NPR: Free Speech or Disorderly Conduct?

Free Speech or Disorderly Conduct?

The right to free speech doesn't prevent someone from being arrested and prosecuted once that "speech" erupts into disorderly conduct, so says the three-judge Indiana Court of Appeals.

Latoya Blackman of Indianapolis began shouting profanities at police as they arrested her brother on drug charges back in May 2005.

The arresting officers say they asked her stop repeatedly. When she didn't, they arrested her, too, and charged her with disorderly conduct.

"The facts before us plainly indicate that Blackman made unreasonable noise and continued to do so after being repeatedly asked to stop," Judge Carl Darden wrote.

Geoffrey Bennett

12:26 PM ET | 06-27-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

It bothers me that when the police roll around to arrest someone or just happens on the scene that I notice people cursing them and threatening them. If one has an issue, they should approach them in a respectful manner. I have been pulled over by the police and i have interacted with them when something is going on. there is a way to protest.

the other thing that bothers me is that her brother was being arrested for drug charges. it wasn't like he was an innocent bystander.

Sent by Brother Omi | 10:54 PM ET | 06-27-2007

This is a clear case of disorderly conduct; I live in Indianapolis and this is a clean-cut city and for the police to arrest this woman she must have been cutting up pretty bad. It's simple; if the police are in the wrong get a laywer don't aggrivate the situation by yelling and cursing, belive it or not police are people too!

Sent by Mr. Politics | 11:00 AM ET | 06-28-2007

what about when the police are disorderly and unprofessional? a lot of times aggravate situations too. and they are never held accountable for their actions.

Sent by e | 5:54 PM ET | 07-20-2008

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
May we contact you with information about NPR programming and services? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

About 'News & Views'

News & Views is the companion blog of NPR's news magazine show, News & Notes. It extends News & Notes' ongoing conversation about the diversity of the African-American experience. For more information, read our Frequently Asked Questions guide and our Discussion Rules.