Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in New York

I would like to know if it is illegal in any way to call a cop a cocksucker or to say to them fuck you?


Asked on 3/05/11, 7:06 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Jason Stern Law Offices of Jason Stern

In general, the 1st amendment of the constitution protects our freedom of speech, including the freedom to use insulting and derogatory words in a non-threatening manner.

So while it is not illegal to say those things (in most circumstances), most people would question the intelligence of someone who would say that to: (1) another person armed with a gun, taser, Billy club, and handcuffs; and (2) the unsupervised authority to place you under arrest, handcuff you, place you in a jail cell, and force you to hire a lawyer to regain your freedom.

Most people who have been wrongfully arrested, jailed and prosecuted did not actively seek to be placed in those situations.

Good luck!

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Answered on 3/06/11, 8:20 am


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