Can a cop tell you to shutup?

[Destroyer]

They can get you with either disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct.

[Ad Bot]

[sir dooble]

So example A is okay here and B is bad?
A: I really loving hate hate <blank blank blank bullstuff law here>
B: forget forget forgetidy forget forget

The difference is that in A, you're using "loving" as an adjective and it's simply a single word in your sentence and you're using it to express yourself. You're not continuing on swearing constantly.
In B, you're just spewing swear words for no reason other than to spew swear words. So, you're disturbing other people, you're being insensitive and distressing to other people.

fair enough so someone could go "Man I really want to loving go eat," and the cop can not do stuff right?

He could politely ask you not to swear, for example if you said it really loud.
You have to remember that if a police officer tells you something it doesn't mean he is having a go at you or trying to get you into trouble.
He's just trying to make everyday life for everyday people nice.
And if that means telling someone to stop swearing because they are upsetting other people, then it is his job to do so.

[Bisjac]

verbal harassment can technically be assault. that a cop can try and prevent.
being a richard and instigating problems isnt protected by free speech.

it dosnt matter any more if its a curse word or not. its not going to make it any more or less illegal.

[HellsSpot]

Its not the BEST thing to do, but im guessing you can, because of freedom speech.

[duke 838]

verbal harassment can technically be assault. that a cop can try and prevent.
being a richard and instigating problems isnt protected by free speech.

it dosnt matter any more if its a curse word or not. its not going to make it any more or less illegal.

so profanity isn't even a factor, only context correct?

[Mega-Bear]

you're so loving dumb

That's no help.

[Lørd Tøny]

They can hold what you say in a court of law.

[otto-san]

They can hold what you say in a court of law.

given that you actually go to court for some other reason

[Gojira]

I'm not sure you understand the whole right to remain silent thing.

But you're supposed to do what policemen say, so I assume he can.


And also swearing in public or a place where people can generally hear you is illegal in Alabama, I'm not sure if there are any national laws against it.

I know what it is.
They can ask you questions, you have the right to not respond if you choose.

[Bisjac]

so profanity isn't even a factor, only context correct?

well like shouting "forget off" over and over would certainly bring a cop toward you quicker, its not legally any worse then anything else you could be disturbing public with.

shouting threats would be far worse. lol


someone shouting about how hes going to "loving burn down town hall", can be stupid enough to tell the news he is in jail for swearing and his free speech is being violated.
that stuff happens all the time.

[otto-san]

I know what it is.
They can ask you questions, you have the right to not respond if you choose.

If you're arrested.

Not sure if it actually applies if a policeman asks you something and you're not involved in any crimes or anything. That'd probably just go under being a 'richard' I guess.

[Bisjac]

I know what it is.
They can ask you questions, you have the right to not respond if you choose.

you have the right not to incriminate yourself.

its by default that you should know you arent smart enough to talk and you should wait for your lawyer to tell you what to do.

[Gojira]

If you're arrested.

Not sure if it actually applies if a policeman asks you something and you're not involved in any crimes or anything. That'd probably just go under being a 'richard' I guess.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_silence

You're right, as far as I read.
I only read the first paragraph :s

[Tammy]

Illegal or not, just listen to police officers unless they are blatantly going against your rights. Things escalate quickly, before you know it you might end up with failure to comply, resisting to arrest, etc. Now from a bit of reading I've done in the past resisting arrest charges can be lifted if it wasn't a just arrest in the first place, but it's not worth the trouble over something small like being asked to stop cursing. If there are not other witnesses, you could really be screwed over.

[duke 838]

well like shouting "forget off" over and over would certainly bring a cop toward you quicker, its not legally any worse then anything else you could be disturbing public with.

shouting threats would be far worse. lol


someone shouting about how hes going to "loving burn down town hall", can be stupid enough to tell the news he is in jail for swearing and his free speech is being violated.
that stuff happens all the time.

Okay then I am loving right, i need to rub it in this douche bags face