Federal Court Gives Thumbs Up To Giving The Finger
If you're one who's made a habit of flipping off other drivers, you'll be delighted to know that your rude gesture is actually protected speech.
We know this because of a Michigan woman's lawsuit after being given a speeding ticket for giving a police officer "the finger."
A federal appeals court says a Michigan woman's constitutional rights were violated when she was handed a speeding ticket after giving the finger to a suburban Detroit officer in 2017. The decision means a lawsuit by Debra Cruise-Gulyas can proceed.
In a 3-0 decision Wednesday, the court said Taylor Officer Matthew Minard "should have known better," even if the driver was rude.Minard stopped Cruise-Gulyas and wrote her a ticket for a lesser violation. But when that stop was over, Cruise-Gulyas raised her middle finger.
Minard pulled her over again and changed the ticket to a more serious speeding offense.
Cruise-Gulyas sued, saying her free-speech rights and her rights against unreasonable seizure were violated.
Courts have been asked to decide this sort of thing before:
Well, at least we won't have to deal with fallout over giving someone the finger ever again...right?
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