Pay to Swear!

[DPS Computing]

Preston Council are piloting a scheme which will see people swearing in public issued with an on the spot fine. Signs are being produced by the council to alert people to the fact that if they swear they will recieve a fine. Numerous complaints have been triggered by this from people saying that it infringes on their human right to free speech.

(Source: ITN).

Now I do think this is going a step to far. What do you all think? Fair enough if someones being abusive but there normally drunk, hence drunk and disordley, or there in a fight. Its not really fair to fine someone for saying "b*ll*cks" after dropping a heavy shopping bag on their foot is it!?!

[Ben Stones]

Preston Council are piloting a scheme which will see people swearing in public issued with an on the spot fine. Signs are being produced by the council to alert people to the fact that if they swear they will recieve a fine. Numerous complaints have been triggered by this from people saying that it infringes on their human right to free speech.

(Source: ITN).

Now I do think this is going a step to far. What do you all think? Fair enough if someones being abusive but there normally drunk, hence drunk and disordley, or there in a fight. Its not really fair to fine someone for saying "b*ll*cks" after dropping a heavy shopping bag on their foot is it!?!

This is just embarrassing now. there really needs to be some protest about these sorts of ideas, its getting way out of proportion.

[Eidolon]

I'd be interested to see what would happen if you refused to pay and told them to take you to court if they wanted the money. I rather suspect it would get thrown out.

[Site]

Its just another idea that will never work

[DPS Computing]

This is just embarrassing now. there really needs to be some protest about these sorts of ideas, its getting way out of proportion.

Yer, but would the government listen? (Iraq anyone?)

I'd be interested to see what would happen if you refused to pay and told them to take you to court if they wanted the money. I rather suspect it would get thrown out.

I think its along the same lines as the fixed penalities for drunkeness. Basically if you don't pay within 28 days (or however long it is) you recieve a summons. And then the offence would be failure to pay fines so the court might uphold a judgement against you based on the fact that you failed to pay a fine that you were instructed to rather than if they were bothered about you swearing. In other words, to deter people from non-payment of any kind of FPN (including parking tickets) they may judge against you.

Its just another idea that will never work

We'll have to wait and see I suppose!