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From: bdd@cybvax0.UUCP (Robert D. Donovan)
Newsgroups: net.legal,net.auto
Subject: Re: DWI Roadblocks
Message-ID: <587@cybvax0.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 26-Jun-85 11:41:41 EDT
Article-I.D.: cybvax0.587
Posted: Wed Jun 26 11:41:41 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 27-Jun-85 06:59:18 EDT
References: <979@homxa.UUCP>
Organization: Cybermation, Inc., Cambridge, MA
Lines: 35
Xref: watmath net.legal:1792 net.auto:7171

> What is the opinion on the net:

> Is it "unlawful search and seizure" if you are stopped at a road
> block and checked for DWI even though you were driving your car
> properly (not too fast or slow or weaving or anything, just minding
> your own business)? 

Apprently not, since Massachusetts in particular has been doing these
roadblocks for some time without any court case pending that I know
of. Personally, I consider it harassment, an infrigement of my con-
stitutional rights, and one more step closer to a police state.

> Is it "uss" if they do the same thing to check driver's license 
> and registration?

In my opinion, if the police have a reason to stop you, ie. erratic
driving or violation of traffic rules, then they have every right
to check your license and registration. The Massachusetts registry
of Motor Vehicles will tell you that having a driver's license and
auto registration is a priviledge and not a right.

> If it is ok to do these things then why can't the police drive down 
> the block and search every house or every third house for drugs, 
> unregistered firearms, criminals, etc.?

The way society seems to be going is to favor tactics like roadblocks,
and drug testing of employees (and now high school students) as an
easy solution to complex problems. I fear it won't be long before
more constitutional rights are eroded to the point that it will
be okay for police to "drive down the block and search every house 
...for drugs, unregistered firearms, criminals, etc."

Bob Donovan (bdd)
Cybermation, Inc.
Cambridge, MA