Texas Student Gets $637 Fine for Swearing

(CBS/AP) $637 is a lot to fit into a swear jar.

Victoria Mullins, a suburban Dallas teenager, has had to take on a waitressing job to pay $637 after being ticketed for using bad language in a high school classroom.

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Court records show that teacher Michelle Lene heard Victoria Mullins say "you trying to start [expletive]!" loudly in class one day last October.

She was sent to the principal's office and given lunch detention. The next day, the school resource officer presented the North Mesquite High School student a ticket.

The Dallas Morning News reports that the original fine, for disorderly conduct/abusive language, was $340, but other charges were added, including failure to show for a hearing.

The complaint said Lene was offended, and that Mullins' language was a breach of the peace.

Mullins acknowledges she was wrong, but says she said it to "a kid who is really obnoxious, starts stuff with everyone and always gets on my nerves was bothering me," reports the paper.