Palmer v. City of Euclid

United States Supreme Court

402 U.S. 544

Palmer  v.  City of Euclid, Ohio

On Appeal from the Supreme Court of Ohio

No. 143.  Argued: January 11, 1971 --- Decided: May 24, 1971

Appellant, who had been seen to drive his car late at night from a parking lot and discharge a female at an apartment house, park on the street, and use a two-way radio, and who thereafter gave the police multiple addresses and denied knowledge of his friend's identity, was convicted of violating the Euclid, Ohio, "suspicious person ordinance," which makes it a crime to (1) wander about the streets or be abroad at late or unusual hours; (2) be at the time without visible or lawful business; and (3) fail satisfactorily to explain one's presence on the streets. His conviction was upheld on appeal.

Held: The ordinance is unconstitutionally vague as applied to appellant since it gave insufficient notice that appellant's conduct in the parked car or in discharging his passenger was enough to show him to be "without visible or lawful business."

Reversed.

Niki Z. Schwartz argued the cause for appellant. With him on the brief was Joshua J. Kancelbaum.

David J. Lombardo argued the cause for appellee. With him on the brief was William T. Monroe.

PER CURIAM.

Notes