Can stating one's opinion be considered a crime?
95928
It depends on circumstance.  Think of the following opinions and how they could be considered a crime under some conditions. \n\nI think you're hot\nI think you're incompetant\nI think you should be shot\nI think the President should be shot\nI think you should give me $20\nI think we should all rush the doors\nI think I smell smoke\nI think he's using steroids\nI think everyone should buy stock in Enron\nI think someone poisoned the water supply\nI think there is a bomb in the school library
497445
If it is said publicly, the offending person could be sued for slander.
158771
Unless it's a criminal offence. Most definetly not!
109336
Absolutely.  It's what this country is founded on.  If not everything you said would become subjective.  If the right person didn't like what you said you'd be screwed.  This way we know where the line is.  There isn't one.
1057177
hate crimes are not about the thought so much as they are about the purpose, and thus, no--someone shouting something out a window is not illegal. (verbal assault is not considered a crime, unless it is repeated harassment.) (if your boss or co-worker does this, however, then it is a creation of a hostile work environment, and is punishable, if the employer does not handle it satisfactorily. not a hate crime, though.) \n\nif someone is killed or physically assaulted specifically because of their race, especially by a stranger, then there is a larger intimidation and fear purpose to the crime. it is meant to scare the crap out of others who fit the description of the victim--ex: lynching. \n\nthe crime is different because it is not a crime of passion or a crime of opportunity--it is a crime against society in that it is attempting to intimidate and instill fear in a larger population.
841796
Although we have free speech in America if our speech incites a riot or if it is reasonable to assume that what you say could incite others to do harm or break the law then there can be legal repercussions.  The reason this so seldom happens though is because it has to be proved that the actions of others were the direct and sole result of the words or actions of another and this can be hard to do.
3217
Yes, when posting in a public place or forum anything you say or type can be used to prosicute you in criminal court. However you can not be held liable civily...\n\nThe only reason it would not be wise to post an admittance of guilt to a criminal act is because privacy on this site is not expectd... If you could argue what you typed on this site was private you would have a case but in public forums there is no way yu could argue that and win... \n\nBest bet- keep you mouth closed
541042
Depends on the situation.  \n\nSimply flipping off someone, even a cop, could be considered free speech and protected under the constitution.  BUT - you can bet that a police officer could find SOMETHING to arrest you for if he was pissed off.
548340
truth is we dont need to educate ourselves to know if an opinion is biased or not because all opinions are subjective and prejudicial (that's why it's called an opinion. otherwise, it would have been called a fact)
24175
You have freedom of speech in the US, criminally you cannot be charge with a crime speaking your mind. The only thing you cannot say is Fire in a public place and that you are going to kill our presdent, those two thing are illegal to say.\n\nNow civilly, you can be brought to court for saying lies (slander) or damaging statements about people that affected them in some way. \n\nThere are very limited consquences for using your right to free speech.
1152133
As under the given conditions, i dont think that the person is a criminal... Theres nothing wrong in doing it.
705035
its called self incrimination, and its when what you say would hurt your case. Take the 5th amendment in order to not incriminate yourself or others.
897292
This is an interesting question in light of the laws that punish some people more severely than others because of their opinion, even when committing exactly the same act. I am referring to "Hate Crime" laws that enhance a criminal offense because of the person's opinion/rationale for committing the crime. So, if one person kills another person because he hates that person’s ethnicity or religious views then he will receive a harsher punishment than another guy who kills without hate, simply because he enjoys killing. The point is, you may be entitled to your own opinion, but you will be punished for your thoughts and NOT just the act.
122637
depends on the state...here in IL it is not a crime but rather a civil affair unless a judgement has been rendered and the party in question is in contempt.
214958
It is if you use it to defraud. Calling yourself something other that your real name is not a crime.
1051273
It should not be. Nor do I think voting should be a requirement to voice your opinion.\n\nA vote is saying that you affirmatively approve one candidate over another. If none of the people on the ballot are ones that I actually support, I wouldn't vote for them.\n\nHowever, because I am still stuck with whatever laws the majority-elected government chooses to enact,  I absolutely have the right to voice my opinion about those. Especially since I don't actually have the opportunity to vote for most of those laws directly.
1059691
Its a crime against the State-to go against the State is a crime against the country-Treason.\nIt includes many civil-trespassing-disorderly-       fraud  and a hundred others.