DUI Checkpoints are Ineffective and Un-American

The OVI check-point conducted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with the Trotwood Police along West Third Street on June 20th resulted in one arrest for suspicion of drunk driving.  Police did, however, hand out tickets for improper child restraint, seat belts and other traffic violations.  It is the opinion of this blog that check-points are an unconstitutional intrusion that violates the long-held principle that law enforcement must have probable cause to suspect you of a violation before initiating contact.  Everyone agrees that drunk driving is a preventable and all-to-often tragic crime, but are we willing to give up our cherished freedoms to address this problem?  Contact attorney Charles M. Rowland II at 937-879-9542.  He is a committed advocate for citizens accused of drunk driving (called OVI, DUI, OMVI or DWI) and can represent you in federal, common pleas or municipal court.

The following is taken from the National Motorists Association Position Paper on DUI and perfectly summarizes why all freedom-loving Americans should be against sobriety checkpoints:

Police roadblocks are symbolic and characteristic of police states. They should be anathema to any person with an historical perspective of how authoritarian governments exercise control over their citizens. Roadblocks are meant to intimidate and restrict the movement of people, goods, and ideas. No free society should tolerate any precedent that rationalizes the use of roadblocks.  When the U.S. Supreme Court approved the use of roadblocks for DWI enforcement, they opened a Pandora’s box of abuses. The Court addressed the issue solely from the DWI perspective. Police agencies have interpreted this decision as a license to set up roadblocks for any purpose they choose.  Currently roadblocks are used for vehicle safety inspections, seatbelt use, driver’s license possession, mandated insurance coverage requirements, and even to restrict the movement of people from one neighborhood to another neighborhood, on public streets!