smith goguen argued decided march appellee wearing small flag sewn seat trousers convicted violating provision massachusetts statute subjects criminal liability anyone publicly treats contemptuously flag massachusetts judicial affirmed district appellee habeas corpus action found treats contemptuously phrase statute unconstitutionally vague overbroad appeals affirmed held challenged statutory language received narrowing state interpretation void vagueness due process clause fourteenth amendment since failing draw reasonably clear lines kinds nonceremonial treatment flag criminal provide adequate warning forbidden conduct sets forth standard indefinite police jury free react nothing preferences treatment flag pp challenging state courts vagueness treats contemptuously phrase applied appellee preserved due process claim purposes federal habeas corpus jurisdiction picard connor since challenged language void vagueness applied appellee anyone else violator concept little meaning regard challenged language phrase issue vague sense requiring person conform conduct imprecise comprehensible standard sense specifying ascertainable standard conduct pp even appellant contends statute said deal actual flags resolve central vagueness deficiency failing define contemptuous treatment pp words desecration contempt portion statute address specific conduct mutilation trampling defacing flag assist appellant since appellee tried solely treats contemptuously phrase highest state case construe challenged phrase taking color specific accompanying language pp regardless whether restriction scope challenged phrase intentional contempt may held appellee interpretation nevertheless clarify conduct constitutes contempt flag whether intentional inadvertent powell delivered opinion douglas brennan stewart marshall joined white filed opinion concurring judgment post blackmun post rehnquist post filed dissenting opinions burger joined charles chase assistant attorney general massachusetts argued cause appellant briefs robert quinn attorney general john irwin david mills assistant attorneys general william buckley evan lawson argued cause appellee brief matthew feinberg burt neuborne justice powell delivered opinion sheriff worcester county massachusetts appeals judgment appeals first circuit holding contempt provision massachusetts statute unconstitutionally vague overbroad supp mass noted probable jurisdiction affirm vagueness ground reach correctness holding overbreadth first amendment grounds slender record case reveals little goguen wore small cloth version flag sewn seat trousers flag approximately four six inches displayed left rear goguen blue jeans january two police officers leominster massachusetts saw goguen bedecked fashion first officer encountered goguen standing talking group persons public street group apparently engaged demonstration protest associated goguen apparel disruption traffic breach peace occurred officer approached goguen question flag persons present laughed time later second officer observed goguen attire walking downtown business district leominster following day first officer swore complaint goguen contempt provision massachusetts statute relevant part statute read whoever publicly mutilates tramples upon defaces treats contemptuously flag whether flag public private property shall punished fine less ten one hundred dollars imprisonment one year despite first six words statute goguen charged act physical desecration permitted disjunctive structure portion statute dealing desecration contempt officer charged specifically goguen publicly treat contemptuously flag jury trial worcester county superior goguen found guilty imposed sentence six months massachusetts house corrections goguen appealed massachusetts judicial affirmed commonwealth goguen mass rejected goguen vagueness argument comment hatever uncertainties circumstances see vagueness statute applied cited massachusetts precedents interpreting treats contemptuously phrase statute goguen began serving sentence granted bail ordered released writ habeas corpus district district massachusetts supp district found portion massachusetts statute impermissibly vague due process clause fourteenth amendment well overbroad first amendment upholding goguen contentions concluded words treats contemptuously provide readily ascertainable standard guilt especially days flags commonly displayed hats garments vehicles words goguen convicted leave conjectural many instances conduct may subject actor criminal prosecution ibid also found statutory language issue may said encourage arbitrary erratic arrests convictions ibid appeals one judge concurring affirmed district first amendment vagueness grounds regard latter ground appeals concluded resolution goguen challenge statute applied necessarily adjudicates statute facial constitutionality treating vagueness attacks essentially indistinguishable light imprecision statutory phrase issue found language failed provide adequate warning anyone contained insufficient guidelines law enforcement officials set juries courts large senior circuit judge hamley sitting designation ninth circuit concurred solely holding judge hamley saw need reach far broader constitutional ground first amendment overbreadth relied majority noting settled principle appellate adjudication constitutional questions dealt unless necessary dispose appeal ibid ii agree holdings district appeals due process doctrine vagueness settled principles doctrine require extensive restatement doctrine incorporates notions fair notice warning moreover requires legislatures set reasonably clear guidelines law enforcement officials triers fact order prevent arbitrary discriminatory enforcement statute literal scope unaided narrowing state interpretation capable reaching expression sheltered first amendment doctrine demands greater degree specificity contexts statutory language issue publicly treats contemptuously flag scope street new york verbal flag contempt relevant time without benefit judicial clarification flag contempt statutes characterized void lack notice theory hat contemptuous one man may work art another goguen behavior hardly described art immaturity silly conduct probably comes closer mark see force district observation flag become object youth fashion high camp courts noted casual treatment flag many contexts become widespread contemporary phenomenon flag wearing day relaxed clothing styles may simply adornment ploy attract attention many current careless uses flag nevertheless constitute unceremonial treatment many people may view contemptuous yet time widely varying attitudes tastes displaying something ubiquitous flag representations hardly purpose massachusetts legislature make criminal every informal use flag statutory language goguen charged however fails draw reasonably clear lines kinds nonceremonial treatment criminal due process requires informed state commands forbids lanzetta new jersey men common intelligence forced guess meaning criminal law connally general construction given today tendencies treat flag unceremoniously notice standards satisfied recognize noncommercial context behavior general rule mapped advance basis statutory language cases perhaps meaningful aspect vagueness doctrine actual notice principal element doctrine requirement legislature establish minimal guidelines govern law enforcement regard statutory language scrutiny notable deficiencies terms language issue sufficiently unbounded prohibit district noted public deviation formal flag etiquette unchanged throughout history treats contemptuously phrase also devoid narrowing state interpretation relevant time case without authority cure defect statutory language standardless sweep allows policemen prosecutors juries pursue personal predilections legislatures may abdicate responsibilities setting standards criminal law papachristou city jacksonville gregory city chicago justice black concurring opinion voiced concern share entrusting lawmaking judgment policeman beat aptness admonition evident appellant candid concession oral argument appeals regarding state enforcement standards portion statute goguen convicted counsel appellant admitted war protestor attending rally begins rain evidences disrespect american flag contemptuously covering order avoid getting wet prosecuted massachusetts statute yet member american legion caught rainstorm returning america love leave rally similarly uses flag regrettably without contemptuous attitude prosecuted emphasis original iii appellant arguments treats contemptuously phrase impermissibly vague least held case unpersuasive appellant devotes substantial portion opening brief oral argument contention goguen failed preserve present claim purposes federal habeas corpus jurisdiction appellant concedes issue vagueness applied properly federal courts contends goguen arguable claim statute vague face latter claim appellant insists presented state courts requisite fair precision picard connor argument belatedly raised fails take full measure goguen efforts mount vagueness attack state courts deal point length however find relevant statutory language impermissibly vague applied goguen without doubt substance claim fairly presented state courts exhaustion standards picard supra appellant argument premised notion goguen behavior rendered violator statute vague whatever implications engaged different conduct sure statutes terms authoritatively construed apply without question certain activities whose application behavior uncertain violator concept makes sense regard statutes present statute however category criminal provision vague sense requires person conform conduct imprecise comprehensible normative standard rather sense standard conduct specified coates city cincinnati provision simply core absence ascertainable standard inclusion exclusion precisely offends due process clause deficiency particularly objectionable view unfettered latitude thereby accorded law enforcement officials triers fact corrected either amendment judicial construction affects prosecuted statutory language opinion defect exists case language issue void vagueness applied goguen subjected criminal liability standard indefinite police jury free react nothing preferences treatment flag turning exhaustion point merits vagueness question presented appellant argues notice difficulties ameliorated narrow subject matter statute actual flags appellant contends takes vagueness away phrase treats contemptuously anyone wants notice conduct statute proscribes immediately knows something flags wants stay clear violating statute stay clear something flag apart ambiguities presented concept actual flag fail see alleged particularity resolves central vagueness question absence standard defining contemptuous treatment appellant remaining arguments equally unavailing asserted first six words statute add specificity treats contemptuously phrase massachusetts judicial customarily construes general language take color specific accompanying language conceded goguen convicted general phrase alone highest state rely principle statutory interpretation case appellant argues judicial goguen case restricted scope statute intentional contempt aside problems presented appellate limiting construction case defendant tried previously unnarrowed statute holding still clarify conduct constitutes contempt whether intentional inadvertent finally appellant argues state law enforcement authorities shown ready interpret penal statute narrowly statute properly read reaches direct immediate contemptuous acts actually impinge upon physical integrity flag support record former point similarly nothing state opinion case earlier opinion sustains latter event goguen charged wholly language publicly treating flag contemptuously allegation physical desecration areas human conduct nature problems presented legislatures simply establish standards great precision control broad range disorderly conduct may inhibit policeman performance official duties may one area requiring assessment need keep order cf colten kentucky comparable reason committing broad discretion law enforcement officials area flag contempt indeed display flag common takes many forms changing one generation another often difficult distinguish principle legislature define care flag behavior intends outlaw certainly nothing prevents legislature defining substantial specificity constitutes forbidden treatment flags statutory language issue fails approach goal void vagueness judgment affirmed ordered footnotes tr oral arg mass laws omitting several sentences protecting ceremonial activities certain veterans groups statute read follows time goguen arrest conviction flag penalty misuse whoever publicly mutilates tramples upon defaces treats contemptuously flag massachusetts whether flag public private property whoever displays flag representation thereof upon words figures advertisements designs whoever causes permits flag used parade receptacle depositing collecting money article thing whoever exposes public view manufactures sells exposes sale gives away possession sale give away use purpose article substance article merchandise receptacle merchandise articles upon attached wrapping otherwise engraved printed manner representation flag whoever uses representation arms great seal commonwealth advertising commercial purpose shall punished fine less ten one hundred dollars imprisonment one year words figures advertisements designs attached directly indirectly connected flag representation thereof manner flag representation used attract attention advertise words figures advertisements designs shall purposes section deemed upon flag subsequent goguen prosecution desecration contempt portion statute amended twice march legislature per stats modified first sentence inserting burns otherwise terms publicly mutilates addition increasing fine mass laws supp august per stats legislature appended new sentence defining flag phrase appearing first sentence purposes section term flag shall mean flag designated act resolution congress national emblem whether designation currently force ibid amendments relevant case tangential sense indicate recognition legislature need tighten imprecise statute perhaps difficulty question whether goguen conduct constituted physical desecration flag cf sure sewing flag background clearly affects physical integrity app appellant correctly conceded oral argument goguen case first recorded massachusetts reading language tr oral arg indeed exception one case turn century involving one statute provisions commonwealth sherman mfg mass entire statute essentially devoid state interpretation elements doctrine developed large body precedent cases categorized grayned city rockford see note doctrine rev papachristou city jacksonville lanzetta new jersey one may required peril life liberty property speculate meaning penal statutes entitled informed state commands forbids citations omitted connally general construction statute either forbids requires act terms vague men common intelligence must necessarily guess meaning differ application violates first essential due process law citations omitted grayned supra cohen grocery attempt enforce section exact equivalent effort carry statute terms merely penalized punished acts detrimental public interest unjust unreasonable estimation jury reese certainly dangerous legislature set net large enough catch possible offenders leave courts step inside say rightfully detained set large grayned supra smith california compare less stringent requirements modern vagueness cases dealing purely economic regulation national dairy products act see supra note rev supp note supra see supra see supra contempt portion massachusetts statute seems lain fallow almost entire history apparently half dozen arrests part statute recent years none produced reported decision tr oral arg teenager lynn massachusetts charged apparently present statute desecrating flag sewing pieces trousers new york times teenager ordered state district prepare deliver essay flag continued case without finding depriving precedential value photographs reply brief appellant goguen filed federal habeas corpus petition subsequent picard connor yet appears appellant raise present argument district commented specifically omission contention made goguen exhausted state remedies constitutional issues presented raised appropriately state proceedings goguen filed state superior unsuccessful motion dismiss complaint cited fourteenth amendment alleged statute charged impermissibly vague incapable fair reasonable interpretation public officials app motion also massachusetts judicial since incorporated goguen amended bill exceptions ibid addition goguen brief raised vagueness points cited vagueness cases citing lanzetta new jersey parker morgan supp wdnc north carolina flag contempt statute void vagueness overbreadth appellant correct asserting goguen failed compartmentalize state brief due process doctrine vagueness first amendment concepts overbreadth see app permitting degree leakage particular adjoining compartments understandable cf note first amendment overbreadth doctrine harv rev highest state opinion dealt separately goguen first amendment vagueness claims commonwealth goguen mass indicates well aware goguen raised sets arguments brief appellant tr oral arg ibid ibid time goguen prosecution statute referred simply flag without definition raises obvious question whether goguen miniature cloth flag constituted flag goguen argued unsuccessfully state courts statute applied flags met official standards proportions relation height width size stripes field stars cloth wore meet standards tr oral arg app dispute goguen adornment requisite number stars stripes colors tr oral arg massachusetts judicial found goguen cloth flag covered statute noting statute require flag official commonwealth goguen lower federal courts address holding note massachusetts legislature apparently sensed ambiguity respect subsequent goguen prosecution amended statute effort define meant flag see supra tr oral arg massachusetts commented simply jury infer violation intentional without reviewing words defendant commonwealth goguen supra thus held jury infer intent merely goguen conduct apparently also holding jury must find contemptuous intent statute although requirement amounts little since easily satisfied reference verbal communication reflected goguen reliance street new york ashton kentucky brief appellant regard prosecutorial policies appellant cites two published opinions massachusetts attorney general op atty reproduced brief appellant report atty pub doc reproduced jurisdictional statement app appellant concedes neither deals contempt portion statute goguen convicted thus point provided guidance one relevant statutory language nevertheless appellant correct show tendency part state attorney general read portions statute narrowly time reflect lack precision recurring throughout massachusetts statute opinion noted literal reading one portion statute prohibiting exhibition engravings flag certain articles make criminal offense display flag many cheaper common forms brief appellant state attorney general concluded manifest absurdity opinion advised flag representation painted door flag within meaning statute jurisdictional statement app contrary interpretation raise serious questions first fourteenth amendments given requirement behavior made criminal must plainly prohibited language statute federal flag desecration statute example reflects congressional purpose response warning attorney general use unbounded terms defies casts contempt either word act risk invalidation vagueness grounds bill became federal statute amended cong rec reach acts physically damage flag desecration provision statute declares whoever knowingly casts contempt upon flag publicly mutilating defacing defiling burning trampling upon shall fined imprisoned one year aware course universal adoption flag desecration contempt statutes federal state governments see supra statutes synopsized hearings et subcommittee house committee judiciary ser pp state statutes patterned uniform flag law provides person shall publicly mutilate deface defile defy trample upon word act cast contempt upon flag standard color ensign shield addressed goguen first amendment arguments found challenged statutory language void vagueness need decide additional issues moreover skeletal record case see supra affords poor opportunity careful consideration merited importance first amendment issues goguen raised justice white concurring judgment crime massachusetts one mutilates tramples defaces treats contemptuously flag appellee goguen convicted treating flag contemptuously evidence wore likeness flag seat pants holds portion statute vague provide ascertainable standard guilt situation including one although concur judgment affirmance reasons agree rationale whole range conduct anyone least semblance common sense know contemptuous conduct covered statute directed flag instances ample notice actor room undue discretion enforcement officers may variety conduct might might claimed contemptuous state unpredictability situations change certainty others also confident statute vague respect conduct goguen arrested convicted beyond reasonable comprehension anyone conform conduct law realize sewing flag seat pants contemptuous flag judicial massachusetts affirming conviction stated jury infer violation intentional thus intended act statute forbids goguen hardly complain realize acts violation statute requirement specific intent prohibited act may avoid consequences accused may otherwise render vague indefinite statute invalid punishment imposed act knowingly done purpose statute prohibits accused said suffer lack warning knowledge act violation law screws argued statute case merely requires intentional act willful one sense intending statute forbids must recalled appellee major argument wearing flag patch trousers conduct clearly expressed idea albeit unpopular unpatriotic flag country symbolizes goguen may meant show believed america fit place sit proximity portion anatomy might vulgar connotations nonetheless strong forceful communication ideas unmistakable app goguen misapprehension whether showing contempt flag acknowledges brief necessary jury find appellee conveyed contemptuous attitude order convict therefore agree massachusetts statute vague goguen vague conduct irrelevant may vague contexts respect conduct determining sufficiency notice statute must necessity examined light conduct defendant charged national dairy products statutes invalidated vague simply difficulty found determining whether certain marginal offenses fall within language unavoidable inquiry therefore becomes whether treats contemptuously provision statute applied case unconstitutional first amendment amendment course applies speech conduct without substantial communicative intent impact even though particular conduct may expressive understood nature may prohibited necessary nonspeech interest government within power government implement doubt mind well within powers congress adopt prescribe national flag protect integrity flag congress may provide general welfare control interstate commerce provide common defense exercise powers necessary proper ends powers inherent attributes sovereignty well surely encompass designation protection flag foolishness suggest men wrote constitution thought violating specified flag new nation act stat union articles confederation journals continental congress june fact history flags associated nations government levels well tribes families also historical fact flags including played important useful role human affairs one need explain fully phenomenon recognize existence case concede flag important symbol nationhood unity created nation endowed certain attributes conceived light doubt validity laws designating describing flag regulating use display disposition created flag may flag national property nation may regulate make imitate sell possess use question statutes proscribe mutilation defacement burning flag otherwise protect physical integrity without regard whether conduct might provoke violence neither find beyond congressional power state legislatures forbid attaching putting flag words symbols advertisements objects whatever nature foreign flag change physical character interfere design function seem little question power congress forbid mutilation lincoln memorial prevent overlaying words objects flag monument subject similar protection ii affirm goguen conviction therefore convicted mutilating trampling upon defacing flag using flag billboard commercial advertisements displays massachusetts statute however stop proscriptions defacement attaching foreign objects flag also makes crime one treats contemptuously flag goguen convicted part statute violate statute respect enough one treat flag must also treat contemptuously ordinary understanding expression contempt flag case us noted jury must found goguen wore flag seat pants also act hence goguen contemptuous flag convict basis convict protect physical integrity protect acts interfering proper use flag punish communicating ideas flag unacceptable controlling majority legislature neither state may require individual salute express favorable attitudes toward flag west virginia board education barnette also clear cases disrespectful contemptuous spoken written words flag may punished consistently first amendment street new york although neither written spoken act may sufficiently communicative invoke protection first amendment tinker des moines independent community school district may forbidden law except incidental preventing unprotected conduct unless communication among fall outside protection first amendment supra sustained conviction draft card burning although admittedly burning expressive destruction draft cards whether communicative found inimical important governmental considerations made clear concern law expression associated act result otherwise case bar therefore unlike one alleged governmental interest regulating conduct arises measure communication allegedly integral conduct thought harmful stromberg california example struck statutory phrase punished people expressed opposition organized government displaying flag badge banner device since statute aimed suppressing communication sustained regulation noncommunicative conduct conviction treats contemptuously provision massachusetts statute suffer infirmity true goguen conviction said conviction violate first fourteenth amendments goguen communicated nothing conduct intend evidentiary basis whatsoever convicting contemptuous flag concur judgment recurring litigation diverse results validity flag use flag desecration statutes representative federal state cases following thoms heffernan long island vietnam moratorium committee cahn crosson cert denied joyce app cert denied deeds beto supp nd tex oldroyd kugler supp nj rev abstention remand supp aff sutherland dewulf supp sd parker morgan supp wdnc crosson silver supp hodsdon buckson supp del rev grounds sub nom hodsdon stabler ferguson supp nd cal state royal state zimmelman state spence probable jurisdiction noted sub judice city miami wolfenberger dist app state mitchell ohio app state liska ohio app state van camp cir state waterman iowa state saulino ohio misc deeds state crim app tex people radich aff equally divided rehearing denied people cowgill cal app cal rptr appeal dismissed hinton state rev grounds sub nom anderson georgia treatment statutes protective flag see rosenblatt flag desecration statutes history analysis massachusetts construed statute eliminate communicative aspect proscribed conduct crucial element violation state royal new hampshire noting among things state valid interest physical integrity flag rejected facial attack flag desecration statute made crime publicly mutilate trample upon defile deface cast contempt upon flag construed statute directed acts upon flag expression mere belief particular ideas proscription casting contempt upon flag understood general prohibition acts nature previously forbidden acts mutilation defacement proscription expression ideas thus statute narrowly drawn flag statutes deals flag flag ensign evidently purporting flag state cline decided date also construe statute prohibits acts mutilation defilement inflicted directly upon flag prohibit acts directed flag without touching statute enumerates specific acts flag desecration namely mutilate trample upon defile deface involve physical acts upon flag general term cast contempt follows enumerated specific acts hold phrase cast contempt acts used rsa limited physical abuse type acts similar previously enumerated statute sutherland statutory construction rev ed horack state small state gas electric mr agree justice white conclusion massachusetts flag statute unconstitutionally vague disagree conclusion words treats contemptuously necessarily directed protected speech goguen conviction immature antic therefore withstand constitutional challenge agree justice rehnquist concludes first amendment affords shield goguen conduct reach result however ground judicial massachusetts read language massachusetts statute require treats contemptuously entails physical contact flag protection physical integrity ground unanimous rescript opinion fact already done exactly opinion goguen prosecuted intellectually diverse speech street new york rejected vagueness challenge concluded goguen punished speech massachusetts upholding conviction necessarily limited scope statute protecting physical integrity flag requisite treating contemptuously found concluded punishment speech communicative element therefore must conclude goguen punishment constitutionally permissible harming physical integrity flag wearing affixed seat pants accept massachusetts opinion regard face value justice rehnquist chief justice joins dissenting agree concurring opinion brother white insofar concludes massachusetts law unconstitutionally vague agree law appellee goguen convicted violates first fourteenth amendments issue application first amendment expressive conduct symbolic speech undoubtedly difficult one cases dealing flag unfortunately expounded dissents concurrences see street new york warren dissenting black dissenting white dissenting fortas dissenting cowgill california harlan concurring nonetheless since disagree conclusion statute unconstitutionally vague must unlike address appellant first amendment contentions question whether state may regulate display flag circumstances shown record appears open one decisions halter nebraska street new york supra cowgill california supra harlan concurring people radich aff equally divided rightly describes slender record case ante shows goguen wore small cloth version flag sewn seat blue jeans first police officer questioned standing group people main street leominster massachusetts people laughing second police officer saw walking downtown business district leominster wearing short coat casual type pants miniature american flag sewn left side pants goguen testify nothing record us indicate attempting communicate conduct indeed whether attempting communicate anything record us even conclusively reveal whether goguen sewed flag pants whether pants manufactured complete flag counsel however also trial counsel stated oral argument knowledge pants manufactured flag finally appear whether appellee said anything journey streets leominster amended bill exceptions judicial massachusetts made mention testimony indicating spoke goguen prosecuted massachusetts statute set forth opinion asserted claim unconstitutional vagueness claim statute infringes right first fourteenth amendments good deal doubt record goguen trying communicate particular idea convicted statute simply prohibited improper display flag satisfied conclude conduct wearing flag seat pants come within even outermost limits sort expressive conduct symbolic speech entitled first amendment protection goguen convicted treating flag contemptuously act wearing difficulty seeing goguen found jury treated flag contemptuously act still expressed idea therefore opinion least marginal elements symbolic speech goguen conduct reflected record many cases said involve conduct less expressive goguen however never thought require analysis first amendment terms presence factors one burns factory company whose products dislikes expect first amendment defense consequent arson prosecution given short shrift courts arson statute safeguards government substantial interest preventing destruction property means dangerous human life arsonist motive quite irrelevant fate doubtless await first amendment claim one prosecuted destruction government property defaced speed limit sign order protest stated speed limit arsonist defacer traffic signs infringed property interests others whether another individual government yet goguen unlike either far record shows infringed ordinary property rights one goguen owned flag adorned however disposition first amendment issue government may escape reach first amendment asserting acts proprietary capacity respect streets parks title hague cio defendant goguen may escape reach police power state massachusetts asserting act affected property indeed many exceptions proposition one may likes property said even status general rule substantial authority state local governing bodies regulate use land thereby limit uses available owner land established nearly half century ago euclid ambler realty regulations residential zoning district typically merely exclude malodorous unsightly rendering plants often also prohibit erection buildings monuments including ones open public might aesthetic sense involve substantial elements expressive conduct performance play may well constitute expressive conduct pure speech landowner may reason insist right construct operate theater area zoned noncommercial uses long zoning laws guise neutrality actually prohibit expression ideas content thought open challenge first amendment may land may kinds property subjected close regulation control person ownership interest controlled drugs firearms use sell transfer whatever manner pleases copyright laws et limit use purchaser copyrighted book may make acquisition company may restricted advertises billboards packer utah statute goguen violated however purport protect related interests property owners neighbors indeed competing ownership interest property interest protects government traditional property interest even however laws regulating use flag means unique number examples found statutes enacted congress protect peculiarly governmental interest property otherwise privately owned title prohibits printing publishing actual size actual color postage revenue stamp obligation security likewise prohibits importation plates purpose printing title prohibits alteration federal reserve note national bank note prohibits disfiguring defacing national bank note coin title prohibits wearing military uniform part uniform anything similar military uniform part thereof without proper authorization title prohibits unauthorized wearing service medals without significance many statutes though long books never judicially construed even challenged brother white says however whatever may said neutral statutes simply designed protect governmental interest private property case flag may characterized interest preserving physical integrity massachusetts statute neutral punishes treat flag contemptuously imposing penalty treat otherwise impair physical integrity way ii leaving aside moment nature governmental interest protecting physical integrity flag accept conclusion massachusetts statute must invalidated punishing conduct impairs flag physical integrity true observes many words narrowing construction statute judicial massachusetts first decisions cited short rescript opinion judicial halter nebraska upheld constitutional attack nebraska statute forbade use flag purposes advertising also benefit opinion attorney general commonwealth massachusetts statute goguen prosecuted penal enlarged beyond plain import general rule strictly construed report atty pub doc pp guidance assistance content entire statutory prohibition think judicial read language whoever publicly mutilates tramples upon defaces treats contemptuously flag carrying clear implication contemptuous treatment like mutilation tramples upon defacing must involve actual physical contact flag reading exclude merely derogatory gesture performed distance flag well purely verbal disparagement statute thus limited acts affect physical integrity flag question remains whether state sought punish impair flag physical integrity purpose disparaging symbol permitting impairment physical integrity seek disparage symbol case holdings like schacht suggest law abridge right free expression massachusetts metes punishment anyone publicly mutilates tramples defaces flag regardless motive purpose also punishes display words figures advertisements designs flag use flag parade receptacle depositing collecting money likewise prohibited offering selling article engraved representation flag variety prohibitions demonstrates massachusetts merely prohibited impairment physical integrity flag cast contempt upon equally seek take advantage favorable image order facilitate commercial purpose seek convey message means imprinting words designs flag prohibitions broad enough fairly said massachusetts statute one essentially designed preserve physical integrity flag merely punish infringe integrity purpose disparaging flag symbol true statute appear cover one simply wears flag unless conduct reasons falls within prohibitions legislature required address every related matter area one statute katzenbach morgan may well incidence conduct time statute enacted thought warrant legislation order preserve physical integrity flag observed accept view apparently limitless variety conduct labeled speech whenever person engaging conduct intends thereby express idea within constitutional power government furthers important substantial governmental interest governmental interest unrelated suppression free expression incidental restriction alleged first amendment freedoms greater essential furtherance interest brother white alludes early legislation continental congress congress new nation dealing flags observes one need explain fully phenomenon recognize existence case concede flag important symbol nationhood unity created nation endowed certain attributes conceived light doubt validity laws designating describing flag regulating use display disposition agree september last members constitutional convention signing instrument james madison notes describes occurrence following incident whilst last members signing doctor franklin looking towards president chair back rising sun happened painted observed members near painters found difficult distinguish art rising setting sun said often often course session vicissitudes hopes fears issue looked behind president without able tell whether rising setting length happiness know rising setting sun writings james madison hunt ed hen dealing words also constituent act like constitution must realize called life development foreseen completely gifted begetters enough realize hope created organism taken century cost successors much sweat blood prove created nation case us must considered light whole experience merely said hundred years ago missouri holland ralph waldo emerson writing years battles lexington concord wrote rude bridge arched flood flag april breeze unfurled embattled farmers stood fired shot heard world artistic evocations flag occur context times national struggle correspondingly greater dependence flag symbol national unity importance flag means limited field hostilities flag flies every federal courthouse nation prominently displayed almost every federal state local public building throughout land one visible embodiment authority national government laws nation guarantees constitution enforced empty rhetoric say constitution even first fourteenth amendments goguen seeks upset conviction invariably world practical affairs enforce going back memories us presently alive flag carried federal troops summoned president enforce decrees federal courts little rock arkansas oxford mississippi significance flag deep emotional feelings arouses large part citizenry fully expressed two dimensions lawyer brief judicial opinion government may create private proprietary interests written work musical theatrical performances virtue copyright laws see reason may reasons mentioned create similar governmental interest flag prohibiting even purchased physical object impairing physical integrity purchased merely cloth dyed red white blue also one visible manifestation two hundred years nationhood history compiled generations forebears contributed streams immigrants four corners globe traveled course since time country origin foreseen gifted begetters permissible scope government regulation unique physical object adequately dealt terms law private property highly abstract scholastic interpretation first amendment massachusetts prohibited goguen wearing sign sewn seat pants expressing words low opinion flag country anything else prohibited wearing particular symbol extraordinary significance content significance content goguen wise responsible flag another thing another idea primarily idea goguen far record appears quite free express verbally whatever views seeking express wearing flag sewn pants streets leominster parks commons free speech assembly customarily permitted compelled way salute flag pledge allegiance make affirmative gesture support respect contravene west virginia board education barnette simply prohibited impairing physical integrity unique national symbol given content generations forebears symbol acquired copy believe massachusetts right enact prohibition extent counsel appellant argued cause appeals may intimated broader construction colloquy quoted opinion ante attach little weight previously said loath attach conclusive weight relatively spontaneous responses counsel equally spontaneous questioning oral argument moose lodge irvis case surely even less weight ascribed us colloquy took place another