I am not a lawyer, but I believe this doctrine has essentially not been enforced... | Hacker News

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		rudyfink on Jan 28, 2009 \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: Some things need to change I am not a lawyer, but I believe this doctrine has essentially not been enforced in recent memory. The subsequent paragraph to the one you quoted steadily showed it being rejected by those who attempted to bring it before the court in the US.

gravitycop on Jan 28, 2009 | [–]

There are fresh fighting-words arrest-reports, here: http://news.google.com/news?q=%22fighting+words%22+arrested

matthavener on Jan 29, 2009 | [–]

the test for assault is that a reasonable person would fear for their safety or life

the test for battery is that you harmfully or offensively touched someone or something on them

i think spitting would fall under both for most juries..

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