New York Times Co. Et Al. v. New Jersey Et Al., 439 U.S. 886

New York Times Co. Et Al. v. New Jersey Et Al.

439 U.S. 886 | SCOTUS | 1978

Dissenting Opinion

Mr. Justice Marshall,

dissenting.

I dissent from the decision of the Court to vacate the stay entered by Mr. Justice Stewart on September 26, 1978.

The motion to vacate provides a third occasion for me to consider the merits of the contentions raised by the New York Times and Myron Farber in their petition for certiorari. On the first occasion, I denied their reapplication for a stay because of the premature stage of the state-court proceedings. New York Times Co. v. Jascalevich, post, p. 1304. Upon petitioners’ reapplication for a stay after they had been held in contempt, I expressed my opinion that:

“Given the likelihood that forced disclosure even for in camera review will inhibit the reporter’s and newspaper’s exercise of First Amendment rights, I believe that some threshold showing of materiality, relevance, and ne*887cessity should be required. . . . Examination of the record submitted with this application discloses that the Superior Court did not make any independent determinations of materiality, relevance, or necessity prior to ordering the applicants to submit the subpoenaed materials for in camera review.” New York Times Co. v. Jascalevich, post, at 1335.

I was compelled to deny that reapplication for a stay, however, because I could not conclude in good faith that four Members of this Court would vote to grant a writ of cer-tiorari, a criterion that must be satisfied before a single Justice can grant an application for a stay. Now that the matter is presented to the entire Court for decision, I am no longer so constrained.

I adhere to my view, notwithstanding the intervening decision by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, that petitioners have raised substantial claims under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Under the circumstances, I believe that both the criminal and civil contempt penalties should be stayed until this Court disposes of the petition for certiorari.

Lead Opinion

Sup. Ct. N. J. Motion to vacate stay granted, and it is ordered that the order of Mr. Justice Stewart, dated September 26, 1978, is hereby vacated.

Mr. Justice Brennan took no part in the consideration or decision of this motion.