SydLexia.com - The Forums :: View topic - The Law overstepping civil liberties/fear of Big Brother

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

For the July 4th weekend a DUI checkpoint was setup in Gainesville, FL.

While the checkpoint was operating they pulled over 1,131 vehicles

Quote:

Although no one was arrested for DUI, FHP said the following actions were taken during the checkpoint:

--Two arrested on outstanding warrants.

-- Seven arrested on felony charges, including six on drug-related charges.

-- One arrested for misdemeanor drugs.

-- 104 traffic citations issued.

-- 10 faulty equipment warnings were issued.

-- 10 warnings were issued.

Original Story
So... is this constitutional? Are the police allowed to pull people over randomly and search cars like this? It seems like a stretch to me. I'm all for cleaning up problems, but this feels like some abuse of power to me.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 10:35 am

Don't they normally have to notify the community before they're going to do it? I think they do in Iowa, as I usually get an article e-mailed to me and notifying me of when and where these checkpoints are happening beforehand. Maybe that's how they get around it, kinda like since you know there's going to be a metal detector at the airport, don't put anything metal and pointy in your pocket, no matter how squeaky clean your record is.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 11:54 am

If you aren't breaking the law, then you have nothing to hide, right? Only those worried about random searches and checkpoints are those who are doing things they shouldn't be doing, such as drinking and driving, have warrants, or doing drugs.

Plus, a DUI checkpoint isn't randomly pulling people over, at least not the ones I've been through. It's basically like the security checkpoint at the airport; you just drive through, stop for 30 seconds while the cop asks you a few questions to determine whether or not you're drunk, then lets you pass. Cops are pretty good at detecting who needs to be searched just from a minute's conversation, so like I said, if you have nothing to hide and aren't doing anything wrong, then it's no big deal.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Bullshit.

Search and seizure is a nasty tactic that should be reserved for a warrant. I'm not against it, but I am against the police having the right without the proper checks and balances. This gives too much power to one person.

When more than 10% of the population stopped at one of these things walks away with a ticket or a warning, you know something is wrong.

2011 SNES Champ Joined: Dec 04 2006 Posts: 1929

I know someone whose license had expired two days before, who only had time to renew it the following day, and was pulled over randomly. 500$ ticket.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 12:31 pm

To me it's no different from a cop hiding behind a stop sign, waiting for someone to run it. Sure you'll probably catch a few people doing it, but it's bullshit. Can't believe our tax dollars fund this kind of thing.

It's also my personal belief that the penalties for drunk driving are too stiff. Now if someone is seriously retarded and trying to drive, he deserves to be punished. Same goes for repeat offenders. But when a person is maybe a tad over the legal limit because he had 1 more beer than he should have, I don't believe he should be punished for the rest of his life for that. I mean seriously, who hasn't driven a little drunk, but still been perfectly capable of getting home safely?

Posted: Jul 13 2009 12:34 pm

GPFontaine wrote:

Bullshit.

Search and seizure is a nasty tactic that should be reserved for a warrant. I'm not against it, but I am against the police having the right without the proper checks and balances. This gives too much power to one person.

When more than 10% of the population stopped at one of these things walks away with a ticket or a warning, you know something is wrong.

Few reasons they've might done this "checkpoint".

1.Rise of Immigration in your area ( But that means ICE will be knocking on your door soon )

2. A serial killer is on the loose

3.Possbile Drug Cartels have moved into your area

4. The Police State is finally here, were screwed.

or simply

5. Your area has alot of drunk drivers and they just truly want to protect and serve.

But GP, you should definitely look into this, this seems a little out of the ordinary.

Joined: May 22 2008 Location: Goshen, VA Posts: 6544

This kind of shit happens here all the time, but it's usually just to check "license and registration".

I went through a check one time and the officer asked for my ID and stuff. I showed him and then he proceeded to stick his head all the way into my vehicle and sniff very loudly, as if he smelled marijuana. I just looked at him and said "What?" and he asked if I had any drugs or weapons in the car. Of course I did not, and told him he could search my car and my person if he wanted, I didn't care.

So the bastard tore my car apart, because his "well trained" cop nose thought he smelled reefer. Well, he didn't and he made me look like an ass in front of hundreds of motorists who drove by. He apologized and told me I could leave. This is the kind of shit that pisses me off.

First off, it's obvious that the cop NEVER smelled marijuana in my car, he either heard I was listening to heavy music or didn't like my shirt or something. It's just sad we pay these people to do this shit.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:01 pm

joshwoodzell wrote:

This kind of shit happens here all the time, but it's usually just to check "license and registration".

I went through a check one time and the officer asked for my ID and stuff. I showed him and then he proceeded to stick his head all the way into my vehicle and sniff very loudly, as if he smelled marijuana. I just looked at him and said "What?" and he asked if I had any drugs or weapons in the car. Of course I did not, and told him he could search my car and my person if he wanted, I didn't care.

So the bastard tore my car apart, because his "well trained" cop nose thought he smelled reefer. Well, he didn't and he made me look like an ass in front of hundreds of motorists who drove by. He apologized and told me I could leave. This is the kind of shit that pisses me off.

First off, it's obvious that the cop NEVER smelled marijuana in my car, he either heard I was listening to heavy music or didn't like my shirt or something. It's just sad we pay these people to do this shit.

I doubt he made up the reefer accusation due to your heavy music.

Everyone knows stoners listen to Phish.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:17 pm

joshwoodzell wrote:

This kind of shit happens here all the time, but it's usually just to check "license and registration".

I went through a check one time and the officer asked for my ID and stuff. I showed him and then he proceeded to stick his head all the way into my vehicle and sniff very loudly, as if he smelled marijuana. I just looked at him and said "What?" and he asked if I had any drugs or weapons in the car. Of course I did not, and told him he could search my car and my person if he wanted, I didn't care.

So the bastard tore my car apart, because his "well trained" cop nose thought he smelled reefer. Well, he didn't and he made me look like an ass in front of hundreds of motorists who drove by. He apologized and told me I could leave. This is the kind of shit that pisses me off.

First off, it's obvious that the cop NEVER smelled marijuana in my car, he either heard I was listening to heavy music or didn't like my shirt or something. It's just sad we pay these people to do this shit.

You should've filed a complaint (but that depends on how fucked up your car and plus you gave him permission )But it's the principal .

We have to start holding the police accountable for when they step out of line like this. They can't bully the public like that.

"The police is somethin' ain't they? Yeah. They protect and serve alright. They protect they neighborhood and serve everybody else a ass whoopin'."
- Random Citizen

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Josh, your example is exactly why I believe a warrant should have to be issued for a search.

And Ice, if you get caught driving and you are over the legal limit you should be kicked so hard in the nuts that you can never reproduce. Drunk driving is absolutely intolerable. These types of checkpoints should do whatever they can to fix that problem... but not use that problem to try and solve others.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:22 pm

I've never seen this in the states, I had to go through a checkpoint while I was in Canada before, I thought it was just a Canadian thing...

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:26 pm

When we have them, they are totally random. When you are stopped, all they do is ask you a few questions, where are you comming from, where are you going and have you been drinking.

If you have a problem with it, talk to the proper authorities.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

It's also my personal belief that the penalties for drunk driving are too stiff.

Let's see what you'd think if a family member or friend was killed by a drunk driver.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:27 pm

GPFontaine wrote:

And Ice, if you get caught driving and you are over the legal limit you should be kicked so hard in the nuts that you can never reproduce. Drunk driving is absolutely intolerable. These types of checkpoints should do whatever they can to fix that problem... but not use that problem to try and solve others.

I disagree that somebody who blows a .09 should be punished for the rest of his life over what was essentially a small error in judgement (having 1 more beer than he should have).

I think there should be levels of DUI. If you're barely over the limit, the punishment should be a simple fine. Nothing that permanently scars your record. Now, if you're significantly over the limit, I can see harsh punishments being due. Or if you're a repeat offender, you obviously didn't learn your lesson and should face stiffer penalties as well.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

I disagree that somebody who blows a .09 should be punished for the rest of his life over what was essentially a small error in judgement (having 1 more beer than he should have).

Please leave society. I do not want to be killed by you when your BAC is at .08 and in your youthful arrogance you think you're "ok to drive."

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:30 pm

You don't have to blow a .08 to get a DUI. You can get one at .06 if it fucks you up enough. .08 is a guideline. If you are under that, get pulled over, and fail the field sobriety tests, you're still getting a DUI and going to jail.

Also, I agree. If you are more then "relaxed" (Stages of drinking: Dead Sober, Relaxed, light buzz, heavy buzz, wasted, passed out) don't drive period. If that means after only 2 beers, then so be it. Why risk your life and others, based on your stupid pride and ego of "Oh, I can totally drive right now."

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:30 pm

Cattivo wrote:

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

I disagree that somebody who blows a .09 should be punished for the rest of his life over what was essentially a small error in judgement (having 1 more beer than he should have).

Please leave society. I do not want to be killed by you when your BAC is at .08 and in your youthful arrogance you think you're "ok to drive."

I would venture to guess that most people who claim to have never driven a little bit drunk either:

A) Don't have a lisence
B) Don't drink at all

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:31 pm

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

GPFontaine wrote:

And Ice, if you get caught driving and you are over the legal limit you should be kicked so hard in the nuts that you can never reproduce. Drunk driving is absolutely intolerable. These types of checkpoints should do whatever they can to fix that problem... but not use that problem to try and solve others.

I disagree that somebody who blows a .09 should be punished for the rest of his life over what was essentially a small error in judgement (having 1 more beer than he should have).

I think there should be levels of DUI. If you're barely over the limit, the punishment should be a simple fine. Nothing that permanently scars your record. Now, if you're significantly over the limit, I can see harsh punishments being due. Or if you're a repeat offender, you obviously didn't learn your lesson and should face stiffer penalties as well.

Pass US Celluar Stadium, that's an ass whoopin'.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:35 pm

SpraCoalee wrote:

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

GPFontaine wrote:

And Ice, if you get caught driving and you are over the legal limit you should be kicked so hard in the nuts that you can never reproduce. Drunk driving is absolutely intolerable. These types of checkpoints should do whatever they can to fix that problem... but not use that problem to try and solve others.

I disagree that somebody who blows a .09 should be punished for the rest of his life over what was essentially a small error in judgement (having 1 more beer than he should have).

I think there should be levels of DUI. If you're barely over the limit, the punishment should be a simple fine. Nothing that permanently scars your record. Now, if you're significantly over the limit, I can see harsh punishments being due. Or if you're a repeat offender, you obviously didn't learn your lesson and should face stiffer penalties as well.

Pass US Celluar Stadium, that's an ass whoopin'.

Que?

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

Cattivo wrote:

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

I disagree that somebody who blows a .09 should be punished for the rest of his life over what was essentially a small error in judgement (having 1 more beer than he should have).

Please leave society. I do not want to be killed by you when your BAC is at .08 and in your youthful arrogance you think you're "ok to drive."

I would venture to guess that most people who claim to have never driven a little bit drunk either:

A) Don't have a lisence
B) Don't drink at all

I have NEVER driven drunk, even a little. I have a license and I drink socially a few times a month. I never go out without having a designated driver. That person gets 1 drink max.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:44 pm

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

SpraCoalee wrote:

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

GPFontaine wrote:

And Ice, if you get caught driving and you are over the legal limit you should be kicked so hard in the nuts that you can never reproduce. Drunk driving is absolutely intolerable. These types of checkpoints should do whatever they can to fix that problem... but not use that problem to try and solve others.

I disagree that somebody who blows a .09 should be punished for the rest of his life over what was essentially a small error in judgement (having 1 more beer than he should have).

I think there should be levels of DUI. If you're barely over the limit, the punishment should be a simple fine. Nothing that permanently scars your record. Now, if you're significantly over the limit, I can see harsh punishments being due. Or if you're a repeat offender, you obviously didn't learn your lesson and should face stiffer penalties as well.

Pass US Celluar Stadium, that's an ass whoopin'.

Que?

I'm not saying any names but in Chicago a certain police will force will pull you over, fuck with you, you give them lip they'll smack you around , throw you to the ground cuff you and throw you in back of the dickmobile and haul your ass to county.
And sometimes certain shit from your car is missing or damaged.

But that 's only when alcohol is in involve.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:48 pm

DUI laws in AZ are the toughest ones here. and we have totally random BS checkpoints and w/Sheriff Joe (the self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in the country) processing random raids on businesses to try to deport hard working immigrants,we have to put up w/a lot of BS.

in fact, AZ dropped the DUI BAC to .06 from .08. and i have read numerous accounts where people w/.000 BAC got cited for a DUI simply because the cop felt like it. granted those charges were dismissed, but thats still a waste of time for both the courts and the citizen to even have to fight those charges.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:49 pm

GPFontaine wrote:

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

Cattivo wrote:

Ice2SeeYou wrote:

I disagree that somebody who blows a .09 should be punished for the rest of his life over what was essentially a small error in judgement (having 1 more beer than he should have).

Please leave society. I do not want to be killed by you when your BAC is at .08 and in your youthful arrogance you think you're "ok to drive."

I would venture to guess that most people who claim to have never driven a little bit drunk either:

A) Don't have a lisence
B) Don't drink at all

I have NEVER driven drunk, even a little. I have a license and I drink socially a few times a month. I never go out without having a designated driver. That person gets 1 drink max.

Well that's admirable. But the reality is that MOST people aren't going to be so strict about it.

Some people in this thread seem to think I'm advocating getting behind the wheel after you've been on a bar crawl all day. That's not what I'm about. I just don't think that have 1 extra beer while you were over at your buddy's house should be a punishment that follows you around for the rest of your life.

No doubt alcohol impairs your ability to drive, but so does talking/texting on the phone, chatting with 4 people in the back seat or having a dog running around in your car. None of those things are vilified nearly to the extent of alcohol.

Posted: Jul 13 2009 01:51 pm

username wrote:

DUI laws in AZ are the toughest ones here. and we have totally random BS checkpoints and w/Sheriff Joe (the self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in the country) processing random raids on businesses to try to deport hard working immigrants,we have to put up w/a lot of BS.

in fact, AZ dropped the DUI BAC to .06 from .08. and i have read numerous accounts where people w/.000 BAC got cited for a DUI simply because the cop felt like it. granted those charges were dismissed, but thats still a waste of time for both the courts and the citizen to even have to fight those charges.

That's just fucked up.