Question

to constitute a verbal offense, \fighting words\ must be which of the following?

a. deliberately provoking another

b. addressed to a person face-to-face

c. directed at a law enforcement officer

d. yelled inside of a crowded theater

Explanation:

Fighting words, in the legal context (subfield of Law in Social Science), are defined as words that are personally addressed to another in a face - to - face manner and are likely to incite an immediate breach of the peace. Option a is too general as provoking doesn't necessarily fit the legal definition of fighting words. Option c is incorrect as fighting words aren't limited to being directed at law enforcement officers. Option d refers to the "clear and present danger" doctrine (like the Schenck v. United States case about yelling in a crowded theater), not fighting words. So the correct answer is b.

Answer:

b. addressed to a person face - to - face