Florida v. RateMyCop.com [1]

The Tallahassee Police Department subpoenaed records from RateMyCop.com [2] after an anonymous user posted the name, address, and telephone number of a Tallahassee police officer on the site, according to Wired [3]. When the authorities obtained identifying information for the poster, they arrested and charged Robert Brayshaw [4] with a violation of Fla. Stat. § 843.17 [5]. Section 843.17 prohibits publication of a law enforcement officer's residential address or telephone number with the intent to intimidate, hinder, or interrupt any law enforcement officer in the legal performance of his or her duties.

A state court judge ultimately dismissed the charges against Brayshaw with prejudice for failure to comply with Florida's speedy trial requirements. Brayshaw then filed a complaint in federal court in Florida, seeking a declaration that Section 843.17 violates the First Amendment.