You may not swear in front of women and children. (Repealed, 2002)

Sec. 337. Indecent, etc., language in presence of women or children — Any person who shall use any indecent, immoral, obscene, vulgar or insulting language in the presence or hearing of any woman or child shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

In 1999, a man was convicted of violating this law after he fell out of his canoe and started swearing up a storm. He was arrested and charged under an 1897 Michigan law. In 2002, the law was overturned after the ACLU of Michigan successfully fought the law on First Amendment ground.

You may not swear in front of women and children in the state of Michigan.

Persons may not swear while on the highway.

Women may not wear a “lewd” dress in public.

It is illegal to cuss in the presensce of another.

You can be fined up to 100$ for using profanity in a public place.

One Response to “You may not swear in front of women and children. (Repealed, 2002)”

Comment from nasp
Time October 29, 2010 at 1:58 pm

this law was repealed, but only the part about women its still illegal to swear in front of children.