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Sunday, November 29, 2015

Can police stop people for cursing?

PASADENA, Md. —Is using an obscenity enough to get you stopped by police? An arrest caught on camera in a suburban community brings it to light.

The arrest of Brandon Dennis, recorded by a bystander, did not happen because he's wanted for a crime. What happened that day in September in the Pasadena area of Anne Arundel County all started because of the "F" word that an Anne Arundel County police officer heard as he drove by Dennis' house.

"Me and my friends was in the driveway, and he was on the wrong side of the road, and I am like, he's looking hard, like, 'What's is the problem?' Like, he must thought I said 'F' him. I was talking to my friends, actually, and he thought I was talking to him and I wasn't."

The officer, on his way home at the end of his shift, chose to stop his car. In his charging document, he wrote, "I turned the vehicle around and approached Dennis. I asked him what he said."

The "F" word flew again.

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38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Funny how this one word has taken on such a universally nasty meaning.

Anonymous said...

A clear 1st amendment violation, but what's new?

Anonymous said...

Gramatically, he appears to be a moron.

Anonymous said...

Grammatically, he is a moron.

Anonymous said...

Pity the people with Tourette's Syndrome.

Anonymous said...

Say "F you" to a person is a crime. They are known as "fighting words" which amounts to disorderly conduct - especially when there are others around who may be offended. But when said to a police officer when no one else is around - no crime. If someone was there to record the event and form a small crowd around them, I'd say that they were close enough to hear the fighting words/profanity. Sounds like a good arrest to me.

Anonymous said...

Funny how the police use this word toward citizens. Why dint the reporter ask the Lieutenant why that is ok.

Anonymous said...

Sue the cops, violating the 1st. Amendment that protects even "Hate Speech".

Anonymous said...

Sound like sheriff shorty and his gang.

Steve said...

NO

Anonymous said...

You are a moron. Where were you during Civics class?

Anonymous said...

I just wish someone would do something about the loud "music" I'm forced to listen too at traffic lights, gas pumps etc...

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
I just wish someone would do something about the loud "music" I'm forced to listen too at traffic lights, gas pumps etc...

November 24, 2015 at 9:29 PM

wear ear plugs

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Say "F you" to a person is a crime. They are known as "fighting words" which amounts to disorderly conduct - especially when there are others around who may be offended. But when said to a police officer when no one else is around - no crime. If someone was there to record the event and form a small crowd around them, I'd say that they were close enough to hear the fighting words/profanity. Sounds like a good arrest to me.

November 24, 2015 at 6:48 PM

ur full of it

Anonymous said...

9:42PM
Exactly., sounds like a 'blue brother' to me, too.

Anonymous said...

I got arrested for calling a dude a fat ass

Anonymous said...

If you use this nasty word in aggression of speech , it can be taken as a challenge . In this day and age , if you do it to me , you will be at PRMC , maybe you will live , maybe not . My 9mm holds 10 rounds and you will be the recipient of all of them. The first 9 rounds will aimed toward your groin , that way your f___ing you days are over.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
If you use this nasty word in aggression of speech , it can be taken as a challenge . In this day and age , if you do it to me , you will be at PRMC , maybe you will live , maybe not . My 9mm holds 10 rounds and you will be the recipient of all of them. The first 9 rounds will aimed toward your groin , that way your f___ing you days are over.

November 25, 2015 at 4:14 AM

oh shut up and take a nap

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
If you use this nasty word in aggression of speech , it can be taken as a challenge . In this day and age , if you do it to me , you will be at PRMC , maybe you will live , maybe not . My 9mm holds 10 rounds and you will be the recipient of all of them. The first 9 rounds will aimed toward your groin , that way your f___ing you days are over.

November 25, 2015 at 4:14 AM

I've got 3 mags of 13 rds of .45. checkmate loser

Anonymous said...

No sir YOU are the moron. These cases are prosecuted everyday in Maryland. Check your criminal law.

Anonymous said...

Yep...... Fighting words. Not protected by the first amendment. You people should really study the meaning and intent of the first amendment and then study how the case law interprets the legislative intent of disorderly conduct laws.

Anonymous said...

See.... Now THAT use of the "F" word is protected as it is used in conversation and not directed as an insult to a person or group of people with the intent to insult them and provoke them. See the difference?

Anonymous said...

Try it in front of people with a police officer around. You'll get the education you obviously need.

Anonymous said...

What did they charge you with? Disorderly conduct?

Anonymous said...

I've got 3 mags of 13 rds of .45. checkmate loser

lol nines don't have any stopping power do they u better have a few full clips laying around

Anonymous said...

son of a gun. I didn't believe it so I googled it. this can fall under the fighting words clause as defined in 1942

Anonymous said...

See? Disorderly conduct. Plain and simple. Using the "F" word in common conversation has been determined to be protected speech. Directing it at a person with the intent to disturb the and possibly solicit a response is considered a fighting word and as such is NOT protected. You roadside attorneys crack me up.

Anonymous said...

I'm not familiar with the 1942 definition you mention but there is more recent case law that says the same thing

Anonymous said...

Cussing should be against the law.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
I'm not familiar with the 1942 definition you mention but there is more recent case law that says the same thing

November 29, 2015 at 8:16 AM

that was the deciding case I believe

Anonymous said...

The 45 caliber hand gun is the most inaccurate pistol ever made.
I can see why you need 3 mags.
The 9mm has caused more deaths than all 45s and 40s combined.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
The 45 caliber hand gun is the most inaccurate pistol ever made.
I can see why you need 3 mags.
The 9mm has caused more deaths than all 45s and 40s combined.

November 29, 2015 at 10:05 AM

lol which comic book told you that?

Anonymous said...

Idiots. F you is considered a threat that can be taken in real time. At the moment said your going to hold the person down and literally f them or rape them. The pigs hide behind this as a way to arrest for threatening a public official. There is no threatening law in Maryland against civilians. Like someone is gonna spin the pig around ,drop their pants and gun belts and ravish their hind ends. Just more over reach of power. Any good attorney can have this tossed. Since there is obviously no real time at this moment threat to a public official.

Anonymous said...

Phyuch Yiu

Anonymous said...

Only if the words spoken disrupt the peace of those around the speaker. The words are loud and offensive.

Crap I am getting a warrant on OhBammy

Anonymous said...

4:14 a.m., you are a moron. Enjoy life in prison after you are convicted of at least murder in the second degree after you shoot someone for mouthing off. Please Joe, can you help us make this mouth breather a prohibited person? He gives responsible gun owners a bad name.

As for the 9mm v. the .45, the battle rages on. I have seen a video in which a Navy Seal tells the viewer how he will happily put two in your chest and one in your head and then give you the opportunity to tell him the 9mm doesn't work.

The one on my hip is better than the one in your night table.

Anonymous said...

Guess your a proud member of black lives matter. Thanks for screaming, cursing and blocking traffic on the way to work. I'm white not going to change it.

Anonymous said...

As for the 9mm v. the .45, the battle rages on. I have seen a video in which a Navy Seal tells the viewer how he will happily put two in your chest and one in your head and then give you the opportunity to tell him the 9mm doesn't work.

The one on my hip is better than the one in your night table.

November 29, 2015 at 6:35 PM

3 from a 9 when only one is needed from a .45