hamling argued april decided june petitioners convicted mailing conspiring mail obscene advertising brochure sexually explicit photographic material relating illustrated version hereafter illustrated report official report obscenity violation indictment charged petitioners language statute provides pertinent part obscene material written information may obtained nonmailable hoever knowingly uses mails mailing anything declared section nonmailable commits crime jury unable reach verdict counts charging mailing allegedly obscene illustrated report following affirmance convictions appeals decided miller california companion cases hereafter collectively miller cases considering appeals denied petition rehearing petitioners challenge convictions based upon obscenity test memoirs massachusetts also failing meet standards miller cases challenge various procedural evidentiary rulings district well instructions held title applied according proper standard judging obscenity es offend constitutional safeguards convictions based upon protected material fail give men acting adequate notice prohibited roth pp jury determination brochure obscene supported evidence consistent memoirs obscenity formulation inability jury reach verdict counts charging distribution illustrated report relevance finding brochure obscene consistency verdicts required brochure separable illustrated report pp standards established miller cases applied petitioners conduct require reversal convictions pp defendants like petitioners convicted prior decisions miller cases whose convictions direct appeal time receive benefit available decisions pp instruction jury application national community standards obscenity constitutionally improper since rejecting view first fourteenth amendments require proscription obscenity based uniform national standards miller cases require constitutional matter substitution smaller geographical area sort formula test stated terms understanding average person applying contemporary community standards holding miller california constitutionally proscribe obscenity terms statewide standard mean precise geographic area required matter constitutional law reversal required cases probability excision references nation whole instruction dealing community standards materially affected deliberations jury pp construing limited sort patently offensive representations descriptions specific hard core sexual conduct given examples miller california statute unconstitutionally vague plain brochure form pornography well within permissibly proscribed depictions described miller enumeration specific categories obscene material miller purport proscribe purposes conduct previously thought criminal instead added clarifying gloss prior construction making statute meaning definite bouie city columbia pp miller rejection memoirs social value formulation mean unconstitutionally vague time petitioners convictions provide sufficient guidance proper test social value formula rejected vagueness reasons departed roth obscenity definition entailed virtually impossible prosecutorial burden pp indictment sufficiently definite pp language vague support conviction crime roth supra indictment gave petitioners adequate notice charges since time petitioners indicted statutory term obscene legal term art generic expression definite legal meaning russell distinguished pp district err instructions jury scienter including instruction petitioners belief obscenity material irrelevant constitutionally sufficient prosecution show defendant knowledge contents materials distributes knew character nature materials rosen followed smith california distinguished pp appeals correctly concluded substantial evidence support jury verdict district abuse discretion excluding allegedly comparable materials materials mailing privileges judicially found nonobscene available newsstands since inter alia expert testimony allowed relevant community standards similar materials judicial determinations respect thereto necessarily prove nonobscenity materials accused charged circulating respect whether proffered evidence cumulative clearly relevant confusing trial considerable latitude pp district instruction deciding whether predominant appeal brochure prurient interest sex jury consider whether portions appealed specifically defined deviant group well average person erroneous since measuring prurient appeal jury instructed must find material whole appealed generally prurient interest sex may consider material prurient appeal clearly defined deviant sexual groups mishkin new york pp since evidence pandering relevant determining obscenity long proper constitutional definition obscenity applied ginzburg improper district instruct jury connection memoirs test also consider whether brochure pandered looking manner distribution editorial intent pp appeals err refusing reverse petitioners convictions district failure comply fed rule crim proc denying petitioners counsel request make additional objections instructions presence jury since independent examination record confirms appeals view petitioners prejudiced thereby pp petitioners argument district abused discretion refusing grant continuance new jury presumably greater ratio young people drawn almost four years since jury wheel last filled without merit since showing discriminatory exclusion identifiable group entitled protection pp district voir dire examination sufficient test qualifications competency prospective jurors complied fed rule crim proc constitutionally err asking certain questions propounded petitioners pp rehnquist delivered opinion burger white blackmun powell joined douglas filed dissenting opinion post brennan filed dissenting opinion stewart marshall joined post stanley fleishman argued cause petitioners hamling et al briefs sam rosenwein rosenwein argued cause petitioners kemp et al briefs fleishman louis katz allan abbott tuttle argued cause brief solicitor general bork assistant attorney general petersen jerome feit shirley briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed melvin wulf joel gora fred okrand american civil liberties union et al ira millstein association american publishers william north american library assn justice rehnquist delivered opinion march grand jury district southern district california indicted petitioners william hamling earl kemp shirley wright david thomas reed enterprises library service counts indictment charging use mails carry obscene book illustrated presidential report commission obscenity pornography obscene advertisement gave information means illustrated report might obtained conspiracy commit offenses violation prior trial petitioners moved dismiss indictment grounds failed inform charges grand jury insufficient evidence return indictment improperly instructed law petitioners also challenged petit jury panel moved strike venire ground unconstitutional exclusion persons years age district denied motions following jury trial petitioners convicted counts mailing conspiring mail obscene advertisement appeal appeals ninth circuit affirmed jury unable reach verdict regard counts indictment charged mailing allegedly obscene illustrated report advertisement found obscene single sheet brochure mailed approximately persons various parts one side brochure contains collage photographs illustrated report side gives certain information order blank illustrated report ordered appeals accurately described photographs brochure follows folder opens full page splash pictures portraying heterosexual homosexual intercourse sodomy variety deviate sexual acts specifically group picture nine persons one male engaged masturbation female masturbating two males two couples engaged intercourse reverse fashion one female participant engages fellatio male second group picture six persons two males masturbating two fellatrices practicing act bearing clear depiction ejaculated seminal fluid faces two persons female engaged act fellatio male female masturbation hand two separate pictures males engaged cunnilinction film strip six frames depicting lesbian love scenes including cunnilinguist action female masturbation another hand vibrator two frames one depicting woman mouthing penis horse second poising entrance vagina thanks lot president monumental work research investigation become giant book facts statistics presented best possible format completely illustrated black white full color every facet controversial public report ever issued covered detail book must research shelves every library public private seriously concerned full intellectual freedom adult selection millions dollars public funds expended determine precise truth eroticism today yet every possible attempt suppress information made highest levels even president dismissed facts hand attempt suppress volume inexcusable insult directed every adult country individual must allowed make decision facts inescapable many adults many reading report truly free society book like even necessary facts adduced trial showed postal patrons various parts country received brochure advertising illustrated report mailings persons received consisted outer envelope inner return envelope addressed library service post office box san diego california brochure also identified library service address party responsible mailing outer envelopes bore postmark indicated mailed north hollywood california january postage affixed envelopes meter number mailing brochures accomplished petitioners use businesses approximately brochures placed envelopes postage affixed one richard one venita harte operate academy addressing mailing service brochures meter number affixed postage supplied one bernard lieberman regent house north hollywood california january paid postal service set worth postage meter number regent house billed hartes services regent house turn charged services costs postage hartes mailing service reed enterprises paid bill january check signed petitioner hamling individuals responding brochure sent copies illustrated report mailed postage affixed second meter number installed library service direction employee rental agreement meter signed library service petitioner david thomas employee identified person dealt matter evidence indicated individual petitioners officers corporate petitioners also indicated involved selling illustrated report entailed mailing advertising brochure petitioner hamling president reed enterprises signed check corporation behalf payment regent house mailing advertisement petitioner kemp editor illustrated report vice president library service greenleaf classics publisher illustrated report signed application behalf library service post office box san diego post office box return envelope sent advertisement advertisement petitioner thomas signed rental agreement postage meter used affixing postage sending copies illustrated report thomas directed installed library service petitioner wright secretary reed enterprises greenleaf classics wright assisted postal superintendent obtaining kemp signature application post office box san diego wright also received memorandum london press printer illustrated report addressed representative reed enterprises confirming shipment copies illustrated report various corporate documents tended show individual petitioners involvement corporate petitioners government petitioners introduced testimony various expert witnesses concerning obscenity vel non illustrated report brochure affirming convictions petitioners distribution obscene brochure appeals rejected various contentions made petitioners appeals also rejected petitioners petition rehearing suggestion rehearing en banc granted certiorari affirm judgment appeals petitioners convicted jury december app appeals affirmed convictions opinion filed june appeals originally denied rehearing suggestion rehearing en banc july order withdrawn appeals reconsidered light decisions announced june miller california related cases submitted en banc order dated august august appeals entered order denying petition rehearing suggestion rehearing en banc principal question presented case rules law shall govern obscenity convictions occurred prior date decision miller california supra companion cases handed point become final petitioners mount series challenges convictions based upon memoirs test proscription obscenity memoirs massachusetts also attack judgments failing comply standards enunciated miller cases conclude challenging procedural evidentiary rulings district questions constitutionality primary statute petitioners convicted strangers prior miller decision roth held statute offend free speech free press guarantees first amendment deny due process guaranteed fifth amendment vague support conviction crime holding reaffirmed reidel see also manual enterprises day ginzburg prior miller therefore held applied according proper standard judging obscenity es offend constitutional safeguards convictions based upon protected material fail give men acting adequate notice prohibited roth supra petitioners tried convicted definition obscenity originally announced roth supra significantly refined plurality opinion memoirs massachusetts supra memoirs plurality held roth definition elaborated subsequent cases three elements must coalesce must established dominant theme material taken whole appeals prurient interest sex material patently offensive affronts contemporary community standards relating description representation sexual matters material utterly without redeeming social value petitioners nevertheless contend since jury unable reach verdict counts charging obscenity vel non illustrated report report must presumed nonobscene therefore protected first amendment premise contend since brochure fairly advertised illustrated report brochure must also nonobscene appeals rejected contention noting premise false jury made finding charged obscenity report jury case acquit petitioners charges relating distribution allegedly obscene illustrated report instead unable reach verdict counts charging distribution illustrated report accordingly district declared mistrial counts app course long rule consistency verdicts judgments conviction required dotterweich dunn mere fact juries may reach different conclusions material mean constitutional rights abridged observed roth common experience different juries may reach different results criminal statute one consequences accept jury system cf dunlop miller california brochure case stands must accordingly judged petitioners suggest inseparable illustrated report seriously contended obscene advertisement prepared type nonobscene material consistency jury verdicts obscenity vel non identical materials constitutionally required miller california supra true fortiori verdicts separate materials regardless similarities miller decisions dealing constitutional aspects obscenity prosecutions announced petitioners found guilty jury judgment conviction affirmed panel appeals prior decisions establish general rule change law occurring relevant event case given effect case direct review schooner peggy cranch linkletter walker bradley school board richmond since judgment case become final examine judgment petitioners light principles laid miller cases language remained throughout litigation statute defines offense terms obscenity decisions least since roth supra indicate constitutional limitations must borne mind defining statutory term thus constitutional principle enunciated miller serve benefit petitioners must applied case recognizing memoirs plurality test represented sharp break test obscenity announced roth supra decision miller california reformulated test determination obscenity vel non basic guidelines trier fact must whether average person applying contemporary community standards find work taken whole appeals prurient interest whether work depicts describes patently offensive way sexual conduct specifically defined applicable state law whether work taken whole lacks serious literary artistic political scientific value trial instructed jury judge obscenity vel non brochure reference reasonably accepted according contemporary standards community whole contemporary community standards means standards generally held throughout country concerning sex matters pertaining sex phrase means aptly stated average conscience time present critical point compromise candor shame community may arrived app petitioners describe instruction embodying principle national standards although may proper law existed tried sustained law laid miller stated nothing first amendment requires jury must consider hypothetical unascertainable national standards attempting determine whether certain materials obscene matter fact think contentions evidence misunderstanding miller holdings miller rejected view first fourteenth amendments require proscription obscenity based uniform nationwide standards obscene describing standards hypothetical unascertainable require constitutional matter substitution smaller geographical area sort formula test stated terms understanding average person applying contemporary community standards approach coupled reaffirmation paris adult theatre slaton rule prosecution need matter constitutional law produce expert witnesses testify obscenity materials import quoted language miller becomes clear juror entitled draw knowledge views average person community vicinage comes making required determination entitled draw knowledge propensities reasonable person areas law stone new york schulz pennsylvania holding miller california constitutionally proscribe obscenity terms statewide standard mean precise geographic area required matter constitutional law analysis miller difficulty formulating uniform national standards obscenity emphasis ability juror ascertain sense average person applying contemporary community standards without benefit expert evidence clearly indicates interpreted requiring proof uniform national standards criticized miller reels film federal obscenity case decided miller said today arrived standards testing constitutionality state legislation regulating obscenity see miller california ante standards applicable federal legislation result miller cases therefore matter constitutional law federal statutory construction permit juror sitting obscenity cases draw knowledge community vicinage comes deciding conclusion average person applying contemporary community standards reach given case since case tried southern district california presumably jurors throughout judicial district available serve panel tried petitioners standards community upon jurors draw say district liberty admit evidence standards existing place outside particular district felt evidence assist jurors resolution issues decide brother brennan suggests dissent holding federal obscenity case may tried local community standards violence congressional prerogative constitution arguments foreclosed decision last term reels film supra miller standards including contemporary community standards formulation applied federal legislation fact distributors allegedly obscene materials may subjected varying community standards various federal judicial districts transmit materials render federal statute unconstitutional failure application uniform national standards obscenity distributors may subjected varying degrees criminal liability prosecutions violations state obscenity statutes see constitutional impediment similar rule federal prosecutions miller california cited approval chief justice warren statement hen said roth obscenity defined reference community standards meant community standards national standard sometimes argued believe provable national standard perhaps none events able enunciate one unreasonable expect local courts divine one said community approach may well result material proscribed obscene one community another probability true communities throughout nation fact diverse must remembered cases one confronted task reconciling conflicting rights diverse communities within society individuals jacobellis ohio dissenting opinion frequently held jury instructions judged whole rather picking isolated phrases boyd unusual posture case petitioners agree challenged instruction proper time given district seek claim benefit change law casts doubt correctness portions hold reversal required probability excision references nation whole instruction dealing community standards materially affected deliberations jury cf namet lopez examination record convinces us probability exist case brother brennan takes us task reaching conclusion insisting district instructions exclusion testimony witness miss carlsen assertedly conducted survey standards san diego area require petitioners accorded new trial noted infra district wide discretion determination admit exclude evidence particularly true case expert testimony stillwell mfg phelps barnes smith wigmore evidence ed even assuming district may erred excluding witness testimony light miller cases think arguments made petitioners counsel urging admission survey confusing often gossamer distinctions national standards types standards petitioners counsel urging district admit survey stated already experts testified expect bring others testified prosecution defense material found similar cities tr witness testify experiences one particular city whether typical city jury decide supports national survey something stands alone findings consistent national survey part overall picture taking account course something taken place national survey two years ago abelson performed petitioners next argue prior decision miller contain language construed apply specific types sexual conduct referred miller therefore section unconstitutionally vague applied prosecution cases argument however neglects decisions prior miller rejecting vagueness challenges federal statute also fundamentally misconceives thrust decision miller cases roth upheld constitutionality contention provide reasonably ascertainable standards guilt therefore violate constitutional requirements due process noting federal obscenity statute made punishable mailing material obscene lewd lascivious filthy publication indecent character stated roth many decisions recognized terms obscenity statutes precise however consistently held lack precision offensive requirements due process constitution require impossible standards required language conveys sufficiently definite warning proscribed conduct measured common understanding practices petrillo words applied according proper standard judging obscenity already discussed give adequate warning conduct proscribed mark boundaries sufficiently distinct judges juries fairly administer law may marginal cases difficult determine side line particular fact situation falls sufficient reason hold language ambiguous define criminal offense omitted words section obscene lewd lascivious indecent filthy vile connote something portrayed manner offensive make unacceptable current community mores common usage words different shades meaning statute since inception always taken aimed obnoxiously debasing portrayals sex although statute condemns material irrespective effect may upon whose hands falls early case bennett fed cas put limiting gloss upon statutory language statute reaches indecent material expressed roth supra taken whole appeals prurient interest footnotes omitted emphasis original note must leave state courts construction state legislation duty authoritatively construe federal statutes serious doubt constitutionality raised construction statute fairly possible question may avoided photographs opinion white quoting crowell benson serious doubt raised vagueness words obscene lewd lascivious filthy indecent immoral used describe regulated material see orito prepared construe terms limiting regulated material patently offensive representations descriptions specific hard core sexual conduct given examples miller california see photographs supra opinion white course congress always define specific hard core conduct miller describing type material might constitutionally proscribed speaking terms substantive constitutional law first fourteenth amendments see jenkins georgia post particular descriptions contained intended exhaustive clearly indicate limit beyond neither legislative draftsmen juries may go concluding particular material patently offensive within meaning obscenity test set forth miller cases miller refer specific prerequisites provide fair notice dealer materials immediately thereafter quoted language roth concluding words may marginal cases difficult determine side line particular fact situation falls sufficient reason hold language ambiguous define criminal offense find merit petitioners contention cases bouie city columbia require reversal convictions bouie held since crime petitioners stood convicted enumerated statute time conduct conviction sustained noted deprivation right fair warning result vague statutory language also unforeseeable retroactive judicial expansion narrow precise statutory language enumeration specific categories material miller might found obscene purport make criminal purpose conduct previously thought criminal requirement instead added clarifying gloss prior construction therefore made meaning federal statute involved definite application federal obscenity prosecutions bouie city columbia supra judged judicial construction prior miller construction section adopt today light miller petitioners claims vagueness lack fair notice proscription material distributing must fail petitioners final contention rejection third part memoirs test revision test miller indicate time convictions unconstitutionally vague additional reason provided insufficient guidance proper test social value opinion miller plainly indicates rejected memoirs social value formulation vague deprive criminal defendants adequate notice instead represented departure definition obscenity roth calling prosecution prove negative imposed prosecutorial burden virtually impossible discharge constitutionally required since miller permits imposition lesser burden prosecution phase proof obscenity memoirs since jury convicted petitioners basis instruction concededly based memoirs test petitioners derive benefit revision test miller ii petitioners attack sufficiency indictment charged two reasons first charged statutory language contend unconstitutionally vague applied second indictment failed give adequate notice charges noted however time petitioners convictions roth held language vague support conviction crime see reidel prior cases indicate indictment sufficient first contains elements offense charged fairly informs defendant charge must defend second enables plead acquittal conviction bar future prosecutions offense hagner debrow generally sufficient indictment set forth offense words statute long words fully directly expressly without uncertainty ambiguity set forth elements necessary constitute offence intended punished carll undoubtedly language statute may used general description offence must accompanied statement facts circumstances inform accused specific offence coming general description charged hess russell relied upon petitioners require finding indictment insufficient russell indictment recited proscription charged defendants refused answer questions pertinent question inquiry committee congress holding indictment insufficient state subject inquiry stated core criminality pertinency subject inquiry questions defendant refused answer subject actually therefore central every prosecution statute guilt depends crucially upon specific identification fact cases uniformly held indictment must simply repeat language criminal statute emphasis added petitioners also contend order convicted crime mailing obscene materials government must prove knew materials mailed obscene statute provides pertinent part hoever knowingly uses mails mailing anything declared section nonmailable guilty proscribed offense consistent statute district instructed jury inter alia order prove specific intent part petitioners government demonstrate petitioners knew envelopes packages containing subject materials mailed placed interstate commerce knowledge character materials app district instructed petitioners belief obscenity material irrelevant ibid petitioners contend instruction improper proof scienter obscenity prosecutions requires least proof knowledge contents material awareness obscene character material brief petitioner kemp support contention petitioners urge must overrule prior decision rosen decline invitation hold district case properly instructed jury question scienter rosen supra faced question whether forerunner statute present see rev stat stat charge mailing obscene material must supported evidence defendant knew believed material properly justly characterized obscene rejected contention stating statute interpreted inquiry statute whether paper charged obscene lewd lascivious fact character character deposited mail one knew notice time contents offence complete although defendant regard paper one statute forbade carried mails congress intend question character paper depend upon opinion belief person knowledge notice contents assumed responsibility putting mails evils congress sought remedy continue increase volume belief accused obscene lewd lascivious recognized test determining whether statute violated smith california faced challenge constitutionality los angeles ordinance construed state courts making proprietor bookstore absolutely liable criminally mere possession store book later judicially determined obscene even though knowledge contents book held ordinance constitutionally eliminate altogether scienter requirement order constitutionally applied book distributor must shown knowledge contents book noted need definitely pass today sort mental element requisite constitutionally permissible prosecution carrying obscene book stock smith support petitioners claim case since dealt ordinance totally dispensed proof scienter part distributor obscene material decision manual enterprises day supra also relied upon petitioners suggest otherwise justice harlan opinion recognizing scienter required criminal prosecution rejected government contention requirement unnecessary administrative determination post office department certain materials nonmailable section opinion concluded obscene advertising proscription federal statute applicable administrative determination unless publisher materials knew least advertisers offering sell obscene material proof deemed lacking therefore publishers administratively prohibited mailing publications significantly substantially similar claim instant one rejected mishkin new york examining new york statute noted new york appeals authoritatively interpreted statutory provision require vital element scienter defined required mental element follows reading new york statute whole clearly indicates manner aware character material attempt distribute punished innocent calculated purveyance filth exorcised emphasis original quoting people finkelstein constitution requires proof scienter avoid hazard constitutionally protected material compensate ambiguities inherent definition obscenity new york definition scienter required new york statute amply serves ends therefore fully meets demands constitution cf roth warren concurring think knowingly language instructions given district case satisfied constitutional requirements scienter constitutionally sufficient prosecution show defendant knowledge contents materials distributed knew character nature materials require proof defendant knowledge legal status materials permit defendant avoid prosecution simply claiming brushed law formulation scienter requirement required neither language constitution whenever law draws line cases near opposite sides precise course line may uncertain one come near without knowing thinks familiar criminal law make take risk wurzbach iii turn petitioners attack certain evidentiary rulings district petitioners much laboring oar showing rulings constitute reversible error since judicial trials whole tendency leave rulings illuminating relevance testimony largely discretion trial hears evidence nlrb donnelly michelson salem lines petitioners offered evidence trial three categories allegedly comparable materials argued relevant community standards materials received mailing privileges materials previously subject litigation found constitutionally protected materials openly available newsstands district examining materials refused admit evidence grounds tend confuse jury serve probative value comparison amount confusion deluge material result therefrom app appeals concluded district correct rejecting proffered evidence stating abuse discretion refusing admit materials cured district offer entertain expert testimony respect elements shown advice jury district permitted four expert witnesses called petitioners testify extensively concerning relevant community standards defendant obscenity prosecution defendant prosecution entitled opportunity adduce relevant competent evidence bearing issues tried availability similar materials newsstands community automatically make admissible tending prove nonobscenity materials defendant charged circulating stated appeals mere fact materials similar brochure issue sale purchased book stores around country make witnesses virtue ibid put appeals manarite mere availability similar material means nothing persons engaged similar activities finally think district abused discretion refusing admit certain allegedly comparable materials film two magazines found nonobscene see pinkus pitchess aff sub nom california pinkus burgin south carolina judicial determination particular matters obscene necessarily make relevant determination obscenity materials much less mandate admission evidence much material offered petitioners demonstrated relevance issues case may clearly relevant subject district observation tend create confusion enlightenment minds jury expressed willingness permit material treated testimony expert witnesses district retains considerable latitude even admittedly relevant evidence rejecting cumulative requiring brought jury attention done manner least likely confuse body agree appeals district discretion abused petitioners second contention district erred instructing jury determination prurient appeal brochure trial government introduced petitioners objection testimony expert witness material illustrated report appealed prurient interest various deviant sexual groups testimony concerning brochure appealed prurient interest general specifically deviant group petitioners concede however pictures said appeal deviant groups fact appear brochure district accordingly instructed jury deciding whether predominant appeal illustrated report brochure prurient interest sex consider whether portions materials appealed prurient interest specifically defined deviant group well whether appealed prurient interest average person app appeals found error instruction since manifest district considered portrayals brochure might found prurient appeal deviant group petitioners contend district instruction improper allowed jury measure brochure appeal prurient interest average person also clearly defined deviant group decision mishkin new york clearly indicates measuring prurient appeal allegedly obscene materials whether dominant theme material taken whole appeals prurient interest sex consideration may given prurient appeal material clearly defined deviant sexual groups petitioners appear argue material appeals prurient interest sexual deviants parts appeal prurient interest average person general finding material appeals prurient interest sex somehow precluded stated mishkin new york material designed primarily disseminated clearly defined deviant sexual group rather public large requirement roth test satisfied dominant theme material taken whole appeals prurient interest sex members group reference average normal person roth foreclose holding adjust requirement social realities permitting appeal type material assessed terms sexual interests intended probable recipient group since holding requires recipient group defined specificity terms sexually immature persons also avoids inadequacy facet regina hicklin test footnotes omitted made clear mishkin new york primary concern requiring jury apply standard average age person applying contemporary community standards certain far material aimed deviant group judged impact average person rather particularly susceptible sensitive person indeed totally insensitive one emphasis added petitioners contend instruction improper facts adduced caused convicted pandering pandering charged indictment petitioners course element offense mailing obscene matter district instruction clearly consistent decision ginzburg held evidence pandering relevant determination obscenity materials issue long proper constitutional definition obscenity applied enactment congress enabling postal service cease forwarding pandering advertisements request addressee authorize contended petitioners pandering obscene advertisements statute simply gives postal recipient means insulate advertisements offer sale matter addressee sole discretion believes erotically arousing sexually provocative instructing post office order sender refrain mailing advertisements see rowan post office statute purport authorize mailing legally obscene pandering advertisements continues proscribed see iv petitioners final contentions directed alleged procedural irregularities said occurred course trial first contend district committed reversible error denying request make additional objections instructions jury presence jury prior closing arguments instructions jury parties made record respect instructions indicated give argument instructions jury retired petitioners counsel approached bench requested jury excused order might present objections charge declined excuse jury saying made objections suitable think want send jury want make statement make statement app close evidence earlier time trial reasonably directs party may file written requests instruct jury law set forth requests time copies requests shall furnished adverse parties shall inform counsel proposed action upon requests prior arguments jury shall instruct jury arguments completed party may assign error portion charge omission therefrom unless objects thereto jury retires consider verdict stating distinctly matter objects grounds objection opportunity shall given make objection hearing jury request party presence jury emphasis added courts appeals taken varying approaches question failure comply provisions rule constitutes reversible error appear applied general rule violation reversible error unless defendant demonstrates prejudiced hall titus cert denied fernandez hodges sultan others appear adopted rule whereby violation reversible error affirmatively appears defendant prejudiced schartner lovely least one appeals appears take position failure comply rule automatic grounds reversal regardless attenuating circumstances hall appeals case felt rule announced third circuit schartner supra appropriate one application rule complied schartner held district failure comply presence jury requirement rule upon proper request party constitutes reversible error unless demonstrable examination whole record denial right prejudice defendant case applying rule appeals concluded prejudice petitioners result district failure comply rule language rule issue added rule amendment prior time rule provided party given opportunity make objection hearing jury significance change elaborated advisory committee note accompanying rule merely mentioned change courts examining rule found principally designed avoid subtle psychological pressures upon jurors arise view hear defense counsel posture apparent antagonism toward judge lovely supra hodges supra schartner supra goal might served many cases sufficiently lowtone bench conference ultimate way assure goal comply rule petitioners urge adopt strict approach declare noncompliance rule requires reversal think approach unduly mechanical inconsistent interpretation pari materia rule relevant provisions federal rules criminal procedure since rule specifically provides ny error defect irregularity variance affect substantial rights shall disregarded provision suggests soundness approach similar appeals various courts appeals supra manner examined prejudice defendant deciding whether reversal required failure comply rule conclude appeals err refusing reverse petitioners convictions failure comply provisions rule appeals felt apply somewhat stricter test schartner case supra felt rule fernandez places burden upon defendant criminal case may able carry applying schartner test appeals determined prejudice petitioners failure hold session presence jury independent examination bench conference convinces us holding appeals correct bench conference one many trial indication record discussion heard jury colloquy petitioners counsel concerned purely legal issues app district prior point indicated rulings respect instructions requested counsel express view course whether appeals may follow apparently lenient standard requiring defendant demonstrate prejudiced see fernandez petitioners second procedural contention trial jury improperly constituted allegedly cognizable class citizens young adults petitioners define ages years systematically excluded petitioners therefore argue district abused discretion refusing grant continuance new jury presumably contained greater ratio young persons drawn time petitioners indictment trial plan southern district california adopted pursuant stat provided periodic emptying refilling master jury wheel voter registration lists point slightly less four years since jury wheel district last filled petitioners argument jury wheel last filled youngest potential juror trial least years old petitioner called witness clerk southern district california testified within one month master wheel refilled names persons appeared voters registration list master list contain names persons years age tr amendment supp ii provided periodic emptying refilling master wheel occur specified intervals exceed four years pub stat district denied petitioners motion strike venire stated evidence presented indicated time change jury master wheel tr petitioners moved continuance approximately one month jury drawn master wheel included names persons years age district denied motion appeals assumed without deciding young constitute cognizable group class concluded petitioners failed show let alone establish purposeful systematic exclusion members class whose names systematic exclusion otherwise selected master jury wheel therefore district refusal grant continuance abuse discretion agree appeals petitioners cite case authority proposition young identifiable group entitled protection prior cases see hernandez texas claims exclusion young juries met little success federal courts assuming appeals young group believe evidence case sufficient make prima facie case discrimination turn place burden government overcome master wheel southern district california plan plans judicial districts periodically emptied refilled names available voter lists persons added voter lists subsequent one filling jury wheel therefore added wheel next refilling play joints process necessary order accommodate practical problems judicial administration congress reasonably adopt procedures designed assure impartial jury drawn community thiel southern pacific smith texas time take account practical problems judicial administration unless require daily refilling jury wheel congress may necessarily conclude periodic delay updating wheel reasonable permit orderly administration justice invariably course time goes jury wheel date especially near end statutorily prescribed time period updating wheel jury wheel discriminatory completely updated time refilling prohibited purposeful discrimination arise near end period simply young persons belatedly become eligible jury service becoming registered voters whitus georgia see avery georgia alexander louisiana since petitioners failed establish discriminatory exclusion young jury district properly exercised discretion refusing grant petitioners motion continuance petitioners third procedural contention district erred refusing ask certain questions voir dire concerning possible religious biases jurors specifically petitioners requested ask questions whether jurors educational political religious beliefs might affect views question obscenity app appeals concluded district examination voir dire prospective jurors full complete fair petitioners contemplated rule federal rules criminal procedure noting petitioners requested submission numerous questions petit panel appeals stated district asked many questions submitted many altered consolidated form declined ask many others cumulative argumentative handling questions asked clearly within range district discretion matter clear abuse discretion prejudice petitioners shown ibid judgment appeals ninth circuit case affirmed footnotes petitioner convicted counts indictment app petitioner hamling sentenced imprisonment one year conspiracy count consecutive concurrent terms three years substantive counts fined petitioner kemp sentenced imprisonment one year one day conspiracy count consecutive concurrent terms two years substantive counts petitioners wright thomas received suspended sentences one years placed probation five years petitioners reed enterprises library services fined respectively counts jury unable reach verdict upon mistrial declared counts app presentation government case district dismissed four substantive counts lack proof app brief obscenity vel non illustrated report thus issue appeals issue printed words appearing interfold pictures katzman studies commission see page photographs rated scales obscene sexually stimulating control group group activity scenes type illustrated part group sex pictures danish magazine porno club supposedly filmed live show night club copenhagen many similar clubs greenleaf classics also indicted acquitted counts involving brochure including conspiracy count mentioned jury unable reach verdict counts involving illustrated report see supra paris adult theatre slaton kaplan california reels film orito upon withdrawing original order denying rehearing reconsideration light miller california supra related cases appeals stated pet cert app heretofore determined evidence abundantly sufficient meet district jury instructions full compliance essential elements test one reel film et cir july pages slip opinion considering problem succinctly fortiori relaxed standards announced met see possible reason remand especially addressed construction adequacy federal statute involved see reels super film supra title provides pertinent part every obscene lewd lascivious indecent filthy vile article matter thing device substance every written printed card letter circular book pamphlet advertisement notice kind giving information directly indirectly means mentioned matters articles things may obtained made declared nonmailable matter shall conveyed mails delivered post office letter carrier whoever knowingly uses mails mailing carriage mails delivery anything declared section section title nonmailable knowingly causes delivered mail according direction thereon place directed delivered person addressed knowingly takes thing mails purpose circulating disposing thereof aiding circulation disposition thereof shall fined imprisoned five years first offense shall fined imprisoned ten years offense thereafter orito reels film stated basis district exclusion testimony miss carlsen survey framed terms national standards clear district admitted testimony framed specific objection sustained sufficient though naming untenable ground tenable one existed wigmore evidence ed citing kansas city jones miss carlsen student san diego state university worked part time woolworth composition layouts newspaper advertising company store fashion valley undertaken special studies course journalism professor haberstroh also offered petitioners expert witness trial miss carlsen circulated san diego area asked various persons random whether thought adults able buy view book material tr sequence events case quite different saunders shaw upon brother brennan relies louisiana directed entry judgment intervening defendant prevailed trial basis testimony adduced merely offer proof plaintiff intervening defendant therefore occasion respond since trial ruled issue plaintiff proof addressed irrelevant reversed louisiana order intervening defendant might opportunity controvert plaintiff proof petitioners given full latitude rebutting every factual issue dealt government case claim made jury permitted rely evidence introduced merely way offer proof subject contradiction countervailing evidence offered petitioners present case seems us much closer ginzburg saunders petitioners contention remand district orito reconsideration sufficiency indictment light miller reels film indicates sufficiency indictment question misses mark orito reviewed district judgment dismissed indictment held statute unconstitutional upholding statute vacating judgment district remanded case reconsideration indictment light miller reels course enunciated new standards state federal obscenity prosecutions reconsideration light opinion reversing district holding statute unconstitutional course district appeals already upheld sufficiency indictment constitutionality agree rulings justice brennan joined chief justice warren justice douglas concluded authorize postmaster general employ administrative process close mails matter view falls within ban section manual enterprises day separate opinion magazine offered entitled nude living foundation alleged admissibility received mailing privilege app brief petitioner kemp proffered materials alleged comparable included numerous magazines films also survey see supra conducted student san diego state university reactions people san diego area illustrated report brochure brief petitioner kemp petitioners also contend evidence variance government answer bill particulars brief petitioner hamling appeals assumed without deciding evidence constitute variance concluded variance wise surprise prejudice defendants expert opinion testimony interwove covered field completely agree appeals brief petitioner hamling federal rule civ proc pportunity shall given make objection hearing jury though presence jury language contained rule advisory committee note attending fed rule crim proc correspond rule federal rules civil procedure seemed appropriate point instructions juries difference procedure civil criminal cases government argues considering whether failure comply fed rule crim proc requires reversal appropriate test similar general standard consideration failure comply fed rule civ proc reversal required reasonable basis concluding colloquy presence jury result judge ignoring denying proper request prejudicial swain boeing airplane cert denied approach used panel appeals second circuit case involving failure comply fed rule crim proc fernandez connection motion strike venire petitioners introduced evidence contended established young persons cognizable group tolerant older persons matters pertaining depiction sexually explicit material brief petitioner hamling see butera camara gooding kuhn gast cert denied various delays refilling jury wheels upheld federal courts pentado three years gooding supra three years four months kuhn supra five years petitioners also contend certain actions government attorney grand jury prejudiced body appeals rejecting contention stated record us totally lacking evidence showing kind member grand jury biased prejudiced degree petitioners except supposition members may reacted upon view brochure report presumption regularity attaches grand jury proceedings still abides assignment merit citations omitted justice douglas dissenting president commission obscenity pornography issued report dean william lockhart chairman eighteen others members report one member charles keating filed dissenting report pages least many pages exhibits report contains many references many facets sex petting coitus oral sexuality masturbation homosexual activities petitioners supply report glossary dictionary terms visually every item glossary depicted explicit sexual material within meaning term used report perhaps reports obscenity imbedded first amendment philosophy people right know sex important others importance officials may constitutionally report obscenity see nothing first amendment allows us bar use glossary factually illustrate report discusses constitution india mar provides art citizens shall right freedom speech expression art provides nothing clause bars reasonable restrictions exercise rights interests decency morality first amendment contains qualification certainly jefferson madison drafted sex great potential vulgarity beauty wanted federal censor edit publications certainly made explicit justice brennan justice stewart justice marshall join dissenting whatever constitutional power government regulate distribution sexually oriented materials first fourteenth amendments view deny federal state governments power wholly suppress distribution remain view least absence distribution juveniles obtrusive exposure unconsenting adults first fourteenth amendments prohibit state federal governments attempting wholly suppress sexually oriented materials basis allegedly obscene contents paris adult theatre slaton brennan dissenting since amended construed aims total suppression distribution mail sexually oriented materials view unconstitutionally overbroad therefore invalid face ground alone reverse judgment appeals direct dismissal indictment several reasons however also compel conclusion petitioners convictions set aside ii least since accepted construction amended justice harlan justice stewart proper test federal statute reaching parts whose population reflects many different ethnic cultural backgrounds national standard decency said amendments authorizing criminal prosecution place delivery evince purpose make standard less national manual enterprises day today overrules construction construes amended permit juror draw knowledge community vicinage comes deciding conclusion average person applying contemporary community standards reach given case ante apart questions whether new construction trespasses upon congressional prerogative see blount rizzi whether constitutionally local standard amended properly employed delineate area expression protected first amendment see pennekamp florida since national constitution expounding jacobellis ohio opinion brennan construction local standard applies cases raises least another serious first amendment problem amendments constituted mailing obscene matter continuing offense practical effect amendment intentionally adopted congress express purpose permit prosecution federal district disseminator mailed obscenity federal district obscenity received federal district obscenity passed route mails cong rec remarks hillings see sess cong rec remarks keating remarks poff today local standards construction therefore guilt innocence distributors identical materials mailed locale turn chancy course transit place delivery materials see palladino coffin national distributors choosing send products interstate travels forced cope community standards every hamlet goods may wander variegated standards impossible discern national distributors fearful risking expense difficulty defending prosecution several remote communities must inevitably led retreat debilitating abridges first amendment rights people tend restrict public access forms sexually oriented materials constitutionally suppress directly censorship hardly less virulent privately administered hrough distribution sexually oriented materials obscene obscene impeded smith california thus people many communities protected far beyond government constitutional power deny access sexually oriented materials construction consequences necessarily renders constitutionality amended facially suspect first amendment iii even assumption amended invulnerable constitutional attack affirmance convictions patently indefensible denial petitioners due process law trial judge followed manual enterprise construction amended required determination guilt upon basis national standard decency holds today new local standards construction error yet says error effect harmless references instructions national standards materially affected jurors deliberations ante trial transcript lays bare utter fallacy conclusion first appraises trial references national standards isolated cites boyd ante held ambiguous statement charge criminal case interpreted one way erroneous considered charge whole probably understood jurors harmless sense ground reversal represent references national standards instructions isolated probably understood jury harmless sense completely misread instructions emphasis national standards core instructions trial judge made national standards central criterion determination obscenity brochure referred national standards instructions less times within space four transcript pages indeed emphasis made impression upon jurors minds returned jury room requested trial judge reread portion instructions see tr least much significance trial judge refusal permit defense offer proof local standards evidences utterly mistaken surmise emphasis upon national standards instructions materially affected deliberations jurors virginia carlsen offered defense witness trial southern district california covers san diego imperial counties miss carlsen testified supervision professor san diego state university polled san diego residents ascertain reaction brochure trial judge refused admit results survey evidence despite offer proof demonstrate substantial majority persons interviewed expressed view brochure generally available public significantly survey excluded trial judge solely ground ou ca use piece standard standard thus emphasizing guilt predicated violation national standard colloquy side bar follows katz questions survey think showed people illustrated report showed people survey mean advertisement questionnaire recorded responses calculated basis sex basis age think jury entitled honor use one tests use deciding sic community standards weight given question jury well agree katz think national standard going stay national standard think go admissibility ca use piece standard standard true defeat entire general standard going permit go witness respect tr emphasis supplied fleishman think whatever limitations honor put correct think admitted whatever weight national standard think proper way go determining national standard emphasis supplied petitioners situation case identical defendant saunders petitioners denied trial admission evidence upon proposition fact ruled immaterial concerning therefore proper opportunity introduce proof petitioners aware proper criterion local standard prepared offer proof local standard obviously strategy defense completely different affirm convictions without affording opportunity try case local standards basis clear denial due process saunders course civil case principle announced surely even greater application criminal convictions carrying long prison sentences involved right present evidence course essential fair hearing required due process clause right becomes particularly fundamental proceeding allegedly results finding particular individual guilty crime jenkins mckeithen opinion marshall neither realistic constitutionally sound read first amendment requiring people maine mississippi accept public depiction conduct found tolerable las vegas new york city people different vary tastes attitudes diversity strangled absolutism imposed uniformity use national standards necessarily implies materials found tolerable places national criteria nevertheless unavailable acceptable affirmance addition denying due process refusal apply saunders principle also denies petitioners due process another way abundantly clear petitioners convictions sustained upon charge wholly different upon tried tried upon charge violating national standards convictions affirmed tried violating local standards law long settled cases treating conviction conviction upon charge made denial due process law cole arkansas eaton tulsa distaste however strong commercial vendors alleged pornography justification denying petitioners application principle imposed upon courts arkansas oklahoma cases may final voice greater reason meticulous discharge responsibility dispense evenhanded justice least petitioners entitled vacation convictions remand new trial course obliged strain construe congressional enactments avoid constitutional attacks however emasculate statute avoid perceived constitutional difficulty see aptheker secretary state george moore ice cream rose legislative history gives slightest indication application local standards contemplated indeed remarks early sponsor provision indicate application national standard intended trial country anywhere else obscene character character report corrupt morals youth morals country generally think provide means circulate kind literature whatever paper whatever book may published cong rec remarks cannon emphasis added prior amendment read hoever knowingly deposits mailing delivery emphasis added changed read hoever knowingly uses mails amendment overruled ross held unlawful act proscribed deposit mailing use mails may follow deposit thus brought within provides relevant part ny offense involving use mails transportation interstate foreign commerce continuing offense except otherwise expressly provided enactment congress may inquired prosecuted district commerce mail matter moves see generally note venue impact obscenity rev portion instructions containing references follows second test another requirement applied determining whether material evidence obscene whether material patently offensive goes substantially beyond reasonably accepted according contemporary standards community whole national community whole applying test must consider book advertisement whole part part must measure material contemporary current national community standards determine whether material exceeds customary limits candor descriptions representations sex nudity reasonably acceptable national community patently offensive contemporary community standards means standards generally held throughout country concerning sex matters pertaining sex phrase means aptly stated average conscience time present critical point compromise candor shame community may arrived sole judges contemporary community standards country arriving applying judgment however consider standards good bad condemn standards know believe stricter generally held exculpate excuse standards know believe tolerant generally held limit learned residing present locality learned observed people residing present locality rather call upon everything learned seen read observed evidence presented trial experience gained observations experience affairs life find materials evidence substantially exceed limits candor descriptions representations sex acceptable national community may find material patently offensive note book advertisement involved found obscene unless evidence shows beyond reasonable doubt materials substantially exceed customary limits candor nation whole description representation sex nudity word substantially defined greatly considerably largely contemporary community standards nation set fact reasonably accepted national community whole say society large people general throughout nation persons groups persons may believe national community whole accept refuse accept matter common knowledge takes judicial notice customs change national community whole may time time find acceptable formerly unacceptable determining applying contemporary national community standards must consider appears generally magazines books newspapers television burlesque night clubs novels motion pictures stage media communications nation whole insofar social value concerned tr app emphasis supplied petitioners failure object instructions hardly used shift shoulders burden demonstrating prejudice see ohio reliance upon namet lopez cases defendants failed object instructions erroneous time jury instructed defendants therefore required demonstrate instructions constituted plain error thus inapt may unarticulated assumption jurors instructed apply national standards inevitably apply standards local community national standards simply unascertainable say may difficult even impossible determine national standards far cry saying jurors instructed solemn duty apply law pronounced attempt indeed reach conclusion national standards differed local community