elonis argued december decided june wife left petitioner anthony douglas elonis pseudonym tone dougie used social networking web site facebook post rap lyrics containing graphically violent language imagery concerning wife kindergarten class state federal law enforcement posts often interspersed disclaimers lyrics fictitious intended depict real persons statements elonis exercising first amendment rights many knew saw posts threatening however including boss fired threatening wife sought granted state order elonis former employer informed federal bureau investigation posts agency began monitoring elonis facebook activity eventually arrested charged five counts violating makes federal crime transmit interstate commerce communication containing threat injure person another trial elonis requested jury instruction government required prove intended communicate true threat instead district told jury elonis found guilty reasonable person foresee statements interpreted threat elonis convicted four five counts renewed jury instruction challenge appeal third circuit affirmed holding section requires intent communicate words defendant understands reasonable person view threat held third circuit instruction requiring negligence respect communication threat sufficient support conviction section pp section indicate whether defendant must intend communication contain threat parties show indication particular mental state requirement statute text elonis claims word threat definition conveys intent inflict harm common definitions threat speak statement conveys author mental state government argues express intent extort requirements neighboring sections preclude courts implying unexpressed intent threaten requirement section concluded comparison however congress mean confine section crimes extortion meant exclude mental state requirement pp regard mere omission criminal enactment mention criminal intent dispensing requirement morissette rule construction reflects basic principle wrongdoing must conscious criminal defendant must blameworthy mind found guilty general rule guilty mind necessary element indictment proof every crime balint thus criminal statutes generally interpreted include broadly applicable scienter requirements even statute contain video mean defendant must know conduct illegal defendant must knowledge facts make conduct fit definition offense staples federal criminal statutes silent required mental state read include mens rea necessary separate wrongful innocent conduct carter cases general requirement defendant act knowingly sufficient requirement fail protect innocent actor statute need read require specific intent ibid pp presumption favor scienter requirement apply statutory elements criminalize otherwise innocent conduct video context section requires proof communication transmitted contained threat crucial element separating legal innocence wrongful conduct threatening nature communication mental state requirement must apply fact communication contains threat elonis conviction premised solely posts viewed reasonable person standard feature civil liability tort law inconsistent conventional criminal conduct requirement awareness wrongdoing staples ha long reluctant infer negligence standard intended criminal statutes rogers marshall concurring government fails show instructions case required mental state negligence hamling distinguished section mental state requirement satisfied defendant transmits communication purpose issuing threat knowledge communication viewed threat declines address whether mental state recklessness also suffice given disposition unnecessary consider first amendment issues pp reversed remanded roberts delivered opinion scalia kennedy ginsburg breyer sotomayor kagan joined alito filed opinion concurring part dissenting part thomas filed dissenting opinion opinion notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press anthony douglas elonis petitioner writ certiorari appeals third circuit june chief justice roberts delivered opinion federal law makes crime transmit interstate commerce communication containing threat injure person another petitioner convicted violating provision instructions required jury find communicated reasonable person regard threat question whether statute also requires defendant aware threatening nature communication whether first amendment requires showing anthony douglas elonis active user social networking web site facebook users web site may post items facebook page accessible users including facebook friends notified new content posted may elonis wife nearly seven years left taking two young children elonis began listening violent music posting rap lyrics inspired music app eventually elonis changed user name facebook page actual name nom de plume tone dougie distinguish persona lyrics elonis posted tone dougie included graphically violent language imagery material often interspersed disclaimers lyrics fictitious intentional resemblance real persons elonis posted explanation another facebook user writing therapeutic see also testifying helps deal pain elonis friends viewed posts different light around halloween elonis posted photograph halloween haunt event amusement park worked photograph elonis holding toy knife neck caption elonis wrote wish elonis facebook friends tag facebook feature alerted posting brief petitioner chief park security facebook friend elonis saw photograph fired app brief petitioner response elonis posted new entry facebook page moles tell several sayin access keys gates sinister plans friends must taken home couple think dark foggy secure facility man mad see even without paycheck still main attraction whoever thought halloween haunt scary app post became basis count one elonis subsequent indictment threatening park patrons employees elonis posts frequently included crude degrading violent material shortly fired elonis posted adaptation satirical sketch wife watched together actual sketch called illegal say comedian explains illegal person say wishes kill president illegal explain illegal say elonis posted script sketch however substituted wife president posting part basis count two indictment threatening wife hi tone elonis know illegal say want kill wife one sentences allowed say okay say right telling illegal say want kill wife um interesting illegal say really really think someone kill wife illegal say mortar launcher sentence also found incredibly illegal extremely illegal go facebook say something like best place fire mortar launcher house cornfield behind easy access getaway road clear line sight sun room yet even illegal show illustrated diagram diagram house details home accurate bottom post elonis included link video original skit wrote art pushing limits willing go jail constitutional rights viewing elonis posts wife felt extremely afraid life state granted order elonis essentially restraining order elonis referred order another post tone dougie page also included count two indictment fold order put pocket thick enough stop bullet try enforce order improperly granted first place thinks judge needs education true threat jurisprudence prison time add zeros settlement worse comes worse got enough explosives take care state police sheriff department bottom post link wikipedia article freedom speech ibid elonis reference police basis count three indictment threatening law enforcement officers month interspersed posts movie elonis liked observations comedian social commentary elonis posted entry gave rise count four indictment enough checking making name enough elementary schools ten mile radius initiate heinous school shooting ever imagined hell hath fury like crazy man kindergarten class question one meanwhile park security informed local police federal bureau investigation elonis posts fbi agent denise stevens created facebook account monitor online activity post school shooting agent stevens partner visited elonis house following visit elonis polite uncooperative elonis posted another entry facebook page called little agent lady led count five know ridiculous fbi knockin yo door little agent lady stood close took strength turn ghost pull knife flick wrist slit throat leave bleedin jugular arms partner laughter next time knock best serving warrant bring yo swat explosives expert cause little know strapped wit bomb think took long get dressed shoes jus waitin handcuff pat touch detonator pocket boom pieces comin together crazy sociopath gets playin stupid like fiddle hear gon na famous cause aspiring rapper likes attention happens investigation terrorism cause think ready turn valley fallujah ai gon na tell bridge gon na fall river road really believe bridge rubble sell tomorrow boom boom boom grand jury indicted elonis making threats injure patrons employees park estranged wife police officers kindergarten class fbi agent violation app district elonis moved dismiss indictment failing allege intended threaten anyone district denied motion holding third circuit precedent required elonis intentionally made communication intended make threat app pet cert trial elonis testified posts emulated rap lyrics performer eminem involve fantasies killing app elonis view posted nothing said already government presented witnesses elonis wife said felt afraid viewed elonis posts serious threats see elonis requested jury instruction government must prove intended communicate true threat see also district denied request jury instructions instead informed jury statement true threat defendant intentionally makes statement context circumstances wherein reasonable person foresee statement interpreted maker communicates statement serious expression intention inflict bodily injury take life individual government closing argument emphasized irrelevant whether elonis intended postings threats matter thinks jury convicted elonis four five counts acquitting charge threatening park patrons employees elonis sentenced three years eight months imprisonment three years supervised release elonis renewed challenge jury instructions appeals contending jury required find intended posts threats appeals disagreed holding intent required section intent communicate words defendant understands reasonable person view threat granted certiorari ii individual transmits interstate foreign commerce communication containing threat kidnap person threat injure person another guilty felony faces five years imprisonment statute requires communication transmitted communication contain threat specify defendant must mental state respect elements particular indicate whether defendant must intend communication contain threat elonis argues word threat section imposes requirement according elonis every definition threat threaten conveys notion intent inflict harm brief petitioner see jeffries sutton dubitante oxford english dictionary declare usually conditionally one intention inflicting injury upon webster new international dictionary ed law expression intention inflict loss harm another illegal means black law dictionary ed communicated intent inflict harm loss another definitions however speak statement conveys mental state author example anonymous letter says going kill expression intention inflict loss harm regardless author intent victim receives letter mail received threat even author believes wrongly message taken joke part government argues section read light neighboring provisions sections provisions also prohibit certain types threats expressly include mental state requirement intent extort see proscribing threats injure kidnap made intent extort proscribing threats property reputation made intent extort according government express intent extort requirements sections preclude courts implying unexpressed intent threaten requirement section see russello congress includes particular language one section statute omits another section act generally presumed congress acts intentionally purposely disparate inclusion government takes expressio unius est exclusio alterius canon far fact congress excluded requirement intent extort section strong evidence congress mean confine section crimes extortion suggest congress time also meant exclude requirement defendant act certain mental state communicating threat conclude language section neighboring provisions congress meant proscribe broad class threats section identify mental state defendant must convicted sum neither elonis government identified indication particular mental state requirement text section fact statute specify required mental state however mean none exists repeatedly held mere omission criminal enactment mention criminal intent read dispensing morissette rule construction reflects basic principle wrongdoing must conscious criminal justice jackson explained principle universal persistent mature systems law belief freedom human consequent ability duty normal individual choose good evil central thought defendant must blameworthy mind found guilty concept courts expressed time various terms mens rea scienter malice aforethought guilty knowledge like lafave substantive criminal law pp ed although exceptions general rule guilty mind necessary element indictment proof every crime balint therefore generally interpret criminal statutes include broadly applicable scienter requirements even statute terms contain video say defendant must know conduct illegal may found guilty familiar maxim ignorance law excuse typically holds true instead cases explained defendant generally must know facts make conduct fit definition offense staples even know facts give rise crime morissette example involved individual taken spent shell casings government bombing range believing abandoned trial knowingly convert ing property judge instructed jury question whether defendant knowingly taken property without authorization reversed defendant conviction ruling know taking casings also someone else still property rights found liable truly believed casings abandoned see token liparota considered statute making crime knowingly possess use food stamps unauthorized manner government argument similar position case defendant conviction upheld knowingly possessed used food stamps fact possession use unauthorized rejected interpretation statute criminalized broad range apparently innocent conduct swept individuals knowledge facts made conduct blameworthy example statute made illegal use food stamps store charged higher prices food stamp customers without mental state requirement statute individual unwittingly paid higher prices guilty government interpretation ibid noted congress intended cover broad range conduct declined adopt sweeping interpretation absence clear indication congress intended result instead construed statute require knowledge facts made use food stamps unauthorized take another example posters things interpreted federal statute prohibiting sale drug paraphernalia whether items question qualified drug paraphernalia objective question depend defendant state mind held individual convicted selling paraphernalia unless knew items issue likely used illegal drugs showing necessary establish defendant culpable state mind video considered statute criminalizing distribution visual depictions minors engaged sexually explicit conduct rejected reading statute required defendant knowingly send prohibited materials regardless whether knew age performers held instead defendant must also know depicted minors crucial element separating legal innocence wrongful conduct see also staples defendant must know weapon automatic firing capability convicted possession weapon interpreting federal criminal statutes silent required mental state read statute mens rea necessary separate wrongful conduct innocent conduct carter quoting video cases general requirement defendant act knowingly adequate safeguard example carter considered whether conviction taking force violence items value belonging care bank requires defendant intent steal held government proves defendant forcibly took money concerns underlying presumption favor scienter fully satisfied forceful taking even defendant takes claim right falls outside realm conduct instances however requiring defendant act knowingly fail protect innocent actor statute similar section require forcible taking intent steal run risk punishing seemingly innocent conduct case defendant peaceably takes money believing ibid case explained statute need read require defendant take money steal purloin ibid section noted requires proof communication transmitted contained threat presumption favor scienter requirement apply statutory elements criminalize otherwise innocent conduct video emphasis added parties agree defendant section must know transmitting communication communicating something makes conduct wrongful crucial element separating legal innocence wrongful conduct threatening nature communication mental state requirement must therefore apply fact communication contains threat elonis conviction however premised solely posts understood reasonable person reasonable person standard familiar feature civil liability tort law inconsistent conventional requirement criminal conduct awareness wrongdoing staples quoting dotterweich emphasis added liability turn whether reasonable person regards communication threat regardless defendant thinks reduces culpability element crime negligence jeffries sutton dubitante long reluctant infer negligence standard intended criminal statutes rogers marshall concurring citing morissette see torcia wharton criminal law pp ed cochran defendant face liability civil action negligence held criminally evil intent actually existing mind principles elonis thinks matter app government pains characterize position something negligence standard emphasizing approach require proof defendant comprehended contents context communication brief government gives two examples individuals view lack necessary mental state foreigner ignorant english language know meaning words issue individual mailing sealed envelope without knowing contents ibid fact government require defendant actually know words circumstances surrounding communication amount rejection negligence criminal negligence standards often incorporate circumstances known defendant ali model penal code see comment lafave substantive criminal law courts ask however whether reasonable person equipped knowledge actual defendant recognized harmfulness conduct precisely government position elonis convicted government contends knew contents context posts reasonable person recognized posts read genuine threats negligence standard support position government relies heavily hamling case rejected argument individuals convicted mailing obscene material knew legal status materials distributed absolving defendant liability lacked knowledge materials legally obscene permit defendant avoid prosecution simply claiming brushed law instead enough liability defendant knowledge contents materials distributed knew character nature materials ibid holding help government fact hamling approved state conclusion requiring defendant know character material incorporated vital element scienter innocent calculated purveyance filth exorcised quoting mishkin new york internal quotation marks omitted case calculated purveyance threat require elonis know threatening nature communication put simply mental state requirement approved hamling turns whether defendant knew character sent simply contents context contrary dissent suggestion see post opinion thomas nothing rosen undermines reading defendant contention rosen indictment mailing obscene material invalid allege aware contents mailing issue dispute elonis knew words communicated defendant also argued convicted mailing obscene material know material properly justly characterized obscene correctly rejected ignorance law defense contention issue see supra light foregoing elonis conviction stand jury instructed government need prove reasonable person regard elonis communications threats error federal criminal liability generally turn solely results act without considering defendant mental state understanding took deep early root american soil congress left intact section wrongdoing must conscious criminal morissette dispute mental state requirement section satisfied defendant transmits communication purpose issuing threat knowledge communication viewed threat see tr oral arg response question oral argument elonis stated finding recklessness sufficient see neither elonis government briefed argued point accordingly decline address see department treasury irs flra poorly situated address argument appeals consider parties brief counsel addressed cursory fashion oral argument given disposition necessary consider first amendment issues justice alito justice thomas complain deciding whether recklessness suffices liability section post alito concurring part dissenting part post opinion thomas justice alito contends party argued issue post address oral argument even briefly see tr oral arg justice alito also suggests clarified confusion lower courts wrong holding makes clear negligence sufficient support conviction section contrary view nine courts appeals pet cert circuit conflict question justice alito justice thomas us decide whether recklessness suffices liability section appeals even addressed question think sufficient justification post opinion alito us decline first appellate tribunal prudence nothing new see bailey declining decide whether mental state recklessness negligence suffice criminal liability even though may someday confront case presenting issue ginsberg new york rejecting defendant challenge obscenity law makes unnecessary us define today sort mental element requisite constitutionally permissible smith california overturning conviction lower require mental element statute noting need definitely pass today sort mental element requisite constitutionally permissible prosecution cf gulf oil bernard finding lower order impermissible first amendment deciding standards mandated first amendment kind case may capable deciding recklessness issue post opinion alito following usual practice awaiting decision hearing parties help ensure decide correctly judgment appeals third circuit reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered opinion alito anthony douglas elonis petitioner writ certiorari appeals third circuit june justice alito concurring part dissenting part marbury madison cranch famously proclaimed emphatically province duty judicial department say law today announces emphatically prerogative say law disposition case certain cause confusion serious problems attorneys judges need know mental state required conviction important criminal statute case squarely presents issue provides partial answer holds jury instructions case defective required negligence conveying threat refuses explain type intent necessary jury need find elonis purpose conveying true threat enough knew words conveyed threat recklessness suffice declines say attorneys judges left guess regrettable consequences luxury choosing docket lower courts juries fortunate must actually decide cases means applying standard purpose knowledge needed district instructs jury recklessness suffices defendant may wrongly convicted hand recklessness enough jury told conviction requires proof guilty defendant may go free granted review case resolve disagreement among circuits compounded clarified confusion justification refusal provide answer says either elonis government briefed argued question whether recklessness sufficient ante fact parties addressed issue elonis argued recklessness enough government argued suffices thinks decide recklessness question without additional help parties order briefing argument view however capable deciding recklessness issue resolve question section provides relevant part whoever transmits interstate foreign commerce communication containing threat injure person another shall fined title imprisoned five years thus conviction provision requires proof defendant transmitted something thing transmitted threat injure person another transmission interstate foreign commerce issue case mens rea required respect second element thing transmitted threat injure person another defined meaning term threat construing term related statute distinguished true facetious hyperbolic remarks watts per curiam view term threat fairly defined statement reasonably interpreted expression intention inflict evil injury damage another webster third new international dictionary conviction demands proof defendant transmission fact threat reasonable interpret transmission expression intent harm another addition must shown defendant least reckless whether transmission met requirement recklessness enough analysis mens rea issue follows track far goes agree presume criminal statutes require sort mens rea conviction see ante sure presumption marks departure way generally interpret statutes ordinarily resist reading words elements statute appear face bates step justified pattern criminal laws several centuries least since different common law crimes defined require guilt defendant acts omissions accompanied one various types fault intention knowledge recklessness rarely negligence lafave substantive criminal law based background rules common law requirement mens rea crime firmly embedded require indication congressional intent express implied dispense mens rea element crime staples similar reason agree presume offense like created requires negligence respect critical element like one issue see ante hen interpreting federal criminal statutes silent required mental state read statute mens rea necessary separate wrongful conduct otherwise innocent conduct ante quoting carter whether negligence morally culpable interesting philosophical question answer least sufficiently debatable justify presumption serious offense person lacks clear counterpart presumed require passed negligence however presumptions defensible hierarchy mental may required condition criminal liability mens rea negligence recklessness negligence requires defendant en aware substantial unjustifiable risk ali model penal code recklessness exists person disregards risk harm aware farmer brennan model penal code congress specify mens rea criminal statute justification inferring anything recklessness needed quite unusual us interpret statute contain requirement nowhere set text reached recklessness gone far without stepping line separates interpretation amendment real dispute recklessness regarding risk serious harm wrongful conduct wide variety contexts described reckless conduct morally culpable see farmer supra deliberate indifference inmate harm garrison louisiana criminal libel new york times sullivan civil libel indeed held reckless disregard human life may justify death penalty tison arizona someone acts recklessly respect conveying threat necessarily grasps engaged innocent conduct merely careless aware others regard statements threat delivers anyway accordingly hold defendant may convicted consciously disregards risk communication transmitted interpreted true threat nothing opinion prevents lower courts adopting standard ii remains question whether interpreting require recklessness respect element issue violate first amendment elonis contends reject argument settled constitution protect true threats see virginia black paul watts good reasons rule true threats inflict great harm little social value threat may cause serious emotional stress person threatened care person threat may lead violent confrontation true communication containing threat may include statements value entitled protection justify constitutional protection threat elonis argues first amendment protects threat person making statement actually intend cause harm view threat made purpose pain wrenching event cathartic reasons threat protected brief petitioner whether person making threat intends cause harm damage fact making threat may therapeutic cathartic effect speaker sufficient justify constitutional protection people may experience therapeutic cathartic benefit know words cause harm actually plan carry threat surely first amendment protect elonis also claims threats constitutionally protected works art words like contends shielded first amendment similar words uttered rappers singers public performances recordings make point brief includes lengthy excerpt lyrics rap song rapper imagines killing dumping body lake celebrity utter words elonis pleads amateurs like able post similar things social media context matters taken context lyrics songs performed audience sold recorded form unlikely interpreted real threat real person watts supra statements social media pointedly directed victims contrast much likely taken seriously hold otherwise grant license anyone clever enough dress real threat guise rap lyrics parody something similar facts case illustrate point imagine effect elonis estranged wife read knew know smothered ass pillow dumped body back seat dropped toad creek made look like rape murder one way love thousand ways kill going rest body mess soaked blood dying little cuts ibid fold protection abuse order put pocket thick enough stop bullet evidence elonis made sure wife saw posts testified made feel stalked ibid considering context blame threats violence intimidation among favored weapons domestic abusers rise social media made tactics commonplace see brief national network end domestic violence et al amici curiae fig leaf artistic expression convert hurtful valueless threats protected speech argued limited threats made intent harm chill statements qualify true threats statements may literally threatening plainly meant taken seriously sometimes cautioned necessary exten measure strategic protection otherwise unprotected false statements fact order ensure enough protected speech gertz robert welch quoting naacp button similar argument might made respect threats also held law provides adequate breathing space requires proof false statements made reckless disregard falsity see new york times civil liability garrison criminal liability requiring proof recklessness similarly sufficient iii finally jury instructions case require proof recklessness vacate judgment remand appeals decide first instance whether elonis conviction upheld recklessness standard lightly overturn criminal convictions even appears district might erred benefit favorable ruling appeal defendant must actually asked legal rule appellate adopts rule federal rules criminal procedure requires defendant inform specific objection grounds objection objection vague must specifically identify alleged error failure lodge sufficient objection precludes appellate review except plain error rule see also wright henning federal practice procedure pp ed trial elonis objected district instruction argue recklessness instead proposed instructions required proof acted purposefully knowledge statements received threats see app advanced position appeal see brief petitioner section requires proof defendant intended charged statement emphasis original corrected brief appellant threat uttered speaker acted subjective intent threaten oral argument expressly disclaimed agreement recklessness standard third circuit remains free adopt tr oral arg say recklessness justif ied therefore remand third circuit determine elonis failure indeed refusal argue recklessness prevents reversal conviction third circuit also opportunity consider whether conviction upheld grounds often applied analysis cases involving improper instructions neder see also pope illinois remanding analysis holding jury instruction misstated obscenity standard third circuit previously upheld convictions erroneous jury instructions proved harmless see saybolt given chance address possibility thomas dissenting anthony douglas elonis petitioner writ certiorari appeals third circuit june justice thomas dissenting granted certiorari resolve conflict lower courts appropriate mental state threat prosecutions save two every circuit considered issue total held provision demands proof general intent requires defendant knew transmitted communication knew words used communication understood ordinary meaning words relevant context outliers ninth tenth circuits concluded proof intent threaten necessary conviction adopting minority position elonis urges us hold first amendment require proof intent threaten government turn advocates approach rather resolve conflict casts aside approach used nine circuits leaves nothing place lower courts thus left guess appropriate mental state know today decision requirement general intent safely infer majority adopt requirement opinion carefully leaves open possibility recklessness may enough see ante failure decide throws everyone appellate judges everyday facebook users state uncertainty uncertainty avoided simply adhered background rule common law favoring general intent although sympathetic colleagues policy concerns risks associated threat prosecutions answer fears discard traditional approach requirements criminal law appeals properly applied standard communications transmitted elonis true threats unprotected first amendment affirm judgment enacted provides whoever transmits interstate foreign commerce communication containing threat kidnap person threat injure person another shall fined title imprisoned five years criminalizes speech first amendment requires term threat limited narrow class historically unprotected communications called true threats qualify true threat communication must serious expression intention commit unlawful physical violence merely political hyperbole vehement caustic sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks vituperative abusive inexact statements watts per curiam internal quotation marks omitted also determined solely reaction recipient must instead determined interpretation reasonable recipient familiar context communication darby emphasis added lest historically protected speech suppressed eggshell observer cf cox louisiana onstitutional rights may denied simply hostility assertion exercise internal quotation marks omitted thus dispute minimum requires objective showing communication must one reasonable observer construe true threat another jeffries dispute posts issue meet objective standard dispute case state mind necessary convict elonis making posts face demand particular mental state correctly explains word threat contain mens rea requirement see ante read criminal statutes light background rules common law requirement mens rea crime firmly embedded require indication congressional intent express implied dispense mens rea element crime staples citation omitted absent indicia ordinarily apply presumption favor scienter require proof general intent defendant must posses knowledge respect actus reus crime carter conventional mens rea element defendant must know facts make conduct illegal staples supra need know facts make conduct illegal long settled knowledge requisite knowing violation statute factual knowledge distinguished knowledge law bryan internal quotation marks omitted instance posters things addressed conviction selling drug paraphernalia statute forbidding anyone use services postal service interstate conveyance part scheme sell drug paraphernalia quoting applying presumption favor scienter concluded although government must establish defendant knew items issue likely used illegal drugs need prove specific knowledge items paraphernalia within meaning statute default rule favor general intent applies full force criminal statutes addressing speech well years ago considered conviction federal obscenity statute punished anyone shall knowingly deposit cause deposited mailing delivery lewd lascivious book pamphlet picture paper writing print publication indecent character rosen quoting rev stat case defendant argued even may actual knowledge notice paper contents put mail convicted offence unless knew believed paper properly justly characterized obscene lewd lascivious rejected theory concluding material actually obscene deposited mail one knew notice time contents offence complete although defendant regard paper one statute forbade carried mails ibid explained congress intend question character paper depend upon opinion belief person knowledge notice paper contents assumed responsibility putting mails one uses mails carrying papers publications must take notice must deemed obscene lewd lascivious reaffirmed rosen holding hamling considered challenge convictions successor federal statute see citing relying rosen rejected argument statute required proof knowledge contents material awareness obscene character material internal quotation marks omitted approving jury instruction defendants belief obscenity material irrelevant declined hold prosecution must prove defendant knowledge legal status materials distributes internal quotation marks omitted rule otherwise observed permit defendant avoid prosecution simply claiming brushed law decades enactment courts took approach first federal threat statute prohibited threats president congress enacted law punishing anyone knowingly willfully deposits causes deposited conveyance mail letter paper writing print missive document containing threat take life inflict bodily harm upon president knowingly willfully otherwise makes threat president act ch stat courts applying statute shortly enactment appeared require proof general intent ragansky instance appeals held threat knowingly made maker comprehends meaning words uttered willfully made addition comprehending meaning words maker voluntarily intentionally utters declaration apparent determination carry execution consequently rejected defendant argument convicted language oncededly constituted threat meant joke likewise stobo del district rejected defendant objection allegation facts indicating intention part defendant menace president internal quotation marks omitted explained defendant punishable act whether uses words lightly set purpose kill effect upon minds hearers read inward thoughts precisely ibid minimum historical practice requiring general intent statute regulates speech applying ordinary rules statutory construction read require proof general intent know facts make conduct illegal see staples defendant must know transmitted communication interstate foreign commerce contained threat knowing communication contains threat serious expression intention engage unlawful physical violence however require knowing jury conclude communication contains threat matter law instead like one mails obscene publication prosecuted federal obscenity statute defendant prosecuted must know words used communication along ordinary meaning context general intent divides know facts constituting actus reus crime example someone transmits threat know english knows english perhaps know threatening idiom lacks general intent required see ragansky supra foreigner ignorant english language repeating threatening words without knowledge meaning may knowingly made threat likewise hapless mailman delivers threatening letter ignorant contents fear prosecution defendant like elonis however admits knew saying violent supposedly wanted express self app acted general intent required even know jury conclude communication constituted threat matter law demanding evidence general intent also corresponds statutory backdrop previously discussed enactment courts read presidential threats statute require proof general intent given congress presumptive awareness application presidential threats statute mention similar approach obscenity context see rosen difficult conclude congress enacted understood contain implicit requirement apart general intent certainly textual evidence support conclusion anything text supports opposite inference unlike presidential threats statute contains reference knowledge willfulness nothing statute suggests congress departed conventional mens rea element general intent staples supra impose higher requirement majority refuses apply ordinary background principles instead casts application general intent negligence standard disfavored criminal law ante characterization misses mark requiring general intent context requiring mere negligence like requirements adopted many cases cited general intent prevents defendant convicted basis fact beyond awareness see video knowledge age persons depicted explicit materials staples supra knowledge firing capability weapon morissette knowledge property belonged another words defendant must know merely reckless negligent respect fact committing acts constitute actus reus offense general intent requires mental state even negligent one concerning fact certain words meet legal definition threat approach particularly appropriate legal status determined jury application legal standard threat contents communication convicting defendant despite ignorance legal objective status conduct mean punished negligent conduct way example defendant convicted murder despite claiming acted penalized negligence standard merely know jury reject argument belief necessity using force prevent harm reasonable one see lafave substantive criminal law ed apparently believe traditional approach federal obscenity statute involved negligence standard asserts hamling approved state conclusion requiring defendant know character material incorporated element scienter innocent calculated purveyance filth exorcised ante quoting hamling turn quoting mishkin new york according mental state approved hamling thus turns whether defendant knew character sent simply contents context ante unclear means distinction character contents context character mean legal obscenity hamling rejected argument defendant must awareness obscene character material internal quotation marks omitted moreover discussion part hamling holding primarily reaffirmation rosen see see also posters things characterizing hamling holding statute prohibiting mailing obscene materials require proof defendant knew materials issue met legal definition majority treatment rosen even less persuasive shore position asserts critical portion rosen rejected law defense claims contention issue ante thrust elonis challenge conviction stand defendant subjective belief constitutes threat differs reasonable jury akin argument defendant made lost rosen defendant insisted convicted mailing paper unless knew believed paper properly justly characterized obscene however held government need show defendant regard ed paper one statute forbade carried mails obscene character material depend upon opinion belief person assumed responsibility putting mails ibid majority muddying waters obscure fact today decision irreconcilable rosen hamling majority today least refrains requiring intent threaten convictions elonis asks us elonis contends proof defendant intent put recipient threat fear necessary conviction element found within statutory text ordinarily resist reading words elements statute appear face including elements similar one elonis proposes bates declining read intent defraud element criminal statute majority correctly explains nothing text requires proof intent threaten see ante absence requirement significant congress knows require heightened mens rea context threat offenses see providing punishment hoever intent extort transmits interstate foreign commerce communication containing threat kidnap person threat injure person another see also providing punishment hoever knowingly makes restricted personal information certain officials publicly available intent threaten elonis nonetheless suggests element necessary order avoid risk punishing innocent conduct nothing absurd punishing individual knowledge words uses ordinary meaning context makes threat instance student sends letter principal stating massacre classmates machine gun even intended letter joke fairly described engaging innocent conduct see ante concluding elonis conviction discussing plan heinous school shooting ever kindergarten stand without proof unspecified heightened mental state elonis also insists read element light first amendment practice construing statutes avoid constitutional questions license judiciary rewrite language enacted legislature salinas internal quotation marks omitted ordinary background principles criminal law support rewriting include requirement altered traditional approach mens rea constitutional provisions see dean refusing read element mandatory minimum provision concerning discharge firearm particular crime first amendment treated differently ii light conclusion elonis properly convicted requirements must address argument threatening posts nevertheless protected first amendment elonis contend threats constitutionally protected speech present society permitted restrictions upon content speech limited areas true threats one paul see instead elonis claims intentional threats fall within particular historical exception clear intentional threats alone punished nation since inclined agree case although federal government apparently get business regulating threats since late early centuries see laws rev code laws crim code crim code laws pp practice continued even amended constitutions include speech protections similar first amendment see fla art ill art viii mich art art hood index colonial state laws new jersey ill ch div ed state practice thus provides least evidence original meaning phrase freedom speech first amendment see roth engaging similar inquiry respect obscenity shortly founding several territories enacted laws making crime knowingly send deliver letter writing without name subscribed thereto signed fictitious name threatening maim wound kill murder person burn property though money goods chattels valuable thing shall demanded laws see also laws mich territory laws crim code laws laws appear closest early analogue penalize transmitting communication containing threat without proof demand extort something victim threat provisions explicitly requiring proof specific intent extort appeared alongside laws see laws provisions simply predecessors likewise expressly contain requirement laws without extortion requirement copies english threat statute subject requirement statute made capital offense knowingly send letter without name subscribed thereto signed fictitious name threatening kill murder majesty subject subjects burn property though money venison valuable thing shall demanded geo ii ch eng stat large see also blackstone commentaries laws england describing statute early english decisions applying threat statute indicated appropriate mental state general intent king girdwood leach eng example trial instructed jurors opinion terms letter conveyed actual threat kill murder prisoner knew contents find guilty thought know contents words might import thing less kill murder acquit eng appeal following conviction judges thought case properly left jury eng cases likewise appeared consider import letter language intent sender see rex boucher car eng concluding indictment sufficient th letter plainly conveys threat kill murder one received doubt writer meant threaten see also east treatise pleas crown discussing jepson springett case judges disagreed whether letter must understood importing threat whether necessary construction unsurprisingly early english cases well known legal world century instance nathan dane general abridgement american law necessary adjunct library every american lawyer distinction warren history harvard law school early legal conditions america discussed english threat statute summarized decisions girdwood dane general abridgement american law long ago recognized doubtless true english statutes adopted legislation known settled construction statutes courts law considered silently incorporated acts received weight authority pennock dialogue pet see also commonwealth burdick considering english cases persuasive authority interpreting similar state statute creating offense obtaining property false pretenses short good reason believe bound constitutions protect freedom speech long ago enacted threat statutes elonis disputes historical analysis two grounds neither persuasive first points treatise stating english statute levelled whose intention writing letters either without names fictitious names conceal knowledge party threatened might obtain object creating terror victim mind russell davis treatise crimes misdemeanors ed fact ordinary prosecution provision involved defendant intended cause fear mean mental state required matter law frequently deployed people wanted cause victims fear fact answer legal question presented case see sutcliffe see also tr oral arg counsel government noting think congress well understood majority cases probably involved people intended threaten elonis also cobbles together assortment older american authorities prove point fail stand close scrutiny two cases address offense breaching peace ware loveridge state benedict insufficiently similar offense criminalized much use another involves prosecution blackmailing statute similar expressly required intent extort norris state ind treatises clearly distinguish offense making threats intent extort offense sending threatening letters without requirement discussions threat statutes making difficult draw strong inferences latter category see bishop commentaries criminal law nn bishop commentaries law criminal procedure american english encyclopædia law williams ed two elonis cases appear discuss offense sending threatening letter without intent extort even fail make point one notes passing character evidence admissible prove guilty knowledge defendant essential element crime quo animo intent design offers example context sending threatening letter prior subsequent letters person competent order show intent meaning particular letter question state graham unclear statement whether thought intent threaten required especially case cited proposition rex boucher car eng supports approach case elonis cites involves statutory provision judicially limited one acts denounced statute namely terroristic activities carried ku klux klan commonwealth morton quoting commonwealth patrick case thus provides scant historical support elonis position elonis also insists precedents require mental state intent comes threat prosecutions primarily relying watts virginia black neither decisions however addresses whether first amendment requires particular mental state threat prosecutions elonis admits watts expressly declined address mental state required first amendment true threat see true watts noted grave doubts raganksy construction willfully presidential threats statute grave doubts make holding stray statement watts entitled precedential force anything watts continued long tradition focusing objective criteria evaluating mental requirement see ibid fractured opinion black likewise says little whether requirement constitutionally mandated black concerned virginia law expressly required intent intimidate person group persons quoting code ann thus occasion decide whether element necessary threat provisions silent matter moreover focus black decision statutory presumption cross burning prima facie evidence intent intimidate majority concluded presumption failed distinguish unprotected threats protected speech might allow convictions based solely fact cross burning including cross burnings play political rally plurality opinion souter concurring judgment part dissenting part provision thus tend draw nonthreatening ideological expression within ambit prohibition intimidating expression objective standard threats however helps avoid problem forc ing jurors examine circumstances statement made jeffries addition requiring departure precedents adopting elonis view make threats one protected categories unprotected speech thereby sowing tension throughout first amendment doctrine generally required heightened mental state first amendment historically unprotected categories speech instance indicated legislature may constitutionally prohibit words personally abusive epithets addressed ordinary citizen matter common knowledge inherently likely provoke violent reaction cohen california without proof intent provoke violent reaction definition fighting words turns ordinary citizen react language observed defendant may guilty breach peace makes statements likely provoke violence disturbance good order even though eventuality intended punishment statements criminal act raise question constitution cantwell connecticut see also chaplinsky new hampshire rejecting first amendment challenge construction state statute punishing words state chaplinsky intent required conviction intent speak words similarly held defendant may convicted mailing obscenity first amendment without proof knew materials legally obscene hamling precedents allow liability tort false statements private persons matters private concern even speaker acted negligently respect falsity statements see philadelphia newspapers hepps see reason give threats pride place among unprotected speech always risk criminal threat statute may deployed government suppress legitimate speech proper response risk adhere traditional rule narrow class true threats historically unprotected may constitutionally proscribed solution abandon requirement compelled text history precedent decision warp traditional approach mens rea results arbitrary distinction threats forms unprotected speech elonis mailed obscene materials wife kindergarten class prosecuted irrespective whether intended offend recipients recklessly disregarded possibility yet threatened kill wife kindergarten class intent terrify recipients reckless disregard risk suddenly becomes highly relevant need case case cast aside requirement compelled precedents yet offer nothing place job decide questions create given majority ostensible concern protecting innocent actors one expected announce clear rule clear rule failure reveals fractured foundation upon today decision rests respectfully dissent