Can someone be arrested for cussing at a police officer?

Question

lets say someone gets a ticket & as the cop is getting into his car he hears you call him a f-ing jerk, can that person be thrown in jail?

Answer 1

yeah

Answer 2

.....u can can arrested for LOOKING at a dam cop.  

Answer 3

Yes.  A very stupid move on the person's part who would have just gotten a measly $50 ticket or less.

Answer 4

yuppers

Answer 5

yes, you probably can.

Answer 6

sure can

Answer 7

yes, its against to law to curse in public.  

Answer 8

Yes-the officer can give out a ticket or arrest. Will they? Not often.  

Answer 9

Maybe not jail but they can be booked for cussing at the officer.  

Answer 10

no unless its a threat (that's assault)

Answer 11

Yes, it's called "verbal assault".

Answer 12

yes. in fact any back talk to a cop can get you arrested. it happened to my sister.....her charge was called sassing an officer....and she didn't even curse at him just gave him a little lip

Answer 13

yes that person can got to jail!!

Answer 14

dunno could get an asbo or something but not jail for abusive launguage

Answer 15

yea it happened to my cuz...be careful!

Answer 16

You have to rephrase it.  Its the difference between "I think you are a f jerk" and "you are a jerk".  The first one is an opinion and everyone is entitled to one of those unfortunately.  its in the constitution.

Answer 17

Oh Yes They Sure As F**king Can.  Now thats a stupid question, bet you the one who went to jail too.  

Answer 18

Your opinion that he is an f@ing jerk is protected by freedom of speech.  However, can what you say or the tone you use be perceived as a threat?  Can anyone else hear it?  Are you creating a disturbance?   It's not that you called him a jerk that will get you jammed up usually, it's the other things I mentioned.  Well here anyway, I don't know about other states.  But I have to ask this...  why is this a question?  Is this how you talk to the bank teller or the kid at McDonalds?  The cop is doing his job.  If you think he was in error, pulling you over, as you are a calm responsible law abiding person, how does losing your cool and cussing him out make your point?

Answer 19

Why would anyone in their right mind try to agitate someone carrying a gun???  It would not be the smartest thing to do.  

Answer 20

NO. Not unless the public hears the obscene language and is willing to make a complaint. The courts have ruled that officers can not claim to be offended by obscene language. It's just part of the job. Now...the cop can get pissed and find a reason to arrest you. That's not real hard to do. I know everyone is saying that you can be arrested for cussing a cop but they're wrong. It's not a smart thing to do though.

Answer 21

I'm not sure, but why would anyone bother to display such a dismal characteristic. You get a ticket, you either pay it or fight it.  

Answer 22

yes. you dont swear at cops and your shouldnt be swearing at anyone else either. expressing such hostility is cause for serious concern as displaying such hostility indicates a serious flaw in your  cognitive reasoning.

by the way, if a cop had reason to pull you over and ticket you, he's not the one who's an f-ing jerk.

Answer 23

Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.... unfortunately, the cops do what they want as far as arresting and ticketing.

One day I turned the corner and a cop was in his car in the middle of the street stopped looking around like he was chasing someone or looking for something. He looked so crazy I sort of gave a "what are you doing", dirty look to him.  He swung his car around and got behind me, saw that my tags were expired and pulled me over.  I immediately showed him another fix it ticket I had just got so he didn't have to write me one, he looked at it and said... "registration- NO- you ran that light back there".  I was so mad because I didn't run the light- I gave him a dirty look and he saw it.  He called for back up and had about 3 police cars around me.  I went to court to fight the ticket and the cop showed up and asked the judge to dismiss the case on the "basis of justice"..... He knew I didn't run that light but he got me back for giving him a dirty look by causing me some heartache and stress for a good month waiting for the court date and thinking I may have to pay the $600 something fine for running the light.

Answer 24

Yes. Not sure of the US version (probably varies from State to State)but in the UK it's an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

Answer 25

hah i dont think so, if he came back to you and was like WHAT WAS THAT BOY! and you said sorry, then no, but if you kept insulting him and got oput and assulted him yea, then mabey you could go to jail :P

Answer 26

here in nc they consider that verbal assault on an officer most of the time they don't tie up the courts with it because they are so over burdened now. but if you act aggressively they lump it all up to get you on more charges and you have bigger fines or jail time  

Answer 27

Yea they will come back and than an altercation will probably occurr.  They could charge you for being a public nuisance, disorderly conduct, verbal assault, etc.  Cops don't take that s*** lightly.  Now it may be a little different if your just cursing in general.  Like saying s*** I can't believe this, f*** I cant afford a ticket.  But you say enough words, the cop might warn you to watch your language and show some respect or tell you your getting out of hand.  If the person is drunk, they are more apt to overlook profanity.  They are arresting you anyway so they probably wont worry about it.  A drunk or stoned person often gets away with cursing or calling an officer names.  It depends on how out of hand they get, if they resist arrest,  etc.  Often they have to use some degree of force with those kind of people (who are out of control).  But I dont think you will ever get away with calling a police officer a name.  Even just saying, you jerk will probably lead to something?  Same with giving the finger, making gestures, etc.  Some officers may be somewhat forgiving but most of them will at least tell you off and at that point you dont want to curse again at them.

Answer 28

OHHH they can do whatever they want.  I was arrested because I called a female officer a Witch and she thought I said the other word and it stuck.