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Pair Arrested After Telling Lawyer Jokes
fembots writes "Two men were arrested for telling lawyer jokes while standing in line leading into First District Court. A spokesman for the Nassau courts said the men were causing a stir and that their exercise of their First Amendment rights to free speech was impeding the rights of others at the court."
Reading the article, however, makes me wonder if we're really getting the whole story here. Given that these aren't just two random individuals but the founders of "Americans for Legal Reform", I personally smell an increased likelyhood that their side of things contains a certain amount of BS. Of course it's just my gut instinct talking and your milage may vary.
Unfortunately this level of doubt precludes the normal level of moral outrage (aka, "hits" or "ad impressions") that these threads are supposed to generate, and for that I apologize.
Now, answer me this: How many RIAA lawyers does it take to screw in a light blub?
Every year during my review, I just pray the words "slashdot.org" aren't mentioned.
Slashdot Editors!
(Psst... make a "Law" category rather than stuff everything into YRO.)
Sorry for the rant, but what fool calls lawyers names to their faces?
Billy
By "they were arrested for telling lawyer jokes" you mean "they were arrested for 'being abusive and disturbing the peace'"
I was going to try to make some articulate argument about the scope of First Amendment rights as it applies to public places and the social contract, but I'll just sum it up like this:
Two retards act like dicks and get busted for it, and all of a sudden I have to read about it on Slashdot?
The only acceptable defense of scientific results is to say that they were the product of the Scientific Method.
In general, acting like an asshole in the presence of law enforcement is a bad idea. You may not get convicted, but chances are really good you will get arrested.
"I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey
If the two were wrongfully arrested, would they be capable of getting some sort of compensation under US law?
perl -e 'print $i=pack(c5, (41*2), sqrt(7056), (unpack(c,H)-2), oct(115), 10)'
Last time I checked, standing outside a courthouse expressing disdain for lawyers is perfectly legal.
In some states, they even allow people to carry signs and march around in circles outside of buildings. In fact, from time to time, these sign wielding people will even chant repetative slogans (gasp). My friend, people have a right to protest, be it against abortion, creationism, blacks, whites, gays, white supremacists and yes...lawyers.
Do I think these guys are stupid douchebags? Of course.
Am I outraged that they were arrested for being stupid douchebags? You bet your ass I am.
"It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once." -David Hume
The freedom of speech is not a freedom to be a shithead
If some hoidy-toidy lawyer down at the courthouse can't take it then tell him to close his ears. For crying out loud, what is this, kindergarten? Did he really have to go running to the teacher,"Make them stop! Make them stop!"
public nuisance
My butt. What's the legal definition for that? "Anything we want when we feel like it"?
fast as fast can be. you'll never catch me.
The fool that belives he lives in a free country.
Maybe RMS can update 'The Free Software Definition' to add 'free' as in the United States of America -- The software is free until they decide it's not.
``Free software'' is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of ``free'' as in ``free speech,'' not as in ``free like the USA.''
How, exactly, were they "causing a disturbance"? Some people laughed? I mean, what exactly is the First Amendment about again? Did they yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater? I think not!
These boys weren't exercising their right to free speech. They were, deliberately and with malicious intent, making a public nuisance of themselves. And we have laws against that sort of thing.
I suspect the crowd of people in line were fine with the jokes...it offended one lawyer and the hammer came down. It is especially ironic given the "kings and peasants" analogy used in the article. (Did you read it BTW?)
The freedom of speech is not a freedom to be a shithead.
One person's shithead is another person's role model. THAT is the point of the first amendment. Just because you don't like it gives you no right to stop it. I mean, look at Jesse Jackson's marches through certain parts of the south...I guarantee that most people there think he's a shithead. However, he has the RIGHT to express his views.
Galileo: "The Earth revolves around the Sun!"
Score: -1 100% Flamebait
If you read the article, try to discover what is actually fact. Notice how no uninvolved people were interviewed - we only have the statements of the pair and a court official. Each of these people will, of course, spin the event their way. The majority of that article is little better than editorializing - filling in with opinion where facts are lacking.
I was taking one day at a time, but then several days got together and ambushed me. (from a Rhymes with Orange comic)
Why is it that the proponents of "one nation under God" are so eager to get rid of "liberty and justice for all"?
They are probably one of the many people who feel that lawyers who make up the vast majority of the people writing the laws, the people working for the people who write the laws, the people who lobby for such laws, the people who enforce the laws (the prosecutors not the cops), the people who interpret the laws (the judges), the people who defend you in court, the people you must pay when you need to use the courts, and the people who are paid to use the courts against you, have a bit too much power in our society.
The freedom of speech is not a freedom to be a shithead.
Actually freedom of speech IS freedom to be a shithead without getting arrested for it.
Where we begin getting on sticky ground is if people are inciting others to violence or panic, etc. Incidentally, I make no comment on the specific case in this story, but speak in general.
A quote I have pasted before:
A wise man once told me that the right to free speech is not the freedom to say what you want. It is the freedom someone has to say things you don't want to hear.
This is the Internet. You can say "fuck" here. - AC
Q: What's the difference between a lawyer and a catfish?
A: One's a scum-sucking bottom-dweller, and the other is a fish.
--
"Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
These guys were arrested for making fun of our laughable judicial system. Need proof that our judicial system is laughable? These guys were arrested for making fun of...
Sorry, if it was in a court room during a trial, sure, but all these guys did wrong was piss off the wrong people. Article mentions they are part of an organization to promote better public access to the courts. Obviously these two were a thorn in a side or two. Arresting them is pure abuse of power just to make a point.
Send whiskey and fresh horses!