The ACLU of Colorado announced it would provide free criminal defense services to Shane Boor, a 35-year-old Colorado man with no criminal record who faces criminal prosecution and a jail sentence for displaying his middle finger to an officer of the Colorado State Patrol.
In April, Mr. Boor was driving to a work site in Jefferson County when he saw a state trooper pull over a car. As he passed by, Mr. Boor extended his middle finger in the trooper’s direction, a gesture that quietly expressed Mr. Boor’s disapproval of what he regarded as unjustified harassment by members of the trooper’s profession.
Soon after Mr. Boor arrived at his work site, another trooper arrived and questioned Boor about the hand gesture. Boor then received a criminal summons ordering him to appear in Jefferson County Court to answer a criminal charge of “harassment.” The charge carries a possible penalty of six months in jail.
The ACLU's announcement prompted considerable media attention, which in turn prompted the State Patrol to ask that the charge against Mr. Boor be dropped.
ACLU Press Release:
Media:
- “ACLU defends Colorado man who flipped off state trooper,” The Denver Post, May 26, 2011
- “Top 10 flipping the bird moments in honor of Shane Boor, whose finger case has been dropped,” Westword May 31, 2011
- “Shane Boor To Receive Free ACLU Defense For Flipping Off Cop,” Huffington Post, May 26, 2011
- “In case you missed it | Flipping off the po-po,” Boulder Weekly, June 2, 2011
ACLU case number
2011-08
