City of Cincinnati v. Taylor

This court is asked to determine the constitutionality of the Cincinnati prowling ordinance. The question is presented to this court with a record that fails to indicate what conduct of appellants violated the ordinance. We agree with Justice Black who, in Coates v. Cincinnati (1971), 402 U. S. 611, 617, said: “It is a matter of no little difficulty to determine when a law can he held void on its face and when such a summary action is inappropriate. * * * ” We are mindful that in a situation such as is presented here we have a grave responsibility not to act prematurely — to enter into a…