Florida citation dismissed after body cam shows error

A Florida woman has had a traffic citation for distracted driving dismissed after body camera footage revealed the officer who issued it claimed she was holding a phone in a hand she does not possess. Kathleen Thomas, a 36-year-old adaptive athlete and content creator, was pulled over on North Dixie Highway in Lake Worth Beach on February 11.

According to the footage, a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy told Thomas he observed her “holding the phone with your right hand and manipulating that phone” while driving. Thomas, who was born without a right hand, responded by raising her right arm. “So, obviously not,” she said, laughing. “So you wanna just call this a day?”

The officer continued the stop, insisting he had seen a hand manipulating a phone. In the exchange, Thomas repeatedly noted she lacked a right hand, while the deputy adjusted his statement, saying, “With the right hand, perhaps not.” He then asked her to swear “hand to God” she was not using her phone. When Thomas raised her right arm, he asked for “the other hand to God.” Despite the interaction, the deputy issued a citation for “Wireless Comm. Device—Handheld While Driving—First Offense,” which carries a...