Home WebMail Saturday, November 2, 2024, 08:23 AM | Calgary | -3.9°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Posted: 2019-03-14T15:42:57Z | Updated: 2019-03-14T15:42:57Z Court Rules The Middle Finger Is Constitutionally Protected | HuffPost

Court Rules The Middle Finger Is Constitutionally Protected

A federal appeals court says a Michigan womans constitutional rights were violated when she was handed a speeding ticket after giving the finger to a suburban Detroit officer.

TAYLOR, Mich. (AP) — When it comes to the middle finger, police might need a thicker skin.

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.

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

Support HuffPost