Ticket for Flashing Headlights Leads to First Amendment Lawsuit

It's communication, coppers

Missouri resident Michael Elli wanted to let others on the road know to slow down because they were about to drive into a speed trap, so he did what many kindhearted souls do: He flashed his headlights as a warning.

Police didn't take at all kindly to warnings of this 21st century Paul Revere.  They flashed him a ticket of his very own for obstruction of justice.  Prosecutors eventually dropped the case, but Mr. Elli has now filed a class action lawsuit against the city because he says that the city retaliates against drivers who exercise their right to free speech–and that the government is trying to prevent it because it doesn't like the message.

Under the law, obstruction of justice is generally defined as an attempt to interfere with the administration of the courts, the judicial system or law enforcement officers.