wooley maynard argued november decided april new hampshire statutes require noncommercial motor vehicles bear license plates embossed state motto live free die make misdemeanor obscure motto appellees maynard wife followers jehovah witnesses faith view motto repugnant moral religious political beliefs accordingly covered motto license plates jointly owned family automobiles appellee maynard subsequently found guilty state violating misdemeanor statute three separate charges upon refusing pay fines imposed sentenced served days jail appellees brought action federal district pursuant seeking injunctive declaratory relief enforcement new hampshire statutes enjoined state arresting prosecuting appellees future covering motto license plates held principles equitable restraint enunciated younger harris preclude district exercising jurisdiction pp genuine threat state prosecutions exists litigant entitled resort federal forum seek redress alleged deprivation federal rights aside younger principles may seek redress pp relief sought wholly prospective preclude prosecution statute alleged violate constitutional rights failure seek state appellate review criminal convictions bar relief federal huffman pursue distinguished pp threat repeated prosecutions future appellees effect continuing threat ability perform ordinary tasks daily life require automobile sufficient justify injunctive relief hence district limited granting declaratory relief pp state may constitutionally require individual participate dissemination ideological message displaying private property manner express purpose observed read public pp new hampshire statute forcing individual part daily life indeed constantly automobile public view instrument advocating public adherence ideological point view finds unacceptable invades sphere intellect spirit purpose first amendment reserve official control board education barnette pp state claimed interests requiring display state motto license plates facilitate identification passenger vehicles promote appreciation history individualism state pride sufficiently compelling justify infringement appellees first amendment rights purpose first interest achieved less drastic means second interest outweigh individual first amendment right avoid becoming courier state ideological message pp burger delivered opinion brennan stewart marshall powell stevens joined white joined except insofar affirms district issuance injunction white filed opinion dissenting part blackmun rehnquist joined post rehnquist filed dissenting opinion blackmun joined post robert johnson ii assistant attorney general new hampshire argued cause appellants brief david souter attorney general richard kohn argued cause appellees brief jack middleton david depuy melvin wulf joel gora chief justice burger delivered opinion issue appeal whether state new hampshire may constitutionally enforce criminal sanctions persons cover motto live free die passenger vehicle license plates motto repugnant moral religious beliefs since new hampshire required noncommercial vehicles bear license plates embossed state motto live free die rev stat ann supp another new hampshire statute makes misdemeanor knowingly obscure figures letters number plate rev stat ann supp term letters section interpreted state highest include state motto state hoskin appellees george maynard wife maxine followers jehovah witnesses faith maynards consider new hampshire state motto repugnant moral religious political beliefs therefore assert objectionable disseminate message displaying automobiles pursuant beliefs maynards began early cover motto license plates november maynard issued citation violating december appeared pro se lebanon district answer charge waiving right counsel entered plea guilty proceeded explain religious objections motto state trial judge expressed sympathy maynard situation considered bound authority state hoskin supra hold maynard guilty fine imposed execution suspended good behavior december maynard charged violating appeared january chose represent found guilty fined sentenced six months grafton county house corrections suspended jail sentence ordered maynard also pay fine first offense maynard informed matter conscience refused pay two fines thereupon sentenced jail period days served full sentence prior trial second offense maynard charged yet third violation january appeared complaint day second offense found guilty conviction continued sentence maynard received punishment addition days march appellees brought present action pursuant district district new hampshire sought injunctive declaratory relief enforcement rev stat ann insofar required displaying state motto vehicle license plates made criminal offense obscure motto march single district judge issued temporary restraining order arrests prosecutions maynards appellees sought injunction state statute grounds unconstitutionality district convened pursuant following hearing merits district entered order enjoining state arresting prosecuting maynards time future covering portion license plates contains motto live free die supp noted probable jurisdiction appeal appellants argue district precluded exercising jurisdiction case principles equitable restraint enunciated younger harris younger recognized principles judicial economy well proper relations preclude federal courts exercising equitable jurisdiction enjoin ongoing state prosecutions however genuine threat prosecution exists litigant entitled resort federal forum seek redress alleged deprivation federal rights see steffel thompson doran salem inn younger principles aside litigant entitled resort federal forum seeking redress alleged deprivation federal rights huffman pursue maynard finds placed scylla intentionally flouting state law charybdis forgoing believes constitutionally protected activity order avoid becoming enmeshed another criminal proceeding steffel thompson supra maynard joint owner family automobiles less likely husband subjected state prosecution circumstances denied consideration federal remedy appellants however point maynard failed seek review criminal convictions cite huffman pursue supra propositions necessary concomitant younger party appellee posture must exhaust state appellate remedies seeking relief district younger standards must met justify federal intervention state judicial proceeding losing litigant exhausted state appellate remedies huffman however inapposite appellee seeking prevent means federal intervention enforcement judgment declaring theater nuisance held appellee failure exhaust state appeals barred federal intervention principles younger federal intervention fashion designed annul results state trial deprives function quite legitimately left overseeing trial dispositions constitutional issues arise civil litigation jurisdiction ibid however suit way designed annul results state trial since relief sought wholly prospective preclude prosecution statute alleged violate appellees constitutional rights maynard already sustained convictions served sentence imprisonment prior offenses seek record expunged annul collateral effects convictions may upon driving privileges maynards seek free prosecutions future violations statutes younger bar federal jurisdiction complaint maynards sought declaratory injunctive relief enforcement new hampshire statutes recognized although rdinarily practical effect injunctive declaratory relief virtually identical doran salem inn supra quoting samuels mackell district generally protect interests federal plaintiff entering declaratory judgment therefore stronger injunctive medicine unnecessary doran supra correct generally enjoin enforcement criminal statute even though unconstitutional spielman motor dodge since uch result seriously impairs state interest enforcing criminal laws implicates concerns federalism lie heart younger doran supra absolute policy circumstances injunctive relief may appropriate justify interference must exceptional circumstances clear showing injunction necessary order afford adequate protection constitutional rights spielman motor supra situation noted three successive prosecutions undertaken maynard span five weeks quite different claim federal equitable relief prosecution threatened first time threat repeated prosecutions future wife effect continuing threat ability perform ordinary tasks daily life require automobile sufficient justify injunctive relief cf douglas city jeannette therefore unwilling say district limited granting declaratory relief determined district required stay hand either appellee turn merits maynards claim district held covering state motto live free die automobile license plate maynard engaging symbolic speech new hampshire interest enforcement defacement statute sufficient justify restriction appellee constitutionally protected expression find unnecessary pass symbolic speech issue since find appropriate first amendment grounds affirm judgment district turn instead view essence appellees objection requirement display motto live free die automobile license plates succinctly summarized statement made maynard affidavit filed district refuse coerced state advertising slogan find morally ethically religiously politically abhorrent app begin proposition right freedom thought protected first amendment state action includes right speak freely right refrain speaking see board education barnette murphy concurring system secures right proselytize religious political ideological causes must also guarantee concomitant right decline foster concepts right speak right refrain speaking complementary components broader concept individual freedom mind illustrated recent case miami herald publishing tornillo held unconstitutional florida statute placing affirmative duty upon newspapers publish replies political candidates criticized concluded requirement deprived newspaper fundamental right decide print omit faced penalties accrue newspaper published news commentary arguably within reach statute editors might well conclude safe course avoid controversy therefore operation florida statute political electoral coverage blunted reduced right access inescapably dampens vigor limits variety public debate new york times sullivan omitted new hampshire statute effect requires appellees use private property mobile billboard state ideological message suffer penalty maynard already condition driving automobile virtual necessity americans maynards must display live free die hundreds people day fact individuals agree thrust new hampshire motto test americans also find flag salute acceptable first amendment protects right individuals hold point view different majority refuse foster way new hampshire commands idea find morally objectionable identifying maynards interests implicating first amendment protections end inquiry however must also determine whether state countervailing interest sufficiently compelling justify requiring appellees display state motto license plates see two interests advanced state display motto facilities identification passenger vehicles promotes appreciation history individualism state pride state first points passenger vehicles commercial trailer vehicles required display state motto thus argument proceeds officers law easily able determine whether passenger vehicles carrying proper plates however record reveals new hampshire passenger license plates normally consist specific configuration letters numbers makes readily distinguishable types plates even without reference state motto even credit state reasons even though governmental purpose legitimate substantial purpose pursued means broadly stifle fundamental personal liberties end narrowly achieved breadth legislative abridgment must viewed light less drastic means achieving basic purpose shelton tucker footnotes omitted state second claimed interest ideologically neutral state seeking communicate others official view proper appreciation history state pride individualism course state may legitimately pursue interests number ways however state interest disseminate ideology matter acceptable interest outweigh individual first amendment right avoid becoming courier message conclude state new hampshire may require appellees display state motto upon vehicle license plates accordingly affirm judgment district affirmed footnotes maynard described objection state motto religious training belief believe government jehovah kingdom offers everlasting life contrary belief give life state even meant living bondage although obey laws state conflict conscience slogan directly odds deeply held religious convictions also disagree motto political grounds believe life precious freedom affidavit george maynard app time suit commenced appellees owned two automobiles toyota corolla plymouth station wagon automobiles registered new hampshire maynards domiciled may june maynard actually snipped words die license plates covered resulting hole well words live free tape done according maynard neighborhood children kept removing tape maynards since issued new license plates disavowed intention physically mutiliating appellees sought injunctions future criminal prosecutions violation statutes injunction requiring future years issued license plates bear state motto several months elapsed issuance temporary restraining order hearing merits delay occasioned request state pending consideration bill new hampshire legislature made inclusion state motto passenger vehicle license plates optional car owner bill failed gain enactment district refused order state new hampshire issue maynards license plates without state motto although noted evidence record new hampshire easily see supra offense continued sentence see supra district found collateral consequences attach result unless maynard arrested prosecuted violation nhrsa time future totality appellants arguments accepted action never brought enjoin state criminal prosecutions according appellants younger principles bar maynard seeking injunction already subjected prosecution maynard argue effect action premature prosecution instituted since two spouses similarly situated fact one prosecuted one fail see appellants argument ever leave room federal intervention note appellees claim symbolic expression substantially undermined prayer district issuance special license plates bearing state motto see supra hardly consistent stated intent communicate affirmative opposition motto whether view appellees present practice covering motto tape sufficiently communicative sustain claim symbolic expression display expurgated plates requested appellees surely satisfy standard see supra spence washington justice brennan join note require certain documents bear seal state official stamp purposes recordation seal might contain albeit obscurely symbol motto political philosophical implications purpose seal however advertise message bears simply authenticate document showing authority origin chief police lebanon testified enforcement motor vehicle laws facilitated state motto appearing noncommercial license plates benefits ease distinguishing new hampshire license plates similar colors ease discovering misuse license plates instance use trailer license plate vehicle brief appellants new hampshire passenger vehicle license plates generally consist two letters followed four numbers license plate category displays combination category bears state motto see supra however approximately passenger plates new hampshire follow regular pattern displaying numbers preceded letters app appellants explain advocacy values enhanced display private citizens cars cars officials governor justices members congress sheriffs see supra suggested today holding read sanctioning obliteration national motto god trust coins currency question us today note currency passed hand hand differs significant respects automobile readily associated operator currency generally carried purse pocket need displayed public bearer currency thus required publicly advertise national motto justice white justice blackmun justice rehnquist join part dissenting part steffel thompson held state proceedings pending threatened declaratory judgment may entered respect state statute issue without regard strictures younger harris steffel left open whether injunction also issue circumstances doran salem inn approved issuance federal preliminary injunction threatened state prosecution pending decision declaratory judgment subject stringent standards cause district weigh carefully interests sides since prohibiting enforcement state criminal law federal plaintiff even pending final resolution case seriously impairs state interest enforcing criminal laws implicates concerns federalism lie heart younger although finding issuance preliminary injunction abuse discretion case also distinguished preliminary injunction pendente lite permanent injunction successful conclusion federal case district generally protect interests federal plaintiff entering declaratory judgment therefore stronger injunctive medicine unnecessary ibid doran thus true teachings douglas city jeannette held injunction threatened state criminal prosecutions issue even though underlying state statute already invalidated relying established rule courts equity ordinarily restrain criminal prosecutions threatened prosecution even though alleged violation constitutional guaranties ground equity relief ibid injunction issue upon showing danger irreparable injury great immediate citing authorities effect relied younger harris supra cited cases exhaust authorities effect criminal prosecutions pending ruled federal equity enter injunction general rule equity interfere prevent enforcement criminal statute even though unconstitutional justify interference must exceptional circumstances clear showing injunction necessary order afford adequate protection constitutional rights spielman motor dodge plainly departed teaching cases whole point douglas city jeannette admonition injunctive relief declaratory judgment issued equitable relief depend existence unusual circumstances thereafter state enforcement statute prior declaration unconstitutionality federal appear performance duty state law enforcement officers much prior declaration unconstitutionality amounts unusual circumstances sufficient warrant injunction standard obviously seriously eroded cases therefore required shown opinion reveals affirm issuance injunction extent dissent justice rehnquist justice blackmun joins dissenting holds state barred federal constitution requiring state motto displayed state license plate path travels reach result demonstrates difficulty supporting holds required display motto unconstitutional required affirmation belief district however expressly refused consider contention noted analogous case decision new hampshire reached precisely opposite result see state hoskin district found appellees ground obscuring motto protected symbolic speech relying upon ground expressly avoided district appears disagree ground adopted district indeed points appellees claim symbolic expression substantially undermined complaint action ante agree implicit recognition protected symbolic speech case think conclusion goes far undermine ultimate holding element protected expression state forced appellees say anything forced communicate ideas nonverbal actions reasonably likened speech wearing lapel button promoting political candidate waving flag symbolic gesture state simply required noncommercial automobiles bear license tags state motto live free die appellees forced affirm reject motto simply required state police power carry state auto license tag identification registration purposes part relies almost solely board education barnette cites barnette proposition constitutional right cases refrain speaking ante demonstrate speech speaking context case also relies upon right decline foster religious political ideological concepts treats state law case forcing appellees proselytize advocate ideological point view begs question issue unconfronted whether appellees displaying required state license tags format known prescribed state considered advocating political ideological views recognizes must case substantially differs barnette schoolchildren forced recite pledge allegiance giving flag salute ante however difference essentially one degree ante recognized rather obvious differences two cases explain result obtain suggests test whether individual forced instrument fostering public adherence ideological point view finds unacceptable ibid merely conclusory words barren analysis example new hampshire erect multitude billboards proclaiming live free die tax citizens cost erection maintenance clearly message fostered individual clearly individuals instruments communication certainly however case fall within ambit barnette case case affirmation belief first amendment principles implicated state must place citizen position either apparently actually asserting true message focus barnette clearly distinguishes case one holding new hampshire statute run afoul holding barnette new hampshire hoskin supra aptly articulated required affirmation belief case defendants membership class persons required display plates bearing state motto carries implication subject requirement endorse motto profess adopt matter belief logic opinion leads startling believe totally unacceptable results example mottoes god trust pluribus unum appear coin currency imagine statutes see proscribing defacement currency impinge upon first amendment rights atheist fact atheist carries uses currency meaningful sense convey affirmation belief part motto god trust similarly affirmation belief involved display state license tags upon private automobiles involved reverse judgment district see ante de minimis exceptions