1st Amendment and Free Speech/profanity on a sign

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Expert: - 9/12/2007


Question
my grandfather put a 4/8 sing that says slow the fuck down ass hole can he get in trouble he lives out side the city limits its in his front yard by the road

Answer
Hello,

I can't provide legal advice for specific cases in this forum.  However, I can say that the Supreme Court has previously ruled that use of offensive language is protected by the First Amendment.  In the 1971 case of Cohen v. California, the Supreme Court ruled that a person wearing a jacket that said "fuck the draft" was protected under the First Amendment.  That case would seem applicable to this situation.

I hope this helps!
- Mike  

1st Amendment and Free Speech

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Michael Troy

Expertise

I will answer general questions regarding freedom of speech, petition, or religion. I specialize in cases involving public employment or education, as well as issues related to campaign finance. But I can`t give specific legal advice involving specific cases you might have.

Experience

As an attorney for the Center for Individual Rights, I worked on a number of free speech cases, including Rosenberger v. Univ. of Virginia, in which the Supreme Court upheld my clients' right to run a student newspaper without discrimination because of its religious conent. I also worked on White v. Julian, which protected the right of people to protest against a homeless shelter in their neighborhood.

I also worked for the Federal Election Commission on several cases regarding the right to participate in the election process.

Organizations
Former Attorney for Center for Individual Rights.

Publications
Washington Post
Washington Times

Education/Credentials
J.D. from Univ. of Michigan Law School

Awards and Honors
Truman Scholar

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