So, to protect our freedom, the Govt sets up a DUI (Driving Under the Influence checkpoint). Got it. So lets see how they did. ....

"Fifteen of the drivers screened were pulled into a secondary area for further investigation, according to Gruwell. A total of 11 vehicles were impounded during the checkpoint. Five vehicles were impounded because of alleged licensing violations, another five vehicles were stored because of the drivers not having valid licenses in the DMV system and one vehicle was stored when that driver was arrested, the sergeant said."

Wait what? Not a single DUI arrest? CALL THIS WHAT IT...A GOVT CHECK POINT. If they want to keep drunks off the road, just set up permanent station on either end of Old Town Temecula.

Why not simply have a check poinat the Promenade. Any body who enters is funneled through a check point and run through the system, while having their vehicle and body searched.

Thank God for DUI checkpoints.

What an idiot trying to make a U turn at a DUI checkpoint. Draw attention to yourself why don't you. Glad for the checkpoints and glad they got this idiot in custody.

It is required for them to provide you with a u turn. People are allowed to make u turns away from checkpoints and police officers can't stop a person (by can't I mean constitutionally sound) for merely taking advantage of a u turn prior to a checkstop.

There must have been another reason why they pulled him over after making that U turn (meaning more than a hunch) otherwise the stop would be illegal and all evidence from it should be supressed.

Hieu Vu Esq - Attorney at Law
Criminal Defense
14331 Euclid Street, Suite 207
Garden Grove, California 92843
(714)251-6567 (P)
www.Californiadrunkdriver.com

Not right how they went after the U-turn driver. See http://blog.sandiegoduihelp.com/ .

Interestingly, Brian Yang is listed as the President of Chronic Care Collective, a dispensary in Lake Elsinore.

U -Turn. Clinton Keith has the same set-up. If you attemtp to u-turn away from the check point you get pulled over. I was heaindg toward the 215 and ran into one of these civil liberty invading stops. I had double yellows and coul dnot u-turn. As I looked for a place to u-turn, a car infront did just that.. .pulled over within 15 seconds.

I stand corrected. 15 vehicles pulled into secondary, 11 towed and 1 DUI. If my off the top head math is right 6% of the secondary stops and 9% of the tows at a "DUI CHECKPOINT" were related to ..... a DUI.

Be ACTION, not definition, this was NOT a DUI limited checkpoint.

Thank You to or Boys in uniform. All of Them!!!

Stupid is as stupid does.
Bryan Yang's lucky he was only tased.
Good job officers; well done!

Some walk willingly to bondage.

When the Officers take one of these intoxicated drivers off the streets, they may be saving the life of SOMEONE YOU LOVE. If you loose a loved one to a drunk driver are you going to protest these checkpoints? You're F%^*?+# morons.

Charles - Just a suggestion, when you want to call people morons, use spell check. LOL!

1) The checkpoints are not an effective deterrent to drunk driving.
2) This is NOT a DUI checkpoint. As shown to be true, this is a random stopping of all vehicles on this road to determine if they are, or have, done anything illegal or are driving w/o proper paperwork.
3) If I lost a loved one to a drunk driver, my position would not change. Should society feel drunk driving is a problem the solution is clear, make alcohol illegal. The State should also reconsider the medical use of weed, which we all know is not being used for medical conditions 99% of the time.
4) This is an issue that is fully focused on an erosion of our civil rights, while a police force gains power. Today's police dept is more and more reflective of over-paid henchmen for the powers of Govt and not public servants.

I'd like to add to what Rob was writing about with an example of a Checkpoint in Garden Grove. http://openwatch.net/blog/5

There is legal analysis of it written as well. People's rights are being trampled on at these checkpoints. Bryan Yang never did anything wrong.

From the story in the paper, the facts show he made a u turn away from a checkpoint. This is assuming there was no bad driving because I am sure had there been, it would have been announced to justify the stop. Last time I checked, there was a presumption of innocence. Yet, everyone here are making judgments about the man.

The government made an illegal stop, went on a fishing expedition, and got lucky.

Benjamin Franklin once said Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, ..... He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither.

Hieu Vu Esq - Attorney at Law
Criminal Defense
14331 Euclid Street, Suite 207
Garden Grove, California 92843

Now IF the police did checkpoints and caught and deported illegal aliens I might support the stops.

I would certainly protest support

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/23/BAKT1KQCNH.DTL

hOwever, they do NOT. They might impound the car but they let them go and tell them to show up for court. Now, our glorious leaders are giving them back door amnesty.., but you and I ... sock it to us baby!

They take unlicensed drivers off the road, they take unlicensed cars off the road, and uninsured cars off the road! AMEN TO THAT~~~ I know I dont want to get hit by some loser without insurance.

wow!! Really nasty above... besides being a pain in the ass if you have done nothing wrong and have to sit in the damn check point line, who cares. Deal with it, if they can get one less damn drunk or drug addict, mexican without a license off the road then I am happy... nothing to hide? who cares!!!

umm.... you can NOT u turn at a check point. That draws attention to yourself and is a faster way to get a cop on your ass.... cops tell you, you can't turn away, makes you look guilty. And again if you have nothing to hide, who cares...

These are not just DUI checkpoints; the signage usually says something to the effect of DUI/license checkpoint.

If you make a LEGAL u-turn you can't be stopped. No doubt he made an ILLEGAL u-turn, hence the stop. A u-turn option is not required for checkpoints to be legal. Notification of the checkpoint far enough in advance to allow for a turn or the use of another route as an alternative (i.e. flashing signs, etc.) is what is required.

As far as the legality of checkpoints, they have been ruled legal time and again. See Michigan Dept. of State Police v. Sitz (1990). By a 6-3 decision, the United States Supreme Court found properly conducted sobriety checkpoints to be constitutional. Also see Ingersoll v. Palmer (43 Cal.3d 1321 (1987)) for more specifics on how they are to be conducted.

Sure..... Why not right? Let's presume the U turn was illegal and police never pull people over for making legal u turns without anything else and call and end to this. Your hunch about him panicking is good enough.

LEGAL - The courts have also blocked enforcement of immigration laws. The point is the stops are NOT legal based on the Constitutions nor STRICT interpretation of the LAWS. I have no regard for the person caught, but I have great concenr about the erosion of civil liberties and our freedom via oppressive govt and a military force monitoring our movement, phone calls, etc. motivated by the same thing as 3rd world dictators... money. Look at the chunk of the budget that is the cops/military. Look at the insane salaries, pensions and benefits.

1) The Supreme Court ruled on a Michigan case, AFTER the MI court ruled the stops ILLEGAL.
2) The Ruling was limited to DUI's, NOT further "ingringement of rights."
3) Even in the decision a Supreme Court justice stated it WAS an infringement of RIGHTS.

"While acknowledging that such checkpoints infringed on a constitutional right, Chief Justice Rehnquist argued the state interest in reducing drunk driving outweighed this MINOR infringement." (my CAPS)
"That stopping every car might make it easier to prevent drunken driving...is an insufficient justification for abandoning the requirement of individualized suspicion", dissenting Justice Brennan insisted.

The Supreme Court Ruled ...... AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION!

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution states that: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

In addition, the DUI now Sobriety, checkpoints have gone WELLLLLLLLLLLL BEYYYYYOONNNNNNDDDDDDDDD the RULING of the Court.

LOOK at this ARREST SHEET - ONE drunk. Look at ANY arrest sheet form these stops. Drunks are NEVER the majority of arrests.

Any cost replies - Really. You know if you made alcohol illegal, no more drunks. Is that cost OK by you? How about we just stop selling it for public consumption? Do you know the cost? If cost is of no object, why not regulate that EVERY establishment that sells booze, MUST, BY LAW, have a cop at the door with a breathalyzer? I mean since cost is of no consequence.

NOTHING WRONG - Well then, we should have random body searches to enter malls, party stores, etc. WE should also have random home inspections for CO2 monitors, fire ext., proper storage of weapons, etc. I mean if we are doing nothing wrong, why would we object to random infringement of our rights by a benign govt?

Ask Jose Guerena's family. I would tell you to ask Jose, but he is dead.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/25/jose-guerena-arizona-_n_867020.html

1) The ruling was on a DUI checkpoint, not licensing, insurance, registration, seatbelts, prescription glasses, outstanding warrants, firearms or WMD! It was about DRUNK DRIVING side note: An overblown issue in this Country funded by $$$, to collect money.
2) Again, look at the arrest/citation logs. Less than 10% are ever DUI related. This undermines your position and, more importantly, the decision of the Court.
3) Opt out - Bullsheet. I have been through a dozen of these things. Try opting out of the one on Clinton Keith by Greer Road (Murrieta puts it in the same spot all the time). You have no legal opt out AND, if you do, they have bike cops just waiting for you to turn around. IF an OPT OUT is required, why no sign age to explicitly allow the people to turn around? I would sure love to be able to get out of the freaking line instead of waiting 30 minutes to take money out of the BofA or grab my Starbucks!
4) Guidelines - As I stated, they have moved well beyond the guidelines.
5) any cost - You said if it saves a life it is worth it. I can think of a lot of things that would save lives. If we outlawed driving altogether, we would save 10's of thousands of lives. Same with tobacco, booze, high speed sport, football, etc. What is the cost of a live worth, relative to individual freedom?

6) Notice you reduce it to "Conducting a checkpoint" when the Supreme Court ruling had a far more narrow interpretation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Dept._of_State_Police_v._Sitz

Again, look at the arrest sheet. Even in this case 19 officers made ... TWO arrests. If they were in 19 cars, hanging out next to the bars, they would have made 50.

7) Random searches - I suggest to you that the DUI stops have gone BEYOND the scope of the ruling (one look at the arrest sheet tells us that). Given this it is reasonable to believe further random stops would be supported by the govt (to support the govt via fines and penalties). We now see 6 yo boys wanded in airports, calls for mandatory citizen ID cards, curfews, and tons of kickbacks from the tow truck drivers to the DUI schools, to say nothing of the police salaries, benes and pensions.

These checkpoints are an erosion of our Constitutionally protected rights.

You are clearly a cop or some other form of government lackey. This is the same argument that has SWOT teams shooting unarmed 25 yo war veterans 50 times with their kid watching, then covering it up and dogs being shot while serving a baseless warrant.

You reply with legal points druged up from some 5 second search and fail even put forth the effort to go beyond that spoon fed nonsense to a deeper understanding of the opposing position.

The Supreme Court justices themselves, even when voted in favor of the LIMITED stop, concede it is an erosion of liberties(Rehnquist). They justified this for ONE REASON.... DRUNK DRIVING, not lack of registration, insurance, tail and head lights burnt out, etc.

The cops have over-stepped their authority as they jump for salary, benes and pensions, people be damned.

Minimal DUI arrests - Why not meander over to the FACTS? The SUPREME COURT ruled in favor of SOBRIETY stops and, these checkpoints are not effective.

U-Turns: Your statement is BS. Everyone else posting on the topic understands this but you (noting you must be a cop). Even if you make a legal u-turn, you are pulled over.

#4 - utter nonsense. "Supervisors" This is the fox watching the hen house. The Sups are House slaves.

#5 - You say it is worth it. Please provide the total cost of the Elsinore Checkpoint to make ONE DUI arrest. 1,007 vehicles drove through. Of those, 657 were screened, 15, pulled into 2ndry inspect and 11 cars impounded and a single DUI arrest. the DUI arrest rate is 1:1007 or .001%. Isn't the time and money better spent on active rolling patrol near commercial centers that serve booze?

Why do they have these SOBRIETY checkpoints when they catch so few DRUNKS?!
MONEY!
http://www.alternet.org/investigations/145665/california_cops_exploit_dui_checkpoints_to_bring_in_money_for_cities,_police
Every link confirms the spend in cop OT ($30 million so they support it) and the jack to the people ($40 million) NOT counting the towing kickbacks and CAR sales. What amount is credited back to the taxpayer?!?!?! ZIP, NADA, ZILCH. Oh, I know, we benefit from "your protection."
Go through any of these links and the story is same.... BUT PLEASE NOTE ONE THING... THE SIGNS! The Supreme Court, link provided ruled for SOBRIETY Checkpoints.. note the signage says DUI / CDL CHECKPOINTS. In Escondido, these are held during the DAY, in high traffic areas and NO tur arounds exist. In fact, the people (go to the link) now go out and place signs in advance to make people aware of the checkpoint. WHY IN THE DAY, when the .001% DUI arrest rate would be even lower?!?!?! .... MONEY!

#6 - See above. I have already proven these are NOT solely SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS. Heck the signs put out by the cops explicilty state DRIVERS LICENSE. Please show me where the Supreme Court ruled on this. Oh, I know, it is within the realm. .... This brings me full circle. The Supreme Court even states this is an erosion of liberty. Today, the Govt has further eroded this liberty. You side with the State. I suggest you read Thomas Jefferson.

7# - That is the problem in this Country. Submissive cowards pandering for scraps and apathetic fools turn themselves willingly into state dependent obsequious sycophants. I am not such a person.

Can Anyone say...MONEYMAKER! How else do they pay for it!

There is a checkpoint tonight in Lake Elsinore. Constitutional rights must be respected at these checkpoints. People should pass by to exercise some of these rights. When I say constitutional rights, I mean not having to roll down your windows, not having to submit to field sobriety test, and not answering any questions. Also, should make a legal U turn then drive perfectly.

Dear Mr Vu
You say you are an attorney. I dare you to come here tonight and go through this check point several times not obeying what they tell you. I want to watch!

I'm not going to make personal Jackie. I'll give it to you Jackie. You won't even have to leave your computer. I have an article written about me on the Atlantic.com of myself driving by a checkpoint. There is a recording of the encounter and you can click on it to see what happened.

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/06/policing-the-police-the-smartphone-apps-that-let-you-spy-on-cops/240916/

I know what goes on at these checkpoints and I am not spewing venom for fun. People need to see the light and realize their 4th amendment rights are being trampled on.

If you want to see how many procedures were violated, you can read the analysis here.

http://openwatch.net/blog/5

I have gone through 2 of these in my life and I have been driving probably much longer than you have. Both times I never felt "VIOLATED" , I will tell you that I feel violated when I go to stores and people from other countries are not speaking english! I feel violated when I see signs in other languages besides english!

Please elaborate more Jackie.

Do I really need to? I think I made myself perfectly clear!

Yes. Please elaborate more on your fear of non English speaking people and why you feel violated when you are around them.

Because they do not respect this country. They strive to leave one country because its awful and come here and do everything in their power to make life exactly like it was in their homeland. SPEAK ENGLISH! The first rule here!

Because they do not respect this country. They strive to leave one country because its awful and come here and do everything in their power to make life exactly like it was in their homeland. SPEAK ENGLISH! The first rule here!

And if you dont know English, LEARN IT!!!!!!!!!!

Rob, You have offered up the links and quotes word for word truthfully. FACTS....Chris is obviously defending his employer, with rant after rant not addressing the cold facts you have presented. The murdered MARINE, lets end this conversation on a good note for those who trust the men in blue. They MURDERED him in cold blood and then LIED, and COVERED IT UP. He is survied by his wife and baby who he told to hide in the closet as he was shot 60 times in the stomach. They didnt even let the paramedic work on him for over an hour. Kathy Giffords response time - 8 minutes. Trustworthy protectors of citizens.......OK. Pull your head out of that dark place between your legs, look up police corruption on you tube. look at the cops homeless schizofrenic son in fullerton who got tazed like 6-8 times and beat in the head with the back of a flashlight while yelling "DADDY" "HELP ME" (makes me sick to my stomach) and the cops wont release the bus station video showing the beating. If cops are so good, why do they do shit like that? Why do they illegally confiscate and erase peoples videos of them if they are not doing anything wrong? Isn't that the nieve one liner comment you all throw out...., If you got nothing to hide then why not right? Why do you defend them Chris? Is the pay check really worth the treasonous acts? I bet all you commenting against the constitution in return for fabricated safety don't even FLY AN AMERICAN FLAG on there home. Dispicable....

Mary, even without the english language they are 10 times more American then you'll ever be. Frankly. the fact that you feel violated makes me feel violated.

Benjamin Franklin couldn't have said it any better. Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

OUTSTANDING IDEA!!!!! - OK, lets take Action. Lets organize a group and caravan through a chedkpoint. We will all record the interaction and conduct ourselves in the same manner. Lets turn the camera on the govt!

I'm riding with Chris, he will be able to flash his badge if we have any trouble!!!!LMAO

Rob I will help with the group. Count me in. Let's talk soon.

WOW you all really need to get a life. Is this all you do is go from site to site and download all your anti-cop crap? If you don't like it buy yourself an island and rule your oun land. You sound like some of the crazy pepole that go into a mail office and blow everyone away. You need to get a grip and stop the hate!!!!

Yes the pesky constitution was crafted by a bunch of crazy people full of hate.

Ace, its the drunk drivers that cause these checkpoints to happen in the first place. As a parent , a resident and a tax payer. I am for them! If they stop one person its worth it!

I'm opposed to illegal detaining and all violations of civil rights...Ever heard of a stop sign, observation or just plain ole police work. Lets use the military to cut drunk driver check points cost.

Jackie, none of his hear is standin up for drunk driving, but we are standin gup for civil liberty. Do you not see that the police are using the Sobriety checkpoints to violate our civil liberties?

Look at form this perspective. The stop now allows the cops to check your DL. Your DL is now "swiped" and the cops ahve the "right" to detain you for ANY violation on the books. This could be car registration, so everyone says HECK YES I don't want you driving w/o a DL .. thought the govt makes bold faced exceptions for illegal aleins (no money in it.. and they need the votes). NOW, lets say this person is wanted for tax evasion or maybe the burded some leaves w/o a license. Maybe an ex has accused them of stalking or the neighbor swears they are killing goats for sacrifice...... FREE movement, or lack thereof, is a specific method of control and a clear violation of our liberty. PUBLIC streets are now entirely seen as GOVT streets. So be it but the abilty of free flow on these streets unless caught in the act of breaking lawas we the people agreeupon, is a violation of civil rights. These stops meet that definition. The Supreme Court agreed, even while standing against the people. Today the cops go well beyond that limited scope.

This is off the focus of the target, but Cali is ground zero for the progressive attack. This is their handbook.

http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/communism/alinsky.htm

Rob, I was stopped in the DUI checkpoint at Collier and Riverside last Friday night and they did not "swipe" anything. I pulled up, they looked at the id with a flashlight and said thank you. I did not feel violated in any way. It took all of 3 minutes. Not getting your resistance to this at all! If they catch someone with a firearm in their car or someone who has a warrant, I think that is great!

Ka-CHING!!!! Federal tax dollars helping to lure more non-violent criminals into the system. Wake up America!