[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/can-get-arrested-laughing-police\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/can-get-arrested-laughing-police\/","headline":"Can You Get Arrested for Laughing at the Police","name":"Can You Get Arrested for Laughing at the Police","description":"Is taunting police officers a criminal offense? Most people know what\u2019s legal and which types of behavior will get you arrested. If you rob a bank, for example, you\u2019re going to get charged with theft. If you punch someone in a bar, you can count on being taken into custody for assault. However, some allegedly...","datePublished":"2017-09-20","dateModified":"2023-06-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/author\/broden-mickelsen\/#Person","name":"Mick Mickelsen","url":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/author\/broden-mickelsen\/","identifier":16,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/30690d9f76c45bf5d61434169e78762d673b1ac9b949489cf69f1c78d567fc27?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/30690d9f76c45bf5d61434169e78762d673b1ac9b949489cf69f1c78d567fc27?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Broden, Mickelsen LLP","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Broden-and-Mickelsen-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Broden-and-Mickelsen-Logo.png","width":378,"height":77}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Can-You-Get-Arrested-for-Laughing-at-the-Police.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Can-You-Get-Arrested-for-Laughing-at-the-Police.jpg","height":2560,"width":2560},"url":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/can-get-arrested-laughing-police\/","about":["Criminal Defense"],"wordCount":510,"keywords":["Dallas criminal defense lawyer","Laughing at the Police","Taunting Police Officers","Tips for Interacting with the Police"],"articleBody":"Is taunting police officers a criminal offense?Most people know what\u2019s legal and which types of behavior will get you arrested. If you rob a bank, for example, you\u2019re going to get charged with theft. If you punch someone in a bar, you can count on being taken into custody for assault.However, some allegedly criminal behavior exists in a gray area. In some cases, whether a person\u2019s conduct constitutes a crime comes down to their word against the word of the police officers involved.Police officers have a tough job. They\u2019re supposed to protect the public, enforce laws, and promote safety. But they don\u2019t have unlimited authority to govern people\u2019s conduct.Interfering with an arrest is one thing. If an individual tries to stop the police from doing their job, the police have the authority to make an arrest. However, is laughing at the police a crime? Is taunting police officers a criminal offense? A recent case is asking that question.Former NFL Player Arrested for \u201cTaunting\u201d the PoliceIn the NFL and other professional sports, players can get fined for taunting the opposing teams, fans, or officials. But what happens when they do it off the field?In a recent case, one former NFL player is facing charges for allegedly taunting the police during a friend\u2019s DUI arrest.According to Bleacher Report, former football player Louis Delmas was arrested in Miami for \u201cyelling at an officer while he conducted a field sobriety test on Delmas\u2019 friend.\u201dThe official name of the charge levied against Delmas is \u201cresisting arrest without violence.\u201d He was released on $500 bond.Tips for Interacting with the PoliceIn most cases, the police aren\u2019t going to arrest someone for laughing at them. However, if you put yourself between the police and a fleeing suspect, or you are a distraction that prevents officers from fully concentrating on carrying out their job, you could be arrested.It\u2019s quite possible that Delmas was simply concerned for his friend, or that he felt the police were wrong to stop his friend. However, a better course of action would have been to stay calm and seek legal counsel as soon as possible.Let Police Do Their Job. Keep in mind that the police are responsible for their safety and yours. If you are distracting to the point that they feel you\u2019re a threat to their safety, a suspect\u2019s safety, or your own safety, they have the authority to take you into custody.Cooperate, then Call Your Lawyer. If you disagree with what the police are doing, it\u2019s best to be cooperative and to follow their instructions. As soon as you have the opportunity, contact an experienced Texas criminal defense lawyer. It\u2019s much easier to defend yourself if you\u2019re not facing charges for resisting arrest, assaulting police officers, or other charges the police may tack on.Sources:http:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/2701909-louis-delmas-arrested-for-taunting-police-during-friends-dui-stopDallas Criminal Defense LawyerBroden & Mickelsen, LLP2600 State St Dallas, Texas 75204Main Phone: (214) 720-9552"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Can You Get Arrested for Laughing at the Police","item":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/can-get-arrested-laughing-police\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]