Legal Commentary

Rude or Disorderly: Where's the Line?

By Jeralyn

In the mail today, and reprinted with permission, (I'm leaving out the name of the town.)

I live in xxxxx, WI.

I was in the 10 items or less line at Piggly Wiggly (grocery store).

A woman had 60 items. I asked her if she could read. She replied, "Do you have a problem with this?" I said 'Yes.' She said 'Deal with it.'

I asked if she thought she could get away with this because she was fat and ugly. She dialed 911. I'm looking at a $423.00 ticket for disorderly conduct. I hired a lawyer.

Something is wrong with this world. Is it me? [Signed] J.

J. says he didn't use foul language, was not threatening and the only person affected by his comment was the woman who provoked him.

Is this worthy of a 911 call? How can it be considered a crime? My take: The woman should have been cited for misuse of the 911 emergency reporting system. J. may have been rude, but didn't commit a crime. What's your's? [More...]

All states, including WI, prohibit false reporting of emergencies using 911. Here's a typical ordinance from Milwaukee, posted on a police forum:

105-77. Misuse of Emergency Telephone Numbers.

1. PROHIBITED ACTS. No person shall:

...b. Intentionally dial the emergency telephone number "911" ... for purposes of communication not relating to the reporting of an actual emergency.
...

3. PENALTY. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $300, together with the costs of prosecution, and upon default of payment be imprisoned in the county jail or house of correction not less than 2 days nor more than 12 days.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on August 15, 2010 (boomark / email).