Can you get arrested if your licence plate says "F*** You"?

David M

There's a US Supreme Court case from Georgia that holds a license plate or a bumper sticker with "obscene" language is protected speech. You have a much stronger case on free speech if it's a bumper sticker than a license plate, however. Driving is a privilege, not a right. I think a state might be able to argue successfully that an obscene license plate is a safety hazard. I think that's a real stretch, but I could fashion such an argument as an attorney. The state would argue it's a distraction and could cause unsafe driving. There's also an older case from the Vietnam era from California--which also went to the US Supreme Court--which held that a shirt, worn into a courtroom that said "F*** the Draft" was protected speech. States usually refused to issue "obscene" license plates, but they have not been winning those cases. I think there are only a couple of case on point, however. I could look them up, but I don't remember the name of either of the cases. There's been some cases on the "P*** on Ford/Chevy/Dodge" etc. signs which we've all seen on vehicles and those have all been loser cases. The key point on the word "F***" is the context in which it is used. Commercial speech is the least protected form of speech and political speech is the most protected. I've seen bumper sticker cases against President Bush that used obscenities and those cases are losers, too.

Gen. Stiggo

You can't get arrested for a plate the DMV allowed. That being said, you wouldn't be able to have such a plate.

FÃ¶rtyTwÃ¶

Free Speech does not apply to privileges that are nothing more than Taxes,Fines,Levies and Revenues for Politicians.

tankerdab

the dmv would never allow a plate like that to be printed, so if your plate said that it would be illegal.

Andrea

i don't think that will get past the license plate people, because they screen all that stuff and it has to be approved.... but i have seen several cars with stickers that have cuss words on them. I think it's not illegal, but it probably will make cops want to harass you more...

Yoso

Yes

R H

The DMV will not issue any license plates with curses or objectionable or questionable language or letter combinations. They also won't issue plates with the combination of H8.

BVEEZER

Try MUFDVR

chappye7

I don't think so, but whoever has plates like that are stupid people who really need therapy.

Artman

Well probably not arrested on the spot but you can find yourself with a court citation if any other citizen complain about it.

It would fall into public obscenity or public disturbance law. If any person feel offended.

To be safe you can insinuate the word without using the real word. For example "F...You" or something like that.

If you talk about a DMV issued plate, it will depend on their policies. They have rules about what they can or can't put on a plate.

gcbtrading

No ... If the state will issue them..you're safe...though I doubt they will

cttx2ne

The DMV ( at least in NE) won't issue plates with sayings like that. So, you won't have to worry about being arrested since they won't make that plate for you.

hexeliebe

no, because no state will issue such a license.

moon_flower_unicorn_power

try FU6K YOU instead

Hoooyahhh

I am not too sure if you will get arrested but the DOL probably wouldnt issue it in the first place or if they do they will probably revoke it. I know of a case where a guy had a license plate that said MILF (and we all know what that means) and at first he got away with it but then once people complained to the DOL they revoked it.

ALASPADA

No state will issue a plate with vulgarity or other taunting words you use as an example.

shezza63

No, not that I have heard of. But if you are worried try getting....farq.

sburton45

You are waiting for an arrest to happen. They can do whatever they want. They can make up or get you for whatever they want. Unless you want to be F K with then I suggest you don't. I once wanted to buy a bumper for my Mercedes that said, "My other car is up my nose", I'm sure I would have been pulled over many times on that one.

artlogical

Recently, there have been federal decisions involving the use of the F-word by the FCC. This is also a gov't agency. They are allowing the use of the word in passing speech, not to be used in anger.

You could contend that the federal precedent allows you that freedom of speech when it comes to your registration. You would need to sue the DMV for disallowing you that freedom. Then you have to contend with the counter-case, and the small-minded judges of the US court system. Good luck.

will a.i.

No, but you'll get your windows broken.

don c

they couldn't arrest you for a plate they issued, but if people complain, they can come get it

at least in Illinois

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