+%ness to s'( to t8e
%e'+er in 9i+t8, :7 wi++ not give (ou one *ent o9 m( p'tron'ge so +ong 's (ou se++ t8ese %evi+<tr'ps to
ruin t8e (oung.: $n% 8e w's prou% o9 pro9essing C8risti'ns 'n% respe*t'b+e *iti;ens on t8is
'**ount, 'n% *'use% 8onor'b+e mention to be m'%e o9 t8em in gener'+ or%er to 8is imps,
be*'use o9 t8e Fuiet 'n% or%er+( 'ssist'n*e t8us ren%ere% 8im.
S't'n stirre% up *ert'in o9 8is wi++ing too+s on e'rt8 b( t8e promise o9 ' 9ew p'+tr( %o++'rs to
improve gre't+( on t8e %e't8<%e'+ing Fu'+it( o9 t8e week+( %e't8<tr'ps, 'n% 9ort8wit8 *'me '
series o9 new sn'res o9 9's*in'ting
,'ge 390 U. S. 6B
*onstru*tion, sm'++ 'n% tempting in pri*e, 'n% b'ite% wit8 8ig8<soun%ing n'mes. 38ese sure<ruin
tr'ps *omprise ' +'rge v'riet( o9 8'+9<%ime nove+s, 9ive 'n% ten *ent stor( p'pers, 'n% +ow<pri*e%
p'mp8+ets 9or bo(s 'n% gir+s.
38is *+'ss in*+u%es t8e si++(, insipi% t'+e, t8e *o'rse, s+'ng( stor( in t8e %i'+e*t o9 t8e b'rroom, t8e
b+oo%<'n%<t8un%er rom'n*e o9 bor%er +i9e, 'n% t8e eD'gger'te% %et'i+s o9 *rimes, re'+ 'n%
im'gin'r(. Some 8've 8ig8+( *o+ore% sens'tion'+ reports o9 re'+ *rimes, w8i+e ot8ers, 'n% b( 9'r
t8e +'rger number, %e'+ wit8 most improb'b+e *re'tions o9 9i*tion. 38e unre'+ 9'r outstrips t8e re'+.
Crimes 're gi+%e%, 'n% +'w+essness is p'inte% to resemb+e v'+or, m'king ' bi% 9or b'n%its,
brig'n%s, mur%erers, t8ieves, 'n% *rimin'+s in gener'+. 58o wou+% go to t8e St'te prison, t8e
g'mb+ing s'+oon, or t8e brot8e+ to 9in% ' suit'b+e *omp'nion 9or t8e *8i+%O Yet ' more insi%ious
9oe is se+e*te% w8en t8ese stories 're '++owe% to be*ome 'sso*i'tes 9or t8e *8i+%@s min% 'n% to
s8'pe 'n% %ire*t t8e t8oug8ts.
38e 9inest 9ruits o9 *ivi+i;'tion 're *onsume% b( t8ese vermin. N'(, t8ese pro%u*ts o9 *orrupt
min%s 're t8e eggs 9rom w8i*8 '++ kin%s o9 vi++'inies 're 8't*8e%. ,ut t8e entire b't*8 o9 t8ese
stories toget8er, 'n% 7 *8'++enge t8e pub+is8ers 'n% ven%ors to s8ow ' sing+e inst'n*e w8ere 'n(
bo( or gir+ 8's been e+ev'te% in mor'+s, or w8ere 'n( nob+e or re9ine% instin*t 8's been
%eve+ope% b( t8em.
38e +e'%ing *8'r'*ter in m'n(, i9 not in t8e v'st m'Corit(, o9 t8ese stories is some bo( or gir+ w8o
possesses usu'++( eDtr'or%in'r( be'ut( o9 *ounten'n*e, t8e most superb *+ot8ing, 'bun%'nt
we'+t8, t8e strengt8 o9 ' gi'nt, t8e 'gi+it( o9 ' sFuirre+, t8e *unning o9 ' 9oD, t8e br';en e99ronter(
o9 t8e most %'ring vi++'in, 'n% w8o is utter+( %estitute o9 'n( reg'r% 9or t8e +'ws o9 Go% or m'n.
Su*8 ' one is 9oremost 'mong %esper'%oes, t8e *omp'nion 'n%
,'ge 390 U. S. 6B9
be'u<i%e'+ o9 m'i%ens, 'n% t8e 8ig8 9'vorite o9 some ri*8 person, w8o b( 8is p'tron'ge 'n%
in%orsement +i9ts t8e (oung vi++'in into +o9t( positions in so*iet(, 'n% provi%es +iber'++( o9 8is we'+t8
to se*ure 8im immunit( 9or 8is *rimes. 38ese stories +ink t8e pure m'i%en wit8 t8e most 9ou+ 'n%
+o't8some *rimin'+s. 2'n( o9 t8em 9'vor vio+'tion o9 m'rri'ge +'ws 'n% *8e'pen 9em'+e virtue.
I390 U.S. 629'ppiiI
$,,-N)7J 77 31 1,7N71N 1/ 20. &US37C- )1UG.$S, )7SS-N37NG
$ S,-C7$. 31 34- 5$S47NG31N ,1S3
>2'r*8 3 196?
b(
$US37N C. 5-405-7N
58ite Ee'r .'ke, 2inn., 2'r*8 2. << /'*e% wit8 t8e t8re't o9 ' +'w suit, t8e s*8oo+ bo'r% in t8is
*ommunit( o9 12,000 nort8 o9 St. ,'u+ is reviewing its m'n%'tor( seD e%u*'tion *ourses, but
o99i*i'+s eDpresse% 9e'r t8't t8e( *ou+%n@t p+e'se ever(bo%(.
2ot8ers t8re'tene% to pi*ket 'n% keep t8eir *8i+%ren 8ome w8en seD e%u*'tion 9i+ms 're
s*8e%u+e%. 2rs. 0obert 2urp8(, t8e mot8er o9 9ive w8o +e% t8e protests, *8'rge% t8't t8e
e+ement'r( s*8oo+ :took t8e priv'*( out o9 m'rri'ge.:
:Now,@ s8e s'i%, @our ki%s know w8't ' s8ut be%room %oor me'ns. 38e progr'm is t'king t8eir
*8i+%8oo% 'w'(. 38e t8ir% gr'%ers went in to see ' movie on birt8 'n% *'me out '%u+ts.:
S8e s'i% se*on%<gr'%e gir+s 8've t'ken to w'+king 'roun% wit8 :'pp+es 'n% or'nges un%er t8eir
b+ouses.: 4er sevent8<gr'%e son w's given ' stu%( s8eet on menstru'tion, s8e s'i%, %em'n%ing
:w8( s8ou+% ' sevent8<gr'%e bo( 8've to know 'bout menstru'tionO:
2rs. 2urp8(, w8o 9e'rs t8e progr'm wi++ +e'% to eDperiment'tion,
,'ge 390 U. S. 660
s'i% t8't it w's :p'g'n: 'n% 'rgue% t8't even 'nim'+s %on@t te'*8 t8eir (oung t8ose t8ings
:be9ore t8e(@re re'%(.:
:1ne bo( in our b+o*k to+% 8is mot8er, Guess w8't, neDt week, our te'*8er@s gonn' te++ us 8ow
%'%%( 9erti+i;e% (ou,@: reporte% 2rs. 2'rtin C'pe%er. :38e( %on@t nee% to know '++ t8't.:
Eut Norm'n &ensen, prin*ip'+ o9 .in*o+n S*8oo+, s'i% t8't t8e progr'm, w8i*8 runs 9rom
kin%erg'rten t8roug8 t8e 12t8 gr'%e, w's 'pprove% b( t8e s*8oo+ %istri*t@s ,3$ *oun*i+, t8e 58ite
Ee'r .'ke 2inisteri'+ $sso*i'tion, 'n% t8e %istri*t s*8oo+ bo'r%. 7t w's b'se%, 8e s'i%, on po++s
t8't s8owe% 0 per*ent o9 t8e *8i+%ren got no 8ome seD e%u*'tion, 'n% t8e *urri*u+um w's
%esigne% to be :m'tter<o9<9'*t.:
38e protesting p'rents insiste% t8e( 8'% no obCe*tion to seD e%u*'tion 's su*8, but some s'i%
gir+s s8ou+% not get it unti+ 'ge 12, 'n% bo(s on+( 't 'ge 1B << :or w8en t8e( st'rt s8'ving.:
(7n ne'rb( St. ,'u+ ,'rk, #1 p'rents 8've 9orme% ' group *'++e% :Con*erne% ,'rents $g'inst SeD
-%u*'tion: 'n% 're p+'nning +eg'+ '*tion to prevent seD e%u*'tion 9rom kin%erg'rten t8roug8
sevent8 gr'%e. 38e( 8've '+so 'ske% eFu'+ time wit8 t8e ,3$s o9 eig8t s*8oo+s in t8e %istri*t :to
%is*uss topi*s su*8 's m'sturb'tion, *ontr'*eptives, unFu'+i9ie% instru*tors, re+igious be+ie9,
mor'+it( 'n% 'ttitu%es.:!
38e 58ite Ee'r protesters 8've presente% t8e s*8oo+ bo'r% wit8 ' +ist o9 terms 'n% %e9initions
%eeme% obCe*tion'b+e. )esigne% 9or t8e sevent8 gr'%e, it in*+u%e% v'gin', *+itoris, ere*tion,
inter*ourse 'n% *opu+'tion. $ 9i+m, *'++e% :/erti+i;'tion 'n% Eirt8: %epi*ts ' wom'n giving birt8. 7t
8's been m'%e option'+ '9ter being s8own to '++ *+'sses.
2rs. Ginn( 2*6'(, ' presi%ent o9 one o9 t8e +o*'+ ,3$s, %e9en%e% t8e progr'm, s'(ing :SeD is '
n'tur'+ 'n%
,'ge 390 U. S. 661
be'uti9u+ t8ing. 5e (t8e ,3$! re'+i;e% t8't t8e p'rents 8'% to get 'roun% to w8ere t8e ki%s 8've
been 9or ' +ong time.:
Eut 2rs. 2urp8( pre%i*te% t8is resu+tA :7nste'% o9 1B >si*? 'n% 1B<(e'r<o+% pregn'nt gir+s, t8e(@++
8've 12 'n% 13<(e'r<o+% pregn'nt gir+s.:
I390 U.S. 629'ppiiiI
$,,-N)7J 777 31 1,7N71N 1/ 20. &US37C- )1UG.$S, )7SS-N37NG
($! 3. SC401-)-0, 1ESC-N- .73-0$3U0- $N)
C1NS373U371N$. .$5 2##<2# (1911!
7t t8us 'ppe'rs t8't t8e on+( uni9(ing e+ement gener'+i;e% in t8e wor% :obs*ene,: (t8't is, t8e on+(
t8ing *ommon to ever( *on*eption o9 obs*enit( 'n% in%e*en*(!, is subCe*tive, is 'n '99i+i'te%
emotion o9 %is'pprov'+. 38is emotion un%er v'r(ing *ir*umst'n*es o9 temper'ment 'n% e%u*'tion
in %i99erent persons, 'n% in t8e s'me person in %i99erent st'ges o9 %eve+opment, is 'rouse% b(
entire+( %i99erent stimu+i, 'n% b( 9e'r o9 t8e Cu%gment o9 ot8ers, 'n% so 8's be*ome 'sso*i'te%
wit8 'n in9inite v'riet( o9 ever<*8'nging obCe*tives, wit8 not even one *ommon *8'r'*teristi* in
obCe*tive n'ture, t8't is, in +iter'ture or 'rt.
Sin*e 9ew men 8've i%enti*'+ eDperien*es, 'n% 9ewer sti++ evo+ve to 'n 'greement in t8eir
*on*eption'+ 'n% emotion'+ 'sso*i'tions, it must 9o++ow t8't pr'*ti*'++( none 8's t8e s'me
st'n%'r%s 9or Cu%ging t8e :obs*ene,: even w8en t8eir *on*+usions 'gree. 38e wor% :obs*ene,:
+ike su*8 wor%s 's %e+i*'te, ug+(, +ov'b+e, 8'te9u+, et*., is 'n 'bstr'*tion not b'se% upon '
re'sone% nor sense<per*eive% +ikeness between obCe*tives, but t8e se+e*tion or *+'ssi9i*'tion
un%er it is m'%e, on t8e b'sis o9 simi+'rit( in t8e emotions 'rouse%, b( 'n in9inite v'riet( o9
im'ges, 'n% ever( *+'ssi9i*'tion t8us m'%e, in turn, %epen%s in e'*8 person upon 8is 9e'rs, 8is
8opes, 8is
,'ge 390 U. S. 662
prior eDperien*e, suggestions, e%u*'tion, 'n% t8e %egree o9 neuro<seDu'+ or ps(*8o<seDu'+
8e'+t8. Ee*'use it is ' m'tter w8o++( o9 emotions, it 8's *ome to be t8't :men t8ink t8e( know
be*'use t8e( 9ee+, 'n% 're 9irm+( *onvin*e% be*'use strong+( 'git'te%.:
38is, t8en, is ' %emonstr'tion t8't obs*enit( eDists on+( in t8e min%s 'n% emotions o9 t8ose w8o
be+ieve in it, 'n% is not ' Fu'+it( o9 ' book or pi*ture. Sin*e, t8en, t8e gener'+ *on*eption
:obs*ene: is %evoi% o9 ever( obCe*tive e+ement o9 uni9i*'tion, 'n% sin*e t8e subCe*tive e+ement,
t8e 'sso*i'te% emotion, is in%e9in'b+e 9rom its ver( n'ture, 'n% in*onst'nt 's to t8e *8'r'*ter o9
t8e stimu+us *'p'b+e o9 'rousing it, 'n% v'ri'b+e 'n% imme'sur'b+e 's to its re+'tive %egrees o9
intensit(, it 9o++ows t8't t8e :obs*ene: is in*'p'b+e o9 '**ur'te %e9inition or ' gener'+ test
'%eFu'te to se*ure uni9ormit( o9 resu+t, in its 'pp+i*'tion b( ever( person, to e'*8 book o9
%oubt9u+ :purit(.:
Eeing so essenti'++( 'n% ineDtri*'b+( invo+ve% wit8 8um'n emotions t8't no m'n *'n 9r'me su*8
' %e9inition o9 t8e wor% :obs*ene,: eit8er in terms o9 t8e Fu'+ities o9 ' book or su*8 t8't, b( it
'+one, 'n( Cu%gment w8'tever is possib+e, mu*8 +ess is it possib+e t8't, b( 'n( su*8 '++ege% :test:
ever( ot8er m'n must re'*8 t8e s'me *on*+usion 'bout t8e obs*enit( o9 ever( *on*eiv'b+e book.
38ere9ore, t8e so<*'++e% Cu%i*i'+ :tests: o9 obs*enit( 're not st'n%'r%s o9 Cu%gment, but, on t8e
*ontr'r(, b( ever( su*8 :test,: t8e ru+e o9 %e*ision is itse+9 un*ert'in, 'n% in terms invokes t8e
v'r(ing eDperien*es o9 t8e test>e?rs wit8in t8e 9ogg( re'+m o9 prob+em'ti*'+ spe*u+'tion 'bout
ps(*8i* ten%en*ies, wit8out t8e 8e+p o9 w8i*8 t8e :test: itse+9 is me'ning+ess 'n% use+ess. 7t
9o++ows t8't, to e'*8 person, t8e :test: o9 *rimin'+it(, w8i*8 s8ou+% be ' gener'+ st'n%'r% o9
Cu%gment, un'voi%'b+( be*omes ' person'+ 'n% p'rti*u+'r st'n%'r%, %i99ering in '++ persons
,'ge 390 U. S. 663
'**or%ing to t8ose v'r(ing eDperien*es w8i*8 t8e( re'% into t8e Cu%i*i'+ :test.: 7t is t8is w8i*8
m'kes un*ert'in, 'n% t8ere9ore '++ t8e more obCe*tion'b+e, '++ t8e present +'ws 'g'inst obs*enit(.
.'ter it wi++ be s8own t8't t8is un*ert'int( in t8e *riteri' o9 gui+t ren%ers t8ese +'ws
un*onstitution'+.
(E! 6$..-N, 34- -347C$. $S,-C3S 1/ C-NS10S47,,
7
N B S1C7$. 2-$N7NG 1/ .-G$. C1NC-,3S
3", B0<B1 (N.Y.U. 19B3!
3o t8is 'ut8orit'ri'n@s wi++, %i99eren*e is t8e s'me t8ing 's in9eriorit(, wi*ke%ness 'n% *orruptionG
8e *'n 'ppre8en% it on+( 's ' %evotion to error 'n% ' *ommitment to sin. 4e *'n '*know+e%ge it
on+( i9 8e 'ttributes to it mor'+ turpitu%e 'n% inte++e*tu'+ vi*e. $bove '++, %i99eren*e must be 9or
8im, b( its simp+e eDisten*e, 'n 'ggression 'g'inst t8e goo%, t8e true t8e be'uti9u+ 'n% t8e rig8t.
4is imper'tive is to %estro( itG i9 8e *'nnot %estro( it, to *ont'in itG i9 8e *'nnot *ont'in it, to 8unt it
%own, *ut it o99 'n% s8ut it out.
Cert'in s*8oo+s o9 ps(*8o+og( suggest t8't t8is 'ggression is neit8er simp+e nor w8o++(
'ggression. 38e( suggest t8't it eDpresses ' *ompu+sive nee% to bring to open *ontemp+'tion t8e
se*ret p'rts o9 t8e *ensor@s ps(*8osom'ti* person'+it(, 'n% ' not +ess potent nee% to keep t8e
se*ret 'n% not su99er t8e s8'me9'*e% %is8onor o9 t8eir n'ke% eDposures. 38e *ensor@s '*tivities,
in t8't t8e( *'++ 9or ' *onst'nt pub+i* preo**up'tion wit8 su*8 se*ret p'rts, 9ree 8is ps(*8e 9rom
t8e pen'+ties o9 su*8 *on*ern w8i+e tr'nsv'+uing 't t8e s'me time 8is pursuit 'n% inspe*tion o9
t8e obs*ene, t8e in%e*ent, t8e pornogr'p8i*, t8e b+'sp8emous 'n% t8e ot8erwise s8'me9u+ into
'n 8onor'b+e %e9ense o9 t8e pub+i* mor'+s. 38e *ensor, b( purporting, Fuite un*ons*ious o9 8is
'*tu'+ %(n'mi*, to prote*t t8e (oung 9rom *orruption, 9rees 8is *ons*iousness
,'ge 390 U. S. 66"
to %we++ upon *orruption wit8out s8'me or %is8onor. 38us, $nt8on( Comsto*k *ou+% s'( wit8
overt sin*erit(A
:58en t8e genius o9 t8e 'rts pro%u*es obs*ene, +ew% 'n% +'s*ivious i%e's, t8e %e'%+( e99e*t
upon t8e (oung is Cust 's per*eptib+e 's w8en t8e s'me i%e's 're represente% b( gross
eDperien*e in prose 'n% poetr(. . . . 79 t8roug8 t8e e(e 'n% e'r t8e sensuous book, pi*ture or stor(
is '++owe% to enter, t8e t8oug8ts wi++ be *orrupte%, t8e *ons*ien*e se're%, so su*8 t8ings
repro%u*e% b( 9'n*( in t8e t8oug8ts 'w'ken 9or*es 9or evi+ w8i*8 wi++ eDp+o%e wit8 irresistib+e
9or*e *'rr(ing to %estru*tion ever( 8um'n s'9egu'r% to virtue 'n% 8onor.:
)i% not evi+ Eern'r% S8'w, w8o g've t8e -ng+is8 +'ngu'ge t8e wor% *omsto*ker(, %e*+'re
8imse+9, in 8is pre9'*e to 38e S8ewing<Up o9 E+'n*o ,osnet, :' spe*i'+ist in immor'+, 8ereti*'+
p+'(s . . . to 9or*e t8e pub+i* to re*onsi%er its mor'+s:O So t8e br've Comsto*k p'ssion'te+(
eDp+ore% 'n% 9oug8t t8e outer eDpressions o9 t8e inner 9or*es o9 evi+, 'n% t8us s've% virtue 'n%
8onor 9rom %estru*tion.
Eut *ou+% t8is observ'tion o9 8is be m'%e s've on t8e b'sis o9 introspe*tion 'n% not t8e s*ienti9i*
stu%( o9 ot8ersO /or su*8 ' stu%( wou+% reve'+, 9or e'*8 sing+e inst'n*e o9 w8i*8 it w's true,
8un%re%s o9 t8ous'n%s o9 ot8ers o9 w8i*8 it w's 9'+se. .ike t8e *orre+'tion o9 mis9ortune wit8 t8e
siDt8 %'( o9 t8e week or t8e number 13, t8is b'si* *omsto*ker( sign'+i;es ' 9e'r<proCe*te%
superstition. 7t is 'n eDtern'+i;'tion o9 'nDiet( 'n% 9e'r, not ' 9'*t obCe*tive+( stu%ie% 'n%
'ppr'ise%. $n% t8e 'nDiet( 'n% 9e'r 're re'*tion 9orm'tions o9 t8e *ensor@s inner se+9.
19 *ourse, t8is is 'n in*omp+ete %es*ription o9 t8e motiv'tion 'n% +ogi* o9 *ensors8ip. 7n t8e gre't
*ensori'+ est'b+is8ments o9 t8e tr'%ition, t8ese more or +ess un*ons*ious %rives 're usu'++( items
o9 ' s(n%rome w8ose %omin'nts 're eit8er gree% 9or pe+9, power, 'n% prestige, rein9or*e% b(
'nDiet( t8't t8e( mig8t be +ost,
,'ge 390 U. S. 66B
or 'nDiet( t8't t8e( mig8t be +ost rein9or*e% b( ins'ti'b+e %em'n%s 9or more.
$ut8orit'ri'n so*ieties usu'++( insure t8ese goo%s b( me'ns o9 ' pres*riptive *ree% 'n% *o%e 9or
w8i*8 t8eir ru+ers *+'im supern'tur'+ origins 'n% supern'tur'+ s'n*tions. 38e en9or*ement o9 t8e
pres*riptions is not entruste% to ' *ensor '+one. 38e u+tim'te po+i*e power is 8e+% b( t8e *entr'+
8ier'r*8(, 'n% t8e *ensors8ip o9 t8e 'rts is on+( one %ep'rtment o9 t8e t8oug8t<po+i*ing.
(C! C0$5/10), .73-0$3U0- $N) 34- ,SYC41,$347C,
10 ,SYC41$N$.Y37C 0-K7-5 ""0, ""B << ""6 (1923!
1bCe*tion, t8en, to mo%ern works on t8e groun% t8't t8e( 're, in t8e wor%s o9 t8e obCe*tors,
:immor'+,: is m'%e prin*ip'++( on t8e b'sis o9 'n '*tu'+ %esire to keep seDu'+ ps(*8op't8ies
int'*t, or to keep t8e gener'+ s*8eme o9 repression, w8i*8 inevit'b+( invo+ves ps(*8op't8i*
*on%itions, int'*t. 38e '*tivities o9 persons pro9ession'++( or ot8erwise %e9inite+( *on*erne% wit8
*ensors8ip 9urnis8 proo9 evi%ent enoug8 to t8e stu%ent o9 su*8 m'tters t8't t8e( t8emse+ves 're
8ig8+( 'bnorm'+. 7t is s'9e to s'( t8't ever( *ensors8ip 8's ' ps(*8op't8 b'*k o9 it.
C'rrie% to ' +ogi*'+ en%, *ensors8ip wou+% inevit'b+( %estro( '++ +iter'r( 'rt. -ver( seDu'+ '*t is 'n
instin*tive 9ee+ing out 9or 'n un%erst'n%ing o9 +i9e. .iter'r( 'rt, +ike ever( ot8er t(pe o9 *re'tive
e99ort, is ' 9orm o9 sub+im'tion. 7t is ' more *ons*ious seeking 9or t8e s'me un%erst'n%ing t8't t8e
*ommon m'n instin*tive+( seeks. 38e +iter'r( 'rtist, 8'ving 'tt'ine% un%erst'n%ing,
*ommuni*'tes t8't un%erst'n%ing to 8is re'%ers. 38't un%erst'n%ing, w8et8er o9 seDu'+ or ot8er
m'tters, is *ert'in to *ome into *on9+i*t wit8 popu+'r be+ie9s, 9e'rs, 'n% t'boos be*'use t8ese 're,
9or t8e most p'rt, b'se% on error. . . . >3?8e presen*e o9 'n opinion *on*erning w8i*8 one t8inks it
wou+% be unpro9it'b+e, immor'+, or
,'ge 390 U. S. 666
unwise to inFuire is, o9 itse+9, strong evi%en*e t8't t8't opinion is nonr'tion'+. 2ost o9 t8e more
%eep<se'te% *onvi*tions o9 t8e 8um'n r'*e be+ong to t8is *'tegor(. $n(one w8o is seeking 9or
un%erst'n%ing is *ert'in to en*ounter t8is nonr'tion'+ 'ttitu%e.
38e '*t o9 sub+im'tion on t8e p'rt o9 t8e writer ne*ess'ri+( invo+ves 'n '*t o9 sub+im'tion on t8e
p'rt o9 t8e re'%er. 38e t(pi*'+ ps(*8op't8i* p'tient 'n% t8e t(pi*'+ pub+i* 8've '+ike ' %eep<
roote% un*ons*ious 'version to sub+im'tion. 7n9eriorit( 'n% ot8er *omp+eDes enter in to m'ke t8e
in%ivi%u'+ 9ee+ t8't '*ts o9 sub+im'tion wou+% %estro( 8is *om9ort'b+e, t8oug8 i++usor(, sense o9
superiorit(. $g'in, t8ere is t8e re'+i;'tion on t8e p'rt o9 t8e m'ss o9 peop+e t8't t8e( 're un'b+e to
sub+im'te 's t8e 'rtist %oes, 'n% to '%mit 8is power 'n% rig8t to %o so invo+ves %estru*tion o9 t8e
spe*ious sense o9 superiorit( to 8im. 7t is t8ese two 9orms o9 'version to sub+im'tion w8i*8
'**ount 9or ' *onsi%er'b+e p'rt o9 pub+i* obCe*tion to t8e 'rts. 38e *ommon m'n 'n% 8is +e'%er,
t8e ps(*8op't8i* re9ormer, 're 'iming un*ons*ious+( 't +eve+ing 8um'nit( to ' p+'ne o9
p't8o+ogi*'+ me%io*rit(.
3o t8e stu%ent o9 'bnorm'+ ps(*8o+og(, t8e +egen%, popu+'r +iter'ture, 'n% +iter'ture reve+'tor( o9
'*tu'+ +i9e 're '++ signi9i*'nt. 7n t8e +egen%, 8e 9in%s r'*e t'boosG in t8e popu+'r +iter'ture o9 t8e
%'( 8e %is*overs t8is rein9or*e% b( t8e m'ss o9 *ontempor'r( 'n% +o*'+ t'boosG in +iter'ture t8't
'ims to be re'+isti*'++( reve+'tor( o9 +i9e 8e 9in%s m'teri'+ 9or stu%( su*8 's 8e *'n 8'r%+( obt'in
9rom 'n( group o9 p'tients. 38e 9r'nkness w8i*8 8e seeks in v'in 9rom t8e persons wit8 w8om 8e
*omes into person'+ *ont'*t 8e *'n 9in% in +iter'ture. 7t is ' 9ie+% in w8i*8 '%v'n*es m'( be m'%e
*omp'r'b+e to t8e '%v'n*es o9 '*tu'+ s*ienti9i* rese'r*8.
2oreover, t8e stu%ent o9 'bnorm'+ ps(*8o+og( wi++ *ommen% re'+isti*, reve+'tor( +iter'ture not
on+( to 8is
,'ge 390 U. S. 66#
p'tients, w8o 're su99ering 9rom spe*i9i* ps(*8op't8i* %i99i*u+ties, but to t8e pub+i* gener'++(. 4e
wi++ re'+i;e t8't it is one o9 t8e most import'nt 9'*tors in t8e %eve+opment o9 8um'n 9ree%om. No
one is +ess 9ree t8'n primitive m'n. 38e 9'rt8er we *'n get 9rom t8e 'ttitu%e o9 t8e +egen% 'n% its
s+ig8t+( more *ivi+i;e% su**essor, popu+'r +iter'ture, t8e ne'rer we s8'++ be to ' signi9i*'nt w'( o9
+i9e.
()! &. 07N$.)1, ,SYC41$N$.YS7S 1/
34- :0-/102-0: B6<60 (1921!
38e ot8er 'spe*t o9 t8e 8um'nist movement is ' ver( sour 'n% %isgrunt+e% purit'nism w8i*8
seems 't 9irst g+'n*e to protest 'n% *ontr'%i*t ever( step in t8e +ibi%inous %eve+opment. $s '
m'tter o9 9'*t, it is Cust 's mu*8 'n 8(steri*'+ outburst 's t8e most sensuous 9+es8 m'sses o9
0ubens, or t8e sinuous sFuirming +ines o9 .ouis JK %e*or'tion. Eot8 're re'*tions to t8e s'me
morbi% p'st eDperien*e.
38e ,urit'n, +ike t8e sensu'+ist, rebe+s 't t8e ver( beginning 'g'inst t8e restr'int o9 *e+ib'*(.
Un9ortun'te+(, 8owever, 8e 9in%s 8imse+9 un'b+e to s'tis9( t8e +ibi%o in eit8er norm'+ gr'ti9i*'tion or
8e'+t8( *onverte% '*tivities. 4is *on%ition is 's mu*8 one o9 super<eD*itement 's t8't o9 t8e
+ibertine. Un'b+e to 9in% s'tis9'*tion in ot8er w'(s, 9rom w8i*8 9or one re'son or 'not8er 8e is
in8ibite%, 8e %eve+ops ' morbi% irrit'tion, *ontr'%i*ting, bre'king, pro8ibiting 'n% t8w'rting t8e
m'ni9est'tions o9 t8e ver( eD*iting *'uses.
Not being 'b+e to pro%u*e be'uti9u+ t8ings, 8e m'rs t8em, sm's8ing st'ine% g+'ss win%ows,
%estro(ing s*u+ptures, *utting %own 2'(<po+es, 9orbi%%ing %'n*es, *+ipping t8e 8'ir, *overing t8e
bo%( wit8 8i%eous miss8'pen g'rments, 'n% si+en*ing +'ug8ter 'n% song. 4e *'nnot bui+%, so 8e
must %estro(. 4e *'nnot *re'te, so 8e 8in%ers *re'tion. 4e is ' sort o9 so*i'+ 'bortionist, 'n%, +ike
'n
,'ge 390 U. S. 66
'bortionist, on+( *omes into 8is own w8en t8ere is 'n i++egitim'te br't to be torn 9rom t8e womb.
4e *ries 'g'inst sin, but it is t8e p+e'sure o9 sin, r't8er t8'n t8e sin, 8e 9ig8ts. 7t is t8e enCo(ment
8e is %enie% t8't 8e 8'tes.
/rom no 'ge or *+ime or *on%ition is 8e 'bsent, but never is 8e ' %omin'nt 'n% %e*i%ing 9'*tor in
so*iet( ti++ t8't so*iet( 8's p'sse% t8e boun%s o9 s'nit(. 38ose w8o w'it t8e mi%wi9e never *'++ in
t8e 'bortionist, nor %oes 8e ever *ure t8e re'+ si*kness o9 8is 'ge. 38't 8e %oes survive 'bnorm'+
perio%s to put 8is impress on t8e repressions o9 +'ter %'(s is %ue to t8e pe*u+i'r e*onom( o9 8is
be8'vior. 38e +ibertine %estro(s 8imse+9, %evouring 8is subst'n*e in se+9<s'tis9'*tion. 38e re9ormer
%evours ot8ers, being somew8't in t8e n'ture o9 ' t'D on vi*e, +iving b( t8e ver( 8(steri' t8't
%estro(s 8is 8omo+ogous opposite.
7n our own %'(, we 8've re'*8e% 'not8er o9 t8ose *riti*'+ perio%s striking+( simi+'r in its
ps(*8o+ogi*'+ s(mptoms 'n% re'*tions, 't +e'st, to %e*'%ent 0ome. 5e 8've t8e s'me
%eve+opment o9 eDtr'v'g'nt re+igious *u+ts, Spiritism, )owieism, :38e ,urp+e 2ot8er,: '++ e'ger+(
sei;e% upon, 9i++ing t8e wor+% wit8 *+'mor 'n% 9ren;(G t8e s'me m'% seeking 9or p+e'sure, t8e
s'me bre'king 'n% s*'ttering o9 9orms, t8e s'me org( o9 g+utton( 'n% eDtr'v'g'n*e, t8e s'me
*ru%e emotion'+ism in 'rt, +etter 'n% t8e t8e'ter, t8e s'me %e9orme% 'n% inverte% seDu'+ +i9e.
4omoseDu'+ism m'( not be open+( '%mitte%, but t8e :siss(: 'n% 8is re% ne*ktie 're ' 9'mi+i'r 'n%
e'si+( un%erstoo% propert( o9 popu+'r Cest 'n% p'ntomime. 7t is '++ ' m'% C';; Cumb+e o9 8(steri*'+
in*ongruities, %og %inners, monke( m'rri'ges, *ubism, birt8 *ontro+, 9eminism, 9ree +ove, verse
+ibre, 'n% moving pi*tures. 38roug8 it '++ runs t8e stri%ent note o9 purit'nism. $s one grows, so
%oes t8e ot8er. Neit8er seems to pre*e%e or 9o++ow.
,'ge 390 U. S. 669
7t wou+% be ' r's8 m'n in%ee% w8o wou+% 'ttempt to give +'ter beginnings to t8e re9orm
movements t8'n to t8e +i*ense t8e( seem so strong+( to *ontr'%i*t. Signi9i*'nt in%ee% is t8e 9'*t
t8't t8eir ver( +i*ense is t8e strongest 'ppe'+ o9 t8e re9ormer. -ver( movie must pre'*8 ' sermon
'n% 8've ' proper en%ing, but t8e 'ttempte% r'pe is 's se+%om missing 's t8e te+ep8one, 'n% it is
t8is t8't t8ri++s 'n% is eDpe*te% to t8ri++.
38e s'me seDu'+ p'r'%oD we s'w in t8e eunu*8 priests 'n% 8'r+ot priestesses o9 7sis we see in
t8e vi*e<*rus'%ing, vi*e<p'n%ering re9ormers. E'*k o9 it '++ +ies ' morbi% seDu'+ *on%ition, w8i*8
is 's mu*8 be8in% t8e 'nti<'+*o8o+ism o9 t8e pro8ibitionist 's be8in% t8e *roppe% 8e'% o9 8is
purit'n 9't8er, 'n% 's mu*8 be8in% t8e birt8 *ontro+, vi*e<*rus'%ing virgins 's be8in% t8eir more
'mi'b+e sisters o9 $p8ro%ite.
7nterprete% t8en in t8e +ig8t o9 t8eir 8istor(, +ibertinism 'n% re9ormism *'nnot be %i99erenti'te% 's
*'use 'n% e99e*t, '*tion 'n% re'*tion, but must be 'sso*i'te% 's ' two<9o+% m'ni9est'tion o9 t8e
s'me t8ing, 'n 8(steri*'+ *on%ition. 38e( %i99er in eDtern'+s, on+( inso9'r 's one oper'tes in
+i*ense 'n% t8e ot8er in repression, but bot8 8've t8e s'me genesis, 'n% t8eir %eve+opment is
simu+t'neous.
(-!. 4. .$SS5-.., ,SYC41,$341.1GY $N) ,1.737CS 996 (1930!
$not8er signi9i*'nt priv'te motive, w8ose org'ni;'tion %'tes 9rom e'r+( 9'mi+( %'(s but w8ose
in9+uen*e w's prominent in '%u+t be8'vior, w's $@s strugg+e to m'int'in 8is seDu'+ repressions.
>:$: is 'n uni%enti9ie%, non9i*tion'+ person w8ose +i9e 8istor( w's stu%ie% b( t8e 'ut8or.? 4e
ere*te% 8is ver( e+'bor'te person'+ pro8ibitions into gener'+i;e% pro8ibitions 9or '++ so*iet(, 'n%
Cust 's 8e +'i% %own t8e +'w 'g'inst brot8er<8'tre%, 8e *on%emne% :irregu+'r: seDu'+it( 'n%
g'mb+ing 'n% %rinking,
,'ge 390 U. S. 6#0
its 'sso*i'te% in%u+gen*es. 4e w's %riven to prote*t 8imse+9 9rom 8imse+9 b( so mo%i9(ing t8e
environment t8't 8is seDu'+ impu+ses were +e'st o9ten 'rouse%, but it is signi9i*'nt t8't 8e gr'nte%
p'rti'+ in%u+gen*e to 8is represse% seDu'+it( b( eng'ging in v'rious '*tivities *+ose+( 'sso*i'te%
wit8 seDu'+ oper'tions. 38us, 8is sermons 'g'inst vi*e en'b+e% 8im to +et 8is min% %we++ upon
ri*8 9'nt'sies o9 se%u*tion. 4is *rus'%ing ventures broug8t 8im to 8ouses o9 i++ 9'me, w8ere p'rt+(
*+'% women were %is*over'b+e in t8e b'*k rooms. 38ese '*tivities were r'tion'+i;e% b( 'rguing
t8't it w's up to 8im 's ' +e'%er o9 t8e mor'+ 9or*es o9 t8e *ommunit( to remove tempt'tion 9rom
t8e p't8 o9 (out8. $t no time %i% 8e m'ke 'n obCe*tive inFuir( into t8e m'n( 9'*tors in so*iet(
w8i*8 in*re'se or %iminis8 prostitution. 4is motives were o9 su*8 'n or%er t8't 8e w's prevente%
9rom se+9<%is*ip+ine b( pro+onge% inspe*tion o9 so*i'+ eDperien*e. 38't $ w's never 'b+e to 'bo+is8
8is seDu'+it( is su99i*ient+( evi%ent in 8is nig8t %re'ms 'n% %'( %re'ms. 7n spite o9 8is e99orts to
:9ig8t: t8ese m'ni9est'tions o9 8is :'ntiso*i'+ impu+ses,: t8e( *ontinue% to 'ppe'r. $mong t8e
%ire*t 'n% import'nt *onseFuen*es w8i*8 t8e( pro%u*e% w's ' sense o9 sin, not on+( ' sense o9
seDu'+ sin, but ' growing *onvi*tion o9 8(po*ris(. 4is :b'tt+e: 'g'inst :evi+: impu+ses w's on+(
p'rti'++( su**ess9u+, 'n% t8is pro%u*e% ' pro9oun% 9ee+ing o9 inse*urit(. 38is se+9<punis8ing str'in
o9 inse*urit( mig8t be '++evi'te%, 8e 9oun%, b( pub+i*+( re'99irming t8e *ree% o9 repression, 'n% b(
%istr'*ting 'ttention to ot8er m'tters. $@s r'pi% movements, %ogm'ti* 'ssertions, 'n% %iversi9ie%
'*tivities were me'ns o9 es*'pe 9rom t8is gn'wing sense o9 in*'p'*it( to *ope wit8 8is own
%esires 'n% to m'ster 8imse+9. Un*ert'in o9 8is power to *ontro+ 8imse+9, 8e w's ver( bus( 'bout
*ontro++ing ot8ers, 'n% eng'ge% in en%+ess *ommittee sessions, person'+ *on9eren*es, 'n% pub+i*
meetings 9or t8e purpose. 4e '+w'(s m'n'ge%
,'ge 390 U. S. 6#1
to submerge 8imse+9 in ' bu;;ing +i9e o9 *e'se+ess '*tivit(G 8e *ou+% never st'n% priv'*( 'n%
so+itu%e, sin*e it %rove 8im to ' sense o9 9uti+it(, 'n% 8e *ou+%n@t un%ert'ke pro+onge% 'n%
+'borious stu%(, sin*e 8is 9ee+ing o9 inse*urit( %em'n%e% %'i+( evi%en*e o9 8is import'n*e in t8e
wor+%.
$@s seDu'+ %rives *ontinue% to m'ni9est t8emse+ves, 'n% to *8'++enge 8is resist'n*es. 4e w's
*ontinu'++( '+'rme% b( t8e +uring 9e'r t8't 8e mig8t be impotent. $+t8oug8 8e propose% m'rri'ge
to two gir+s w8en 8e w's ' t8eo+og( stu%ent, it is signi9i*'nt t8't 8e *8ose gir+s 9rom 8is
imme%i'te entour'ge, 'n% e99e*te% 'n '+most inst'nt'neous re*over( 9rom 8is %is'ppointments.
38is w'rr'nts t8e in9eren*e t8't 8e w's *onsi%er'b+( re+ieve% to postpone t8e test o9 8is poten*(,
'n% t8is in9eren*e is strengt8ene% b( t8e +ong (e'rs %uring w8i*8 8e *8eer9u++( '*Fuies*e% in t8e
postponement o9 8is m'rri'ge to t8e wom'n w8o 9in'++( be*'me 8is wi9e. 4e +ive% wit8 peop+e
w8o v'+ue% seDu'+ poten*(, p'rti*u+'r+( in its *onvention'+ 'n% bio+ogi*'+ %emonstr'tion in
m'rri'ge 'n% *8i+%ren, 'n% 8is unm'rrie% st'te w's t8e obCe*t o9 goo%<n'ture% *omment. 4is
p'stor'+ %uties reFuire% 8im to :m'ke *'++s: on t8e sisters o9 t8e *8ur*8, 'n% in spite o9 t8e *8eer
w8i*8 8e w's sometimes 'b+e to bring to t8e be%ri%%en, t8ere w's t8e 9'int w8isper o9 ' %oubt
t8't t8is w's re'++( ' m'n@s Cob. $n% t8oug8 pre'*8ing w's ' so*i'++( respe*t'b+e o**up'tion,
t8ere w's somet8ing o9 t8e ri%i*u+ous in t8e 9'*t t8't one w8o 8'% eDperien*e% ver( +itt+e o9 +i9e
s8ou+% p'ss 9or ' privi+ege% *ensor o9 '++ m'nkin%.
>/ootnote 3P1?
3wo writers 8've eDp+'ine% Comsto*k 's 9o++owsA
:4e must 8've known t8't 8e *ou+% not w'++ out 9rom 8is own min% '++ eroti* 9'n*ies, 'n% so 8e
turne% '++ t8e more 9ier*e+( upon t8e rib'+%r( o9 ot8ers.:
4. Erown N 2. .ee*8, $nt8on( Comsto*k 2# (192#!.
$ not'b+e 9orerunner o9 Comsto*k w's 'n -ng+is8m'n, 38om's Eow%+er. $rme% wit8 ' t'+ent 9or
%is*overing t8e :o99ensive,: Eow%+er eDpurg'te% S8'kespe're@s p+'(s 'n% Gibbon@s 4istor( o9 t8e
)e*+ine 'n% /'++ o9 t8e 0om'n -mpire. 38e resu+t w's :38e /'mi+( S8'kespe're,: 9irst pub+is8e%
in 10 vo+umes in 11, 'n% ' version o9 Gibbon@s 9'mous 8istor(
:omitting ever(t8ing o9 'n immor'+ or irre+igious n'ture, 'n% in*i%ent'++( re'rr'nging t8e or%er o9
*8'pters to be in t8e stri*t *8rono+og( so %e'r to t8e obsession'+ 8e'rt.:
2. 5i+son, 38e 1bsession'+ Compromise, $ Note on 38om's Eow%+er (196B! (p'per in .ibr'r( o9
t8e $meri*'n ,s(*8i'tri* $sso*i'tion, 5's8ington, ).C.!.
>/ootnote 3P2?
:38e e99e*tiveness o9 more subt+e 9orms o9 *ensors8ip 's 'n instrument o9 so*i'+ *ontro+ *'n be
ver( gre't. 38e( 're e99e*tive over ' wi%er 9ie+% o9 be8'vior t8'n is prop'g'n%' in t8't t8e( '99e*t
*onvivi'+ 'n% @pure+( person'+@ be8'vior.:
:38e prin*ip+e is t8't *ert'in verb'+ 9ormu+'e s8'++ not be st'te%, in print or in *onvers'tionG 9rom
t8is, t8e restri*tion eDten%s to t8e %is*ussion o9 *ert'in topi*s. $ per8'ps Fuite r'tion'++(
9ormu+'te% t'boo is impose%G it be*omes ' Fu'si<re+igious 9'*tor 9or t8e members o9 t8e group
w8o subs*ribe to it. 79 t8e( 're ' m'Corit(, 'n% t8e t'boo %oes not '99e*t some m'ster<s(mbo+ o9
'n in9+uenti'+ minorit(, it is 'pt to be*ome Fuite univers'+ in its e99e*t. $ gre't number o9 t'boos <<
to eDpressive 'n% to ot8er '*ts << 're embo%ie% in t8e mores o9 'n( peop+e. 38e s'n*tion be8in%
e'*8 t'boo +'rge+( %etermines its %ur'bi+it( << in t8e sense o9 resist'n*e oppose% to t8e
%eve+opment o9 *ontr'%i*tor( *ounter<mores, or o9 simp+e %isintegr'tion 9rom 9'i+ure to give
returns in person'+ se*urit(. 79 it is to su**ee% 9or ' +ong time, t8ere must be re*urrent
re'99irm'tions o9 t8e t'boo in *onne*tion wit8 t8e s'n*tioning power.:
:38e o**'sion'+ *ir*u+'tion o9 stories 'bout ' bre'*8 o9 t8e t'boo 'n% t8e evi+ *onseFuen*es t8't
9+owe% 9rom t8is to t8e o99en%er 'n% to t8e pub+i* *'use (t8e s'n*tioning power! we++ serves t8is
purpose. Censors8ip o9 t8is sort 8's t8e *o+or o9 vo+unt'r( '**ept'n*e o9 ' ritu'+isti* 'voi%'n*e,
in be8'+9 o9 onese+9 'n% t8e 8ig8er power. $ vio+'tion, '9ter t8e primitive p'tterns to w8i*8 we 8've
'++ been eDpose%, strikes 't bot8 t8e sinner 'n% 8is go%.:
38e 5i++i'm $+'nson 58ite ,s(*8i'tri* /oun%'tion 2emor'n%umA ,rop'g'n%' N Censors8ip, 3
,s(*8i'tr( 62, 631 (19"0!.
>/ootnote 3P3?
$n% see G'(+in, Eook 0eviewA 38e ,ri*k+( ,rob+ems o9 ,ornogr'p8(, ## Y'+e ..&. B#9, B9".
>/ootnote 3P"?
2( Erot8er 4$0.$N s'(s t8't no ot8er &usti*e o9 t8is Court, p'st or present, 8's ever :st'te% 8is
'**ept'n*e: o9 t8e view t8't :obs*enit(: is wit8in t8e prote*tion o9 t8e /irst 'n% /ourteent8
$men%ments. ,ost 't 390 U. S. #0B. 38't observ'tion, 8owever, s8ou+% not be un%erstoo% 's
%emonstr'ting t8't no ot8er members o9 t8is Court, sin*e its 9irst 3erm in 1#90, 8've '%8ere% to
t8e view o9 m( Erot8er E.$C6 'n% m(se+9. /or t8e issue :w8et8er obs*enit( is utter'n*e wit8in
t8e 're' o9 prote*te% spee*8 'n% press: w's on+( :sFu're+( presente%: to t8is Court 9or t8e 9irst
time in 19B#. 0ot8 v. Unite% St'tes, 3B" U. S. "#6, 3B" U. S. "1. 38is is in%ee% un%erst'n%'b+e,
9or t8e st'te +egis+'tures 8've borne t8e m'in bur%en in en'*ting +'ws %e'+ing wit8 :obs*enit(:,
'n% t8e stri*tures o9 t8e /irst $men%ment were not 'pp+ie% to t8em t8roug8 t8e /ourteent8 unti+
*omp'r'tive+( +'te in our 8istor(. 7n Git+ow v. New York, 26 U. S. 6B2, %e*i%e% in 192B, t8e Court
'ssume% t8't t8e rig8t o9 9ree spee*8 w's 'mong t8e 9ree%oms prote*te% 'g'inst st'te
in9ringement b( t8e )ue ,ro*ess C+'use o9 t8e /ourteent8 $men%ment. See '+so 58itne( v.
C'+i9orni', 2#" U. S. 3B#, 2#" U. S. 3#1, 2#" U. S. 3#3G /iske v. 6'ns's, 2#" U. S. 30. 7n 1931,
Stromberg v. C'+i9orni', 23 U. S. 3B9, 8e+% t8't t8e rig8t o9 9ree spee*8 w's gu'r'ntee% in 9u++
me'sure b( t8e /ourteent8 $men%ment. Eut even '9ter t8ese events, :obs*enit(: *'ses were not
inun%'ting t8is Court, 'n% even 's +'te 's 19", t8e Court *ou+% s'( t8't m'n( st'te obs*enit(
st'tutes 8'% :+'in %orm'nt 9or %e*'%es.: 5inters v. New York, 333 U. S. B0#, 333 U. S. B11. 7n
sever'+ *'ses prior to 0ot8, t8e Court reviewe% *onvi*tions un%er 9e%er'+ st'tutes 9orbi%%ing t8e
sen%ing o9 :obs*ene: m'teri'+s t8roug8 t8e m'i+s. Eut in none o9 t8ese *'ses w's t8e Fuestion
sFu're+( presente% or %e*i%e% w8et8er :obs*enit(: w's prote*te% spee*8 un%er t8e /irst
$men%mentG r't8er, t8e issues were +imite% to m'tters o9 st'tutor( *onstru*tion, or Fuestions o9
pro*e%ure, su*8 's t8e su99i*ien*( o9 t8e in%i*tment. See Unite% St'tes v. C8'se, 13B U. S. 2BBG
Grimm v. Unite% St'tes, 1B6 U. S. 60"G 0osen v. Unite% St'tes, 161 U. S. 29G Swe'ringen v.
Unite% St'tes, 161 U. S. ""6G $n%rews v. Unite% St'tes, 162 U. S. "20G ,ri*e v. Unite% St'tes,
16B U. S. 311G )un+op v. Unite% St'tes, 16B U. S. "6G E'rte++ v. Unite% St'tes, 22# U. S. "2#G
)(s'rt v. Unite% St'tes, 2#2 U. S. 6BBG Unite% St'tes v. .ime8ouse, 2B U. S. "2". 38us, 0ot8 v.
Unite% St'tes, supr', w8i*8 invo+ve% bot8 ' *8'++enge to 1 U.S.C. = 1"61 (punis8ing t8e m'i+ing
o9 :obs*ene: m'teri'+! 'n%, in ' *onso+i%'te% *'se ($+bert v. C'+i9orni'!, 'n 'tt'*k upon
C'+.,en.Co%e = 311 (pro8ibiting, inter '+i', t8e keeping 9or s'+e or '%vertising o9 :obs*ene:
m'teri'+!, w's t8e 9irst *'se 'ut8orit'tive+( to me'sure 9e%er'+ 'n% st'te obs*enit( st'tutes
'g'inst t8e pro8ibitions o9 t8e /irst 'n% /ourteent8 $men%ments. 7 *'nnot spe'k 9or t8ose w8o
pre*e%e% us in time, but neit8er *'n 7 interpret o**'sion'+ utter'n*es suggesting t8't :obs*enit(:
w's not prote*te% b( t8e /irst $men%ment 's *onsi%ere% eDpressions o9 t8e views o9 'n(
p'rti*u+'r &usti*es o9 t8e Court. See, e.g., C8'p+insk( v. New 4'mps8ire, 31B U. S. B6, 31B U.
S. B#1<B#2G Ee'u8'rn'is v. 7++inois, 3"3 U. S. 2B0, 3"3 U. S. 266. 38e most t8't *'n be s'i%,
t8en, is t8't no ot8er members o9 t8is Court sin*e 19B# 8've '%8ere% to t8e view o9 m( Erot8er
E.$C6 'n% m(se+9.
>/ootnote 3PB?
See 390 U. S.
>/ootnote 3P6?
0everen% /r. &u'n %e C'st'ni;' o9 t8e 16t8 *entur( eDp+'ine% t8ose w8o %enoun*e% obs*enit(
's eDpressing on+( t8eir own 9ee+ings. 7n 8is view, t8e( 8'% too mu*8 re'son to suspe*t
t8emse+ves o9 being :obs*ene,: sin*e :vi*ious men 're '+w'(s prone to t8ink ot8ers +ike
t8emse+ves.: 3. S*8roe%er, $ C8'++enge to SeD Censors ""<"B (193!.
:1bs*enit(, +ike wit*8*r'9t . . . , *onsists, bro'%+( spe'king, o9 ' >%e+usion'+? proCe*tion o9 *ert'in
emotions (w8i*8, 's t8e ver( wor% imp+ies, em'n'te 9rom wit8in! to eDtern'+ t8ings 'n% 'n
en%owment o9 su*8 t8ings (or in t8e *'se o9 wit*8*r'9t, o9 su*8 persons! wit8 t8e mor'+ Fu'+ities
*orrespon%ing to t8ese inw'r% st'tes. . . .:
:38us, persons responsib+e 9or t8e persistent 'ttempts to suppress t8e %issemin'tion o9 popu+'r
know+e%ge *on*erning seD m'tters betr'( t8emse+ves unwitting+( 's t8e be'rers o9 t8e ver(
impu+ses t8e( wou+% so ostent'tious+( 8e+p ot8ers to 'voi%. Su*8 persons s8ou+% know t8roug8
t8eir own eDperien*e t8't ignor'n*e o9 ' subCe*t %oes not insure immunit( 'g'inst t8e evi+s o9
w8i*8 it tre'ts, nor %oes t8e propiti'tor( '*t o9 nois( pub+i* %is'pprov'+ o9 *ert'in evi+s signi9(
inno*en*e or person'+ purit(.:
K'n 3es+''r, Eook 0eview, &. $bnorm'+ ,s(*8o+og( 22, (1913!.
>/ootnote 3P#?
See 390 U. S.
20. &US37C- /103$S, %issenting.
38is is ' *rimin'+ prose*ution. S'm Ginsberg 'n% 8is wi9e oper'te ' +un*8eonette 't w8i*8
m'g';ines 're o99ere% 9or s'+e. $ 16<(e'r<o+% bo( w's en+iste% b( 8is mot8er to go to t8e
+un*8eonette 'n% bu( some
,'ge 390 U. S. 6#2
:gir+ie: m'g';ines so t8't Ginsberg *ou+% be prose*ute%. 4e went t8ere, pi*ke% two m'g';ines
9rom ' %isp+'( *'se, p'i% 9or t8em. 'n% w'+ke% out. Ginsberg@s o99ense w's %u+( reporte% to t8e
'ut8orities. 38e power o9 t8e St'te o9 New York w's invoke%. Ginsberg w's prose*ute% 'n%
*onvi*te%. 38e *ourt impose% on+( ' suspen%e% senten*e. Eut, 's t8e m'Corit( 8ere points out,
un%er New York +'w, t8is *onvi*tion m'( me'n t8't Ginsberg wi++ +ose t8e +i*ense ne*ess'r( to
oper'te 8is +un*8eonette.
38e two m'g';ines t8't t8e 16<(e'r<o+% bo( se+e*te% 're vu+g'r :gir+ie: perio%i*'+s. 4owever
t'ste+ess 'n% t'w%r( t8e( m'( be, we 8've ru+e% ('s t8e Court '*know+e%ges! t8't m'g';ines
in%istinguis8'b+e 9rom t8em in *ontent 'n% o99ensiveness 're not :obs*ene: wit8in t8e
*onstitution'+ st'n%'r%s 8ereto9ore 'pp+ie%. See, e.g., Gent v. $rk'ns's, 36 U. S. #6# (196#!.
38ese ru+ings 8've been in *'ses invo+ving '%u+ts.
38e Court 'voi%s 9'*ing t8e prob+em w8et8er t8e m'g';ines in t8e present *'se 're :obs*ene:
w8en viewe% b( ' 16<(e'r<o+% bo(, '+t8oug8 not :obs*ene: w8en viewe% b( someone 1# (e'rs o9
'ge or o+%er. 7t s'(s t8't Ginsberg@s +'w(er %i% not *8oose to *8'++enge t8e *onvi*tion on t8e
groun% t8't t8e m'g';ines 're not :obs*ene.: 4e *8ose on+( to 'tt'*k t8e st'tute on its 9'*e.
38ere9ore, t8e Court re'sons, we nee% not +ook 't t8e m'g';ines 'n% %etermine w8et8er t8e(
m'( be eD*+u%e% 9rom t8e 'mbit o9 t8e /irst $men%ment 's :obs*ene: 9or purposes o9 t8is *'se.
Eut t8is Court 8's m'%e strong 'n% *ompre8ensive st'tements 'bout its %ut( in /irst $men%ment
*'ses << st'tements wit8 w8i*8 7 'gree. See, e.g., &'*obe++is v. 18io, 3# U. S. 1", 3# U. S.
1#<190 (196"! (opinion o9 E0-NN$N, &.!. Q
,'ge 390 U. S. 6#3
7n m( Cu%gment, t8e Court *'nnot proper+( 'voi% its 9un%'ment'+ %ut( to %e9ine :obs*enit(: 9or
purposes o9 *ensors8ip o9 m'teri'+ so+% to (out8s mere+( be*'use o9 *ounse+@s position. E( so
%oing, t8e Court 'voi%s t8e essen*e o9 t8e prob+emG 9or i9 t8e St'te@s power to *ensor 9ree% 9rom
t8e pro8ibitions o9 t8e /irst $men%ment %epen%s upon obs*enit(, 'n% i9 obs*enit( turns on t8e
spe*i9i* *ontent o9 t8e pub+i*'tion, 8ow *'n we sust'in t8e *onvi*tion 8ere wit8out %e*i%ing
w8et8er t8e p'rti*u+'r m'g';ines in Fuestion 're obs*eneO
38e Court *ert'in+( *'nnot me'n t8't t8e St'tes 'n% *ities 'n% *ounties 'n% vi++'ges 8've
un+imite% power to wit88o+% 'n(t8ing 'n% ever(t8ing t8't is written or pi*tori'+ 9rom (ounger
peop+e. Eut it 8ere Custi9ies t8e *onvi*tion o9 S'm Ginsberg be*'use t8e imp'*t o9 t8e
Constitution, it s'(s, is v'ri'b+e, 'n% w8't is not obs*ene 9or 'n '%u+t m'( be obs*ene 9or ' *8i+%.
38is it *'++s :v'ri'b+e obs*enit(.: 7 %o not %is'gree wit8 t8is, but 7 insist t8't to 'ssess t8e prin*ip+e
<< *ert'in+( to 'pp+( it << t8e Court must %e9ine it. 5e must know t8e eDtent to w8i*8 +iter'ture or
pi*tures m'( be +ess o99ensive t8'n 0ot8 reFuires in or%er to be :obs*ene: 9or purposes o9 '
st'tute *on9ine% to (out8. See 0ot8 v. Unite% St'tes, 3B" U. S. "#6 (19B#!.
7 'gree t8't t8e St'te in t8e eDer*ise o9 its po+i*e power << even in t8e /irst $men%ment %om'in <<
m'( m'ke proper 'n% *'re9u+ %i99erenti'tion between '%u+ts 'n% *8i+%ren. Eut 7 %o not 'gree t8't
t8is power m'( be use% on 'n 'rbitr'r(, 9ree<w8ee+ing b'sis. 38is is not ' *'se w8ere, on 'n(
st'n%'r% enun*i'te% b( t8e Court,
,'ge 390 U. S. 6#"
t8e m'g';ines 're obs*ene, nor one w8ere t8e se++er is 't 9'u+t. ,etitioner is being prose*ute% 9or
t8e s'+e o9 m'g';ines w8i*8 8e 8'% ' rig8t un%er t8e %e*isions o9 t8is Court to o99er 9or s'+e, 'n%
8e is being prose*ute% wit8out proo9 o9 :9'u+t: << wit8out even ' *+'im t8't 8e %e+iber'te+(,
*'+*u+'te%+( soug8t to in%u*e *8i+%ren to bu( :obs*ene: m'teri'+. Eookse++ing s8ou+% not be '
8';'r%ous pro9ession.
38e *onvi*tion o9 Ginsberg on t8e present 9'*ts is ' serious inv'sion o9 9ree%om. 3o sust'in t8e
*onvi*tion wit8out inFuir( 's to w8et8er t8e m'teri'+ is :obs*ene: 'n% wit8out 'n( evi%en*e o9
pus8ing or p'n%ering, in 9'*e o9 t8is Court@s 'sserte% so+i*itu%e 9or /irst $men%ment v'+ues, is to
give t8e St'te ' ro+e in t8e re'ring o9 *8i+%ren w8i*8 is *ontr'r( to our tr'%itions 'n% to our
*on*eption o9 9'mi+( responsibi+it(. C9. 7n re G'u+t, 3# U. S. 1 (196#!. 7t begs t8e Fuestion to
present t8is un%e9ine%, un+imite% *ensors8ip 's 'n 'i% to p'rents in t8e re'ring o9 t8eir *8i+%ren.
38is %e*ision %oes not mere+( prote*t *8i+%ren 9rom '*tivities w8i*8 '++ sensib+e p'rents wou+%
*on%emn. 0't8er, its un%e9ine% 'n% un+imite% 'pprov'+ o9 st'te *ensors8ip in t8is 're' %enies to
*8i+%ren 9ree '**ess to books 'n% works o9 'rt to w8i*8 m'n( p'rents m'( wis8 t8eir *8i+%ren to
8've unin8ibite% '**ess. /or %eni'+ o9 '**ess to t8ese m'g';ines, wit8out 'n( st'n%'r% or
%e9inition o9 t8eir '++ege%+( %istinguis8ing *8'r'*teristi*s, is '+so %eni'+ o9 '**ess to gre't works o9
'rt 'n% +iter'ture.
79 t8is st'tute were *on9ine% to t8e punis8ment o9 pus8ers or p'n%erers o9 vu+g'r +iter'ture, 7
wou+% not be so *on*erne% b( t8e Court@s 9'i+ure to *ir*ums*ribe st'te power b( %e9ining its +imits
in terms o9 t8e me'ning o9 :obs*enit(: in t8is 9ie+%. 38e St'te@s po+i*e power m'(, wit8in ver(
bro'% +imits, prote*t t8e p'rents 'n% t8eir *8i+%ren 9rom pub+i* 'ggression o9 p'n%erers 'n%
pus8ers. 38is is %e9ensib+e on t8e t8eor( t8't t8e( *'nnot
,'ge 390 U. S. 6#B
prote*t t8emse+ves 9rom su*8 'ss'u+ts. Eut it %oes not 9o++ow t8't t8e St'te m'( *onvi*t ' p'ssive
+un*8eonette oper'tor o9 ' *rime be*'use ' 16<(e'r<o+% bo( m'+i*ious+( 'n% %esigne%+( pi*ks up
'n% p'(s 9or two gir+ie m'g';ines w8i*8 're presum'b+( not obs*ene.
7 wou+% t8ere9ore reverse t8e *onvi*tion on t8e b'sis o9 0e%rup v. New York, 36 U. S. #6# (196#!
'n% Gin;burg v. Unite% St'tes, 33 U. S. "63 (1966!.
Q
:>5?e re'99irm t8e prin*ip+e t8't, in @obs*enit(@ *'ses 's in '++ ot8ers invo+ving rig8ts %erive% 9rom
t8e /irst $men%ment gu'r'ntees o9 9ree eDpression, t8is Court *'nnot 'voi% m'king 'n
in%epen%ent *onstitution'+ Cu%gment on t8e 9'*ts o9 t8e *'se 's to w8et8er t8e m'teri'+ invo+ve%
is *onstitution'++( prote*te%.:
3# U.S. 't 3# U. S. 190. See CoD v. .ouisi'n', 3#9 U. S. B36, 3#9 U. S. B"B, n. (196B!.