Appellate Terms of the Supreme Court of New York, 1976

People v. Nixon

People v. Nixon
Appellate Terms of the Supreme Court of New York · Decided November 29, 1976
88 Misc. 2d 913; 390 N.Y.S.2d 518; 1976 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2773

Counsel

Eugene J. Fox, Corporation Counsel (Richard L. Steer of counsel), for appellant. Doran, Curran & Doran for respondents.

People v. Nixon

Opinion of the Court

Memorandum. The orders should be affirmed.

In our opinion section 40-1 of the Yonkers City Code is unconstitutional on its face. Although topless dancing in establishments selling liquor may properly be regulated (California v La Rue, 409 US 109), the ordinance involved is an across the board prohibition against any breast exposure in public. Since the thrust of the statute is directed against nudity rather than obscenity, it infringes upon the exercise of *914First Amendment rights. Even if the ordinance may be constitutionally applied to the activities of defendants, it may be challenged on the basis of overbreadth if, as here, it is drawn so as to sweep within its ambit the speech or expression of other persons not before the court (Doran v Salem Inn, 422 US 922).

Concur — Farley, P. J., Pittoni and Gagliardi, JJ.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.