street new york argued october decided april appellant heard news broadcast shooting james meredith civil rights leader took american flag owned street corner near home new york ignited flag arrested thereafter charged information malicious mischief violating subd par new york penal law makes crime publicly mutilate publicly defy cast contempt upon american flag either words act information charged appellant burning american flag publicly speaking defiant contemptuous words flag appellant unsuccessfully moved dismiss information ground statute violated constitutional right free expression punishing activity contended constitutionally protected demonstration protest appellant tried judge without jury convicted arresting officer testified time arrest appellant standing corner speaking small unruly group block street sidewalk opposite corner burning flag appellant told group need damn flag said officer let happen meredith need american flag appellant also challenged constitutionality words part statute appellate term new york appeals affirmed conviction latter upholding constitutionality statute without alluding words part held appellant met burden showing federal question constitutionality words part statute adequately raised state courts appellant motion dismiss trial briefs appellate courts pp application subd par appellant violative rights free expression assured state infringement fourteenth amendment permitted punished merely speaking defiant contemptuous words american flag pp appellant conviction must set aside based solely upon words upon words act conviction basis unconstitutional stromberg california thomas collins pp record insufficient eliminate possibility appellant words sole basis conviction convicted words deed pp appellant conviction subd par speaking constitutionally justified basis words uttered constituted incitement others commit unlawful acts inflammatory provoke violent retaliation others apart content ideas conveyed likely shock light board educ barnette constituted failure appellant manifest respect every citizen must show flag pp david goldstick argued cause appellant briefs albert blumenthal osmond fraenkel alan levine melvin wulf harry brodbar argued cause appellee brief elliott golden briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed louis lefkowitz attorney general pro se samuel hirshowitz first assistant attorney general brenda soloff assistant attorney general attorney general new york peter megargee brown flag foundation justice harlan delivered opinion appellant street convicted new york courts violating former subd par new york penal law makes misdemeanor publicly mutilate deface defile defy trample upon cast contempt upon either words act flag given suspended sentence must decide whether light circumstances conviction denied rights free expression protected first amendment assured state infringement fourteenth amendment see new york times sullivan according evidence given trial events led conviction appellant testified afternoon june listening radio brooklyn apartment heard news report civil rights leader james meredith shot sniper mississippi saying protect appellant negro took drawer neatly folded american flag formerly displayed national holidays appellant left apartment carried flag nearby intersection james place lafayette avenue appellant stood northeast corner intersection lit flag match dropped flag pavement began burn soon thereafter police officer halted patrol car found burning flag officer testified crossed northwest corner intersection found appellant talking loud small group persons officer estimated persons corner near flag five corner appellant officer testified approached within feet appellant heard appellant say need damn flag asked appellant whether burned flag appellant replied yes flag burned let happen meredith need american flag appellant admitted making latter response denied said anything else asserted always remained corner flag later day appellant charged information sworn judge new york city criminal committed crime malicious mischief wilfully unlawfully defile cast contempt upon burn american flag violation penal law following circumstances wilfully unlawfully set fire american flag shout meredith need american flag appellant tried another criminal judge sitting without jury convicted malicious mischief violation subd par subsequently given suspended sentence appellate term second department affirmed without opinion leave granted appeal new york appeals plenary consideration unanimously affirmed noted probable jurisdiction street argues conviction unconstitutional three different reasons first claims subd par overbroad face applied section makes crime publicly defy cast contempt upon american flag words emphasis added second contends subd par vague imprecise clearly define conduct forbids third asserts new york may constitutionally punish one publicly destroys damages american flag means protest act constitutes expression protected fourteenth amendment deem unnecessary consider latter two arguments hold subd par unconstitutionally applied appellant case permitted punished merely speaking defiant contemptuous words american flag taking course resist pulls decide constitutional issues involved case broader basis record us imperatively requires though conclusion narrow one requires pursuit four lines inquiry whether constitutionality words part statute passed upon new york appeals whether appellant conviction may rested whole part utterances statute thus applied unconstitutional factors require reversal whether street words may fact counted independently conviction whether words provision statute presented case unconstitutional case want presentation appellant must occurred trial level appears doubt issue constitutionality words part statute raised appellant briefs appellate term appeals state suggest contrary trial appellant counsel raised constitutional issues means following motion plead case like make motion dismiss information upon ground state facts constitute crime following grounds defendant engaged constitutionally protected activity wit freedom speech allegation simply says defendant wilfully unlawfully set fire american flag say meredith need american flag first amendment constitution new york state constitution freedom speech provide protest many forms whether burning flag demonstration picketing form demonstration protest issue whether federal question sufficiently properly raised state courts ultimately federal question bound decision state courts however entirely clear whether cases scope review limited determining whether state federal right forms local procedure whether decide matter de novo ellis dixon either event think appellant met burden showing issue constitutionality words part subd par adequately raised state trial motion quoted explicitly referred appellant words appellant counsel termed appellant overall activity demonstration protest terms encompass words well conduct indeed appellant intention protest alleged governmental inaction connection shooting james meredith words essential element without one known object protest extent matter governed new york law found new york statutes decisions require issue raised trial greater specificity occurred fact people mclucas new york appeals held appellant claims deprivation fundamental constitutional right new york appellate courts may review correctness jury charge even though appellant failed except charge trial appeals reached result despite fact new york code criminal procedure required exception taken expressly issue correctness jury charge preserved appellate review present case right asserted appellant surely fundamental new york law less precise objection required jury instruction insofar question sufficient presentation one independent decision controlling principle set forth leading case new york ex rel bryant zimmerman various ways validity state statute may drawn question ground repugnant constitution particular form words phrases essential claim invalidity ground therefor brought attention state fair precision due time record whole shows either expressly clear intendment done claim regarded adequately presented omitted ii duty made apparent number decisions leading case stromberg california appellant convicted jury california statute making offense publicly display red flag one three purposes finding unconstitutional punish one displayed reason rejected state reasoning appellant conviction nevertheless sustained two statutory reasons severable constitutional said verdict appellant general one specify ground upon rested impossible say clause statute conviction obtained one clauses invalid determined upon record appellant convicted clause follows conviction upheld say general verdict guilty upheld though know rest invalid constitutional ground countenance procedure cause serious impairment constitutional rights true present case general verdict rendered judge jury however ground judge decision ascertained record danger unconstitutional conviction significantly less cases discussed cf thomas collins appropriate remand case trial judge post hoc explanation grounds decision cf greyhound lines mealey hence conclude case governed rule stromberg appellant conviction must set aside find based solely upon words conviction resting basis unconstitutional matter shall turn moment moreover even assuming record precludes inference appellant conviction might based solely words still bound reverse conviction based upon words act made apparent thomas collins supra case noted thomas cited contempt meeting allegedly violated restraining order soliciting single individual join union soliciting nonunion men present found unnecessary consider state contention judgment sustained basis individual solicitation alone said motion fiat contempt filed fiat issued account invitations order adjudging thomas contempt general terms finding violated restraining order without distinction solicitations set forth petition proved violations sentence single penalty state record must taken order followed prayer motion fiat recital penalty imposed account invitations judgment therefore must affirmed neither cf williams north carolina stromberg california footnotes omitted thomas appellant charged two acts violative statute burning flag publicly speaking defiant contemptuous words flag evidence introduced show commission acts verdict general sentence single penalty hence unless record negates possibility conviction based alleged violations thomas dictates judgment must affirmed neither take rationale thomas indictment information charges commission crime virtue defendant done constitutionally protected act one may unprotected guilty verdict ensues without elucidation unacceptable danger trier fact regarded two acts intertwined rested conviction together see comparable hazard indictment information several counts conviction explicitly declared rest findings guilt certain counts instances positive evidence trier fact considered count merits separately others iii state argues appellant words used establish unlawful intent burning flag however careful examination comparatively brief trial record find unable say certainty appellant words independent cause conviction true trial greater emphasis placed upon appellant action burning flag upon words police officer testify utterance words state never announced relying exclusively upon burning trial judge never indicated trial regarded appellant words relating solely intent judge found appellant guilty immediately end trial delivered oral written opinion face information explicitly setting forth appellant words element alleged crime appellant subsequent conviction statute making offense speak words sort find record insufficient eliminate possibility either appellant words sole basis conviction appellant convicted words deed iv relevant evidence introduced appellant trial considered light favorable state must taken establish following time arrest appellant standing street corner speaking small crowd opposite corner lay burning flag appellant said crowd need damn flag questioned police officer appellant stated let happen meredith need american flag according officer crowds gathered around appellant around flag obstruct street sidewalk neither unruly threatening circumstances think four governmental interests might conceivably furthered punishing appellant words interest deterring appellant vocally inciting others commit unlawful acts interest preventing appellant uttering words inflammatory provoke others retaliate physically thereby causing breach peace interest protecting sensibilities might shocked appellant words american flag interest assuring appellant regardless impact words upon others showed proper respect national emblem circumstances case believe interests may constitutionally justify appellant conviction subd par speaking begin interest preventing incitement appellant words taken alone urge anyone anything unlawful amounted somewhat excited public advocacy idea abandon least temporarily one national symbols clear fourteenth amendment prohibits imposing criminal punishment public advocacy peaceful change institutions see cox louisiana edwards south carolina terminiello chicago cf yates even assuming appellant words might found incitive considered together simultaneous burning flag subd par purport punish defiant contemptuous words amount incitement evidence state courts regarded statute limited hence conviction words upheld basis see yates supra terminiello chicago supra conviction justified second ground mentioned possible tendency appellant words provoke violent retaliation though conceivable listeners might moved retaliate upon hearing appellant disrespectful words say appellant remarks inherently inflammatory come within small class fighting words likely provoke average person retaliation thereby cause breach peace chaplinsky new hampshire even appellant words might found within category subd par narrowly drawn punish words character indication interpreted state courts hence case distinguishable chaplinsky supra emphasized statute carefully drawn unduly impair liberty expression see also terminiello chicago supra conviction sustained ground appellant words likely shock except perhaps appellant incidental use word damn upon emphasis placed trial shock effect appellant speech must attributed content ideas expressed firmly settled constitution public expression ideas may prohibited merely ideas offensive hearers see cox louisiana supra edwards south carolina supra terminiello chicago supra cf cantwell connecticut even conviction might upheld ground shock indication state courts regarded statute limited purpose finally conviction supported theory making remarks flag appellant failed show respect national symbol may properly demanded every citizen board educ barnette held require unwilling schoolchildren salute flag violate rights free expression assured fourteenth amendment opinion justice jackson wrote words especially apposite case made difficult principles decision obscure flag involved nevertheless apply limitations constitution fear freedom intellectually spiritually diverse even contrary disintegrate social organization reedom differ limited things matter much mere shadow freedom test substance right differ things touch heart existing order fixed star constitutional constellation official high petty prescribe shall orthodox politics nationalism religion matters opinion force citizens confess word act faith therein circumstances permit exception occur us omitted since appellant constitutionally punished subd par speech since found may punished conviction permitted stand holding reiterate occasion pass upon validity conviction insofar sustained state courts basis street punished burning flag even though burning act protest perceive basis brother white fears decision today may taken require reversal whenever defendant convicted burning flag protest following trial words introduced prove element offense assuming conviction otherwise pass constitutional muster matter express view nothing opinion render conviction impermissible merely element crime proved defendant words rather way see add disrespect flag deplored less vexed times calmer periods history cf halter nebraska nevertheless unable sustain conviction may rested form expression however distasteful constitution tolerates protects reasons previously set forth reverse judgment new york appeals remand case proceedings inconsistent opinion ordered footnotes appellant simultaneously tried disorderly conduct connection events acquitted offense one stage proceedings state moved dismissal ground lacked jurisdiction appeal case moot state pointed appellant received suspended sentence period within suspended sentence might replaced prison sentence new york law expired asserted significant collateral consequences either new york federal law response appellant stated employer new york transit authority instituted disciplinary proceedings result conviction appellant charged misconduct according transit authority rules may punished fine suspension without pay two months charges finally sustained appellant also noted new york code criminal procedure provide respectively conviction may used rebut character evidence adduced future criminal proceedings record conviction must made available judge prior imposition future criminal sentence convicted felony may sentenced habitual criminal last term held ginsberg new york case new york appellant moot even though time revocation suspended sentence expired possible license operate luncheonette might withdrawn consequence conviction actual rather merely potential threat appellant deprived employment albeit temporarily also held last term sibron new york case new york appellant fully served misdemeanor sentence moot apparently brought case completion sentence conviction used impeachment sentencing purposes future criminal proceedings appellant street similarly unable despite diligent prosecution appeals bring case within year sentencing subject collateral penalties sibron liable hence ginsberg sibron dictate case moot also unable read opinion appeals reading words clause statute authoritatively construing reach act flag burning whether protest otherwise see parker illinois carter texas robertson kirkham jurisdiction wolfson kurland ed cases cited time appellant trial new york code criminal procedure provided respect trial rulings jury instructions exception shall deemed taken party adversely affected every ruling either cause finally submitted party time ruling sought made makes known judge position thereon objection otherwise find unpersuasive state argument appellant omission raise question constitutionality words provision shown failure stage invoke exclusionary rule miranda arizona respect admission words evidence state concedes appellant words probative least respect unlawful intent burning flag see brief appellee appellant therefore reason invoke miranda even believed words part statute irrelevant doubt disposition thomas including decision reverse conviction simply remand resentencing carefully considered case originally argued term ordered restored docket reargued following term parties directed brief inter alia question whether general solicitation basis thomas conviction see claassen pinkerton barenblatt state also contends appellant words ground conviction obviously spoken publicly required subd par however although appellant testified spoke solely police officer officer gave evidence trial judge might concluded appellant remarks made either within hearing small crowd see supra moreover sworn information recited appellant shout ed words city street thereby apparently satisfying statutory requirement words said publicly think impossible trial judge found statements need damn flag let happen meredith need american flag appellant def ied cast contempt upon american flag words violation subd par state admits single casual reference statement trial brief appellee chief justice warren dissenting dissent reversal judgment opinion strained bring trial within stromberg california particularly declined meet resolve basic question presented case question variously stated new york appeals parties employed following statement question called upon decide whether deliberate act burning american flag public protest may punished crime may new york state constitutionally impose penal sanctions upon individual charged destroying damaging american flag attempt dramatize concern social conditions existing country may state new york constitutionally impose penal sanctions upon one charged publicly deliberately desecrating american flag means dramatizing dissatisfaction social conditions existing within country outset trial appellant counsel moved dismiss information clearly revealing theory appellant defense flag burning constitutionally protected appellant burned flag dignified manner goldstick appellant counsel plead case like make motion dismiss information upon ground state facts constitute crime following grounds defendant engaged constitutionally protected activity wit freedom speech allegation simply says defendant wilfully unlawfully set fire american flag say meredith need american flag first amendment constitution new york state constitution freedom speech provide protest many forms whether burning flag demonstration picketing form demonstration protest say burning flag form demonstration goldstick yes motion denied goldstick also federal statute provides burning flag refer honor interposing section provide lawful disposition flag goldstick continuing refer honor page brief referring code flag condition longer fitting emblem display destroyed dignified way preferably burning supremacy clause conflict statute federal statute takes precedence state law conflict federal law federal law takes precedence federal law provides may burn american flag therefore new york state without power make complaint convict man burning american flag motions denied question whether burned poor condition burned illegal demonstration emphasis added trial testimony confirms belief appellant act sole basis verdict contains nothing suggest either parties trial judge believed appellant trial words arresting officer testified investigating source fire heard appellant say need damn flag officer asked appellant whether responsible burning flag appellant replied let happen meredith need american flag officer testimony concluded description number people vicinity extinguishing fire officer defense counsel asked one question concerning anything appellant said appellant dispute prosecution version facts testified hearing news report meredith shooting removed flag dresser drawer walked corner james place lafayette avenue burned flag according appellant made remarks crowd gathered reference meredith made police officer prosecution explored appellant motivation burning flag mention made words appellant might spoken told least part appellant conviction rests words trial record strangely silent state made attempt prove appellant words heard crowd appellant insisted spoke officer yet new york statute requires accused flag desecration public state argues without contradiction appellant words spoken policeman spoken publicly purposes statute think evident appellant words mentioned indictment introduced trial show burned flag intent desecrate necessary element state case absence evidence state proved appellant burned flag left open possibility burning designed destroy dignified manner fact appellant words supplied element state case mean convicted uttering words see giboney empire storage ice neither prosecution defense new york courts attached independent significance words interpret record manner ignores basic fact trial judge parties thought one issue trial whether appellant criminally punished burning flag record sufficiently ambiguous justify speculation verdict might rest even part upon conviction appellant words ii miss stromberg one supervisors children summer camp directed daily ceremony children raised soviet flag recited pledge allegiance worker red flag california statute made criminal offense person display red flag symbol opposition organized government invitation anarchistic action aid propaganda seditious character trial judge following express terms statute charged miss stromberg convicted displayed red flag one three prohibited purposes first determined criminal conviction display red flag symbol opposition organized government impinge upon first amendment freedoms since jury charge disjunctive miss stromberg convicted jury found conducted ceremony three statutorily prohibited goals possible conviction rested totally upon act entitled constitutional protection presumably given jury general verdict convicted miss stromberg raising red flag solely symbol opposition organized government either invitation anarchistic action aid propaganda seditious character teaching stromberg possibility general verdict rests speech conduct entitled constitutional protection conviction must reversed stromberg analysis applied appellant conviction factual patterns two cases distinct record leaves doubt appellant burn flag appellant argue act act desecration trial judge emphatically stated issue whether appellant burned flag destroy dignified manner cast contempt upon appellant conviction therefore must based upon finding desecrated flag burning neither suggests otherwise confronted jury trial consequent inability determine basis verdict trial judge outset trial made known view appellant motivation burning flag probative issue combining act burning verbalization reasons allow avoid determining constitutionality appellant conduct since claim appellant convicted speech stromberg simply apply analysis confirmed examination cases upon relies williams north carolina presents factual pattern identical stromberg williams resident north carolina obtained nevada divorce remarried nevada upon return north carolina williams convicted bigamous cohabitation jury charged convict williams found either procured divorce based upon substituted service went nevada establish bona fide residence rather obtain divorce fraud upon nevada courts holding full faith credit clause required north carolina respect williams nevada divorce even though acquired substituted service reversed williams conviction since possible jury found divorce procured fraud yet convicted williams state facts conviction based upon acquisition divorce north carolina constitutionally compelled honor terminiello chicago reflects approach terminiello charged disorderly conduct jury allowed convict found terminiello speech either stirred public anger constituted fighting words since latter may constitutionally prohibited reversed possible jury found terminiello speech merely stirred public anger yet convicted terminiello convicted constitutionally protected conduct therefore entitled reversal yates also conforms pattern charged violation smith act yates convicted instructions made either advocacy organizing statutory violation decided jury instruction regard organizing charge erroneous since jury convicted yates organizing even found guilty advocacy conviction reversed however base reversal upon misapplication stromberg relying also thomas collins holds even record precludes inference appellant conviction might based solely words still bound reverse conviction based upon words act ante reading thomas collins indicates however thomas serve justification disposition case thomas union organizer held contempt fined imprisoned disobeying state order enjoining violating texas statute statute required labor organizers register procure organizer card designated texas official soliciting memberships labor unions without either registering procuring card organizer made speech group workers extolled virtues union membership general terms also asked specific individual become union member read case thomas holds general solicitation solicitation named individual within protection first amendment occasion clearly protected speech essential part occasion unless meaning purpose taken invitations general particular parts speech inseparable incidents occasion said done one might laud unionism state state concede thomas free yet circumstances imply invitation hard conceive nub case state fails meet reiterate belief appellant convicted act words stromberg cases based upon allow us luxury refusing treat appellant claim burning flag protest worthy constitutional protection iii believe federal government power protect flag acts desecration disgrace met issue serve purpose delineate reasons view however difficult imagine faced issue concluded otherwise since satisfied constitutionality appellant conduct resolved case convinced conduct criminally punished dissent appendix opinion warren dissenting goldstick appellant counsel plead case like make motion dismiss information upon ground state facts constitute crime following grounds defendant engaged constitutionally protected activity wit freedom speech allegation simply says defendant wilfully unlawfully set fire american flag say meredith need american flag first amendment constitution new york state constitution freedom speech provide protest many forms whether burning flag demonstration picketing form demonstration protest say burning flag form demonstration goldstick yes motion denied goldstick also federal statute provides burning flag refer honor interposing section provide lawful disposition flag goldstick continuing refer honor page brief referring code flag condition longer fitting emblem display destroyed dignified way preferably burning supremacy clause conflict statute federal statute takes precedence state law conflict federal law federal law takes precedence federal law provides may burn american flag therefore new york state without power make complaint convict man burning american flag motions denied question whether burned poor condition burned illegal demonstration goldstick supremacy interposing next motion argument please goldstick plead defendant guilty take exception honor rulings proceed may sit counselor two cases one disorderly conduct one malicious mischief goldstick see nothing information regarding charge disorderly conduct two charges show complaints counsel bonomo prosecutor two separate complaints handing papers mr goldstick goldstick plead guilty disorderly conduct charge honor ready trial case goldstick yes stipulate two cases tried together facts adduced one applied wherever necessary separate findings facts law separate judgments may rendered goldstick stipulate let us proceed bonomo call patrolman james copeland bonomo goldstick move dismiss charges upon ground people failed make prima facie case going goldstick yes making motion better goldstick questions bonomo people case case goldstick renew motions dismiss upon ground people failed prove prima facie case motion denied case goldstick exception defendant take stand officer speak speak spoke say asked set fire flag said yes happened said sic meredith need flag burning flag anybody say anything police officer nobody anybody stop noticed unusual crowd corner james lafayette curb street curb flag laying curb police officer came still flag yes flag still burning officer came yes saying police officer meredith need american flag speak anybody else time goldstick questions bonomo goldstick defendant rests bonomo people rest goldstick move dismiss constitutional grounds previously made grounds provided code criminal procedure also upon ground people failed prove case beyond reasonable doubt charge disorderly conduct defendant acquitted charge malicious mischief defendant convicted goldstick may next tuesday sentence enough time august sentence bail continued people street brief appellant appellant also suggests new york statute unconstitutionally vague deal issue brief appellee appendix opinion reproduces full portions trial record conceivable bearing upon basis verdict see federal legislation enacting prohibitions national scale passed july two years appellant trial legislation specifically state statutes see stat supp iv appears new york courts construe legislation see people la sister misc spec sess cf state peacock need consider extent thomas implicit assumption thomas test constitutionality restraining order without first attempting secure judicial relief inconsistent walker city birmingham see douglas dissenting desecration flag hearings subcommittee house committee judiciary ser stat supp iv justice black dissenting agree excellent opinion written chief judge fuld unanimous appeals upholding new york statute holds unconstitutional applied entire state construed statute applied appellant making offense publicly burn american flag order protest something occurred words offense sustained burning flag making statements seems console holding new york law unconstitutional applied saying reads record conviction based words spoken appellant burning flag words indicated desire appellant part degrade defame flag agree interpretation record possibility conviction resting spoken words firmly automatically agree law unconstitutional feel constrained seems search imagination see think interests state may suppressing freedom speech balance away first amendment mandate speech abridged fashion whatsoever accept unanimous opinion new york appeals conviction rested merely spoken words rested entirely fact defendant publicly burned american flag law state new york passes belief anything federal constitution bars state making deliberate burning american flag offense immaterial words spoken connection burning burning flag state set face rarely suggested constitutional freedom speech press extends immunity speech writing used integral part conduct violation valid criminal statute giboney empire storage ice view quotation giboney case precisely applies talking done took place integral part conduct violation valid criminal statute burning american flag public therefore affirm conviction justice white dissenting spun intricate technical web fear ensnared remorseless logic arrived result support facts case governing law schema statute forbids insults flag either act words charge alleged flag burning speech rendered general judgment since conviction might logically speech alone words deeds since either event conviction invalid judgment new york courts must set aside without passing upon validity conviction burning flag reach precisely opposite conclusion street conviction either reversed affirmed must reach decide validity conviction flag burning reject first suggestion must assume trial judgment charge malicious mischief defendant convicted street might convicted speech alone true complaint referred burning speaking statute permits conviction either insulting words physical desecration surely tongue cheek infers record possibility street convicted burning flag words uttered distortion record read manner chief justice convincingly demonstrates even fair infer convicted speaking well burning sheer fancy conclude trial convicted speech alone acquitted flag burning appellant seriously argue claim major point convicted burning protest conviction stand appeals new york characterized issue whether defendant validly convicted burning flag protest moreover without clear indication state courts assume particular words street spoke case deemed within coverage statute event street convicted speaking certainly also convicted flag burning hence stromberg california like cases adhere application terms reject also proposition street convicted burning talking conviction must reversed speech conviction unconstitutional initially cites thomas collins rule two acts violative statute charged verdict guilty acts single sentence must reversed conviction either act invalid never prevailing rule country either thomas collins case cited authority proposition stromberg williams north carolina neither announced rule convinced rule stated thomas necessary reversal whether dictum rule relies today odds many cases claassen speaks law time settled law country generally criminal case general verdict judgment indictment information containing several counts reversed error one counts good warrants judgment absence anything record show contrary presumption law awarded sentence good count locke cranch clifton snyder bond dustin bishop crim pro wharton crim pl pract since sentence less maximum punishment authorized statute conviction one count judgment must upheld conviction upon counts sustainable omitted even accepting notion conviction several counts general sentence imposed affirmance requires upholding conviction every count rule application facts case rule based notion trial judge might given lesser sentence known counts infirm reversal judgment less counts call resentencing reversal convictions counts viewed light judgment new york courts insofar convicted street flag burning reversed simply street also convicted speaking general sentence given neither case remanded resentencing since sentence imposed sentence suspended applicable new york law time imposing sentence expired even judgment reviewed new york appeals recognizing aberrance thomas gives case new confusing gloss general finding guilt speaking meeting individual solicitation reversed told speech solicitation intertwined making uncertain judgment guilty solicitation alone aside fact thomas said penalty imposed violations rationale extracts facts judgment case hardly qualifies constitutional standard applied cases general verdict count charging dual violations capable discriminating judgment insist newly fashioned doctrine case like street clear least conviction public burning american flag obviously wrong reversing judgment believes street unconstitutionally convicted speaking reversal follow reaches conviction flag burning finds conviction well assumed conviction speech violative first amendment without benefit majority thinking find flag burning protected first amendment sustain conviction must dissent theory unconstitutional overbreadth argue new york may convict burning entire statute unconstitutional permitting convictions insulting speech well act flag burning pinkerton whitfield ohio sinclair abrams ballew goode evans evans recognized applicability rule proceedings carter mcclaughry forfeiture actions snyder clifton locke cranch civil cases state law bond dustin gainey applied related concurrent sentence rule general sentence guilty verdict indictment charging several counts see transcript record october term arguably today decision conviction flag burning defendant words critical proving intent element crime invalid since conviction based part speech disclaims result without explaining reverse conviction burning words spoken time necessarily used prove case yet reverse burning convictions precisely evidence simply evidence defendant might also convicted speaking seemingly narrow holding may potentially broader application particularly view thomas collins rewritten justice fortas dissenting agree dissenting opinion filed chief justice believe necessary briefly set forth reasons federal government power protect flag acts desecration committed public national flag nothing chattel subject rules governing use private personalty use nevertheless subject certain types state regulation example regulations concerning use chattels reasonably designed avoid danger life property impingement upon rights others quiet use property public facilities unquestionably valid exercise police power necessarily defeated claim conflicted rights owner regulated property see village euclid ambler realty berman parker state statute provided misdemeanor burn one shirt trousers shoes public thoroughfare hardly asserted citizen constitutional right violated arsonist asserted burning shirt trousers shoes protest government fiscal policies example hardly possible claim first amendment shelter prevail state claim right avert danger public avoid obstruction traffic result fire action even clearly serious protest purposes entitled pervasive protection given speech alone see cantwell connecticut may subjected reasonable regulation appropriately takes account competing interests involved test applicable every case conduct restricted prohibited whether regulation prohibition reasonable due account taken paramountcy first amendment values submit permissible prohibit burning personal property public sidewalk basis applying different rule flag burning fact law violated purposes protest immunize violator see giboney empire storage ice beyond however flag special kind personalty use traditionally universally subject special rules regulation early affirmed constitutionality state statute making crime use representation flag purposes advertising halter nebraska statutes prescribe flag may displayed may lawfully disposed purposes may may used see stat person may flag ownership subject special burdens responsibilities flag may property sense property burdened peculiar obligations restrictions certainly halter nebraska supra held special conditions per se arbitrary beyond governmental power constitution one may justify burning house even ground however sincere protest one may justify breaking windows government building basis protest exonerate lawlessness prohibition flag burning public thoroughfare valid misdemeanor excused merely act flamboyant protest