(Yes, the dogs can detect drugs, but they can be easily manipulated or tricked into “sensing” drugs where no drugs exist, at least prior to the roadblock stop.) Old Bowser can be relied upon to find drugs anyplace the police want to find drugs. Often, an involuntary search is preceded by another form of search, the once-over by the urban myth known as the infallible drug sniffing dog. This is a sad commentary on the state of affairs, but these events should be expected in a society that employs police state tactics to intimidate common citizens. If they can’t find anything illegal in your vehicle, they may place something in your vehicle that will justify their search. If, under any set of circumstances, the police force a search of your vehicle, assume the worse case scenario. The old ruse, “if you don’t have anything to hide, why object to a search?” should be ignored, or met with a response that you value your right to privacy and do not consent to a search of your vehicle. The police may try to cajole you into permitting a search. Never permit a voluntary search of your person or your vehicle. They may ask your permission for a search - which means they do not have legal grounds to force a search. However, this is not to say that all your rights are null and void once you enter a roadblock.įirst, the police do not have the authority to search you or your vehicle, not without probable cause that you have, or are committing a crime. Therefore, there is little to gain by launching into a tirade over the constitutionality of roadblocks, at least while you are stopped at one. The point of the above discussion is to suggest that you engage the roadblock process from the standpoint that the current courts find them legal and a legitimate law enforcement tactic. The courts have gone out of their way to allow the police great latitude in what they can do, once they have you stopped and under their control. the recent cases prohibiting roadblocks from being used to identify drug users or couriers, the enforcement agencies just claim another purpose for the roadblocks and it’s business as usual. The pity is that it works, as far as the “desired effect” is concerned.Įven if the courts disallow roadblocks for certain purposes, e.g. The desired effect is to establish a sense of fear and intimidation among the population. These excuses include “sobriety checks,” license and registration verification, possession of insurance, proof of citizenship, and seatbelt usage. The stated purposes of roadblocks are usually legalized excuses to stop and scrutinize motorists for which there would otherwise be no reason to do so. Roadblocks are usually established in locations that prevent easy avoidance, offer ample parking for interrogating suspected law violators and issuing tickets, and usually in places and during times that will not cause serious traffic tie ups, although there have certainly been exceptions.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |