Charges Dropped Against Shane Boor, Man Who Gave Cops Middle Finger (VIDEO)

DENVER (AP) -- A harassment charge has been dropped in the case of a 35-year-old Colorado man who faced prosecution for displaying his middle finger to a Colorado State Patrol trooper.

The State Patrol said in a statement late Friday that it asked that the case be dropped.

The American Civil Liberties Union had argued that while the gesture may be have been rude, it amounted to protected free speech.

According to the ACLU, Shane Boor was driving to work in April when he saw a trooper pull over a car. As Boor passed by, he extended his middle finger in the trooper's direction.

Boor was later stopped and received a criminal summons ordering him to appear in court to answer a criminal charge of harassment, which carries a possible six-month jail term.

Stephen Colbert satirically profiled a similar case in 2009:

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Comments

[geraldlsolis]

10:05 AM on 07/28/2011

I don't understand why this had to even go to court. At least half of the states have already ruled on other people doing the same thing to cops somewhere in their states and every case ended the same way, that is, giving someone the "finger" is covered by Freedom of Speech. Case Dismissed.

[Sabra Bruning]

10:34 PM on 07/27/2011

"The American Civil Liberties Union had argued that while the
gesture may be have been rude, it amounted to protected free
speech."~~ This is idiotic. Tantamount to saying that "While
screaming 'Fire!' in a theater when there isn't a fire is annoying,
not to mention dangerous, it is protected free speech.

No, it isn't!

This was a blatant disrespect of authority and
it should be viewed as a misdemeanor.
Small fine. Make the moron write "I will respect
all authority" 500xs!


We cannot have a continuing eroding of respect
like this and then expect them to do their jobs.
We expect far too much from them already.

[karen1e]

06:00 PM on 07/26/2011

Gawd that must have felt good. I've wanted to do it several times in my life!

[Jeffersoda]

10:30 PM on 07/18/2011

Colbert is not funny!

[60s Dem]

11:25 AM on 07/18/2011

Here's a message for all you righties!!: http://alexanderjmasson.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/johnny-cash-bird.jpg

[60s Dem]

11:19 AM on 07/18/2011

Some famous people that have flipped the bird publically: George Bush, Nelson Rockefeller, Elizabeth Taylor, ....it's a LONG list.

[Sabra Bruning]

10:35 PM on 07/27/2011

Not to a cop they didn't!

[mikeemo1]

08:50 PM on 07/15/2011

im sure the finger didnt constitute harassment but it surly did indicate a right hand turn he shoulda been cited for incorect signaling and he would have been convicted sheesh thats trooper 101 training guess he was trying to make a name for his self haha

[jetdevil68]

08:43 AM on 07/09/2011

Maybe it was a rush hour speed trap? Hmmmmm, the police collecting revenue by preying on the workforce isn't acceptable in this economy? Civil service employee's living large off of the backs of the taxpayer is cool? Maybe it was envy of the job security, steady pay increases and the 20 & out that the trooper receives?

[CO777CAPT]

05:14 PM on 07/01/2011

is this STILL news?

[hurleygurl2246]

08:51 AM on 06/28/2011

The number one thing I love about our Country is, Our Freedom Of Speech! Respect must be earned, and some people just don't deserve it. Cop, or not it must be earned.

[AZ Stang]

12:00 PM on 07/09/2011

It's a good thing Police and firefighters don't feel that way.

[vb43]

08:02 AM on 06/28/2011

Thank you

دردشة العراق

[jdrabe]

01:56 AM on 06/28/2011

arrests for "contempt of cop" have become the new norm. sovereign immunity not withstanding, these cops should be hauled into civil courts and sued, it is the only way to put a stop to their abuse of authority.

[AZ Stang]

12:01 PM on 07/09/2011

What abuse? Giving someone a speeding ticket?

[jdrabe]

01:15 PM on 07/09/2011

try reading the article again

[aaapreciseplumb]

09:35 AM on 06/16/2011

Respect is something earned not something that is entitled because you have a certain job

[CO777CAPT]

05:15 PM on 07/01/2011

that's exactly why i'm giving barry and all his troll troop the finger right now

[AZ Stang]

12:01 PM on 07/09/2011

Awesome! LOL

[60s Dem]

11:11 AM on 07/18/2011

Fair enough.....Bush got NO respect after we found out he was an idiot.....but, c'mon, no matter how long Obama is president, he will never be as stupid as Bush. It's like, I'll be sober in the morning, but you'll still be ugly.

[aaapreciseplumb]

09:29 AM on 06/16/2011

sooooo, let me see if I have this correct. The jails are so empty that we now bring people up on charges for flipping off a cop while driving. I have waved at several cops in my time and never receive a wave back. I believe they think because they wear that uniform that they can be rude but the general public better give them respect. I am confused. I thought cops were to up hold the law, not make law their personal and emotional crutch. Is there a law that states you can't flip off a cop and is there a law that states they should never wave at the very people that pay taxes so the states can afford to pay them. Cops: It's a job people they aren't the pope and half the cops walking around shouldn't be cops or allow to carry a gun because they are what I call halfwits half the time. I bet everyone at the cop shop made fun of him!!!!!

[NKLSWRTH]

10:21 AM on 06/13/2011

Lets' see what happens when we try to express the same message to Mr. Boor........