Guy Gets Put in Handcuffs for Cursing on a Ticket

According to the News-Times, William Barboza from Fairfield Connecticut was given a ticket for speeding in the village of Liberty, New York about three years ago. Instead of following the simple direction of writing out a check for the amount and sending it back in that convenient little envelope, Barboza decided to protest the ticket instead by writing three curse words on the payment form. The village refused to let him pay by mail because when a female clerk opened the ticket, she became aghast and horrified to find Barboza had referred to the clerks as "bitches!" So "here come da judge" who referred this heinous act of protest to a Liberty prosecutor, who in turn ordered Barboza to appear in court. It appears that there's not a whole lot going on in Liberty, New York.

When Barboza showed up to answer the charge of writing, "bitches" on the ticket, he was handcuffed and taken away before his release on $200 bail! Fast forward to three years later, and in rides U.S. District Judge, Cathy Seibel from White Plains, who ruled that the arrest violated Barboza's First Amendment rights and proceeded to drop the charges saying that even though Barboza's comments were nasty and rude, "they did not convey an imminent threat and was made in the context of complaining about government activity." After the ruling was announced, Barboza was rumored to have said, "You can kiss my ticket and *$@*$%@@!!" He really said no such thing although he is suing the town of Liberty.

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