Fines for Swearing

[98ninja]

This happened in NSW a while back.
A police officer arrests a man for offensive language
specifically "get f*cked"
the man struggles with police and takes a swing at him, so now he has offensive language,
resist arrest and assault police. These are all summary offences so they go straight to a local court.
The magistrate deems that police hear that language all the time so its not offensive. So without
the offensive language there's no resist arrest and no assault police.
The magistrate asks the officer in charge if he has anything to say
he says "yes one thing your honour, get f*cked!!"

not really that relevant but funny.

[aardvark]

The magistrate deems that police hear that language all the time so its not offensive.

Same here. We have to be able to show that there were other people around and that time who "could" be offended - nuns, school children, Neka's grandmother...

[lifeofcrimeguy]

This was attempted in NSW a while ago and was thrown out as it is impossible to prove what one person finds offensive to another. Will not be enforceable in court.

Wasn't it one of Pat O'Shea's rulings about a teenager who got away with swearing at cops? The ruling was something along the lines of society has no definite rules of what constitutes proper behaviour towards others (or police, which ever the case was). I don't have a problem with the rule itself, besides the fact that it is another case of the fine being it's own evidence. Just like traffic fines. You got the fine, therefore you did something wrong and should be made pay. No doubt there are a lot of people who need this thrown at them. I just don't trust every cop out there to have a clue who should and shouldn't cop it. Without fail, every situation of swearing at cops I have seen (not knowing any of either party) has been escaleted by the cops when they should just shut their faces (and ego) and walk away. Overall I don't really care though. Won't stop me from telling you you're a dickhead if you are one.

[oldman]

They are only words. If some people were not so narrow minded to take offense at such silly prattle, then swearing would not have any shock value and the people who try to bring attention to themselves by using words some people find offensive would stop, (maybe).
It's like nudity, if we were all naked who would give a shit. Cheers!
Just because you think it, doesn't make it true.

[Tack]

About time I reckon...way too much swearing on this forum....I propose a fine for each swear word which should be donated to Madkaw and by the end of the year we can buy a current model ZX10r and go do a track day.