Local law enforcement had a successful Saturday evening, making nine arrests for
DUI and issuing traffic violations to seven other individuals. How did they
rack up these charges? Through a DUI checkpoint in Mission.
According to early reports, police officers checked more than 400 cars
near Shawnee Mission Parkway and Nall Avenue on Saturday. Not only did
they make arrests for DUI, but they also charged individual who violated
traffic laws in various other ways. Officers came from all over the area,
including Edwardsville, Olathe, Overland Park, and Mission to help with
the DUI checkpoint. Even deputies from Johnson County Sheriff's Office
and troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol showed up to assist with the
operation.
Does a DUI checkpoint violate my rights?
Many people questions the constitutionality of
DUI checkpoints, especially when it comes to unlawful searches and seizures. Is it really
legal for officers to stop someone for no reason and thus arrest them
if they are committing a crime? In a regular DUI case, an officer must
have reasonable cause to pull an individual over for DUI, so it seems
contradictory that DUI checkpoints would be allowed. However, courts have
ruled them a legal means of arresting individuals who are driving under
the influence.
There are a few states that do not allow DUI checkpoints, such as Texas,
Idaho, and Washington. Kansas, on the other hand, is known to conduct
checkpoints around one to two times a month. If you find yourself arrested
during a DUI checkpoint, it is crucial that you take legal action as soon
as possible. You could be facing serious charges, which is why you need
a Kansas City DUI defense lawyer who knows how to fight your charges and
protect your rights.
Contact
The Law Offices of Charles R. Green for legal counsel with your DUI case.