Thread: CA-Driver’s license checks reviewed

Driver’s license checks reviewed
Escondido’s practice is illegal, ACLU says
By Angela Lau

Saturday, December 26, 2009 at midnight

The city of Escondido is reviewing its policy on driver’s license checkpoints after the American Civil Liberties Union formally demanded that the city end the checkpoints, calling them violations of state law.

City Attorney Jeffrey Epp said this week that he is reviewing all the issues raised in a demand letter sent to the city by the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties and El Grupo, a Latino advocacy group.

The letter states that driver’s license checkpoints violate state Vehicle Code section 14607.6, which prohibits officers from stopping motorists solely to check for licenses.

According to the letter, the state Attorney General’s Office has deemed it illegal to stop motorists to check licenses unless the police have a reasonable suspicion. Although the opinion concerned the city of Maywood in southeastern Los Angeles County and was part of a wide-ranging investigation into police wrongdoing there, ACLU legal Director David Blair-Loy said in an interview that the ruling should apply to Escondido as well.

“It is not a formal opinion, but it is certainly persuasive and relevant,â€

City Attorney Jeffrey Epp said this week that he is reviewing all the issues raised in a demand letter sent to the city by the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties and El Grupo, a Latino advocacy group.

El Grupo, a Latino advocacy group. Gee...what a surprise...

They should tell this ethnocentric El Grupo, to go pound sand! This group is more concerned about protecting and promoting their raza, rather than keeping unlicensed and drunk drivers off our roadways!

Besides, are these checkpoints only stopping latinos?

Do what my hometown does, set up seat belt checkpoints and put the signs up in English only. A seatbelt violation entitles the police to ask for license and insurance.