Post by RS Davis on Mar 13, 2004 15:22:40 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Brian Doherty Wrote:[/glow] One man parked on the side of the road in Humboldt County, Nevada, in May 2000 was brave enough to say no to a police officer when ordered to identify himself.
The officer "just walked up and started demanding my papers," Larry Hiibel told Associated Press. "I was there on that road minding my own business."
He refused and, as a result, was arrested. Now Hiibel may end up redefining our ability to move in public without having every aspect of our lives investigated at the whim of the police.
Such a redefinition is sorely needed. Under current precedent, being ordered to give your name to a police officer, if you are stopped under reasonable suspicion of being involved in a crime, is generally considered a reasonable and minimal intrusion on your privacy and dignity. When the Supreme Court hears the case of Hiibel vs. 6th Judicial District Court, it must consider how the practical consequences of identifying yourself to a police officer have changed given the rise of a seemingly endless number of computerized databases.
The officer "just walked up and started demanding my papers," Larry Hiibel told Associated Press. "I was there on that road minding my own business."
He refused and, as a result, was arrested. Now Hiibel may end up redefining our ability to move in public without having every aspect of our lives investigated at the whim of the police.
Such a redefinition is sorely needed. Under current precedent, being ordered to give your name to a police officer, if you are stopped under reasonable suspicion of being involved in a crime, is generally considered a reasonable and minimal intrusion on your privacy and dignity. When the Supreme Court hears the case of Hiibel vs. 6th Judicial District Court, it must consider how the practical consequences of identifying yourself to a police officer have changed given the rise of a seemingly endless number of computerized databases.
- Rick
Brian Doherty is a senior editor at Reason Magazine. Click here to subscribe.
