The board said its long-standing Public Drunkenness and Profanity ordinance was constitutionally vague, and, in addition to increasing fines, it changed the wording from "drunkenness" to "intoxication" to more clearly cover intoxicants other than alcohol.
The board wrote in a memo on the ordinance that it's not more offended by profane language these days, but raised the fine so the county penalty would align with that of the state. Virginia state law defines intoxication or profane swearing in public as a Class 4 misdemeanor, which for a first-time offense is subject to a fine of up to $250. In Fairfax County, cursing will cost you $117.
In 2014, the Arlington County Police Department reported arresting 664 individuals for either appearing drunk or using profanity in public. According to the board's memo, there were times when someone was under the influence of an intoxicant other than alcohol, but enforcement was not possible under the code as it was written.
Arlington police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said the county's numbers aren't broken down by how many people were arrested for just cursing in public.
