Shave and a Haircut · A Little Off the Top
Prices on the Wall
People v. Osborne (1936)
Charge: Violating a Long Beach ordinance by advertising barber prices where they could be seen from the streetCourt: Appellate Department, Superior Court of California, County of Los AngelesDocket: A Little Off the Top
Could a city make it a crime to show the price of a haircut where the public could see it?
The facts
The City of Long Beach, California had an ordinance regulating the barbering business. One section made it a misdemeanor to advertise the price of barber services 'in any publication, handbill or notice whatsoever.' A price list could hang inside a shop only if it could not be seen from outside, and prices were banned from windows, building fronts and sidewalks. The penalty was up to a $500 fine or six months in the city jail. On March 5, 1936, Frank Osborne advertised barber prices on the outside of a building on East First Street, plainly visible to passers-by. The facts were agreed. He was convicted and given a $100 fine or fifty days in jail.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: People v. Osborne, 17 Cal. App. 2d Supp. 771 (Cal. App. Dep't Super. Ct. 1936) (Crim. A. No. 1328)
Read more at law.justia.com. The source reveals the outcome.