The First Amendment protects free speech in the U.S., but it has limits. Speech can be restricted if it incites violence, causes panic (like shouting "fire" in a crowded theater), involves obscenity, defamation, true threats, or hate speech that incites imminent lawless action. Time, place, and manner restrictions are also allowed if content-neutral.

while the First Amendment provides robust protection for free expression, it allows for specific, well-defined exceptions where speech poses a significant harm or undermines other important societal interests