A Florida deputy issued a texting-while-driving citation to Kathleen Thomas, who does not have a right hand [1].
The incident highlights potential failures in police observation and the reliance on assumptions during traffic stops. Because the citation was based on a physical impossibility, it raises questions about the accuracy of the evidence used to justify the stop.
According to reports, the deputy pulled Thomas over in Florida [2] after allegedly seeing her use a mobile device. The officer said that Thomas was holding the phone in her right hand [3]. However, Thomas is missing her right hand [1].
Body camera footage of the encounter later became public, showing the interaction between the deputy and the driver. Thomas said, "I felt very uncomfortable" [4].
The citation was later dismissed [5]. The dismissal followed a determination that the officer's claim was unsupported by the facts of the case [3].
Thomas has since spoken out about the experience after the legal matter was resolved. The story gained significant attention this month as the footage circulated online [6].
“"I felt very uncomfortable."”
This case underscores the importance of body-worn camera footage in providing an objective record of police interactions. When a citation is based on a factual error regarding a citizen's physical anatomy, it suggests a lapse in the deputy's observation process and reinforces the necessity of judicial review to prevent unfounded penalties.
