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Appellate court overturns conviction, rules use of cell phone maps while driving legal despite ban on texting or talking

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Steven Spriggs, a Fresno man who was ticketed for using his mobile phone while driving in January of 2012, won an appeal of his conviction today in a ruling that could potentially impact how drivers are allowed to use their phones while on the road.

Because Spriggs was using his phone’s mapping application when he was pulled over, the court overturned his conviction, stating that maps do not fall under the state ban on texting or talking on a cell phone while driving. Any drivers who were previously ticketed for a similar offense may be able to get their own tickets overturned.

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