New York (Washington Insider Magazine) — The civilians often feel the urge to flip off police officers. During an interaction with a police officer, a heated argument can lead to serious consequences. Many people get pulled over for exceeding the speed limit of the car or breaking some other traffic laws. This can lead to an unpleasant eyepiece with the police officer. However, you may be surprised to know that flipping off a cop is not prohibited by law. It may not be the smartest choice, to do so but it might not land you behind bars.
Is it Illegal to Flip Off a Cop?
If you are pulled over by a Patrol officer and end up getting into a fight with him then things can get complicated. The officer will give you a ticket for speeding only 10 miles and can even fine you. However, you are annoyed with the police officer and can struggle to just drive off. If you happen to stick your hand out the window and flip off the cop while driving away, then this could be considered a vulgar act. It is not illegal to flip off a cop but you must be careful not to cross the limit.
Americans have the right to free speech. This right is protected under the constitution and you can freely express yourself. Any hate speech or communication that can incite violence is not safe. The Federal courts have determined that flipping off gesture fall under the category of free speech protection under the First Amendment.
Why You Shouldn’t Flip An Officer Off?
Flipping off a police officer will not end well for you. The act is considered to be aggressive and disrespectful and will leave you in a bad light. If you follow such ride behavior, then it is likely to anger the officer. They might end up giving you a ticket for something minor and can also escalate to a physical confrontation. Police officers have the right to arrest someone if they get physically abused. Flipping off a police officer will make them angry and he might use other means to trap you.
In addition, flipping off an officer will not help you in any way. You will just be able to relieve your anger for time being but might end up creating more problems for you. The police officer will not let you off with a warning. He will not be lenient with you anymore and could press potential charges against you. Officers are trained to stay professional. They don’t accept disrespectful behavior, so flipping them off might lead to a change in their actions.
Can You Still Get Pulled Over If I Flip Off a Cop?
You might get into trouble for an act of flipping a police officer. The police officer might be watching you very closely and will press charges against you even for minor things. They might judge you for little things and could punish you for wrongdoing they might have ignored. The police officer will not let you off and will find reasons to press charges against you.
Flipping off a police officer will not leave a good impression on you. You might get pulled over for something minor and get punished for it. The police officer might also fabricate a reason to pull you over. You should not get on the bad side of a police officer as this will not be in the best of your interest. Flipping off a police officer is not illegal but it could land you in trouble in many ways.
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Flipping Off A Police Officer Is Legal, But It May Not be the Best Idea
Even though it’s legal to flip off a police officer but making this gesture, could land you in trouble. You might experience consequences for doing so. You likely get a traffic ticket for a law that you have violated.
The police officer might also suspect that you are using alcohol or drugs. This could lead to your vehicle being searched and you might end up getting charged for DUI. If any narcotics or illegal item is found in your possession, the situation could escalate quickly. While flipping off is legal, it is an insult and will make the situation worse. Even if you are in the right and are wrongly accused of something making an obscene gesture can escalate matters. If you are arrested, then it is best to get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible.