In the Interest of S.J.N-K.

2002 SD 70, 647 N.W.2d 707, 2002 S.D. LEXIS 78

• Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
• Decided: June 12, 2002
• Docket: No. 21921
• Status: Published

Opinions

GILBERTSON, Chief Justice.

[¶ 1.] S.J.N-K. was found guilty of disorderly conduct when he pursued, in a vehicle driven by his brother, his former middle school principal, Wayne Kindle (Kindle), at a public business and repeatedly mouthed the words “fuck you,” with the accompanying middle finger gesture, in the presence of Kindle’s family. As a result of this conviction, the court adjudicated S.J.N-K. a delinquent child. S.J.N-K. appeals both the disorderly conduct conviction and the delinquency adjudication. We affirm.

FACTS AND PROCEDURE

[¶ 2.] On the afternoon of August 27, 2000, Kindle, the principal of Yankton Middle School, had stopped at the Save-U-More store to pick up a paper after having taken his family to Sunday dinner. He and his youngest son went in to get the paper while the rest of his family waited outside in the van. On his way in, Kindle and his son met S.J.N-K., his little brother and another boy. Kindle said “hi” and went into the store.

[¶ 3.] When Kindle and his son returned to the van, the boys were still in the parking lot. Kindle’s son said that one of the boys was saying bad things and “flipping us off.” Kindle turned to see S.J.N-K. mouthing the words “fuck you” and extending his middle finger.¹ Kindle told his children “just shut the van door and we’re going to go.” But as Kindle pulled out of the parking lot, one of his children told Kindle to look behind because the boys “were pretty close.” The car S.J.N-K. was riding in tailgated Kindle until he stopped before entering 23rd Street.

[¶ 4.] Once Kindle stopped, the boys cut diagonally across the adjacent parking lot of a car wash and cut in front of Kindle as he pulled out on to the street. Kindle’s wife said “you better look out because they are coming across the parking lot.” Kindle “hit the brakes” to avoid a collision and S.J.N-K. “continue[d] to flip [their] vehicle off.” Kindle testified “My mother-in-law was in the front seat with me and so I slowed down because I didn’t think the kids needed to see that or anybody else in the family....” Instead of continuing on ahead, the car S.J.N-K. was riding in also slowed down. S.J.N-K. continued sticking his hand out of the car window with his middle finger raised. Eventually, S.J.NK. also stuck his head out of the window and mouthed the words “fuck you” again.² When asked if he was “alarmed” by S. J.NK.’s behavior, Kindle replied “Yeah, I was surprised' by that. I didn’t expect anything like that. If someone is mad at me about something, that’s fine, but I certainly do not appreciate my kids being involved in that or my family.” Kindle also testified that he feared for the safety of his passengers.

[¶ 5.] On March 8, 2001, S.J.N-K. was found guilty of disorderly conduct pursuant to SDCL 22-13-1(1). The court also entered an order adjudicating S.J.N-K. a delinquent child as defined in SDCL chapters 26-7 and 26-8C. S.J.N-K. was placed on unsupervised probation for six months and was ordered to perform twenty hours of community service. S.J.N-K. now appeals the juvenile court’s rulings, raising the following issues:

1. Whether S.J.N-K.’s profanity, coupled with his offensive gestures and subsequent actions, is constitutionally protected speech.

2. Whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain S.J.N-K.’s conviction for disorderly conduct under SDCL 22-13-1.

3. Whether the trial court’s adjudication of S.J.N-K. as a delinquent child amounted to an unconstitutional application of SDCL 22-13-1.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

[¶ 6.] Constitutional questions, such as those involving First Amendment rights, are reviewed by this Court de novo. City of Pierre v. Blackwell, 2001 SD 127, ¶ 7, 635 N.W.2d 581, 584 (citing Steinkruger v. Miller, 2000 SD 83, ¶ 8, 612 N.W.2d 591, 595).

[¶ 7.] We review the juvenile court’s findings of fact under the clearly erroneous standard. State v. Milk, 519 N.W.2d 313, 320-21 (S.D.1994) (citing SDCL ch 26-7A). “Clear error is shown only when, after a review of all the evidence, ‘we are left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.’ ” New Era Mining Co. v. Dakota Placers, Inc., 1999 SD 153, ¶ 7, 603 N.W.2d 202, 204 (quoting Rabenberg v. Rigney, 1999 SD 71, ¶ 4, 597 N.W.2d 424, 425) (additional citations omitted). “The trial court’s findings of fact are presumed correct and we defer to those findings unless the evidence clearly preponderates against them.” Lewis v. Moorhead, 522 N.W.2d 1, 3 (S.D.1994) (citations omitted). Conclusions of law, however, are reviewed de novo. Sherburn v. Patterson Farms, Inc., 1999 SD 47, ¶ 4, 593 N.W.2d 414, 416 (citations omitted).

[¶ 8.] In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we determine “whether there is evidence in the record which, if believed by the fact finder, is sufficient to sustain a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Buchholz, 1999 SD 110, ¶ 33, 598 N.W.2d 899, 905 (quoting State v. Knecht, 1997 SD 53, ¶22, 563 N.W.2d 413, 421). We will not reweigh or resolve conflicts in the evidence, nor will we pass on the credibility of witnesses. Id. Therefore, “we must accept that evidence, and the most favorable inferences to be fairly drawn therefrom, which will support the verdict.” Id.

ANALYSIS AND DECISION

[¶ 9.] 1. Whether S.J.N-K.’s profanity, coupled with his offensive gestures and subsequent actions, is constitutionally protected speech or punishable as disorderly conduct under SDCL 22-13-1.

[¶ 10.] S.J.N-K. was convicted of disorderly conduct under SDCL 22-13-1(1), which provides that “[a]ny person who intentionally causes serious public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm to any other person, or creates a risk thereof by: (l)[e]ngaging in fighting or in violent or threatening behavior; ... is guilty of disorderly conduct.” The statute must be narrowly construed so as to cover only language or conduct that is not constitutionally protected. See Gooding v. Wilson, 405 U.S. 518, 522, 92 S.Ct. 1103, 1106, 31 L.Ed.2d 408, 414 (1972). Therefore, we must first address whether S.J.N-K.’s profanity, coupled with his offensive gestures and conduct, is protected speech under the First Amendment.

[¶ 11.] The First Amendment prohibits laws “abridging the freedom of speech.” US Const. amend. I. But the right to free speech is not absolute or unqualified. See State v. Springer-Ertl, 2000 SD 56, ¶ 17, 610 N.W.2d 768, 773.

There are certain well-defined and narrowly limited classes of speech, the prevention and punishment of which has never been thought to raise any Constitutional problem. These include the lewd and obscene, the profane, the libelous, and the insulting or 'fighting’ words — those which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace. It has been well observed that such utterances are no essential part of any exposition of ideas, and are of such slight social value as a step to truth that any benefit that may be derived from them is clearly outweighed by the social interest in order and morality. “Resort to epithets or personal abuse is not in' any proper sense communication of information or opinion safeguarded by the Constitution, and its punishment as a criminal act would raise no question under that instrument.”

Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, 315 U.S. 568, 571-72, 62 S.Ct. 766, 769, 86 L.Ed. 1031, 1035 (1942) (quoting Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296, 309-10, 60 S.Ct. 900, 906, 84 L.Ed. 1213, 1221 (1940)) (additional citations omitted). Thus, those expressions that may be termed “fighting words” are not afforded constitutional protection.

[¶ 12.] “Fighting words,” as defined in Chaplinsky are those words that “inflict injury” or “incite an immediate breach of peace.” Id. They have also been defined as “... those personally abusive epithets which, when addressed to the ordinary citizen, are, as a matter of common knowledge, inherently likely to provoke a violent reaction.” Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15, 20, 91 S.Ct. 1780, 1785, 29 L.Ed.2d 284, 291 (1971). The speech may be termed “fighting words,” and therefore unprotected, if it would cause the average person to react violently. See, e.g., State v. Hammersley, 134 Idaho 816, 10 P.3d 1285 (2000) (holding defendant’s statement to her 13-year-old daughter’s minor friend, to “shut your fucking mouth, you bitch” fell within “fighting words” exception to free speech); State v. Groves, 219 Neb. 382, 363 N.W.2d 507 (1985) (holding words “fuckhead” and “mother fucker” are fighting words, not constitutionally protected speech); State v. Wood, 112 Ohio App.3d 621, 679 N.E.2d 735 (1996) (holding that to tell someone “fuck you” either verbally or via gesture, may be considered fighting words, under certain circumstances); C.J.R. v. State, 429 So.2d 753 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1983) (holding unprovoked use of words “fuck this shit” and “mother fucker” constituted fighting words)! Whether the target of such provocation does not, in fact, retaliate is not determinative. See State v. Authelet, 120 R.I. 42, 385 A.2d 642 (R.I. 1978) (holding as long as language is inherently likely to cause average person to react violently, it is not necessary that the person who is insulted actually react); Matter of Welfare of M.A.H., 572 N.W.2d 752 (Minn.Ct.App.1997) (holding fact that target did not retaliate is relevant but not determinative); Shuler v. State, 195 Ga.App. 849, 395 S.E.2d 26 (1990) (holding fact that actual violence did not ensue is not determinative).

[¶ 13.] The context or circumstances in which the language is used must also be considered. See F.C.C. v. Pacifica Found., 438 U.S. 726, 745, 98 S.Ct. 3026, 3038, 57 L.Ed.2d 1073, 1090 (1978) (citing Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47, 52, 39 S.Ct. 247, 248, 63 L.Ed. 470, 473 (1919)). There may be instances where the profanity used by S.J.N-K. is considered protected speech. See, e.g., State v. John W., 418 A.2d 1097 (Me.1980) (holding epithets directed at police officer, as a protest to arrest after officer refused to tell juveniles why they had been pulled over, were not fighting words); Ware v. City and County of Denver, 182 Colo. 177, 511 P.2d 475 (1973) (holding defendant’s comment “fuck you” during political speech at university was protected speech). In re Louise C., 197 Ariz. 84, 3 P.3d 1004 (1999) (holding juvenile’s use of “F” word in argument with principal and another student over whether student had stolen her money did not constitute fighting words). The trial court noted in its opinion that different facts may have resulted in a different outcome.

If the juvenile in this case had said fuck you to Mr. Kindle once, if he had used the middle finger gesture once, if it was in the context of a statement or an argument or a political rally or in some other manner where language was being used to communicate an idea, [or] an expression.

However, that is not what happened here and we do not address theoretical factual alternatives.

[¶ 14.] This was not merely the use of one profane word or one obscene gesture, it was an ongoing aggression that falls outside free speech protection. See State v. James M., 111 N.M. 473, 806 P.2d 1063 (Ct.App.1990) (holding defendant’s repeated yelling of the phrase “fuck you,” while flailing arms and pointing at another individual on a public sidewalk, constituted unprotected speech and was punishable as disorderly conduct). S.J.N-K.’s act of retaliation against Kindle for not letting him skip the eighth grade and advance to high school is not political speech. It was an unprovoked form of harassment, done but for no apparent purpose than to incite a violent reaction in Kindle. S.J.N-K. is not relieved of guilt simply because his attempts to provoke Kindle were unsuccessful.

[¶ 15.] 2. Whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain S.J.N-K.’s conviction for disorderly conduct under SDCL 22-13-1.

[¶ 16.] Because we find S.J.N-K.’s profanity and conduct are not protected speech, the next step is to determine whether the evidence in this case is sufficient to sustain a conviction for disorderly conduct. S.J.N-K. chose to make his vulgarisms, part of a course of conduct, pursuing Kindle and persisting even when the target of his provocation attempted to disengage.³ S.J.N-K.’s actions amounted to fighting and threatening behavior which, at a minimum, created a risk of “serious public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm” to both Kindle and his family. It is true that the mere use of profanity is not sufficient to convict S.J.N-K. for disorderly conduct. But we do not view S.J.NK.’s use of profanity in a vacuum. The use of this language in light of the circumstances is sufficient to uphold his conviction. As the trial court correctly stated:

In our country we are able to say and use language that is offensive to others. We can use gestures that are offensive to others, but we must look at the context of that language or expression.... Simply to say that a person can use offensive language and offensive gestures on a continuing basis in a situation such as is before this court would be beyond the pale of what is required under the law.

Accepting, as we must, the evidence and inferences in favor of the verdict, we do not see that the. trial court’s decision in this case is clearly erroneous.

[¶ 17.] 3. Whether the trial court’s adjudication of S.J.N-K. as a delinquent child amounted to an unconstitutional application of SDCL 22-13-1.

[¶ 18.] Given our -holding that S.J.NK.’s language and conduct were not protected speech, as well as the extensive evidence supporting a conviction for disorderly conduct under SDCL 22-13-1(1), we find this argument without merit. Accordingly, we affirm the decision of the trial court adjudicating S.J.N-K. a delinquent child.

[¶ 19.] SABERS, Justice, concurs. [¶ 20.] KONENKÁMP, Justice, concurs in result. [¶ 21.] AMUNDSON, Justice, and GORS, Acting Justice, dissent. [¶ 22.] ZINTER, Justice, not having been a member of the Court at the time this action was submitted to the Court, did not participate.

1 . While Kindle’s children told him that they had heard “some pretty bad words,” Kindle only saw S.J.N-K. mouthing the words "F-U” or "F-something.”

2 . Kindle said that he had seen S.J.N-K. mouth "the 'F' word” four times.

3 . S.J.N-K. attempts to distinguish between his own actions and those of the driver in this case. He points out that the statutory provisions relating to aiding and abetting a misdemeanor have been repealed. See 1996 SDSessL ch 158 §§ 3-5. We find this argument unpersuasive. We acknowledge that S.J.N-K. was not driving the car, but this does not eliminate the threatening nature of his own behavior while riding in the car. S.J.N-K.’s instigation of events and his continued use of vulgarisms when the driver pursued Kindle is sufficient to sustain the conviction.