So what exactly are the obscenity laws in regard to bumper stickers?

[EDT]

Though I've read stories here of people with bumper stickers with the
F word in them, and have been contemplating making my own bumper sticker with my own message, I haven't seen any bumper stickers with obscenities anywhere, in all of my travels, in all my years.

I would think there's some general clause for displaying obscene material (swear laden stickers), does anyone here have a clear idea of what exactly would or wouldn't pass for language on a bumper sticker?

[mrbassman03]

1. Free speech?

I really can't imagine any legal repercussions from this, though you might take a lot of shit from other drivers.

[Steelangel]

4. Hmm

My friend was planning to get a license plate 'FckBush' for his car but DMV rejected.

[951]

2. You might want to read this

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/speech/libraries/topic.aspx?topic=bumper_stickers

[EDT]

5. Thanks 951, excellent link.

[tedoll78]

3. I recall a case before the Supreme Court..

Cohen v California

A man was arrested for violation a public obscenity law for wearing a patch on his jacket that said simply, "Fuck the draft." The US Supreme Court ruled that though his patch was crude, it conveyed a legitimate political expression and was thus protected by the First Amendment.

I suspect that this court case is what would be looked to for guidance in such cases.

http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/77/

[karlrschneider]

6. Generally, free speech is just that, but there are municipalities with

ordinances prohibiting public utterances and presumably displaying certain so-called "profanities." I have no doubt those proscriptions are unconstitutional but until they're challenged in court, some localities have and will continue to enforce them. It's possible, but probably expensive to "fight city hall", as it were.