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News Ticketed over a bumper sticker?

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by DaCubanSkillz, Oct 16, 2006.

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    DaCubanSkillz Active Member

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    Ticketed over a bumper sticker?

    http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/10/16/sticker.suit.ap/index.html

    So tell me. Do you think the officer was right in giving her a ticket for that? Keep in mind that the lewd decal law was ruled unconstitutional in 1990 and this is why the ticket was thrown out.

    Now for someone who is in law enforcement or deals with them. Is there anything that states that an officer must be up to date with laws? (might go off-topic but I think it somewhat relates to the topic). I can see if the officer didn't know about the law being ruled unconstitutional but then again what if he did know.
    DaCubanSkillz, Oct 16, 2006
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    fishexpo101 Get Some

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    I'm pretty sure most police officers have to up to date with current laws, but cannot know every single article out there. That's why there is a court - to air your grievance.

    More info on bumper stickers and freedom of speech:
    http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/speech/personal/topic.aspx?topic=bumper_stickers

    Problem issue - the issue it not 100% clear. There is much cloudiness to the issue - the first amendment grant you extreme protection, but only to a certain extent. Be interesting to see what the court will do with this.
    fishexpo101, Oct 16, 2006
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    Denver Rolla 98 impreza

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    that happend here in colorado too the ticket was thrown out for infringing on freedom of speech...
    Denver Rolla, Oct 16, 2006
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    TurismoDreamin ΓΡΗΓΟΡΟΣ ΟΔΗΓΟΣ

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    Whatever happened to freedom and speech and expression. It's not causing harm to anyone. Its an innocent bumper sticker. They take away our freedom to put bumper stickers on our cars, our freedom to our privacy...what next...

    I remember when Viva La Bam was still a sprawling show on MTV when they roadtripped to Mardi Gras and spray painted all kinds of obscenities and profanity. They were pulled over on their way for it and the cops later found that they couldnt do anything about it...so they were allowed to be left on their way...
    TurismoDreamin, Oct 16, 2006
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    Barnacules 100101101011011

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    Cop's just do whatever the hell they want, its great the lady is sueing :D

    PS. Eric, I would like to hear your thoughts :D
    Barnacules, Oct 16, 2006
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    DaCubanSkillz Active Member

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    This is just stickers. VA has a real old law that states that an officer can ticket you for using profane words in public. Case in point...The R&B artist Genuwine was ticketed in Richmond, VA for cussing at another motorist. they don't enforce it but it happens.
    DaCubanSkillz, Oct 16, 2006
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    e_andree E

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    And a small city in a mid western state charged a man for cussing after his canoe tipped over. lol

    I think its pointless that the officer wrote a ticket for this. Mustve been really really bored to even consider writing that ticket. Yeah, they have to stay up to date on current laws, but theres no way that they can be current on every single law on the books.
    e_andree, Oct 16, 2006
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    Barnacules 100101101011011

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    Wow, I actually 100% agree with you. Amazing :D
    Barnacules, Oct 16, 2006
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    e_andree E

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    the dumb bitch should go to jail for filing such a bullshit lawsuit though

    ATLANTA (Oct. 17) - A woman who was ticketed for having an obscene anti-President Bush bumper sticker filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday against DeKalb County and its officials.
    Denise Grier, 47, of Athens, Ga., got a $100 ticket in March after a DeKalb County police officer spotted the bumper sticker, which read "I'm Tired Of All The BUSH*T." (The actual bumper sticker didn't delete any letters.)

    Although a DeKalb judge threw out the ticket in April because the state's lewd decal law that formed the basis for the ticket was ruled unconstitutional in 1990, Grier is seeking damages for "emotional distress"against the county, according to the lawsuit.
    Grier also seeks a declaration in federal court that her bumper sticker is considered protected speech under the First Amendment because she is "uncertain and insecure regarding her right to display her bumper sticker in DeKalb County," the lawsuit said.
    The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia.

    "This type of sarcasm in relation to political figures is as old as the country," said her attorney, Frank Derrickson. "We think this bumper sticker is just the latest example of this. We want to be assured that not just Ms. Grier but anyone who wants to have fun with the powers that be should be able to do that under the First Amendment."
    Grier, a nurse who works at Emory University and other hospitals, also is seeking punitive damages against the DeKalb police officer who gave her the ticket because he "acted with reckless disregard" of her rights, the lawsuit said.
    The state law prohibited lewd or profane stickers and decals on vehicles. A phone message to the office of DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones was not immediately returned Monday.
    Derrickson said Grier still has the anti-Bush bumper sticker on her car.
    "I think she's got better ones than that, at least the ones that I saw," he said.

    What A Fucking Bitch
    e_andree, Oct 23, 2006
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    oppositesleeper New Member

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    i dont think they should give her a dime. i dont know how many times ive been pulled over for bushit reasons and i never get to sue because im a whiney bastard.
    oppositesleeper, Oct 23, 2006
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    gotarheels03 New Member

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    Most officers aren't going to be knowledgeable and up to date on all laws within their jurisdiction, especially if its one thats not commonly broken or enforced.

    For example, Open carrying of firearms is legal in my city and everywhere else in the State besides Dover, yet if you did it you'd likely end up surrounded by cops, disarmed, cuffed and brought in. And you'd have to sit there till they realized you hadn't broken any laws.
    gotarheels03, Nov 9, 2006
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    Barnacules 100101101011011

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    I'm all for her sueing the cops, they need to get their chain rattled from time to time :D
    Barnacules, Nov 9, 2006
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    YamahaTundraV8 New Member

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    It's Georgia why aint I surpised this place is soo fucking backward's on so many issues..

    Personally on record I dont like Buch either But I dont show disrespect for the guy either it's all about having Class and conduction yourselve in a postive manner..


    This is very true In fact you want to hear a story I know a pharmacist that got taken to jail because the officers asking questions about her client she wan-st going to provide due to that being a Federal Law guess what the Police dept had no warrant's and arrested her with her company getting a attorney and suing that Police dept in Georgia. It's shit like this Georgia really needs to pay attention too the overall details are missing in every police department in this area and people wonder why this state is back ward's it's who running it ..
    YamahaTundraV8, Nov 9, 2006
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