stevens argued october decided april congress enacted criminalize commercial creation sale possession certain depictions animal cruelty statute addresses portrayals harmful acts underlying conduct applies visual auditory depiction living animal intentionally maimed mutilated tortured wounded killed conduct violates federal state law creation sale possession takes place another clause exempts depictions serious religious political scientific educational journalistic historical artistic value legislative background focused primarily crush videos feature torture killing helpless animals said appeal persons specific sexual fetish respondent stevens indicted selling videos depicting dogfighting moved dismiss arguing facially invalid first amendment district denied motion stevens convicted third circuit vacated conviction declared facially unconstitutional regulation protected speech held section substantially overbroad therefore invalid first amendment pp depictions animal cruelty class categorically unprotected first amendment explicitly regulates expression based content invalid government bears burden rebut presumption playboy entertainment group since enactment first amendment permitted restrictions historic categories speech including obscenity defamation fraud incitement speech integral criminal conduct never thought raise constitutional problem chaplinsky new hampshire depictions animal cruelty added list prohibition animal cruelty long history american law evidence similar tradition prohibiting depictions cruelty government proposed test broadly balance value speech societal costs determine whether first amendment even applies first amendment free speech guarantee extend categories speech survive ad hoc balancing relative social costs benefits amendment reflects judgment american people benefits restrictions government outweigh costs new york ferber distinguished pp stevens facial challenge succeeds existing doctrine pp first amendment context law may invalidated overbroad number applications unconstitutional judged relation statute plainly legitimate sweep washington state grange washington state republican party stevens claims common depictions ordinary lawful activities constitute vast majority materials subject government defend applications contends statute narrowly limited specific types extreme material section constitutionality thus turns broadly construed pp section creates criminal prohibition alarming breadth statute definition depiction animal cruelty even require depicted conduct cruel words maimed mutilated tortured convey cruelty wounded killed words little ambiguity read according ordinary meaning section require depicted conduct illegal many federal state laws concerning proper treatment animals designed guard animal cruelty example endangered species protections restrict even humane wounding killing animals statute draws distinction based reason conduct made illegal moreover applies depiction conduct illegal state depiction created sold possessed regardless whether wounding killing took place depictions entirely lawful conduct may run afoul ban depictions later find way conduct unlawful greatly expands scope views animal cruelty regulations connection cruelty vary widely place place hunting unlawful district columbia example enormous national market depictions greatly exceeding demand crush videos animal fighting depictions statute allows jurisdiction export laws rest country applies magazine video depicting lawful hunting sold nation capital seeking comply law face bewildering maze regulations least separate jurisdictions pp limiting reach crush videos depictions animal fighting extreme cruelty government suggests requires unrealistically broad reading statute exceptions clause statute exempts material serious value serious must taken seriously excepted speech must also fall within one enumerated categories much speech example hunting depictions obviously instructional nature exceptions clause simply adequate reading results statute banning depictions government like ban although language drawn decision miller california exceptions clause answer every first amendment objection miller serious value shields depictions sex regulation obscenity miller determine serious value used general precondition protecting types speech first place even neutral futilities come protection free speech cohen california first amendment presumptively extends many forms speech qualify exception nonetheless fall within broad reach pp despite government assurance apply reach extreme cruelty uphold unconstitutional statute merely government promises use responsibly construe statutory language avoid constitutional doubt limiting construction imposed statute susceptible construction reno american civil liberties union read government desires requires rewriting reinterpretation pp construction decides constitutional question government makes effort defend applied beyond crush videos depictions animal fighting argues particular depictions intrinsically related criminal conduct analogous obscenity obscene ban speech satisfy proper level scrutiny government nowhere extends arguments depictions hunting magazines videos presumptively protected first amendment remain subject government seriously contest presumptively impermissible applications far outnumber permissible ones therefore decide whether statute limited crush videos depictions extreme animal cruelty constitutional section limited instead substantially overbroad therefore invalid first amendment pp affirmed roberts delivered opinion stevens scalia kennedy thomas ginsburg breyer sotomayor joined alito filed dissenting opinion petitioner robert stevens writ certiorari appeals third circuit april chief justice roberts delivered opinion congress enacted criminalize commercial creation sale possession certain depictions animal cruelty statute address underlying acts harmful animals portrayals conduct question presented whether prohibition statute consistent freedom speech guaranteed first amendment section establishes criminal penalty five years prison anyone knowingly creates sells possesses depiction animal cruelty done commercial gain interstate foreign commerce depiction animal cruelty defined one living animal intentionally maimed mutilated tortured wounded killed conduct violates federal state law creation sale possession takes place referred exceptions clause law exempts prohibition depiction serious religious political scientific educational journalistic historical artistic value legislative background focused primarily interstate market crush videos according house committee report bill videos feature intentional torture killing helpless animals including cats dogs monkeys mice hamsters hereinafter crush videos often depict women slowly crushing animals death bare feet wearing high heeled shoes sometimes talking animals kind dominatrix patter cries squeals animals obviously great pain ibid apparently depictions appeal persons specific sexual fetish find sexually arousing otherwise exciting acts depicted crush videos typically prohibited animal cruelty laws enacted district columbia see brief listing statutes crush videos rarely disclose participants identities inhibiting prosecution underlying conduct see accord brief state florida et al amici curiae case however involves application depictions animal fighting dogfighting example unlawful district columbia see brief listing statutes restricted federal law since animal welfare act amendments stat respondent robert stevens ran business dogs velvet steel associated web site sold videos pit bulls engaging dogfights attacking animals among videos japan pit fights pit bull documentary include contemporary footage dogfights japan conduct allegedly legal well footage american dogfights third video catch dogs country living depicts use pit bulls hunt wild boar well gruesome scene pit bull attacking domestic farm pig en banc basis videos stevens indicted three counts violating stevens moved dismiss indictment arguing facially invalid first amendment district denied motion held depictions subject like obscenity child pornography categorically unprotected first amendment wd app pet cert went hold substantially overbroad exceptions clause sufficiently narrows statute constitutional applications jury convicted stevens counts district sentenced three concurrent sentences months imprisonment followed three years supervised release app en banc third circuit dissent declared facially unconstitutional vacated stevens conviction appeals first held regulates speech protected first amendment declined recognize new category unprotected speech depictions animal cruelty rejected government analogy animal cruelty depictions child pornography appeals held survive strict scrutiny regulation protected speech found statute lacked compelling government interest neither narrowly tailored preventing animal cruelty least restrictive means therefore held facially invalid extended third circuit noted might also unconstitutionally overbroad potentially covers great deal constitutionally protected speech sweeps widely limited prosecutorial discretion appeals declined rest analysis ground granted certiorari ii government primary submission necessarily complies constitution banned depictions animal cruelty class categorically unprotected first amendment disagree first amendment provides congress shall make law abridging freedom speech general matter first amendment means government power restrict expression message ideas subject matter content ashcroft american civil liberties union internal quotation marks omitted section explicitly regulates expression based content statute restricts visual auditory depiction photographs videos sound recordings depending whether depict conduct living animal intentionally harmed invalid government bears burden rebut presumption playboy entertainment group quoting paul citation omitted present however first amendment permitted restrictions upon content speech limited areas never include freedom disregard traditional limitations historic traditional categories long familiar bar simon schuster members state crime victims kennedy concurring judgment including obscenity roth defamation beauharnais illinois fraud virginia bd pharmacy virginia citizens consumer council incitement brandenburg ohio per curiam speech integral criminal conduct giboney empire storage ice narrowly limited classes speech prevention punishment never thought raise constitutional problem chaplinsky new hampshire government argues depictions animal cruelty added list contends depictions illegal acts animal cruelty made sold possessed commercial gain necessarily lack expressive value may accordingly regulated unprotected speech brief emphasis added claim congress may regulate depictions animal cruelty subject first amendment depictions outside reach amendment altogether fall amendment free zone board airport los angeles jews jesus government notes prohibition animal cruelty long history american law starting early settlement colonies reply brief see body liberties mass bay colony reprinted american historical documents harvard classics eliot ed man shall exercise tirranny crueltie towards bruite creature usuallie kept man use unaware similar tradition excluding depictions animal cruelty freedom speech codified first amendment government points us none government contends historical evidence reach first amendment necessary prerequisite regulation today reply brief categories speech may exempted first amendment protection without tradition subjecting speech regulation instead government points congress judgment depictions animals intentionally tortured killed minimal redeeming value render unworthy first amendment protection brief quoting cowen dissenting asks uphold ban basis government thus proposes claim categorical exclusion considered simple balancing test whether given category speech enjoys first amendment protection depends upon categorical balancing value speech societal costs brief see also test first amendment coverage sentence startling dangerous first amendment guarantee free speech extend categories speech survive ad hoc balancing relative social costs benefits first amendment reflects judgment american people benefits restrictions government outweigh costs constitution forecloses attempt revise judgment simply basis speech worth constitution document prescribing limits declaring limits may passed pleasure marbury madison cranch fair government view emerge vacuum government correctly notes often described historically unprotected categories speech slight social value step truth benefit may derived clearly outweighed social interest order morality supra quoting chaplinsky supra new york ferber noted within categories unprotected speech evil restricted overwhelmingly outweighs expressive interests stake process adjudication required balance competing interests clearly struck government derives proposed test descriptions precedents see brief descriptions descriptive set forth test may applied general matter permit government imprison speaker long speech deemed valueless unnecessary long ad hoc calculus costs benefits tilts statute favor identified categories speech fully outside protection first amendment basis simple analysis ferber example classified child pornography category noted state new york compelling interest protecting children abuse value using children works opposed simulated conduct adult actors de minimis decision rest balance competing interests alone made clear ferber presented special case market child pornography intrinsically related underlying abuse therefore integral part production materials activity illegal throughout nation noted rarely suggested constitutional freedom speech press extends immunity speech writing used integral part conduct violation valid criminal statute quoting giboney supra ferber thus grounded analysis previously recognized category unprotected speech subsequent decisions shared understanding see osborne ohio describing ferber finding persuasive argument advertising sale child pornography integral part unlawful production internal quotation marks omitted ashcroft free speech coalition noting distribution sale intrinsically related sexual abuse children giving speech issue proximate link crime came internal quotation marks omitted decisions ferber cases taken establishing freewheeling authority declare new categories speech outside scope first amendment maybe categories speech historically unprotected yet specifically identified discussed case law evidence depictions animal cruelty among need foreclose future recognition additional categories reject government highly manipulable balancing test means identifying iii decline carve first amendment novel exception review stevens first amendment challenge existing doctrine stevens challenged face arguing conviction secured statute unconstitutional decided case basis granted solicitor general petition certiorari determine whether facially invalid free speech clause first amendment pet cert succeed typical facial attack stevens establish set circumstances exists valid salerno statute lacks plainly legitimate sweep washington glucksberg stevens concurring judgments internal quotation marks omitted standard applies typical case matter dispute need address neither salerno glucksberg speech case government asserts stevens prevail plainly legitimate applied crush videos animal fighting depictions deciding case traditional facial analysis require us resolve whether applications fact consistent constitution first amendment context however recognizes second type facial challenge whereby law may invalidated overbroad substantial number applications unconstitutional judged relation statute plainly legitimate sweep washington state grange washington state republican party internal quotation marks omitted stevens argues applies common depictions ordinary lawful activities depictions constitute vast majority materials subject statute brief respondent government makes effort defend broad ban constitutional instead government entire defense rests interpreting statute narrowly limited specific types extreme material brief parties presented issue therefore constitutionality hinges broadly construed question explained two terms ago first step overbreadth analysis construe challenged statute impossible determine whether statute reaches far without first knowing statute covers williams federal statute need defer state authority interpret law read create criminal prohibition alarming breadth begin text statute ban depiction animal cruelty nowhere requires depicted conduct cruel text applies depiction living animal intentionally maimed mutilated tortured wounded killed aimed mutilated tortured convey cruelty wounded killed suggest limitation government contends terms definition read require additional element accompanying acts cruelty reply brief see also tr oral arg dissent hinges assumption see post government bases argument definiendum depiction animal cruelty cf leocal ashcroft commonsense canon noscitur sociis reply brief quoting williams canon recognizes ambiguous term may given precise content neighboring words associated ibid likewise unclear definitional phrase may take meaning term defined see leocal supra interpreting us physical force part definition phrase wounded killed issue contains little ambiguity government opening brief properly applies ordinary meaning words stating example deprive life brief quoting webster third new international dictionary agree wounded killed read according ordinary meaning cf engine mfrs assn south coast air quality management nothing meaning requires cruelty requiring cruelty require depicted conduct illegal requirement limit along lines government suggests myriad federal state laws concerning proper treatment animals many designed guard animal cruelty protections endangered species example restrict even humane wound ing kill ing living animal livestock regulations often designed protect health human beings hunting fishing rules seasons licensure bag limits weight requirements designed raise revenue preserve animal populations prevent accidents text draws distinction based reason intentional killing animal made illegal includes example humane slaughter stolen application depictions illegal conduct extends conduct illegal single jurisdiction subsection depicted conduct need illegal state creation sale possession takes place regardless whether wounding killing took place state depiction entirely lawful conduct runs afoul ban depiction later finds way another state conduct unlawful provision greatly expands scope although may broad societal consensus cruelty animals brief substantial disagreement types conduct properly regarded cruel views cruelty animals regulations connection cruelty vary widely place place district columbia example hunting unlawful munic tit jurisdictions permit encourage hunting enormous national market depictions living animal intentionally killed hunting periodicals circulations hundreds thousands millions see mediaweek hunting television programs videos web sites equally popular see brief professional outdoor media association et al amici curiae demand hunting depictions exceeds estimated demand crush videos animal fighting depictions several orders magnitude compare ibid brief national rifle association america amicus curiae hereinafter nra brief estimating hunting magazines alone account million annual retail sales brief suggesting million crush video sales per year noting stevens earned videos nonetheless statute allows jurisdiction export laws rest country extends magazine video depicting lawful hunting long depiction sold within nation capital seeking comply law thus face bewildering maze regulations least separate jurisdictions permit hunting crossbows code ann code ann lexis cum supp others forbid admin reg restrict disabled envir conserv law ann west missouri allows canned hunting ungulates held captivity mo code regs tit montana restricts hunting certain bird species mont admin rule grouse may hunted idaho washington compare idaho admin code admin code disagreements among commonwealth territor ies possession extend well beyond hunting state agricultural regulations permit different methods livestock slaughter different places applied different animals compare stat excluding poultry humane slaughter requirements cal food agric code ann west including poultry california recently banned cutting docking tails dairy cattle permit cal legis serv ch west even cockfighting long considered immoral much america see barnes glen theatre scalia concurring judgment legal puerto rico see laws ann supp posadas de puerto rico associates tourism legal louisiana see la stat ann west effective image practices sold possessed commercial gain within state happens forbid practice falls within prohibition thing standing defendants sell depictions five years federal prison mercy prosecutor statute exceptions clause subsection exempts prohibition depiction serious religious political scientific educational journalistic historical artistic value government argues clause substantially narrows statute reach news reports animal cruelty journalistic value pictures bullfights spain historical value instructional hunting videos educational value reply brief thus government argues reaches crush videos depictions animal fighting spanish bullfighting see brief perhaps depictions extreme acts animal cruelty government attempt narrow statutory ban however requires unrealistically broad reading exceptions clause government reads clause material redeeming societal value least minimal value reply brief quoting anything scant social value reply brief excluded text says serious value serious taken seriously decline government invitation advanced first time regard serious anything scant dissent puts post government recognized serious ordinarily means good bit district jury instructions required value significant great import app government defended instructions properly relying commonly accepted meaning word brief quite apart requirement serious value excepted speech must also fall within one enumerated categories much speech hunting videos example obviously instructional nature except sense life lesson according safari club international congressional sportsmen foundation many popular videos primarily entertainment value designed entertai viewer marke hunting equipment increas hunting community brief safari club international et al amici curiae national rifle association agrees much content hunting media merely recreational nature nra brief government offers principled explanation depictions hunting depictions spanish bullfights inherently valuable japanese dogfights dissent contends hunting depictions must serious value hunting serious value way dogfights presumably post addresses value depictions underlying activity simply adequate reading exceptions clause results statute banning depictions government like ban government explains language largely drawn opinion miller california excepted definition obscenity material serious literary artistic political scientific value see reply brief according government incorporation miller standard therefore surely enough answer first amendment objection reply brief miller held serious value shields depictions sex regulation obscenity limiting miller exception serious value ensured quotation voltaire flyleaf book constitutionally redeem otherwise obscene publication quoting kois wisconsin per curiam however determine serious value used general precondition protecting types speech first place say one another lacks religious political scientific educational journalistic historical artistic value let alone serious value still sheltered government regulation even holly neutral futilities come protection free speech fully keats poems donne sermons cohen california quoting winters new york frankfurter dissenting alteration original thus protection first amendment presumptively extends many forms speech qualify exception nonetheless fall within broad reach worry government says executive branch construes reach extreme cruelty brief neither brought bring prosecution anything less reply brief government hits theme hard invoking prosecutorial discretion several times see first amendment protects government leave us mercy noblesse oblige uphold unconstitutional statute merely government promised use responsibly cf whitman american trucking prosecution evidence danger putting faith government representations prosecutorial restraint legislation enacted executive branch announced interpret covering depictions wanton cruelty animals designed appeal prurient interest sex see statement president william clinton upon signing weekly comp pres doc one suggests videos case fit description government assurance apply far restrictively language provides pertinent implicit acknowledgment potential constitutional problems natural reading rely upon canon construction ambiguous statutory language construed avoid serious constitutional doubts fcc fox television stations slip may impose limiting construction statute susceptible construction reno american civil liberties union rewrite law conform constitutional requirements quoting virginia american booksellers omission original constitute serious invasion legislative domain treasury employees sharply diminish congress incentive draft narrowly tailored law first place osborne read government desires requires rewriting reinterpretation construction decides constitutional question government makes effort defend constitutionality applied beyond crush videos depictions animal fighting argues particular depictions intrinsically related criminal conduct analogous obscenity obscene ban speech narrowly tailored reinforce restrictions underlying conduct prevent additional crime arising depictions safeguard public mores government nowhere attempts extend arguments depictions activities depictions presumptively protected first amendment remain subject criminal sanctions government seriously contest presumptively impermissible applications properly construed far outnumber permissible ones however growing lucrative markets crush videos dogfighting depictions might see brief internal quotation marks omitted dwarfed market depictions hunting magazines videos determined within scope see supra therefore need decide whether statute limited crush videos depictions extreme animal cruelty constitutional hold limited instead substantially overbroad therefore invalid first amendment judgment appeals third circuit affirmed ordered petitioner robert stevens writ certiorari appeals third circuit april justice alito dissenting strikes entirety valuable statute enacted suppress speech prevent horrific acts animal cruelty particular creation commercial exploitation crush videos form depraved entertainment social value approach practical effect legalizing sale videos thus likely spur resumption production unwarranted respondent convicted selling videos depicting dogfights appeal argued among things unconstitutional applied facts case highlighted features videos might distinguish dogfight videos brought appeals incorrectly view declined decide whether unconstitutional applied respondent videos instead reached hold statute facially invalid today decision endorse appeals reasoning nevertheless strikes using aptly termed strong medicine overbreadth doctrine williams internal quotation marks omitted potion generally administered last resort los angeles police dept reporting publishing internal quotation marks omitted instead applying doctrine overbreadth vacate decision instruct appeals remand decide whether videos respondent sold constitutionally protected question overbreadth decided however think present record supports conclusion bans substantial quantity protected speech party seeking challenge constitutionality statute generally must show statute violates party rights new york ferber first amendment overbreadth doctrine carves narrow exception general rule see broadrick oklahoma overly broad law may deter constitutionally protected speech overbreadth doctrine allows party law may constitutionally applied challenge statute ground violates first amendment rights others see board trustees state univ fox ordinarily principal advantage overbreadth doctrine litigant enables benefit statute unlawful application someone else see also ohralik ohio state bar describing doctrine one person may challenge statute infringes protected speech even statute constitutionally might applied strong medicine overbreadth invalidation need generally administered statute attack unconstitutional applied challenger said fox supra usual judicial practice consider generally desirable proceed overbreadth issue unnecessarily determined statute valid applied accord new york state club city new york see also broadrick supra reporting publishing supra stevens dissenting see reason depart generally preferred procedure considering question overbreadth last addressed overbreadth question however explain think record supports conclusion properly interpreted overly broad ii overbreadth doctrine strike balance competing social costs williams specifically doctrine seeks balance harmful effects invalidating law applications perfectly constitutional possibility threat enforcement overbroad law dete people engaging constitutionally protected speech ibid order maintain appropriate balance vigorously enforced requirement statute overbreadth substantial absolute sense also relative statute plainly legitimate sweep ibid determining whether statute overbreadth substantial consider statute application conduct fanciful hypotheticals see see also ferber supra houston hill accordingly repeatedly emphasized overbreadth claimant bears burden demonstrating text law actual fact substantial overbreadth exists virginia hicks quoting new york state club supra emphasis added internal quotation marks omitted alteration original similarly must realistic danger statute significantly compromise recognized first amendment protections parties facially challenged overbreadth grounds members city council los angeles taxpayers vincent emphasis added iii holding violates overbreadth rule declines decide whether government maintains constitutional applied two broad categories depictions exist real world crush videos depictions deadly animal fights see ante instead tacitly assumes sake argument valid applied depictions concludes reaches much protected speech survive relies primarily depictions hunters killing wounding game depictions animals slaughtered food address examples turn first depictions hunting notes photographs videos hunters shooting game common see ante hunting legal applies depiction conduct illegal jurisdiction depiction created sold possessed therefore creation sale possession sale vast majority hunting depictions indisputably falls outside reach straining find overbreadth suggests prohibits sale possession district columbia depiction hunting district undoubtedly urban character permit hunting within boundaries ante also suggests prohibit particular type hunting hunting crossbow canned hunting hunting particular animal grouse makes illegal persons sell possess sale depiction hunting perfectly legal state hunting took place see ante interpretation seriously flawed federal dealing federal statute challenged overbroad course construe statute avoid constitutional problems statute subject limiting construction ferber see also williams supra stevens concurring extent statutory text alone unclear duty avoid constitutional objections makes especially appropriate look beyond text order ascertain intent drafters applying canon hold apply depictions hunting first targets depictions animal cruelty interpret term apply depictions involving acts animal cruelty defined applicable state federal law depictions acts happen illegal reasons nothing prevention animal cruelty see ante interpreting text ban depiction humane slaughter stolen cow virtually state laws prohibiting animal cruelty either expressly define term animal exclude wildlife else specifically exempt lawful hunting statutory prohibition set forth may reasonably interpreted reach hunting depictions second even hunting wild animals otherwise covered hold hunting depictions fall within exception depictions serious trifling scientific educational historical value certainly find hunting objectionable predominant view country long hunting serves many important values clear congress shares view since congress called upon president designate national hunting fishing day see res sess stat presidents regularly issued proclamations extolling values served hunting see presidential proclamation fed reg pres obama hunting fishing ageless pursuits promote conservation restoration numerous species natural habitats presidential proclamation fed reg pres bush hunters anglers add heritage keep wildlife populations healthy strong among foremost conservationists presidential proclamation fed reg pres bush hunting fishing important part nation heritage america hunters anglers represent great spirit country presidential proclamation fed reg pres carter hunting promotes conservation appreciation healthy recreation peaceful solitude closeness nature presidential proclamation fed reg pres ford hunting furthers appreciation respect nature preservation environment thus widely thought hunting scientific value promotes conservation historical value provides link past times hunting played critical role daily life educational value furthers understanding appreciation nature country past instills valuable character traits hunting widely thought serve values takes small additional step conclude depictions hunting make contribution exchange ideas accordingly hold hunting depictions fall comfortably within exception set slightest doubt congress enacting intention restricting creation sale possession depictions hunting proponents law made point clearly see hereinafter epictions ordinary hunting fishing activities fall within scope statute cong rec mccollum sale depictions legal activities hunting fishing illegal bill smith et us clear legislation way prohibit hunting fishing wildlife videos indeed even opponents acknowledged intended reach ordinary hunting depictions see ibid scott paul reasons convinced application depictions hunting even impermissibly reach sale possession depictions hunting unusual situations example sale oregon depiction hunting crossbow virginia sale washington state hunting grouse idaho see ante isolated applications hardly show bans substantial amount protected speech although overbreadth analysis rests primarily proposition substantially restricts sale possession hunting depictions cites additional examples including depictions methods slaughter docking tails dairy cows see ante examples show statute substantially overbroad two reasons first explained reasonably construed apply depictions involving acts animal cruelty defined applicable state federal law laws ban sorts acts depicted hypotheticals see idaho code lexis part chapter prohibiting cruelty animals shall construed interfering allowing interference humane slaughter animal normally commonly raised food production fiber ormal accepted practices animal husbandry stat ann provisions section shall apply respect farm animals normal accepted practices animal husbandry including normal accepted practices slaughter animals md crim law code ann lexis sections prohibiting animal cruelty apply customary normal veterinary agricultural husbandry practices including dehorning castration tail docking limit feeding second nothing record suggests one ever created sold possessed sale depiction slaughter food animals docking tails dairy cows easily qualify exception set depictions created show proper methods slaughter presumably serious educational value depictions created focus attention methods thought inhumane otherwise objectionable presumably either serious educational journalistic value short examples depictions involving docking tails humane slaughter show suffers overbreadth much less substantial overbreadth notes finally cockfighting illegal still legal puerto rico ante take point impermissible ban creation sale possession puerto rico depiction cockfight legally staged puerto assuming sake argument correct veritable sliver unconstitutionality enough justify striking toto sum duty interpret avoid serious constitutional concerns may reasonably construed reach almost depictions finds constitutionally protected thus appear large number unconstitutional applications invalidation overbreadth appropriate challenged statute suffers substantial overbreadth judged absolute terms relation statute plainly legitimate sweep williams explain following part substantial core constitutionally permissible applications iv appeals recognized primary conduct congress sought address passage creation sale possession videos en banc sample crush video lodged clerk records following event kitten secured ground watches shrieks pain woman thrusts shoe body slams heel kitten eye socket mouth loudly fracturing skull stomps repeatedly animal head kitten hemorrhages blood screams blindly pain ultimately left dead moist pile hair bone brief humane society amicus curiae hereinafter humane society brief undisputed conduct depicted crush videos may constitutionally prohibited district columbia enacted statutes prohibiting animal cruelty see citing statutes enactment underlying conduct depicted crush videos nearly impossible prosecute videos often appeal persons specific sexual fetish made secret generally without live audience faces women inflicting torture material often shown location place cruelty inflicted date activity ascertained depiction thus law enforcement authorities often able identify parties responsible torture see punishing depictions animal cruelty federal prisoner health care act hearing subcommittee crime house committee judiciary hereinafter hearing depictions animal cruelty rare instances possible identify find perpetrators often able successfully assert defense state prove jurisdiction place act occurred actions depicted took place within time specified state statute limitations see also cong rec gallegly prosecutors around country federal prosecutors well state prosecutors made appeal us hearing depictions animal cruelty production video discovered actual filming prosecution offense virtually impossible without cooperative eyewitness filming undercover police operation discussing example case state prosecutor defendant telling us produced videos prosecution possible state prove tape made light practical problems thwarting prosecution creators crush videos state animal cruelty laws congress concluded effective way stopping underlying criminal conduct prohibit commercial exploitation videos conduct congress strategy appears vindicated told sponsors declared crush video industry dead even overseas websites shut wake third circuit decision facially invalidating statute crush videos already back online humane society brief citations omitted first amendment protects freedom speech certainly protect violent criminal conduct even engaged expressive purposes crush videos present highly unusual free speech issue closely linked violent criminal conduct videos record commission violent criminal acts appears crimes committed sole purpose creating videos addition noted congress presented compelling evidence way preventing crimes target sale videos circumstances believe first amendment commands congress step aside allow underlying crimes continue relevant prior decisions ferber concerned child pornography held child pornography protected speech believe ferber reasoning dictates similar conclusion ferber important factor say important factor child pornography involves commission crime inflicts severe personal injury children made engage sexual conduct commercial purposes internal quotation marks omitted ferber repeatedly described production child pornography child abuse molestation exploitation see recent years exploitive use children production pornography become serious national problem sexual molestation adults often involved production child sexual performances later noted ashcroft free speech coalition ferber production work content target statute see also ferber involved speech record sexual abuse second ferber emphasized fact underlying crimes effectively combated without targeting distribution child pornography put distribution network child pornography must closed production material requires sexual exploitation children effectively controlled added serious contention legislature unjustified believing difficult impossible halt exploitation children pursuing produce photographs movies expeditious practical method law enforcement may dry market material imposing severe criminal penalties persons selling advertising otherwise promoting product see also advertising selling child pornography provide economic motive thus integral part production materials third ferber noted value child pornography exceedingly modest de minimis value overwhelmingly outweigh ed evil restricted three characteristics shared applied crush videos first conduct depicted crush videos criminal every state district columbia thus crush video made country records actual commission criminal act inflicts severe physical injury excruciating pain ultimately results death record underlying criminal acts likely criminally culpable either aiders abettors conspirators tight secretive market videos sell videos possess intent make profit may similarly culpable example cases crush videos commissioned purchasers specified details acts wanted see performed see hearing depictions animal cruelty extent reaches persons surely violate first amendment second criminal acts shown crush videos prevented without targeting conduct prohibited creation sale possession sale depictions animal torture intention realizing commercial profit evidence presented congress posed stark choice either ban commercial exploitation crush videos tolerate continuation criminal acts record faced evidence congress reasonably chose target lucrative crush video market finally harm caused underlying crimes vastly outweighs minimal value depictions might conceivably thought possess section reaches actual recording acts animal torture statute apply verbal descriptions simulations unlike child pornography statute ferber federal counterpart provides exception depictions serious religious political scientific educational journalistic historical artistic value must acknowledged differs child pornography law important respect preventing abuse children certainly much important preventing torture animals used crush videos largely reason appeals concluded ferber support constitutionality preventing cruelty animals although exceedingly worthy goal simply implicate interests magnitude protecting children physical psychological harm protecting children unquestionably important protecting animals government also compelling interest preventing torture depicted crush videos animals used crush videos living creatures experience excruciating pain society long banned cruelty illegal throughout country ferber noted virtually passed legislation proscribing production otherwise combating pornography declined legislative judgment likewise appeals erred legislative judgment importance preventing cruelty animals section ban trafficking crush videos also helps enforce criminal laws ensure criminals profit crimes see cong rec gallegly state interest enforcing existing laws right laws violated people making huge profits promoting violations may gallegly explaining introduced house version bill criminals profit illegal acts already judged taking profit crime compelling interest see simon schuster members state crime victims short ferber case sheds light constitutionality congress effort halt production crush videos applying principles set forth ferber hold crush videos protected first amendment application ferber framework also supports constitutionality applied depictions brutal animal fights convenience focus videos dogfights appear common type animal fight videos first depictions like crush videos record actual commission crime involving deadly violence dogfights illegal every state district columbia brief citing statutes federal law constitute felony punishable imprisonment five years et seq ed supp ii supp ii second congress ample basis concluding crimes depicted videos effectively controlled without targeting videos like crush videos child pornography dogfight videos often produced part clandestine industry need market resulting products requires visible apparatus distribution ferber circumstances congress reasonable grounds concluding difficult impossible halt underlying exploitation dogs pursuing stage fights see cowen dissenting citing evidence establishing existence lucrative market depictions animal cruelty including videos dogfights turn provides powerful incentive individuals create videos commercial trade videos dogfights integral part production materials ferber supra humane society explains ideotapes memorializing dogfights integral success criminal industry variety reasons humane society brief one thing dogfighting videos made solely purpose selling video live audience addition stage dogfights profit sale videos gambling revenue take fights videos encourage gambling activity allow reluctant attend actual fights fear prosecution still bet outcome ibid accord brief center administration criminal law amicus curiae selling videos dogfights effectively abets underlying crimes providing market dogfighting allowing actual dogfights remain underground ibid videos part market videos produced clandestine staff order permit actual location dogfights perpetrators underlying criminal activities go undetected citations omitted moreover ideo documentation vital criminal enterprise provides proof dog fighting prowess proof demanded potential buyers critical underground market humane society brief recordings may also serve videos fight organizers ibid short videos depicting live dogfights essential success criminal dogfighting subculture commercial sale videos helps fuel market thus perpetuate perpetration criminal conduct depicted third depictions dogfights fall within reach definition appreciable social value noted exempts depictions appreciable social value thus mere inclusion depiction live fight larger work aims communicating idea message modicum social value run afoul statute finally harm caused underlying criminal acts greatly outweighs trifling value depictions might thought possess humane society explains abused dogs used fights endure physical torture emotional manipulation throughout lives predispose violence common tactics include feeding animals hot peppers gunpowder prodding sticks electrocution dogs conditioned never give fight even gravely hurt killed result dogfights inflict horrific injuries participating animals including lacerations ripped ears puncture wounds broken bones losing dogs routinely refused treatment beaten loss executed drowning hanging incineration footnotes omitted dogs unlike animals killed crush videos suffering lasts years rather minutes crush videos moreover statutory ban commerce dogfighting videos also supported compelling governmental interests effectively enforcing nation criminal laws preventing criminals profiting illegal activities see ferber supra simon schuster sum may validly applied least two broad categories expression covered statute crush videos dogfighting videos thus statute substantial core constitutionally permissible applications moreover reasons set forth record show properly interpreted bans substantial amount protected speech absolute terms fortiori respondent met burden demonstrating impermissible applications statute substantial relation plainly legitimate sweep williams accordingly reject respondent claim facially unconstitutional overbreadth doctrine reasons respectfully dissent appendix following chart makes clear virtually state laws prohibiting animal cruelty either expressly define term animal exclude wildlife else specifically exempt lawful hunting activities alaska alaska stat defense prosecution section conduct defendant necessarily incidental lawful fishing hunting trapping activities arizona rev stat ann west supp section prohibit restrict taking wildlife activities permitted pursuant title ctivities regulated arizona game fish department arizona department agriculture arkansas ark code ann supp subchapter prohibit following activities engaging taking game fish hunting trapping fishing engaging activity authorized arkansas constitution amendment et arkansas state game fish commission regulation promulgated either arkansas constitution amendment statute california cal penal code ann west part title shall construed interfering laws state known laws interfere right kill animals used food colorado rev stat ann case conflict part prohibiting cruelty animals section rev stat wildlife statutes state said wildlife statutes shall control nothing part shall construed amend manner change authority wildlife commission established title rev stat prohibit conduct therein authorized permitted connecticut stat person maliciously intentionally maims mutilates tortures wounds kills animal shall fined five thousand dollars imprisoned five years provisions subsection shall apply person lawfully engaged taking wildlife delaware del code tit section shall apply lawful hunting trapping animals provided law florida stat section shall apply ny person using animals pursue take wildlife participate hunting regulated subject regulated rules regulations fish wildlife conservation commission georgia code ann provisions code section shall construed prohibiting conduct otherwise permitted laws state including limited hunting trapping fishing wildlife management hawaii haw rev stat cum supp person commits offense cruelty animals first degree person intentionally knowingly tortures mutilates poisons causes torture mutilation poisoning pet animal equine animal resulting serious bodily injury death pet animal equine animal idaho idaho code lexis part chapter shall construed interfering negating preempting laws rules department fish game state interfere right kill slaughter bag take animals used food illinois comp ch west case alleged conflict act code illinois act define require use humane methods handling preparation slaughter slaughter livestock meat meat products offered sale provisions acts shall prevail purposes section torture include death harm injury caused animal hunting fishing trapping activity allowed wildlife code wildlife habitat management areas act fish aquatic life code footnotes omitted indiana ind code west subject certain exceptions relevant chapter prohibiting offenses relating animals apply ishing hunting trapping conduct authorized ind code iowa iowa code section banning animal abuse shall apply person taking hunting trapping fishing wild animal provided chapter section banning animal torture shall apply person taking hunting trapping fishing wild animal provided chapter kansas stat ann provisions section shall apply killing attempting kill trapping catching taking animal accordance provisions chapter wildlife parks recreation chapter livestock domestic animals kansas statutes annotated kentucky rev stat ann lexis nothing section shall apply killing animals ursuant license hunt fish trap purposes relating sporting activities activities animals engaged hunting field trials dog training training dog fight pleasure profit activities authorized either hunting license department fish wildlife shall constitute violation section louisiana la rev stat ann west supp section shall apply lawful hunting trapping wildlife provided law maine rev stat tit west supp providing hunting trapping animal form prohibited animal cruelty permitted pursuant parts state code regulating shooting large game inland fisheries wildlife maryland md crim law code ann lexis sections subtitle apply activity may cause unavoidable physical pain animal including hunting person performing activity uses humane method reasonably available michigan comp laws ann west supp section prohibit lawful killing use animal including ishing unting trapping regulated state law section prohibit lawful killing use animal including ishing unting trapping regulated state law missouri mo rev stat provisions sections shall apply unting fishing trapping allowed state law montana mont code ann section prohibit lawful fishing hunting trapping activities nebraska neb rev stat exempting ommonly accepted practices hunting fishing trapping nevada rev stat provisions nevada law banning animal cruelty nterfere fish game laws right kill animals fowl used food new hampshire rev stat ann ii west supp section means domestic animal household pet wild animal captivity new jersey stat ann west nothing contained article shall construed prohibit interfere shooting taking game game fish manner times allowed provided laws state new mexico stat ann supp provisions section apply fishing hunting falconry taking trapping new york agric mkts law ann west nothing contained section shall construed prohibit interfere way anyone lawfully engaged hunting trapping fishing north carolina stat ann lexis section shall apply lawful taking animals jurisdiction regulation wildlife resources commission north dakota cent code ann lexis supp include ny activity requires license permit chapter governs gaming licenses oregon rev stat unless gross negligence shown provisions certain statutes prohibiting animal cruelty apply awful fishing hunting trapping activities pennsylvania cons stat ii subsection banning killing maiming poisoning domestic animals zoo animals shall apply killing animal fowl pursuant game law person commits offense wantonly cruelly illtreats overloads beats otherwise abuses animal neglects animal duty care rhode island laws lexis prohibiting owner possessor person charge custody animal engaging certain acts unnecessary cruelty prohibiting alicious injury killing animals providing section shall apply licensed hunters hunting season licensed business killing animals human consumption south carolina code ann supp section apply activity authorized title consisting laws fish game watercraft south dakota codified laws acts conduct persons lawfully engaged activities authorized title game fish parks forestry persons properly kill animal used food sport hunting trapping fishing authorized south dakota department game fish parks exempt provisions chapter tennessee code ann supp means domesticated living creature wild creature previously captured othing part shall construed prohibiting shooting birds game purpose human food use animate targets incorporated gun clubs texas tex penal code ann west supp means domesticated living creature including stray feral cat dog wild living creature previously captured term include uncaptured wild living creature livestock animal exception application section conduct engaged actor generally accepted otherwise lawful form conduct occurring solely purpose support fishing hunting trapping utah utah code ann ii lexis include wildlife defined section including protected unprotected wildlife conduct toward wildlife accordance lawful hunting fishing trapping practices lawful practices section affect prohibit lawful hunting fishing trapping wildlife vermont stat tit subchapter shall apply activities regulated department fish wildlife pursuant part title virginia code ann lexis section shall prohibit authorized wildlife management activities hunting fishing trapping regulated state law washington rev code part chapter shall deemed interfere laws state known laws interfere right kill animals used food west virginia code ann lexis supp provisions section apply lawful acts hunting fishing trapping wisconsin stat chapter may interpreted controverting law regulating wild animals subject regulation ch regulating among things hunting taking wild animals wyoming wyo stat ann iv nothing subsection section shall construed prohibit hunting capture destruction predatory animal wildlife manner otherwise prohibited law footnotes statute reads full depiction animal cruelty creation sale whoever knowingly creates sells possesses depiction animal cruelty intention placing depiction interstate foreign commerce commercial gain shall fined title imprisoned years subsection apply depiction serious religious political scientific educational journalistic historical artistic value section term animal cruelty means visual auditory depiction including photograph film video recording electronic image sound recording conduct living animal intentionally maimed mutilated tortured wounded killed conduct illegal federal law law state creation sale possession takes place regardless whether maiming mutilation torture wounding killing took place state term means several district columbia commonwealth puerto rico virgin islands guam american samoa commonwealth northern mariana islands commonwealth territory possession government contends dogfights unlawful time occurred stevens disputes assertion reply brief hereinafter reply brief brief respondent dissent contends ruling validity statute applied stevens consideration facial overbreadth claim premature post opinion alito whether conclusion follows claim preserved neither construed stevens briefs adequately developing separate attack defined subset statute applications say dogfighting videos see en banc stevens brings facial challenge statute app pet cert neither government see brief opposing appellant facial challenge accord brief sentence stevens appellate brief mentioning unrelated challenge hardly developed first amendment claim see post stevens constitutional argument general one unlike challengers washington state grange stevens rest factual assumptions evaluated context challenge citations dissent appendix beside point cited statutes stand proposition hunting covered animal cruelty laws reach explained restricted depictions conduct violates law specifically directed animal cruelty simply requires depicted conduct illegal government implicitly admits much arguing instructional videos hunting saved statute exceptions clause fall outside prohibition first place reply brief footnotes respondent argued length evidence insufficient prove particular videos sold lacked serious scientific educational historical value thus fell outside exception see brief appellant pp added evidence case held sufficient take videos outside scope exception case presents situation constitutional violation occurs see also applicability speech crush video appeal prurient sexual interest constitutes restriction protected speech unwarranted violation first amendment free speech guarantee brief respondent stevens speech fit within existing category unprotected prosecutable speech record whole demonstrates stevens speech constitutionally punished contrary ante citing en banc see suggestion opinion appeals respondent preserve challenge reasons set forth case challenged statute unconstitutional almost applications see appendix infra citing statutes wagman waisman frasch animal law cases materials ed laws also include one exemptions often exclud coverage whole classes animals wildlife farm animals specific activities hunting note economics ethics genetic engineering animals harv tech surprisingly state laws relating humane treatment wildlife including deer elk waterfowl virtually webster third new international dictionary random house dictionary english language term serious may also mean weighty important adopt former definition necessary avoid unconstitutionality since taken pains decide whether unconstitutional applied graphic dogfight videos including depicting fights occurring countries dogfighting legal take intend passing reference cockfights mean either depictions cockfights whether legal illegal local law protected first amendment impermissible ban sale possession depiction legal cockfight puerto rico cases regarded evidence national consensus proof particular government interest compelling see simon schuster members state crime victims state compelling interest ensuring victims crime compensated harm evidenced fact state body tort law serving exactly interest roberts jaycees citing state laws prohibiting discrimination public accommodations evidence compelling governmental interest ensuring equal access