babbitt farm workers argued february decided june appellees farmworkers union union agent farmworkers union supporter brought suit federal district arizona seeking declaration unconstitutionality various provisions arizona farm labor statute well entire statute injunction enforcement ruled unconstitutional various grounds provisions specifying procedures election employee bargaining representatives limiting union publicity directed consumers agricultural products imposing criminal penalty violations statute excusing agricultural employer furnishing union materials information time facilities enable communicate employer employees access provision governing arbitration labor disputes construed mandating compulsory arbitration deeming provisions inseparable remainder statute went declare whole statute unconstitutional enjoined enforcement held challenges provisions regulating election procedures consumer publicity criminal sanctions present case controversy challenges access arbitration provisions justiciable pp fact appellees invoked election procedures provision past expressed intention future defeat justiciability challenge view nature claim delays attending statutory election scheme technical limitations may vote unit elections severely curtail freedom association await appellees participation election assist resolution threshold question whether election procedures subject scrutiny first amendment question dispositive appellees challenge warrant postponing consideration election procedures claim pp respect appellees claim consumer publicity provision face proscribes unfair labor practice dishonest untruthful deceptive publicity unconstitutionally penalizes inaccuracies inadvertently uttered appellees reason fear prosecution violation provision state disavowed intention invoking criminal penalty provision applies terms ny person violates provision statute unions commit unfair labor practices accordingly positions parties sufficiently adverse respect consumer publicity provision present case controversy reasons case controversy also presented appellees claim provision unduly restricts protected speech limiting publicity directed agricultural products employer union primary dispute pp clear appellees desire engage prohibited consumer publicity campaigns claim criminal penalty provision unconstitutionally vague properly entertained district may raised appeal provision truly vague appellees expected pursue collective activities peril appellees challenge access provision justiciable conjectural anticipate access denied importantly appellees claim provision violates first fourteenth amendments deprives state agency responsible enforcing statute discretion compel agricultural employers furnish enumerated items depends upon attributes situs involved opinion constitutionality provision time patently advisory adjudication challenge must wait appellees assert interest seeking access particular facilities well palpable basis believing access refused pp similarly ruling allegedly compulsory arbitration provision wholly advisory record discloses real concrete dispute application provision appellees acknowledging employers may elect responses arguably unlawful strike seeking injunction agreeing arbitrate appellees never contested constitutionality provision pp district properly considered constitutionality election procedures provision even though prior construction provision arizona state courts lacking abstained adjudicating challenges consumer publicity criminal penalty provisions material unresolved questions state law determined arizona courts pp construction election procedures provision obviate need decision constitutional issue materially alter question decided resolution question whether procedures affected first amendment interest dispositive appellees challenge criminal penalty provision might construed broadly applying provisions statute affirmatively proscribing commanding courses conduct narrowly applying certain provisions susceptible violated either case provision reasonably susceptible constructions might undercut modify appellees vagueness attack otherwise significantly alter constitutional questions requiring resolution pp view fact consumer publicity provision patently ambiguous subject varying interpretations substantially affect constitutional question presented district erred entertaining aspects appellees challenge provision without benefit construction thereof arizona courts pp district erred invalidating election procedures provision arizona constitutionally obliged provide procedures pursuant agricultural employees chosen representative might compel employers negotiate undertaken assertedly niggardly fashion presents general matter first amendment problems moreover statute preclude voluntary recognition union agricultural employer pp white delivered opinion burger stewart blackmun powell rehnquist stevens joined brennan filed opinion concurring part dissenting part marshall joined post rex lee special assistant attorney general arizona argued cause appellants briefs robert corbin attorney general john lasota former attorney general charles jones jon kyl john weldon jerome cohen argued cause appellees brief james rutkowski joseph herman filed brief agricultural producers labor committee et al amici curiae urging reversal briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed mark rosenbaum fred okrand dennis perluss american civil liberties union foundation southern california et al albert woll laurence gold american federation labor congress industrial organizations marvin brenner ellen lake filed brief agricultural labor relations board amicus curiae justice white delivered opinion case review decision district setting aside unconstitutional arizona farm labor statute district perceived particular constitutional problems five provisions act deeming provisions inseparable remainder act declared entire act unconstitutional enjoined enforcement conclude challenges two provisions specifically invalidated present case controversy within jurisdiction federal hence adjudicated although attacks two provisions justiciable conclude district abstained deciding federal issues posed material unresolved questions state law determined arizona courts finally believe district properly reached merits fifth provision erred invalidating accordingly reverse judgment district arizona legislature enacted comprehensive scheme regulation agricultural employment relations arizona agricultural employment relations act rev stat ann supp statute designates procedures governing election employee bargaining representatives establishes various rights agricultural employers employees proscribes range employer union practices establishes civil criminal enforcement scheme ensure compliance substantive provisions act appellees farm workers national union ufw agent ufw named farmworkers supporter ufw commenced suit federal secure declaration unconstitutionality various sections act well entire act injunction enforcement district convened entertain action basis past instances enforcement act light provision imposition criminal penalties violat ion provision act rev stat ann supp determined appellees challenges presently justiciable reaching merits claims ruled unconstitutional five distinct provisions act specifically disapproved section specifying election procedures ground failing account seasonal employment peaks precluded consummation elections workers dispersed hence frustrated associational rights agricultural employees also view act restricted unduly class employees technically eligible vote bargaining representatives hence burdened workers freedom association second respect moreover ruled violative first fourteenth amendments provision limiting union publicity directed consumers agricultural products construed section proscribed innocent well deliberately false representations section declared infirm additional reason prohibited consumer publicity whether true false implicating product trade name may include agricultural products employer employer protesting labor organization engaged primary dispute also struck statute criminal penalty provision vagueness grounds held unconstitutional provision excusing employer furnishing labor organization materials information time facilities enable union communicate employer employees thought latter provision permitted employers prevent access unions migratory farmworkers residing property violation guarantees free speech association finally disapproved provision construed mandating compulsory arbitration ground denied employees due process right jury trial district found guaranteed seventh amendment remainder act fell reason inseparability inoperability apart provisions found invalid supp appellants sought review judgment substantial doubts regarding justiciability appellees claims postponed consideration jurisdiction review merits hold five provisions specifically invalidated district sections pertaining election bargaining representatives consumer publicity imposition criminal penalties susceptible judicial resolution time conclude district abstained adjudicating appellees challenge consumer publicity criminal penalty provisions although think constitutionality election procedures properly considered even lacking prior construction arizona courts unable sustain district declaration however election procedures facially unconstitutional ii address first threshold question whether appellees alleged case controversy within meaning art iii constitution abstract questions currently justiciable federal difference abstract question case controversy one degree course discernible precise test see maryland casualty pacific coal oil basic inquiry whether conflicting contentions parties present real substantial controversy parties adverse legal interests dispute definite concrete hypothetical abstract railway mail assn corsi see evers dwyer maryland casualty pacific coal oil supra plaintiff challenges statute must demonstrate realistic danger sustaining direct injury result statute operation enforcement littleton ne await consummation threatened injury obtain preventive relief injury certainly impending enough pennsylvania west virginia see regional rail reorganization act cases pierce society sisters contesting constitutionality criminal statute necessary plaintiff first expose actual arrest prosecution entitled challenge statute claims deters exercise constitutional rights steffel thompson see epperson arkansas evers dwyer supra plaintiff alleged intention engage course conduct arguably affected constitutional interest proscribed statute exists credible threat prosecution thereunder required await undergo criminal prosecution sole means seeking relief doe bolton persons fears state prosecution except imaginary speculative accepted appropriate plaintiffs younger harris golden zwickler plaintiffs claim ever threatened prosecution prosecution likely even prosecution remotely possible allege dispute susceptible resolution federal younger harris supra examining claims adjudicated foregoing principles view challenges provisions regulating election procedures consumer publicity criminal sanctions challenges present case controversy already noted appellees principal complaint statutory election procedures entail inescapable delays preclude conducting election promptly enough permit participation many farmworkers engaged production crops short seasons appellees also assail assertedly austere limitations eligible participate elections act appellees admittedly invoked act election procedures past expressed intention future see appellees reluctance respect defeat justiciability challenge view nature claim appellees insist agricultural workers constitutionally entitled select representatives bargain employers employment conditions appellees read statute representatives duly elected provisions may compel employer bargain appellees maintain adduced evidence tending prove statutory election procedures frustrate rather facilitate democratic selection bargaining representatives ufw declined pursue procedures lack interest representing arizona farmworkers negotiations employers due procedures asserted futility indeed ufw past sought represent arizona farmworkers asserted complaint desire organize workers represent collective bargaining moreover ufw participated nearly elections california procedures thought amenable prompt fair elections lack comparable opportunity arizona said impose continuing burden appellees associational rights even though challenged statute sure work injury alleged however adjudication might postponed better factual record might available regional rail reorganization act cases supra thus appellants urge decline entertain appellees challenge undertake invoke act election procedures way might acquire information regarding challenged procedures actually operate lieu predictive evidence appellees introduced trial persuaded however awaiting appellees participation election assist resolution threshold question whether election procedures subject scrutiny first amendment regard question dispositive appellees challenge elaborated think warrant postponing adjudication election claim appellees twofold attack act limitation consumer publicity also justiciable section makes unfair labor practice induce encourage ultimate consumer agricultural product refrain purchasing consuming using agricultural product use dishonest untruthful deceptive publicity violations section may criminally punishable appellees maintain consumer publicity provision unconstitutionally penalizes inaccuracies inadvertently uttered course consumer appeals record shows ufw actively engaged consumer publicity campaigns past arizona appellees alleged complaint intention continue engage boycott activities state although appellees plan propagate untruths contend observed erroneous statement inevitable free debate new york times sullivan submit avoid criminal prosecution must curtail consumer appeals thus forgo full exercise insist first amendment rights urged accordingly challenge limitation consumer publicity plainly poses actual case controversy appellants maintain criminal penalty provision yet applied may never applied commissions unfair labor practices including forbidden consumer publicity noted fear criminal prosecution allegedly unconstitutional statute imaginary wholly speculative plaintiff need first expose actual arrest prosecution entitled challenge statute steffel thompson consumer publicity provision face proscribes dishonest untruthful deceptive publicity criminal penalty provision applies terms ny person violates provision act moreover state disavowed intention invoking criminal penalty provision unions commit unfair labor practices appellees thus without reason fearing prosecution violation ban specified forms consumer publicity view positions parties sufficiently adverse respect consumer publicity provision proscribing misrepresentations present case controversy within jurisdiction district section also said limit consumer appeals directed products labor organization involved primary dispute appellees construe proscribes publicity directed trademark trade name generic name may include agricultural products another producer user trademark trade name generic name appellees challenge limitation unduly restricting protected speech appellees past engaged appeals arguably prohibited statute allege intention continue reasons appellees challenge first aspect consumer publicity provision justiciable think claim directed second aspect may entertained well conclude attack criminal penalty provision also subject adjudication time section authorizes imposition criminal sanctions ny person violates provision act appellees contend penalty provision unconstitutionally vague give notice conduct made criminal appellees aver previously engaged future engage organizing boycotting picketing striking activities regulated various provisions act assert sure whether criminal sanctions may visited upon pursuing conduct much allegedly constitutionally protected noted clear appellees desire engage least consumer publicity campaigns prohibited act accordingly think challenge precision criminal penalty provision properly entertained district may raised appeal provision truly vague appellees expected pursue collective activities peril appellees challenge access provision however justiciable provision stipulates employer shall required furnish make available labor organization information time facilities enable labor organization communicate employees employer members labor organization supporters adherents appellees insist district held provision deprives arizona employment relations board charged responsibility enforcing act discretion compel agricultural employers furnish materials information time facilities labor organizations desirous communicating workers located employers property section reason violates first fourteenth amendments constitution may accepted ufw inevitably seek access employers property order organize simply communicate farmworkers conjectural anticipate access denied importantly appellees claim depends inextricably upon attributes situs involved liken farm labor camps company town involved marsh alabama first amendment held operate yet impossible know whether access denied places fitting appellees constitutional claim hypothesize event come pass basis constitutional claim adjudicated time opinion patently advisory adjudication appellees challenge access provision must therefore await least time appellees assert interest seeking access particular facilities well palpable basis believing access refused finally constitutionality allegedly compulsory arbitration provision also improperly considered district provision specifies employer may seek obtain injunction upon filing verified petition showing agricultural employees unlawfully strike unlawfully conducting boycott unlawfully threatening strike boycott resulting cessation work conduct boycott result prevention production loss spoilage deterioration reduction grade quality marketability agricultural commodity commodities human consumption commercial quantities employer invokes jurisdiction issue temporary restraining order enjoin strike employer must condition thereto agree submit dispute binding arbitration means settling unresolved issues parties agree arbitrator must appoint one record us insufficiently real concrete dispute respect application provision appellees acknowledge assuming arguably unlawful strike occur employers may elect pursue range responses seeking injunction agreeing arbitrate moreover appellees never contested constitutionality arbitration clause declare three judge motion found binding arbitration provision violative substantive due process seventh amendment brief appellees appellees instead raised challenges statute civil enforcement scheme consider appeal see supra clear ruling compulsory arbitration provision wholly advisory iii appellants contend even assuming appellees claims justiciable district abstained adjudicating claims arizona courts might authoritatively construe provisions issue disagree appellees challenge statutory election procedures first submitted arizona courts think district abstained considering constitutionality criminal penalty provision consumer publicity provision pending review state courts observed bstention sanctions escape immediate decision narrowly limited special circumstances kusper pontikes quoting lake carriers assn macmullan paradigm special circumstances make abstention appropriate case challenged state statute susceptible construction state judiciary avoid modify necessity reaching federal constitutional question kusper pontikes supra see zwickler koota harrison naacp railroad pullman course abstention doctrine contemplates deference state adjudication made issue state law uncertain harman forssenius state statute issue fairly subject interpretation render unnecessary substantially modify federal constitutional question abstention may required order avoid unnecessary friction relations interference important state functions tentative decisions questions state law premature constitutional adjudication think construction provision governing election procedures obviate need decision constitutional issue materially alter question decided shall discuss resolution question whether statutory election procedures affected first amendment interest dispositive appellees challenge insofar bears matter statute pointedly clear accordingly perceive basis declining decide appellees challenge election procedures notwithstanding absence prior adjudication conclude however district postponed resolution appellees challenge criminal penalty provision section provides pertinent part ny person violates provision act guilty misdemeanor appellees maintain penalty provision leaves substantial doubt regarding activities elicit criminal sanctions district concluded observing onsidering enormous variety activities covered act penalty section clearly statutory provision vague men common intelligence guess meaning elaborated way anyone guess whether criminal provisions apply particular conduct advance clear statute unconstitutionally vague adequately define prohibited conduct therefore violation due process clause fourteenth amendment ibid appellants argue criminal penalty provision unambiguous indeed insist provision enforced impossible know considered violatio act brief appellants appellants submit various unfair labor practices example treated yet criminal violations possible however penalty provision might construed broadly applying sections act affirmatively proscribe command courses conduct terms reaches ny person violates provision act alternatively arizona courts might conclude limited portions act susceptible violated thus narrowly define reach penalty section either case evident statute reasonably susceptible constructions might undercut modify appellees vagueness attack may construed broadly penalty provision operate conjunction substantive provisions act restrict unduly pursuit first amendment activities least evident authoritative construction penalty provision may significantly alter constitutional questions requiring resolution noted course extensive adjudications impact variety factual situations required order bring challenged statute within bounds permissible constitutional certainty abstention may inappropriate baggett bullitt arizona courts may determine single proceeding substantive provisions penalty provision modifies case uncertain issue state law turns upon choice one several alternative meanings state statute ibid accordingly think arizona courts afforded reasonable opportunity pass upon section review harrison naacp supra district abstained respect appellees challenges consumer publicity provision well appellees argued arizona proscription misrepresentations labor organizations course appeals consumers intolerably inhibits exercise first amendment right freely discuss issues concerning employment farm laborers production crops appellants submit however statutory ban untruthful consumer publicity might fairly construed arizona proscribing misrepresentations made knowledge falsity reckless disregard truth falsity qualification appellees insist prohibition misstatements must include construction effect substantially affect constitutional question presented reasonably arguable consumer publicity provision susceptible construction appellants suggest section makes unlawful induce encourage ultimate consumer agricultural product refrain purchasing consuming using agricultural product use dishonest untruthful deceptive publicity emphasis added face statute forbid propagation untruths without rather condemnable consumer publicity must dishonest deceptive well untruthful arizona courts may well conclude dishonest untruthful statement one made knowledge falsity reckless disregard falsity sure consumer publicity provision provides ermissible inducement encouragement means truthful honest nondeceptive publicity emphasis added phrase may read indicate representations three attributes prohibited act held phrase denotes truthful honest nondeceptive publicity permissible publicity prohibited read conjunction prohibitory clause preceding latter phrase thus introduces ambiguity suitable resolution sum think adjudication appellees attack statutory limitation untruthful consumer appeals await authoritative interpretation limitation arizona courts conclude district abstained adjudicating appellees additional contention consumer publicity provision unconstitutionally precludes publicity directed products employers protesting labor organization primary dispute think means clear statute fact prohibits publicity solely directed products particular employers already discussed declares unfair labor practice induce encourage ultimate consumer agricultural products refrain purchasing products use dishonest untruthful deceptive publicity provision stipulates permissible inducement encouragement within meaning section means truthful honest publicity identifies agricultural product produced agricultural employer labor organization primary dispute permissible inducement encouragement include publicity directed trademark trade name generic name may include agricultural products another producer user trademark trade name generic name moreover might construed light prohibit threatening speech latter provision pertinent part expressing views argument opinion making statement dissemination views whether written printed graphic visual auditory form expression contains threat reprisal force promise benefit shall constitute evidence unfair labor practice face appear qualify latter identifies unfair labor practice labor organization agents consumer publicity provision interpreted intercept expressions embodying threat force issue constitutional validity assume character wholly different question posed appellees construction thus conclude district erred entertaining aspects appellees challenge consumer publicity section without benefit construction thereof arizona courts sensitive appellees reluctance repair arizona courts extensive litigation federal arena nevertheless hold case district adjudicated substantial constitutional claims respect statutory provisions patently ambiguous face iv merits appellees challenge statutory election procedures remain considered appellees contend district concluded delays assertedly attending statutory election scheme technical limitations may vote unit elections severely curtail appellees freedom association freedom said entails liberty join sustain labor union collectively express position agricultural employer also create elect organization entitled invoke statutory provision requiring employer bargain collectively certified representative employees see however general complaints statutory election procedures ineffective matters arizona legislature federal courts accepting constitution guarantees workers right individually collectively voice views employers see givhan western line consolidated school cf madison school dist wisconsin employment relations constitution afford employees right compel employers engage dialogue even listen accordingly arizona constitutionally obliged provide procedure pursuant agricultural employees chosen representative might compel employers negotiate undertaken assertedly niggardly fashion presents general matter first amendment problems moreover act preclude voluntary recognition labor organization agricultural employer thus event employer desires bargain representative chosen employees independently statutory election procedures bargaining may readily occur statutory procedures need pursued farmworkers desire designate exclusive bargaining representatives compel employer bargain rights conferred statute rather federal constitution accordingly time unable discern first amendment difficulty arizona statutory election scheme whether procedures fair efficacious appellees like reversed remanded footnotes district analyze section section case controversy existed respect challenged sections rather instances private official enforcement detailed stipulation filed parties concluded case hypothetical abstract generalized supp however focus specifically provision makes crime violate provision act although district deemed section severable rest act relied heavily conclusion jurisdiction adjudicate validity section justify considering constitutionality sections act see proceeding ruled evidence considered connection dealing election bargaining representatives respect limiting union access employer properties although evidence introduced trial relative provisions explain basis selecting challenges presented five provisions passed judgment section declares representatives selected secret ballot purpose collective bargaining majority agricultural employees appropriate bargaining unit shall exclusive representatives agricultural employees unit purpose collective bargaining requires agricultural employment relations board ascertain unit appropriate purposes collective bargaining section provides board shall investigate petition alleging facts specified indicating question representation exists schedule appropriate hearing board reasonable cause believe question representation exist hearing establishes question exists board directed order election secret ballot certify results thereof section details manner election conducted section provides procedures employer might challenge petition election additionally stipulates election shall directed conducted unit within valid election held preceding months section also sets certain eligibility requirements regarding participation elections conducted thereunder imposes obligations employers furnish information board made available interested unions employees concerning employees qualified vote finally section specifies procedures whereby agricultural employees may seek rescind representation authority union currently representing employees election provision contemplates voting agricultural employees defined exclude workers brief history employment agricultural employer section makes unfair labor practice labor organization agents induce encourage ultimate consumer agricultural product refrain purchasing consuming using agricultural product use dishonest untruthful deceptive publicity permissible inducement encouragement within meaning section means truthful honest nondeceptive publicity identifies agricultural product produced agricultural employer labor organization primary dispute permissible inducement encouragement include publicity directed trademark trade name generic name may include agricultural products another producer user trademark trade name generic name section provides person knowingly resists prevents impedes interferes member board agents agencies performance duties pursuant article violates provision article guilty class misdemeanor provisions section shall apply activities carried outside state arizona section provides part employer shall required furnish make available labor organization labor organization shall required furnish make available employer materials information time facilities enable employer labor organization case may communicate employees employer members labor organization supporters adherents section provides case strike boycott threat strike boycott agricultural employer may grant upon proper application shall grant provided section restraining order enjoining strike boycott provided agricultural employer invokes jurisdiction issue restraining order enjoin strike provided subsection said employer must condition thereto agree submit dispute binding arbitration means settling unresolved issues event parties agree arbitrator within two days awards restraining order shall appoint one decide unresolved issues agricultural employer shall entitled injunctive relief accorded rule arizona rules civil procedure upon filing verified petition showing agricultural employees unlawfully strike unlawfully conducting boycott unlawfully threatening strike boycott resulting cessation work conduct boycott result prevention production loss spoilage deterioration reduction grade quality marketability agricultural commodity commodities human consumption commercial quantities purpose subsection agricultural commodity commodities human consumption market value five thousand dollars shall constitute commercial quantities appellees challenged numerous provisions district expressly considered disapproving five provisions address appeal concluded obviously need rule plaintiffs contentions including claimed equal protection violation enjoined enforcement act entirety finding provisions explicitly invalidated inseparable actually adjudicated find insufficient reason consider first instance appellees challenges provisions district specifically pass judgment although appellants contested justiciability appellees several challenges act provisions contended standing particular appellee dubious standing conclude least ufw sufficient personal stake determination constitutional validity three aforementioned provisions present real substantial controversy admitting specific relief decree conclusive character buckley valeo omitted quoting aetna life ins haworth see naacp alabama accordingly assess standing remaining appellees see buckley valeo supra though waiting appellees invoke unsuccessfully statutory election procedures remove doubt existence concrete injury resulting application election provision little done remedy injury incurred particular election challengers election procedures often left without remedy regard immediate election election far underway actually consummated prior judgment see dunn blumstein moore ogilvie williams rhodes justiciability cases depends much fact past injury prospect occurrence impending future election see storer brown rosario rockefeller dunn blumstein supra value adjudicating election challenges notwithstanding lapse particular election construction statute understanding operation possible constitutional limits application effect simplifying future challenges thus increasing likelihood timely filed cases adjudicated election held storer brown supra emphasis added even independently criminal sanctions affirmatively prohibits variety consumer publicity specified therein think prospect issuance administrative order injunction prohibited conduct provides substantial additional support conclusion appellees challenge publicity provision justiciable access employer property boycotts picketing boycotts striking minorities collective bargaining dissent suggests unambiguous needs construction abstention therefore improper district invalidated vagueness grounds state position respect issue reluctant conclude appellees challenge vagueness grounds without substance hence contains ambiguity warranting abstention abstention regarding basis clearly criminalizes departure command provision act adequate consideration whether section unconstitutionally overbroad require inquiry whether conduct prohibited act constitutionally shielded criminal punishment entail dealing validity provisions may case controversy respect abstention proper course although construing section manner apparently satisfy appellees understood declaring section criminal sanction unconstitutional proscribed damaging falsehoods perpetrated unknowingly without recklessness adjudicated role first amendment suits private parties nonmedia defendants considered constitutional implications causes action injurious falsehoods outside area defamation ground covered time hill linn plant guard workers holding application state defamation remedies speech uttered labor dispute dependent upon showing knowledge recklessness grounded federal labor policy though case constitutional overtones furthermore express view whether section vulnerable constitutional attack declared false consumer publicity whether innocent culpable unfair labor practice sanction prospective order injunction directing defendant cease publishing material already determined false section constructed prohibit appeals directed products agricultural employers whose employees labor organization actually represent constitutionality substantially doubt even picketing may narrowly circumscribed afl swing additional difficulties arise section interpreted intercept publicity means picketing although previously concluded picketing aimed discouraging trade across board truly neutral employer may barred compatibly constitution carpenters ritter cafe cf nlrb fruit packers noted first amendment purposes picketing qualitatively different modes communication hughes superior see buckley valeo teamsters vogt suggested impact abstention appellees pursuit constitutionally protected activities reduced directing district protect appellees enforcement state statute pending definitive resolution issues state law arizona courts see harrison naacp matter best addressed district first instance consider whether election procedures deny appellees equal protection law although appellees challenged provisions act equal protection grounds directed argument section governing election procedures understand appellees equal protection challenge embrace sections pertaining access employer property consumer publicity determined appellees assault first provision premature appellees attack second held abeyance pending resort arizona courts justice brennan justice marshall joins concurring part dissenting part join opinion exception respectfully dissent holding district abstained postponed resolution appellees constitutional challenge rev stat ann supp statutory provision construed arizona courts must stressed bstention exercise federal jurisdiction exception rule doctrine abstention extraordinary narrow exception duty district adjudicate controversy properly county allegheny frank mashuda colorado river water conservation dist state statute susceptible construction avoid significantly alter constitutional issue however abstention appropriate avoid needless friction federal pronouncements state policies reetz bozanich today correctly points state statute issue must fairly subject interpretation render unnecessary substantially modify federal constitutional question harman forssenius ante emphasis supplied case section provides part person violates provision article guilty misdemeanor provisions section shall apply activities carried outside state arizona district clearly correct language plain unambiguous davis mann statute obviously susceptible limiting construction avoid federal constitutional question reached district zwickler koota course every attorney knows statutory provision made ambiguous sufficiently assiduous application legal discrimination resorts lawyerly legerdemain concludes abstention appropriate arizona courts might perhaps find limited portions agricultural employment relations act susceptible violated thus narrowly define reach penalty section ante potential ambiguity thus reads derive plain words statute simply invention uncertainty fairly statute abstention particularly inappropriate respect provision impacts directly precious first amendment rights statute creates sanctions violations provisions agricultural employment relations act regulate speech employees employers potential impairment first amendment interests strongly counsels abstention abstention doctrine automatic rule applied whenever federal faced doubtful issue state law rather involves discretionary exercise equity powers ascertainment whether exist special circumstances propper clark prerequisite application must made basis railroad pullman naacp bennett baggett bullitt relevant exercise equitable discretion constitutional deprivation alleged probable consequences abstaining harman forssenius often remarked equitable practice abstention limited considerations delay expense application abstention doctrine inevitably gives rise lake carriers assn macmullan quoting england medical examiners bellotti baird therefore constitutionally protected rights speech association baggett bullitt supra stake abstention becomes especially inappropriate case force plaintiff commenced federal action suffer delay state proceedings might effect impermissible chilling constitutional right seeks protect zwickler koota supra even assuming appellees financial resources pursue case arizona courts appellees may well avoid speech perhaps constitutionally protected throughout long course litigation speech might fall within cold shadow criminal liability potential abhorrent first amendment permitted equity important reasons tolerated basis slender ambiguity managed create statute abstention issue therefore manifestly unjustified ambiguous relationship concur holding district abstained respect district also found unconstitutionally vague stated considering enormous variety activities covered act fact many involve first fourteenth amendment constitutional rights clearly statutory provision vague men common intelligence guess meaning way anyone guess whether criminal provisions apply particular conduct advance clear statute unconstitutionally vague adequately define prohibited conduct therefore violation due process clause fourteenth amendment ibid fact purposes abstention doctrine plain unambiguous necessarily mean unconstitutionally vague purposes due process clause fourteenth amendment section may plainly unambiguously create criminal sanctions violations sections act considered criminal prohibitions unconstitutionally vague even statute ambiguous manner suggested abstention still inappropriate extraordinarily unlikely statute complex far ranging act single adjudication definitively specify exact reach circumstances held federal abstain exercising jurisdiction stated procunier martinez case statute regulation challenged vague individuals plainly applies simply understand required wish forswear activity arguably within scope vague terms abstention required baggett bullitt case single adjudication state eliminate constitutional difficulty rather require extensive adjudications impact variety factual situations bring challenged statute regulation within bounds permissible constitutional certainty ibid section example makes unfair labor practice induce encourage ultimate consumer agricultural product refrain purchasing consuming using agricultural product use dishonest untruthful deceptive publicity permissible inducement encouragement within meaning section means truthful honest nondeceptive publicity identifies agricultural product produced agricultural employer labor organization primary dispute permissible inducement encouragement include publicity directed trademark trade name generic name may include agricultural products another producer user trademark trade name generic name section makes violation crime appellees may deterred constitutionally protected speech even regulations agricultural employment relations act otherwise imposes speech permissible first amendment criminal sanctions discourage speech much powerfully administrative regulations sanctions thus apt cause employers employees steer far wider unlawful zone speiser randall likely contract breathing space necessary survival first amendment freedoms naacp button reason follow first amendment permits certain speech regulated must also permit speech punished see gertz robert welch first amendment interests involved view district remand issue injunction protect appellees enforcement state statute pending definitive resolution issues state law arizona courts see harrison naacp ante