People v. Mature Enterprises, Inc.

• Decision Date: 14 January 1974
• Citation: 352 N.Y.S.2d 346,76 Misc.2d 660
• Parties: PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. MATURE ENTERPRISES, INC., Defendant-Appellant.
• Court: New York Supreme Court — Appellate Term

Page 346

352 N.Y.S.2d 346

76 Misc.2d 660

PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. MATURE ENTERPRISES, INC., Defendant-Appellant.

Supreme Court, Appellate Term, First Department.

Jan. 14, 1974.

Kassner & Detsky, New York City (Herbert Kassner, New York City, of counsel), for defendant-appellant.

Frank S. Hogan, Dist. Atty. (Lewis R. Friedman and Arthur Weinstein, New York City, of counsel), for respondent.

Before MARKOWITZ, P.J., and FINE and FRANK, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

Upon review of the film, 'Deep Throat', we find it constitutionally obscene under both the statutory and decisional guidelines (Penal Law, § 235.00; Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15, 93 S.Ct. 2607, 37 L.Ed.2d 419; Paris Adult Theatre I v. Slaton, 413 U.S. 49, 93 S.Ct. 2628, 37 L.Ed.2d 446; People v. Heller, N.Y.L.J., 1/3/74, p. 2, col. 4; Id. 29 N.Y.2d 319, 327 N.Y.S.2d 628, 277 N.E.2d 651, upon rearg. 33 N.Y.2d 314, 352 N.Y.S.2d 601, 307 N.E.2d 805; Redlich v. Capri Cinema, 43 A.D.2d 27, 29, 349 N.Y.S.2d 697, 699).

Since defendant is a corporation, 'the only penal sanction that can be used is a fine' (Preiser, Practice Commentary McKinney's Cons.Laws, Book 39, p. 166); a fine is the sole penalty (Penal Law, § 80.10). Hence, defendant was not entitled to trial by jury (Rankin v. Shanker, 23 N.Y.2d 111, 120, 295 N.Y.S.2d 625, 632, 242 N.E.2d 802, 807; Mature Enterprises, Inc. v. Hogan, N.Y.L.J., 11/16/72, p. 2, col. 1). In the fact pattern before us, we conclude that the fine imposed was not excessive (Rankin v. Shanker, supra; People v. Gittelson, 18 N.Y.2d 427, 431, 276 N.Y.S.2d 596, 599, 223 N.E.2d 14. 16, affg. 25 A.D.2d 265, 268 N.Y.S.2d 779).

The judgment of conviction should be affirmed.

Judgment of conviction affirmed.