NY Village Must Stand Trial for Arresting Man Who Wrote Curse Words on Speeding Ticket

A judge says a New York village named Liberty must stand trial for arresting a man who wrote curse words on a speeding ticket.

Federal Judge Cathy Seibel in White Plains made the ruling last week. A civil rights group publicized a transcript of the proceeding Tuesday.

The case centers on the arrest of a 22-year-old Fairfield County, Connecticut, driver three years ago.

Willian Barboza protested a speeding ticket by writing three curse words on his payment form. He also replaced the village's name, "Liberty," with "Tyranny."

Seibel says the arrest violated Willian Barboza's First Amendment rights.

The judge ordered the Sullivan County village to face trial on claims it failed to properly train police officers about the First Amendment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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