Is It Legal/Illegal To Flick Off A Cop In North Dakota?
Let me first start off by prefacing that I have never, nor would I ever "flick off" a policeman.
I think it would not only be a foolish and stupid endeavor but is a total lack of respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line for us every day. In my opinion, you were defiantly raised wrong if you would even consider such a thing (okay, I'll get off my soap box).
However, that still doesn't answer the question. Is it legal or illegal to flick off a cop in the state of North Dakota?
I actually had a listener call me on the air this week who was stuck in rush hour road construction gridlock on State Street. Apparently, there was a situation where somebody was being a real jerk in front of her and for no reason decided to "flick off" a cop who went through a red light without turning on his lights.
I have also seen cops doing this before, but I just figured they had a reason. Either they had a nonemergency to get to or who knows, maybe it's a perk they get to enjoy. Either way, it's not my business and I have respect for the men and women in uniform.
Well, apparently this guy in front of my listener got irate, flicked off the cop as he drove by, and even got out of his car stuck in traffic to really make sure the police officer and everybody else saw his obscene finger gesture.
My listener then called me to ask if this was illegal? There has to be some sort of law against it right?
The answer is a resounding, YES, it's completely legal.
You can flick off a cop not only in North Dakota but anywhere in the United States. According to a police officer, who works for the Bismarck State College Police Department, it falls under your 1st Amendment right (free speech). He wishes it didn't (as do I). There is absolutely nothing in the North Dakota Century Code concerning this.
He did add, it would obviously bring additional attention to you, which could cause him to pull you over for something else.
Now you know, but I would save the finger for the people who really deserve it. Those who don't know how to use a blinker.