Can a cop tell you to shutup?

[duke 838]

Well basically I need these answered with legit sources. Are there any laws against using profanity in public, and can a cop give you some sort of penalty using profanity if he told you not to. I really need sources that are a 100% legit because me and this guy on my bus are arguing like crazy about this and I'm quite sure I am right.

[Ad Bot]

[Eluxsam]

I don't think you would get into much trouble. But cursing might offend someone so thats why he did it I would guess.

[Messes]

It's not the smartest thing to do but I recall it being legal.

[Kingdaro]

i'm pretty sure there aren't any national laws, there might be much, much more smaller scale laws in terms of citizen-owned property

[Gojira]

They can say "You have the right to remain silent," but they can't say, "Shut up," I don't think.

[otto-san]

They can say "You have the right to remain silent," but they can't say, "Shut up," I don't think.

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.

[dorkdotdan]

They can say "You have the right to remain silent," but they can't say, "Shut up," I don't think.

"you have the right to remain silent" is stating a fact, Saying "Shut Up" is a demand, therefore you're probably right.

I'm Cpt. Obvious do do do do da do

[Skyra]

For the first question I know somewhere if you are in a car and swear it's a misdemeanor. Keep the windows rolled up.

[sir dooble]

Well basically I need these answered with legit sources. Are there any laws against using profanity in public, and can a cop give you some sort of penalty using profanity if he told you not to. I really need sources that are a 100% legit because me and this guy on my bus are arguing like crazy about this and I'm quite sure I am right.

In what country?

In Britain police will ask you to watch your language if you're swearing on the street casually.
If you're already in a scenario with the police, for example, being questioned by them for whatever and you swear at them they will likely arrest you for breeaking the law under the Public Order Act 1986 section 5.

Code: [Select]

(1)A person is guilty of an offence if he—
(a)uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b)displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,
within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.

(4)A constable may arrest a person without warrant if—
(a)he engages in offensive conduct which [F1a] constable warns him to stop, and
(b)he engages in further offensive conduct immediately or shortly after the warning.
(5)In subsection (4) “offensive conduct” means conduct the constable reasonably suspects to constitute an offence under this section,
and the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) and the further conduct need not be of the same nature.


[Littledude]

He could pin a disturbing the peace citation on you.
Plus profanity can be illegal in public depending on where you are.

[Regulith]

They can say "You have the right to remain silent," but they can't say, "Shut up," I don't think.

"You have the right to remain silent" is part of the Miranda warning given before being arrested or interrogated. It's not just something cops say on a whim to shut you up.

[duke 838]

example one
            I'm 18 in a park, and I say forget next to a cop. He can't just give me two months in jail for that.
example two
            Cop is by me in park and I say forget, he tells me I can't use profanity. Isn't that a violation of freedom of speech?

[otto-san]

I'm sure when the Bill of Rights was written, "freedom of speech" wasn't added with the idea of people being able to swear and insult everyone. I'm sure it means more that you can express ideas freely.

[Littledude]

example two
            Cop is by me in park and I say forget, he tells me I can't use profanity. Isn't that a violation of freedom of speech?

freedom of speech doesn't mean that you can just say whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever you want. It mostly just means that you can protest government stuff.

[Mikoyan]

Just stop trying to forget around with the cop's life. It's bullstuff that stupid ass kids try to find ways to get cops in trouble.