Author Topic: Road blo- er, safety inspection (Read 856 times)

Chairboy · « **on:** May 15, 2007, 11:16:03 PM »

http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/downeast.aspx?articleid=149858&zoneid=177

When is an unconstitutional roadblock not an unconstitutional roadblock? When Homeland Security pays for it!

But don't worry comrades, everything's fine! Now, your papers please...

DYNAMITE · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2007, 11:18:35 PM »

Yikes

rpm · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2007, 12:22:05 AM »

That is not a safety inspection, that is a roadblock. Police won't be happy till we return to this:

Sandman · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2007, 12:31:33 AM »

Whose side are you on, son?

Our side, sir.

Don't you love your country?

Yes, sir.

Then how about getting with the program? Why don't you jump on the team and come on in for the big win?

We're at war, I tell you! WAR!

Sundowner · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2007, 04:14:29 AM »

Gunthr · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2007, 07:49:54 AM »

i don't know if i would get all that worked up about the multiagency checkpoint in Calais, Maine. It is right near the border entry point into our country. I think we should all expect to be searched when entering or leaving the country.

i agree that the distinction btw a a legal checkpoint and an unconstitutional one may be a little overworked here, but again, it is near the border. and i'd be willing to bet that what they are doing is within the constitution - maybe not far enough within it to satisfy some of you, but within it nonetheless.

it is nothing new. checkpoints, squeeze lanes and the like go on all over the country and have been going on for quite some time. if you would like to change the laws, don't just grouse about it, write your governmental representatives.

john9001 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2007, 07:56:02 AM »

"Also inside was Bob Whitman, bail commissioner for Washington County. He was writing bail tickets and collecting the money."

cha ching, police=armed tax collectors.

lazs2 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 16, 2007, 08:03:33 AM »

Ok... here's the deal..

I got no problem with a roadblock checking cars coming in from across the border..

I have a huge problem with the idea that an inspection is different than a roadblock. A roadblock is a roadblock.. an inspection is a roadblock.. an abortion is a murder. There is no gray area.

Roadblocks at the border should be legal. any other roadblock should not be.

This goes for the drunk driver roadblocks they put up all the time too.

I recall back in the 60's that they used to do "safety inspection" roadblocks in kalifornia but for some reason this practice has stopped.

lazs

Gunthr · « **Reply #8 on:** May 16, 2007, 08:13:40 AM »

i think the issue is right on the edge - and it is regularly challanged because of that. we are garaunteed to be secure against unreasonable searches under the 4th amend. so.... the question centers around wether the search and seizure was reasonable or not, ie, a balance btw needs of the state on the one hand and the protections of the 4th on the other.

the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the use of police roadblocks for several purposes, including highway safety, protection of national borders, and the sobriety checkpoints.

Brief stops allowing most motorists to proceed in a matter of seconds, that search for only one purpose, and checkpoints that advance a valid state interest, such as safety on the highways - have all been ok'd by the supremes.

but dragnet type searches for any and all violations are unconstitutional.

john9001 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 16, 2007, 08:27:47 AM »

it comes down to "probable cause", what probable cause did the police have to stop and check everyones turn signals and head lights?

be honest, it was a fishing expedition. Lets set a roadblock and see what we can catch.

lazs2 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 16, 2007, 08:37:25 AM »

Yep... "safety inspections?" its a frigging roadblock and should be illegal...

This is a real bad path to go down. sorta like abortion and "good" gun control laws..

lazs

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #11 on:** May 16, 2007, 08:57:24 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by lazs2
Ok... here's the deal..

I have a huge problem with the idea that an inspection is different than a roadblock. A roadblock is a roadblock.. an inspection is a roadblock..

I recall back in the 60's that they used to do "safety inspection" roadblocks in kalifornia but for some reason this practice has stopped.

lazs

They still do "safety inspections" here
They also do em for seat belts

Personally I call then "Roadside extortion schemes"
The new literal version if "highway robbery"

Using the Police as mere tools for revenue collection. And C'mon. thats really what its all about. Collecting as much money from citizens as possible for the local and state governments to piss away.

your local policement isnt just a cop anymore. He's a supplimental revenue collector. A Legalised armed gunman ordered (im sure not by choice in most cases) to basically stand on the side of the road stop you.find something minute wrong. and issue you an extortion letter (ticket)demanding your money

Gunthr · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2007, 09:07:30 AM »

i don't like them either, i'm just informing you that they go on across the country, and they've been challenged and upheld in federal supreme court for the past 25 years. i'm curious as to whether any of them had been found to be unconstitutional, and why.

i know they go on in Broward County FL all the time, esp sobriety checks, on heavy drinking holidays. (they publish in the local rags about a week in advance - so all the heavy hitting juicers can pick alternate routes

)

Sandman · « **Reply #13 on:** May 16, 2007, 09:52:58 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by lazs2
Ok... here's the deal..

I got no problem with a roadblock checking cars coming in from across the border..

I have a huge problem with the idea that an inspection is different than a roadblock. A roadblock is a roadblock.. an inspection is a roadblock.. an abortion is a murder. There is no gray area.

Roadblocks at the border should be legal. any other roadblock should not be.

This goes for the drunk driver roadblocks they put up all the time too.

I recall back in the 60's that they used to do "safety inspection" roadblocks in kalifornia but for some reason this practice has stopped.

lazs

I'm going to type this very slowly as I want to be careful not to tear any of my stitches.

I agree with Lazs.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 16, 2007, 10:11:22 AM »

From what I remember, it's legal if they stop every car. Or if they RANDOMLY stop so many cars. However, any evidence found during a random check can be thrown out if the doubt can be placed that the check wasn't perfectly random.