Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site cybvax0.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!cybvax0!bdd 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