Middle finger protected by the constitution, court rules
ByABC7.com staff 
Sunday, March 17, 2019
TAYLOR, Michigan -- A federal appeals court says a driver who showed a police officer her middle finger is protected by the First Amendment.
It all started in 2017 when the Michigan woman was pulled over for speeding, but the officer gave her a break, writing it up as a lesser violation. But as the woman drove away, she flipped the officer off.
The officer pulled her over again, this time citing her for speeding.
She sued and a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in her favor, saying the woman didn't break any law by exercising her free-speech rights.
In the 3-0 decision Wednesday, the court said Officer Matthew Minard "should have known better," even if the driver was rude.
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