SpitefulFox
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
Illinois.
I used to be employed as a cashier, but I lost my temper at two customers who were verbally abusing me. I talked back to them with a raised voice and profanity, and then flipped both of them the middle finger before walking away. Unsurprisingly, I was terminated for workplace misconduct, but then the two customers went to the police claiming that I had shoved a cart into one of them. The police then arrested me on misdemeanor charges of assault, battery, and disorderly conduct.
The store provided video footage showing that I didn't attack or make any threatening movements towards either of them, and I have an eyewitness to back up my claim that I didn't attack them, but, as of this moment, charges have not been dropped. My public defender is convinced that I'm going to be convicted of disorderly conduct, but I'm not ready to just sit down and get branded a criminal.
What can I do to defend myself against the disorderly conduct charge? Is profanity protected by the 1st amendment? Is there any legal precedent I can use?
Illinois.
I used to be employed as a cashier, but I lost my temper at two customers who were verbally abusing me. I talked back to them with a raised voice and profanity, and then flipped both of them the middle finger before walking away. Unsurprisingly, I was terminated for workplace misconduct, but then the two customers went to the police claiming that I had shoved a cart into one of them. The police then arrested me on misdemeanor charges of assault, battery, and disorderly conduct.
The store provided video footage showing that I didn't attack or make any threatening movements towards either of them, and I have an eyewitness to back up my claim that I didn't attack them, but, as of this moment, charges have not been dropped. My public defender is convinced that I'm going to be convicted of disorderly conduct, but I'm not ready to just sit down and get branded a criminal.
What can I do to defend myself against the disorderly conduct charge? Is profanity protected by the 1st amendment? Is there any legal precedent I can use?