Is It Illegal to Flip Off a Cop in Minnesota? Here’s What the Law Says

By Rachel Greco

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Is It Illegal to Flip Off a Cop in Minnesota Here's What the Law Says

In Minnesota, flipping off a police officer is not illegal, but it can lead to complications depending on the context of the situation. Here’s what the law says:

  1. First Amendment Rights: Flipping off a police officer is generally considered protected expressive conduct under the First Amendment. Courts have ruled that such gestures, while crude, do not constitute a criminal offense. For instance, in a notable case from New Hope, Minnesota, a driver who flipped off an officer after being warned about speeding was stopped again. The court found that while the gesture was protected speech, the officer had reasonable suspicion based on a potential license plate violation to justify the stop.
  2. Reasonable Suspicion: Law enforcement officers must have reasonable suspicion to conduct a traffic stop. If an officer stops someone solely for expressing displeasure through gestures like flipping the bird, it may be viewed as an infringement on constitutional rights unless there is another legitimate reason for the stop. In the New Hope case, the officer cited a suspected license plate violation as justification for stopping the driver again.
  3. Legal Precedents: Similar cases across other jurisdictions have reinforced the idea that police cannot arrest individuals merely for offensive gestures directed at them. For example, a federal court ruled that flipping off a cop does not provide sufficient grounds for a traffic stop or arrest unless accompanied by other violations.
  4. Potential Consequences: While it is not illegal to flip off a cop in Minnesota, doing so can provoke negative reactions from law enforcement and may lead to unnecessary legal trouble. Officers might interpret such gestures as disrespectful or confrontational, which could escalate interactions.

In summary, while flipping off a police officer is not criminal in Minnesota, it can lead to legal complications if officers perceive other violations or if they choose to retaliate against what they consider disrespectful behavior. It’s advisable to exercise caution and consider the potential consequences of such actions.

SOURCES:-

  1.  https://www.northstarcriminaldefense.com/flipping-the-bird-to-cops-stop/
  2.  https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/post/judge-dismisses-free-speech-case-over-middle-finger-gesture-to-police/
  3.  https://reason.com/2024/07/18/man-who-was-arrested-for-flipping-off-cop-settles-for-175000/

Rachel Greco

Rachel Greco covers life in US County, including the communities of Grand Ledge, Delta Township, Charlotte and US Rapids. But her beat extends to local government, local school districts and community events in communities that surround Lansing. Her goal is to tell compelling stories about the area that matter to local readers.

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