garner louisiana argued decided december together briscoe et al louisiana hoston et al louisiana also certiorari louisiana places business catering white negro patrons petitioners negroes took seats lunch counters white persons customarily served remained quietly seats told served made speeches carried placards nothing else attract attention except sit lunch counters asked leave proprietors agents asked leave police officers upon failing arrested charged disturbing peace convicted state state statute defines disturbing peace specified violent boisterous disruptive acts act manner unreasonably disturb alarm public denied relief state records contained evidence support finding petitioners disturbed peace either outwardly boisterous conduct passive conduct likely cause public disturbance held convictions totally devoid evidentiary support violate due process clause fourteenth amendment thompson city louisville pp nothing record indicate trial judge took judicial notice anything convictions sustained theory took judicial notice general situation including local custom racial segregation eating places concluded petitioners presence lunch counters might cause disturbance duty police prevent circumstances cases merely sitting peacefully places custom decreed petitioners sit evidence crime considered either police courts jack greenberg argued cause petitioners briefs tureaud thurgood marshall william coleman james nabrit iii louis pollak john ward argued cause respondent briefs jack gremillion attorney general louisiana cleburn dalton assistant attorney general briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed solicitor general cox assistant attorney general marshall bruce terris harold greene howard glickstein john fernbach murray gordon committee bill rights association bar city new york chief justice warren delivered opinion cases come us louisiana draw question constitutionality petitioners convictions judicial district parish east baton rouge louisiana crime disturbing peace petitioners brought trial convicted informations charging violating title article louisiana criminal code refused move cafe counter seat ordered agent establishment said conduct manner unreasonably foreseeably disturb public accordance state procedure petitioners sought review louisiana writs certiorari mandamus prohibition contended state presented evidence support findings statutory violation convictions invalid constitutional grounds state federal relief denied federal questions properly raised preserved throughout proceedings timely petitions certiorari filed granted government appeared amicus curiae urging various grounds convictions reversed amicus brief also urging reversal filed committee bill rights association bar city new york view cases disposition slight variance facts three cases immaterial although alleged offenses occur day establishment petitioners arrested officers charged commission acts represented counsel tried convicted judge given identical sentences factual similarity identical nature problems involved granting certiorari ordered cases consolidated argument deem sufficient file one opinion addition facts simple think sufficient recite one cases detail noting whatever slight variations exist others hoston et al louisiana jannette hoston student southern university six colleagues took seats lunch counter kress department store baton rouge louisiana march kress sitman drug store negroes considered good customers segregation policy maintained regard service food hence although stores solicit business white negro patrons latter well former may make purchases general merchandise sections without discrimination stores provide integrated service lunch counters manager kress store also seated lunch counter told waitress advise students served counter across aisle petitioners made response remained quietly seats manager finished lunch telephoned police told negroes seated counter reserved whites police arrived store ordered students leave arresting officer testified petitioners said nothing except one stated like glass iced tea believed disturbing peace sitting none petitioners showed signs leaving seats placed arrest taken police station charged violating title article louisiana criminal code section louisiana disturbance peace statute trial petitioners moved bill particulars details allegedly disruptive behavior quash informations failure state unlawful acts constitutionally convicted motions denied petitioners applied louisiana writs certiorari prohibition mandamus review rulings denied writs ground adequate remedy available resort supervisory jurisdiction event conviction petitioners tried convicted sentenced imprisonment four months three months suspended upon payment fine subsequent convictions denying relief appeal issued following oral opinion case writs refused without jurisdiction review facts criminal cases see art sec la constitution rulings district judge matters law erroneous see town ponchatoula bates decision affirms criminal conviction based upon evidence guilt therefore deprives due process law defined thompson city louisville petitioners convicted crime provisions state statute applied acts vague indefinite uncertain offend due process clause fourteenth amendment decisions conflict fourteenth amendment guarantee freedom expression decision conflicts prior decisions condemn racially discriminatory administration state criminal laws contravention equal protection clause fourteenth amendment view take cases find unnecessary reach broader constitutional questions presented accordance practice formulate rule constitutional law broader required precise facts presented record reasons hereinafter stated hold convictions cases totally devoid evidentiary support render unconstitutional due process clause fourteenth amendment thompson city louisville inquiry turn question sufficiency evidence support conviction whether convictions rest upon evidence support finding petitioners acts caused disturbance peace addition concerned whether evidence proves commission crime much denial due process send accused prison following conviction charge never made convict upon charge evidence support conviction respondent brief argument implied evidence proves elements criminal trespass oral argument contended real question whether private property owner proprietor private establishment right serve chooses refuse serve desires serve whatever reason may determine question presented records cases seems apparent debate even assuming question however clearly convictions stand reason stated cole arkansas view cases task determine whether evidence records show petitioners actions lunch counters business establishments involved violated title article louisiana criminal code time petitioners acts article provided disturbing peace following manner foreseeably disturb alarm public engaging fistic encounter using unnecessarily loud offensive insulting language appearing intoxicated condition engaging act violent tumultuous manner three persons holding unlawful assembly interruption lawful assembly people commission act manner unreasonably disturb alarm public initial inquiry necessarily determine type conduct proscribed statute elements guilt evidence must prove support criminal conviction thereunder first evident reading statute accused must conduct manner foreseeably disturb alarm public addition person charged violation paragraph earlier version aptly described louisiana general portion statute define conduct acts members legislature mind state sanford la also seem apparent words statute acts whatever might must done manner actually unreasonably disturb alarm public however find records barren evidence support finding petitioners conduct even foreseeably disturbed public need consider whether statute also requires acts done manner actually disturb peace course bound state interpretation statute substitute judgment state becomes necessary analyze evidence purpose determining whether evidence supports findings state hence must look louisiana guidance meaning phrase foreseeably disturb alarm public order determine type conduct proscribed la rev louisiana occasion past interpreting predecessor article give content words evident prior treatment intended embrace peaceful conduct contrary plain application statute words encompass conduct violent boisterous provocative sense induces foreseeable physical disturbance state sanford la evidence showed thirty jehovah witnesses approached louisiana town purpose distributing religious tracts persuading public make contributions cause witnesses warned mayor police officers presence activities cause trouble among population asked stay away town witnesses failed yield warning proceeded mission trial found acts witnesses entering town stopping crowded street might tend incite riotous disorderly conduct louisiana set aside convictions breach peace holding defendants commit unlawful act pursue disorderly course conduct tend disturb peace thus effect peaceful conduct even though conceivably offensive another class public conduct may proscribed louisiana disturbance peace statute without evidence actor conducted outwardly unruly manner conclusion highest louisiana breach peace statute reach peaceful orderly conduct substantiated conclusion drawn reading statute whole provision petitioners tried convicted follows enumeration six specific offenses describes overtly tumultuous disruptive behavior therefore normally interpreted light preceding sections effort cover forms violence loud boisterous conduct already listed mean imply ejusdem generis reading statute constitutionally compelled exclusion reasonable interpretations note reading consistent louisiana application sanford evidence article designed encompass petitioners conduct cases supplied louisiana legislature shortly events petitioners arrested took place legislature amended disturbance peace statute obvious attempt reach type activity involved cases contrast language present statute one petitioners convicted confirms interpretation given general terms latter state sanford natural meaning words used article aware louisiana courts final authority interpret see fit reinterpret state legislation however seen indication louisiana changed sanford interpretation la rev infer inferior louisiana intended overrule reasonable interpretation state statute state highest reluctance infer supported moreover fact state sanford argued petitioners trial neither mentioned opinion sanford longer law louisiana think discussion give ample support conclusion louisiana law requires finding outwardly boisterous unruly conduct order charge defendant foreseeably disturbing alarming public however case comes us state necessitates delicate involvement relations willing assume respondent louisiana courts might construe statute broadly encompass traditional concept disturbing peace thus construed might permit police prevent imminent public commotion even though caused peaceful orderly conduct part accused cf cantwell connecticut therefore treat cases though evidence imminent danger well evidence defendant active conduct outwardly provocative support finding acts might foreseeably disturb alarm public louisiana statute ii determined evidence necessary support finding disturbing peace louisiana law ultimate question thompson city louisville supra whether records cases contain evidence appropriate notations slight differences testimony two cases turn record manager department store lunch counter located testified students taken seats white lunch counter also occupying seat advised waitress duty offer petitioners service counter across aisle served negroes petitioners however advised served counter remained seats manager continued eating lunch counter facilities serve colored persons petitioners merely told served never even asked move waitress testified petitioners merely told go side served petitioners made speeches even speak anyone except order food carried placards nothing beyond mere presence lunch counter attract attention others none cases testimony petitioners told mere presence causing likely cause disturbance peace petitioners ever asked leave counters establishments anyone connected stores manager testified finishing meal went telephone called police department advising negroes store sitting lunch counter reserved whites case owner agent notified police petitioners presence lunch counter even manager gave indication officers feared disturbance received complaint concerning petitioners presence waitress testified bus driver sitting restaurant notified police several colored people sitting lunch counter arresting officers summoned drugstore anyone even remotely connected sitman rather call officer beat observed petitioners sitting quietly lunch counter although manager kress department store testified conduct considered disruptive petitioners mere presence counter state called police feared disturbance might occur however fear completely unsubstantiated record manager continued eating lunch apparently leisurely manner counter petitioners sitting calling police moreover fail give petitioners warning alleged fear specifically testified fact petitioners never asked move leave store witness elaborate basis fear except state customary two races sit together eat together addition evidence alleged fear ever communicated arresting officers either time manager made initial call police headquarters police arrived store circumstances manager general statement gives support convictions within meaning thompson city louisville supra subsequent manager notification police arrived store without consulting manager anyone else premises went directly confront petitioners officer asked petitioners leave counter disturbing peace violating law sitting one students stated wished get glass iced tea friends told police disturbing peace sitting counter reserved whites leave petitioners continued occupy seats arrested officer testified disturbing peace sitting place reserved white people officer testified petitioners done nothing take seats particular lunch counter considered breach peace respondent discusses length history race relations high degree racial segregation exists throughout south although reference facts records respondent argues trial took judicial notice general situation may louisiana law therefore became apparent petitioners presence lunch counters might cause disturbance duty police prevent nothing records indicate trial judge fact take judicial notice anything extend doctrine judicial notice length pressed respondent require us allow prosecution argument required due process trial turn doctrine pretext dispensing trial ohio bell telephone public utilities furthermore unless accused informed trial facts taking judicial notice know upon evidence convicted addition deprived opportunity challenge deductions drawn notice dispute notoriety truth facts allegedly relied upon moreover way appellate may review facts law case intelligently decide whether findings lower supported evidence evidence unknown assumption denial due process ohio bell supra thus shown records contain evidence support finding petitioners disturbed peace either outwardly boisterous conduct passive conduct likely cause public disturbance hold convictions violated petitioners rights due process law guaranteed fourteenth amendment constitution undisputed evidence shows police arrested petitioners left nothing support actions except opinions breach peace petitioners sit peacefully place custom decreed sit activity circumstances cases evidence crime considered either police courts judgments reversed footnotes garner et al louisiana petitioners two negro students southern university took seats lunch counter sitman drug store baton rouge briscoe et al louisiana lunch counter seven negro students sought service restaurant section greyhound bus terminal baton rouge true course regard bus terminal terminal caters races separate facilities maintained service food one petitioners purchased umbrella drugstore prior taking seat lunch counter encountered difficulty making purchase although problem exactly three cases trial judge appeared use different formulae concluding petitioners guilt opinion acts petitioners said act done manner calculated actually unreasonably disturb alarm public conduct said act part unreasonably disturb alarm public declared conduct foreseeably alarm disturb public emphasis added opinions louisiana officially reported art sec louisiana constitution appellate jurisdiction criminal cases extends questions law inter alia fine exceeding three hundred dollars imprisonment exceeding six months imposed see state di vincenti la state gaspard la state price la louisiana held question law presented case thus reviewable contention evidence support element crime charged state daniels la state brown la state sbisa la cases cited see comment la rev despite purported review questions law cases degree punishment inflicted deprive appellate jurisdiction art sec however also general supervisory jurisdiction exercised sound discretion see state morgan la inferior courts art sec appears provision petitioners attempted invoke extraordinary writs cases see also art sec louisiana constitution addition petitioners contentions argues petitioners arrests convictions deprived rights interstate commerce act service nondiscriminatory basis restaurant bus terminal operated part interstate commerce cf boynton virginia government well petitioners points addition state statutes requiring segregation specific situations louisiana louisiana legislature adopted following preface joint resolution concerning possible integration facility state whereas louisiana always maintained policy segregation races whereas intention citizens sovereign state policy continued act amend article louisiana constitution see thompson city louisville cf cole arkansas see thompson city louisville cases cited counsel respondent admitted oral argument louisiana trespass statute force time petitioners arrests probably applied facts apparently louisiana legislature agreed subsequent petitioners acts legislature passed new criminal trespass statute la rev supp reads person shall without authority laws go upon structure belongs another forbidden owner lessee custodian property authorized person louisiana also held accused may convicted pleadings fail state specific crime charged state morgan la express view constitutionality petitioners convictions attacked argument statute vague uncertain resulting lack notice conduct legislature intended make criminal violate due process cf lanzetta new jersey musser utah winters new york predecessor title section act provided inter alia person shall go public place near private house shall shout swear expose discharge firearm shall act manner calculated disturb alarm inhabitants thereof persons present adjudged guilty breaching peace state sanford la discussed immediately following text defendants charged petitioners cases bar general provision see town ponchatoula bates la dictum see sutherland statutes statutory construction horack ed interpretation made evidence contrary legislative intent judicial reading alpers gooch helvering stockholms enskilda bank see also town ponchatoula bates supra note la rev supp reads pertinent part follows whoever intent provoke breach peace circumstances breach peace may occasioned thereby refuses leave premises another requested owner lessee employee thereof shall guilty disturbing peace three cases prosecution called witnesses arresting officer employee restaurant question none cases petitioners testify introduce witnesses defense inconsistency record material disposition case see called police police officer made statement based hearsay desk sergeant called woman noted previously case representative restaurant called police addition case anything record concerning possibility disturbance even limited manager single statement noted course even warning sufficient evidence support finding breach peace state sanford compare basis state action buchanan warley cooper aaron evidence records nos similar witness called state testified petitioners arrested solely negroes sitting white lunch counter la rev provides louisiana courts may take judicial notice social racial conditions prevailing state see state bessa et la compare evidence contained records terminiello chicago feiner new york justice frankfurter concurring judgment whether state statutes construed one way another question state law final decision rests course courts state courts spelled meaning statute must extrapolate allowable meaning attribute highest state must manner affords widest latitude state legislative power consistent constitution since la rev concededly statute aimed disturbing peace begin breadth meaning derived phrase town ponchatoula bates la sure amounted abstract discussion limited circumstances considered louisiana state sanford la allowable scope statutory prohibition fully explored construction statute prohibit behavior private shop behavior tendency disturb alarm public fairly derivable reading sanford opinion action louisiana legislature amending statutes events review took place safe even relevant guide scope prior statute legislatures uncommonly seek make prior law explicit reiterate prohibition emphatic concreteness rule evidence excludes proof repairs offers useful analogy see ii wigmore evidence third ed province limit meaning state statute beyond confinement reasonably read rulings assuming present purposes constitutionality statute prohibiting activity tends provoke public alarm disturbance tendency crucial element criminal offense must established evidence disclosed record sustain conviction judge private knowledge even knowledge notoriety use dean wigmore phrase ix evidence third ed presented part prosecution case capable met defendant adequate basis matter due process establish essential element punished crime thompson city louisville may unnecessary require formal proof even issue crucial determining guilt criminal prosecution incontestably obvious showing dispensed inference doubtful begs whole question answer validity convictions turns assume public tended alarmed conduct petitioners disclosed see devlin dingle associated newspapers conviction louisiana statute sustained reliance merely upon likely consequences generality cases since particular persons sent jail conduct allegedly particular effect particular occasion particular circumstances becomes necessary appraise conduct effect particularity evidence adduced records cases whatever variance unimportant details may show contain evidence disturbance alarm behavior cafe employees customers even relevant public fairly contemplation charges show aptly summarized testimony arresting police recitation trial judge mere presence petitioners silent persistence sitting service refused doubt conceivably exacerbate feelings boiling point fanciful speculation however proprietor invites trade parts establishment restricts another may change policy challenged records barren evidence tendency disturb alarm public immediately involved drawn nothing us sustain inference may hypothetically lodged unopened bosom local since mere presence records prove event made crime louisiana statute petitioners charged convictions must reversed clear records proprietors involved changed policies consented petitioners remaining course entirely different case justice douglas concurring cases arisen pacific northwest area know best agree opinion many communities north south east west times racial problems areas never known segregation inflamed aroused presence member minority race restaurant louisiana racial problems agitated people since days slavery landmark case plessy ferguson decision announced doctrine separate equal facilities whites blacks came louisiana enacted statute requiring segregation races railroad trains environment segregated community understand mere presence negro white lunch counter might inflame people much fisticuffs places reasons stated justice harlan cases read louisiana opinions meaning law includes peaceful conduct kind foreseeably may lead public disturbance kind generally known condition may judicially noticed even criminal case mean police justified making arrests police supposed side constitution side discrimination yet constitutional questions put aside problem treated merely terms disturbing peace difficulty reversing judgments think however constitutional questions must reached make reversal necessary restaurants whether drugstore department store bus terminal part public life communities though private enterprises public facilities may enforce policy racial segregation course state action prohibited fourteenth amendment actions individuals far fourteenth amendment concerned individuals prejudiced intolerant like may consequence subject suits assault battery trespass actions footing federal constitution line forbidden conduct marked equal protection clause fourteenth amendment crossed state makes prejudice intolerance policy enforces held civil rights cases justice bradley speaking said civil rights guaranteed constitution state aggression impaired wrongful acts individuals unsupported state authority shape laws customs judicial executive proceedings italics added state policy violative fourteenth amendment may expressed legislative enactments permit require segregation races public places public facilities brown board education residential areas buchanan warley may expressed executive action police law enforcement officials act pursuant color state law see screws monroe pape may expressed administrative action state agencies leasing public facilities burton wilmington parking authority may result judicial action members race systematically excluded juries hernandez texas restrictive covenants based race enforced judiciary barrows jackson state fines imprisons person asserting federal right use facilities interstate bus terminal boynton virginia noted justice bradley suggested civil rights cases supra state policy may effectively expressed customs formal legislative executive judicial action indeed held baldwin morgan custom practice usage city police arresting four negroes using white waiting rooms state action violation fourteenth amendment even though ordinance promulgated order issued instant cases inference drawn totality circumstances permeating environment arrests made isolated arrest three arrests arrests account fisticuffs arrests defendants negroes seeking restaurant service counters tables reserved whites pattern segregation races louisiana going back least plessy ferguson supra restated year petitioners arrested charged sitting white restaurants act preamble whereas louisiana always maintained policy segregation races whereas intention citizens sovereign state policy continued la acts though may state law municipal ordinance terms required segregation races restaurants plain proprietors instant cases segregating blacks whites pursuant louisiana custom segregation basic structure louisiana community custom maintains least powerful law proprietors also choose segregation preference make action private rather state action miniscule private prejudice convert state private action moreover segregation policy policy state matters agency enforce private enterprise baldwin morgan supra boman birmingham transit ii view state may constitutionally enforce policy segregation restaurant facilities argument assumed restaurants private property sense one home private property course private property many purposes constitution yet street railways power plants warehouses types enterprises long held affected public interest constitutional rights involved proprietary interests individuals must give way towns though wholly owned private interests perform municipal functions held constitutional requirements ordinary municipalities marsh alabama state regulation private enterprise falls discriminates interstate commerce port richmond ferry hudson county state regulation private enterprise results impairment constitutional rights stand firmer footing least area facilities public nature involved long chief justice waite wrote opinion munn illinois holding prices charged grain warehouses regulated state long list businesses held affected public interest among ferries common carriers hackmen bakers millers wharfingers innkeepers test used munn illinois stated follows property become clothed public interest used manner make public consequence affect community large reply charge price regulation deprived warehousemen property chief justice waite stated attempt compel owners grant public interest property declare obligations use particular manner long span munn illinois nebbia new york upheld power state fix price milk business may public interest even though public utility accepted sense even though enjoys franchise state even though enjoys monopoly examples cover wide range price control prohibition certain types business various systems devices designed municipalities protect wholesomeness food interests health exercise police power adams milwaukee years ago lord chief justice hale stated de portibus maris harg law tracts man set street new building land longer bare private interest affected public interest run retail establishment permit municipality operate view public facility discrimination based race constitutionally permissible customary types public facility louisiana law restaurants form private property affected public interest local boards health given broad powers la rev city baton rouge city code requires restaurants permit tit director public health given broad powers inspection permits issued suspended id permits transferable id one operates without permit commits separate offense day violation occurs id moreover detailed provisions made concerning equipment restaurants must protection foods drink storage food id restaurants though species private property public domain paraphrase opinion nebbia new york supra restaurants louisiana public consequence affect community large concept business affected public interest normally used measure state police power also consequences state may require segregation races conventional public utilities segregate ordinary public facilities stated boman birmingham transit public utility something state deems useful public necessity convenience idea first justice harlan dissenting plessy ferguson supra advanced though common carrier private enterprise work maintained public difference view one kind business regulated public interest another kind far problem racial segregation concerned believe state licenses business license serve whites blacks yellows browns race impermissible classification comes parks municipal facilities reason equal protection clause fourteenth amendment token see state constitutionally exercise licensing power business either terms effect segregate races licensed premises authority license business public use derived public negroes much part public whites municipality granting license operate business public represents negroes well races live license establish restaurant license establish public facility necessarily imports law equality use members public see way whereby licenses issued state serve public distinguished leases public facilities burton wilmington parking authority supra end one close doors home anyone desires one operates enterprise license government enjoys privilege derives people whether retail stores licensed municipality stand different footing presented necessity license shows public rights respect premises business matter mere private concern license enterprises public use constitution power license use one race overriding constitutional requirement state power exercised deny equal protection group first justice harlan stated dissent plessy ferguson supra view constitution eye law country superior dominant ruling class citizens caste constitution article louisiana constitution forbade segregation races public schools prohibition dropped louisiana constitution latter article authorized establishment university negroes woodward strange career jim crow pp bulk detail well effectiveness enforcement segregation codes comparable black codes old regime though laxity mitigated harshness black codes replaced rigidity typical segregation code code lent sanction law racial ostracism extended churches schools housing jobs eating drinking whether law custom ostracism eventually extended virtually forms public transportation sports recreations hospitals orphanages prisons asylums ultimately funeral homes morgues cemeteries held numerous occasions may use powers enforce racial segregation public facilities mayor city council baltimore city dawson public beaches bathhouses holmes city atlanta municipal golf courses gayle browder buses operated city streets new orleans city park improvement association detiege golf course city parks decisions lower federal courts holding racial segregation unconstitutional applied facilities open public enjoyment patronage see department conservation development division parks virginia tate state park city petersburg alsup municipal beach swimming pool morrison davis public transportation facilities justice harlan concurring judgment agree convictions unconstitutional reasons given relying thompson city louisville strikes convictions ground evidence whatever support opinion thompson doctrine fit cases however believe convictions vulnerable fourteenth amendment grounds kind conduct revealed garner hoston punished generalized breach peace provision art la crim code art applied briscoe well garner hoston cases unconstitutionally vague uncertain reversal lack evidence rests two different views art first said statute construed louisiana courts reaches violent boisterous outwardly provocative conduct may foreseeably induce public disturbance view cases found evidentially wanting petitioners conduct entirely peaceful character proscribed statute construed alternatively recognized statute susceptible construction embrace well kinds conduct effect view convictions also found evidentially deficient petitioners conduct said properly taken tendency cause public disturbance opinion first holdings withstand analysis appropriate regard limitations upon powers review state criminal cases second holding rests untenable postulates law evidence turning first holding goes without saying liberty determine scope louisiana statute function belonging exclusively state courts interpretation binding us appleyard massachusetts hebert louisiana williams oklahoma view statute covers nonpeaceful conduct unacceptable since believe louisiana decided opposite cases think state refusal review convictions taken light assertion rulings district judge matters law erroneous must accepted authoritative binding state determination petitioners activities revealed records violate statute words contrary says part opinion enactment cover peaceful conduct kind foreseeably may lead public disturbance view statute rests primarily entirely earlier louisiana case state sanford la involving different comparable breach peace statute case regarded establishing breaches peace louisiana law confined nonpeaceful conduct find sanford case plain infra pp earlier holding event deemed controlling significance attributed action state cases doubt louisiana follow principles sanford extent felt bound stare decisis departure precedent may wrong unwise even unjust unconstitutional patterson colorado see also trust hill cases cited cf great northern sunburst oil refining basically established principles constitutional adjudication require us consider louisiana refusal review cases signifies holding breach peace statute controls cases embrace conduct petitioners peaceful though state judgments come us armored presumption founded otherwise required fundamental law land ex parte royall see also darr burford comparable presumption always attached state legislative enactments see butler pennsylvania presumption render impermissible interpretation judgments resting view relevant breach peace statute reaches unruly behavior premise evidence kind behavior interpretation effect attributes louisiana deliberately unconstitutional decision principles established thompson city louisville supra already decided time cases came louisiana courts moreover kind speculation indulged meaning louisiana statute surely keeping principle federal courts abstain constitutional decision involving doubtful state law questions clarifying adjudication first obtained state courts see railroad pullman harrison cf glenn field packing leiter minerals louisiana power light city thibodaux doubt statute construed respect cases returned louisiana clarification judgments see herb pitcairn recent decision thompson city louisville well taken justification considering judgments review holding louisiana highest breach peace existing state law may include conduct peaceful thompson petitioner convicted two offenses defined ordinances city louisville one ordinances prohibiting loitering expressly enumerated three elements offense prosecution introduced evidence establish definitely prescribed components suggested virtue state judicial interpretation plain meaning held words ordinance evidence support conviction offense petitioner thompson convicted disorderly conduct defined ordinance evidence record relating conduct might conceivably come within prohibited scope indicated petitioner argumentative arresting officers said conviction assume justified assuming merely arguing policeman disorderly conduct matter substantive law kentucky see lanzetta new jersey words held ordinance want adequate notice constitutionally construed kentucky courts cover activity city sought punish petitioner true disorderly conduct charge thompson application generally drawn state statute municipal ordinance conduct defendant require constitutionally impermissible construction enactment bound state finding conduct criminal cases us however suggest louisiana disturbance peace statute vague constitutionally applied conduct petitioners think obliged state courts dispositions cases hold presented petitioners trials evidence criminal conduct louisiana law herndon lowry thompson louisville recognized case involving situation think fair say unique annals case bound lead us treacherous territory unless apply teaching utmost circumspection due sense limitations upon reviewing authority holding phase matter also suffers additional infirmities think state sanford cornerstone branch opinion revealing upon meaning breach peace louisiana law make seem case louisiana reversed convictions breach peace statute four jehovah witnesses solicited contributions distributed pamphlets louisiana town opinion cited inter alia cantwell connecticut martin struthers reference made provisions constitution guaranteeing freedom religion press speech said clearly application statute trial judge facts case construction thereof render unconstitutional federal authorities addition opinion noted conviction statute might violate louisiana constitution act conduct however reprehensible crime louisiana unless defined made crime clearly unmistakably statute concluding part opinion louisiana also said considers sole ground decision opinion statute inapplicable case appears defendants commit unlawful act pursue unlawful disorderly course conduct tend disturb peace thus full reading sanford disclose least three considerations led result likelihood contrary holding violate provisions federal constitution relating religion speech press principles declared decisions possibility statute vague unclear louisiana constitution adequately define bounds conduct declared criminal unfairness convicting general breach peace statute persons engaged peaceable religious activity isolates last factor multifaceted opinion using immutable measure louisiana law requires declares present convictions must fall standard unclearly set sanford met apart considerations already discussed prepared rest constitutional decision insecure foundation significant state order refusing review present cases cite state sanford rather relies another earlier case town ponchatoula bates la bates decision upholding constitutionality ordinance making crime engage fight manner disturb peace defined disturbance peace act conduct person molests inhabitants enjoyment peace quiet entitled throws confusion things settled causes excitement unrest disquietude fear among persons ordinary normal temperament definition course bring within compass statute even peaceful activity long threw confusion things settled caused disquietude among ordinary members community think construction louisiana placed upon breach peace statute involved cases us ii alternative holding part ii opinion also stands unsolid foundations conceding breach peace statute might construed cover peaceful conduct carried manner foreseeably disturb alarm public holds evidence petitioners conduct tended disturb alarm witnessed activity however cases physically appears record undisputed fact program petitioners demonstrations part caused considerable racial tension various including louisiana louisiana law la rev louisiana courts may take judicial notice political social racial conditions prevailing state state bessa la holds nonetheless louisiana courts consistently procedural guarantees fourteenth amendment judicially notice undisputed fact racial tension around baton rouge march dates without informing parties notice taken without spreading source information record support constitutional proposition found ohio bell telephone public utilities commission held repugnant fourteenth amendment state agency deprive telephone company property basis rates set precise mathematical computation derived undisclosed statistics procedure afforded opportunity rebuttal respect underlying data possible demonstration figures judicially noticed since source unknown statistics disclosed reviewing see morgan problems proof situation quite different existence racial tensions louisiana courts must taken judicial notice order find petitioners conduct alarmed disturbed public notorious throughout community indeed throughout part truth proposition challenged particular authority required confirm kind generally known condition may judicially noticed trial appellate courts without prior warning parties since require foundation establishing accuracy specific source information see uniform rules evidence ali model code evidence rule morgan basic problems evidence cf mills denver tramway perceive reason principle considered applying civil cases aware american authority holds indeed fact think must consider judicial notice taken instance notorious throughout country far unconstitutional take consideration quite amiss us deem louisiana courts initiative see uniform rules evidence cf note rev cases cited might procedurally preferable trial judge announced parties taking judicial notice suggested model code evidence rule exalting sheerest technicalities hold conviction constitutionally void judge failure declare noticed common proposition stage proceeding suggested proposition may untrue whether trial judge need notify parties intention take judicial notice routine matters common knowledge notice matter course best left reasonable discretion mccormick evidence appellate courts always reserved authority notice commonly known propositions needed support judgment lower even express reference made see comment rev moreover instance fact trial taken judicial notice impact petitioners conduct indeed obviously engaged purpose producing impact others field racial relations albeit shall assume best motives hardly failed cross minds petitioners counsel trial ended however neither sought introduce countervailing evidence issue undertaken stage proceedings including question availability judicial notice aspect state case follow reasoning majority opinion logically lead violating due process every time noticed generally known fact without first calling parties apprise intention yet without notification many times taken judicial notice economic social facts atchison topeka west coast hotel parrish hoyt florida ante even tendency particular epithets cause breach peace chaplinsky new hampshire answer say cases permissible louisiana courts take judicial notice racial conditions generally take notice particular conditions premises involved prosecutions absence contrary evidence certainly constitutionally impermissible louisiana courts consider racial conditions baton rouge establishments petitioners sat dissimilar existing throughout state judicial notice racial conditions state sufficient probative value determining racial conditions particular location within state withstand constitutional attack reversing convictions want evidence racial tension effect putting realm reviewing sufficiency evidence support convictions something thompson city louisville supra opinion present cases ante recognize properly within purview opinion skimpy though records convictions fall want evidence constitutional sense iii cases vote affirm light principles established cantwell connecticut consistently since recognized think convictions subject constitutional infirmities outset important focus precise factual situation cases common three circumstances petitioners given invitation extended public large patronize establishments told served food negro lunch counters conduct unruly offensive none ever asked owners agents leave establishments briscoe slight view constitutionally adequate evidence petitioners expressly asked move white lunch counter undisputed evidence garner hoston evidence whatever express request petitioners cases move white lunch counters sitting think request fairly implied fact petitioners told management served food counters premises instances housed merchandising establishments drugstore garner department store hoston solicited business comers stores think reasonable inference management want risk losing negro patronage stores requesting petitioners leave white lunch counters preferring rely hope irritations white customers force custom drive away counters view seems probable circumstances sitters behavior entirely quiet courteous know counters may sparsely extent occupied white persons short believe garner hoston cases records taken indicating petitioners remained white lunch counters implied consent management even though similar conclusion may warranted briscoe case circumstances applying principles announced cantwell hold convictions offensive fourteenth amendment garner hoston petitioners conduct occurring managements implied consent form expression within range protections afforded fourteenth amendment event punished state general breach peace statute briscoe petitioners sitting management objection deemed within reach protections convictions must nonetheless fall louisiana statute applied fortiori applied two cases unconstitutionally vague uncertain cantwell jehovah witness convicted breach peace connecticut statute embracing considered concept offense facts held support conviction stopped two men street asked received permission play phonograph record played record enemies attacked religion church two men catholics incensed contents record tempted strike cantwell defendant unless went away told way left presence evidence personally offensive entered argument interviewed accepting determination state courts although defendant disorderly provocative conduct connecticut law nonetheless constituted breach peace tendency inflame others reversed starting premise fundamental concept liberty embodied fourteenth amendment embraces liberties guaranteed first amendment found defendant activities fell within protection granted free exercise religion recognizing danger liberties leaving executive judicial branches wide discretion application statute sweeping great variety conduct general indefinite characterization held defendant activities constitutionally reached general breach peace statute one specifically narrowly aimed conduct stated although contents phonograph record unnaturally aroused animosity think absence statute narrowly drawn define punish specific conduct constituting clear present danger substantial interest state petitioner communication considered light constitutional guarantees raised clear present menace public peace order render liable conviction common law offense question citing cases schenck demonstration circumstances two cases much part free trade ideas abrams holmes dissenting verbal expression commonly thought speech like speech appeals good sense power reason applied public discussion whitney california brandeis concurring much public oration delivered soapbox street corner never limited right speak protected liberty fourteenth amendment gitlow new york mere verbal expression stromberg california thornhill alabama west virginia state board education barnette see also alabama act displaying red flag symbol opposition organized government liberty encompassed within free speech protected fourteenth amendment stromberg california supra act sitting privately owned lunch counter consent owner demonstration opposition enforced segregation surely within range protections say course fourteenth amendment reaches demonstrations conducted private property objection owner briscoe surely encompass verbal expression private home owner consented one deny interest state preserving peace harmony within borders pursuant interest state legislature may enact trespass statute disturbance peace statute either lists detail acts condemned legitimate state policy proscribes breaches peace generally thus relating offense already developed body common law defining crime may louisiana done append specific enumeration breach peace statute clause provide unforeseen obviously disruptive offensive behavior justified within range constitutional protection state seeks subject criminal sanctions conduct except demonstrated paramount state interest within range freedom expression assured fourteenth amendment means general breach peace prohibition must bring activity sought proscribed within ambit statute clause narrowly drawn define punish specific conduct constituting clear present danger substantial interest state cantwell connecticut supra thornhill alabama course interest must legitimate one state may suppress free communication views religious guise conserving desirable conditions cantwell supra limitations exist control activity beyond power state sound constitutional principles demand state legislature focus nature otherwise protected conduct prohibiting make legislative judgment whether conduct presents clear present danger welfare community may legitimately criminally proscribed louisiana legislature made judgment petitioners garner hoston engaged activity light cantwell case whose reasoning course deemed limited expression taking place public streets cf terminiello chicago niemotko maryland concurring opinion louisiana opinion constitutionally reach petitioners conduct subsection clause existing disturbance peace statute concluding intimate view whether louisiana specifically drawn statute constitutionally proscribe conduct kind evinced two cases upon constitutionality statute state recently passed deal two cases statute us iv finally believe principles cantwell lead conclusion general breach peace provision must also deemed unconstitutional vagueness uncertainty applied circumstances cases garner hoston affords alternative ground reversal briscoe evidence falls short establishing petitioners remained white lunch counter express implied consent owner notes supra rest reversal solely ground cantwell explicitly founded premise seems implicit opinion statute leaves courts uncertainty whether intended reach otherwise constitutionally protected conduct must token deemed inadequate warning defendant conduct condemned state see chaplinsky new hampshire cf winters new york smith california thompson city louisville warning course requirement fourteenth amendment lanzetta new jersey conclusion finds added support cases requiring state legislatures specificity statutes impinging freedom expression might suffice criminal enactments see winters new york supra smith california supra cf herndon lowry extent louisiana statute explicit subject expression prohibits unnecessarily loud offensive insulting activity carried violent tumultuous manner three persons note supra charge made proved petitioners conduct met criteria statute elucidated respect since petitioners conviction decision louisiana courts advised cf winters new york supra terminiello chicago lastly worth observing state sanford louisiana seriously questioned score vagueness validity earlier breach peace statute state constitution applied conduct within range constitutional protection absence louisiana statute purporting express state overriding interest prohibiting petitioners conduct clear present danger welfare community peaceful demonstration public streets private property consent owner constitutionally protected form expression louisiana breach peace statute drew distinct line presumably constitutionally protected activity conduct petitioners briscoe criminal trespass statute might done fact briscoe unlike garner hoston management consent petitioners remaining white lunch counter serve permit application general breach peace statute conduct shown case statute terms appears applicable incidents fairly within protection guarantee free speech winters new york supra within range protection hence law gives warning may fairly deemed within compass see note rev foregoing reasons dissent opinion join judgment louisiana statute la rev provided disturbing peace following manner foreseeably disturb alarm public engaging fistic encounter using unnecessarily loud offensive insulting language appearing intoxicated condition engaging act violent tumultuous manner three persons holding unlawful assembly interruption lawful assembly people commission act manner unreasonably disturb alarm public whoever commits crime disturbing peace shall fined one hundred dollars imprisoned ninety days justice jackson put gryger burke liberty conjecture trial acted interpretation state law different might adopt set interpretation basis declaring due process denied treat mere error state law one occurred denial due process otherwise every erroneous decision state state law come federal constitutional question justice holmes said claim state constitutionally obliged follow precedents even true plaintiff error says colorado departed earlier precedents meet exigencies case whatever might thought justice wisdom step constitution infringed unnecessary lay absolute rule beyond possibility exception exceptions held exist general decision upon question law however wrong however contrary previous decisions infraction fourteenth amendment merely wrong earlier decisions reversed briscoe waitress spoken defendants testified trial told go side served responded affirmatively leading question told serve asked move correct provided evidence support finding defendants even asked management move white lunch counter contrary trial briscoe may meant said defendants requested leave refused leave police appeared waitress laconic reply furnished evidence whatever defendants requested leave establishments owner drugstore garner testified store provided eating facilities one race white race petitioners sat lunch counter advise serve admitted negroes good customers drugstore section establishment hoston manager department store repeatedly insisted trial petitioners requested move counter reserved colored people asked asked go replied advised serve denied petitioners refused service refuse serve merely serve told served side store stated refuse serve merely advised served side store contrast appears garner hoston circumstances briscoe seem quite different little reason believe management restaurant greyhound bus terminal nearly concerned offending negro patrons refusal sit negro counter management merchandising establishment dependent trade available eating facilities may well assumed pique asked leave white lunch counter readily yield need use buses get one destination appears restaurant bus companies instance may entirely separate enterprises sitters may eaters travelers well garner evidence number customers seated counter hoston evidence even kind manager department store hoston seemed particularly complacent although two negro girls sat adjoining eating lunch counter finished meal calling police instructed waitress offer service counter across aisle never approached petitioners testified purpose calling police feared disturbance might occur connecticut statute gen provided person shall disturb break peace tumultuous offensive carriage noise behavior threatening traducing quarreling challenging assaulting striking another shall disturb break peace provoke contention following mocking person abusive indecent language gestures noise shall writing intent intimidate person threaten commit crime property shall write print publicly exhibit distribute shall publicly exhibit post advertise offensive indecent abusive matter concerning person shall fined five hundred dollars imprisoned jail one year emphasis added compare example statutes upheld beauharnais illinois breard alexandria kovacs cooper valentine chrestensen chaplinsky new hampshire cox new hampshire justice roberts speaking unanimous cantwell stated conviction fifth count disorderly conduct pursuant statute evincing legislative judgment street discussion religious affairs tendency provoke disorder regulated judgment playing phonograph streets interest comfort privacy limited prevented violation act exhibiting legislative judgment narrowly drawn prevent supposed evil pose question differing must answer declaration state policy weigh heavily challenge law infringing constitutional limitations however judgment based common law concept general undefined nature held petitioner conduct constituted commission offense state law accept decision binding upon us extent offense known breach peace embraces great variety conduct destroying menacing public order tranquility includes violent acts acts words likely produce violence others one hardihood suggest principle freedom speech sanctions incitement riot religious liberty connotes privilege exhort others physical attack upon belonging another sect clear present danger riot disorder interference traffic upon public streets immediate threat public safety peace order appears power state prevent punish obvious equally obvious state may unduly suppress free communication views religious guise conserving desirable conditions situation analogous conviction statute sweeping great variety conduct general indefinite characterization leaving executive judicial branches wide discretion application follows course petitioners refusal accede request leave made police officers also constitutionally punished general statute otherwise determination whether certain conduct constitutes clear present danger delegated police officer simply ordering defendant cease protected activity officer turn continuation activity breach peace incidents gave rise cases louisiana legislature passed bill adding disturbance peace statute second clause la rev supp provides person persons premises another property store restaurant drug store lawful business operated engages selling articles merchandise services accommodation members public engages generally business transactions members public shall prevent seek prevent interfere seek interfere owner operator place business agents employees serving selling food drink prevent seek prevent interfere seek interfere persons expressly impliedly invited upon said premises prospective customers coming frequenting premises normal course operation business conducted carried upon said premises shall guilty disorderly conduct disturbing peace la acts absence evidence briscoe record regarding legal relationship restaurant greyhound bus terminal baton rouge whose premises located pass case solicitor general suggestion made amicus curiae segregated facilities prohibited part ii interstate commerce act see boynton virginia intend suggest present louisiana statute either face might applied respect conduct within liberty assured fourteenth amendment unconstitutional vagueness cf winters new york supra dissenting opinion criminal trespass statute force louisiana time petitioners acts prohibited unauthorized intentional taking possession unauthorized intentional entry another property la rev attempt made prosecute petitioners law statute since amended cover remaining places forbidden la acts provision included disturbance peace statute la acts