SCOTUS: That part about illegal searches? Nevermind.

[Killick]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/01/26/us_supreme_court_says_passenger_can_be_frisked/

Unanimously overturned. Unanimously. So, let me get this straight. Exactly what checklist will be used to determine the "reasonable suspicion" that the passenger is armed, if nothing indicates the passenger has either committed a crime or is about to? I'm guessing "being black" will be one.
::)

Yeeeesh.

 

[cranberry]

The standard or probable cause has now been watered down to "reason to believe" in traffic stops. In this case, the reason to believe was a crips bandana and a criminal record.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Jesus Christ, Ginsburg.

 

[DisembodiedOwlHead]

Jesus Christ, Ginsburg.

I believe Jesus Christ's last name was Greenberg, not Ginsburg.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Hence the comma.

 

[YankeeFan]

Jesus Christ, Ginsburg.

Don't you mean "Jeebus"?

 

[Bubbler]

Jesus Christ, Ginsburg.

That sounds like the worst sequel idea for Jesus Christ Superstar ever.

As for the decision, it's worse than the sequel idea.

 

[alleyallen]

Jesus Christ, Ginsburg.

Don't you mean "Jeebus"?

::)

 

[Guy_Incognito]

Really not alot of information there, I'm not willing to evaluate the decision off of a 2 paragraph blurb. Looks like there was a fair amoun of unanimity, that's a bit of an accomplishment.

 

[qtlaw]

I am a staunch believer in the Fourth Amendment. However, I think that with the rising number of deaths due to traffic stops, the Court believed that they are becoming inherently dangerous and the officers have a right to address the situation.

 

[Killick]

More info:
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/277586.php

 

[Big Circus]

The standard or probable cause has now been watered down to "reason to believe" in traffic stops. In this case, the reason to believe was a crips bandana and a criminal record.

So this guy gets to decide if it's a valid search?

 

[DanOregon]

If police get a report of a violent crime and a bolo for a car in connection to the report, I've got no problem with it. Better the police search a guy on the front end and KNOW he's unarmed, then think he MIGHT be armed and shoot the guy when he reaches for a cell phone.