NJ high court limits police in frisking suspects

[DainBramaged]

The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that police are limited when it comes to frisking suspects without a warrant.
The court said a police officer in Plainfield overstepped his bounds in 2003 when he searched a suspected gang associate by pulling up his long T-shirt to check for a gun in his waistband instead of just patting him down. He found a bag of crack cocaine.


Tuesday's ruling was criticized by police and prosecutors.


But the state public defender's office said it was gratified by the ruling, which said police should use "the least intrusive means reasonably available" to perform the search.


Prosecutors said the ruling could endanger officers by making them reluctant to thoroughly search suspects. Two justices dissented for the same reason.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20100629/UPDATES01/100629106/1215/COMMUNITIES12/NJ-high-court-limits-police-in-frisking-suspects-

[DJ13]

1. Heck, I remember in the late 70's getting busted for minor in possession

Taken to jail and given a full cavity search.

[madinmaryland]

2. Soon to be overturned by the USSC

[DainBramaged]

4. It's going to take a long time to overturn this.

[Dawson Leery]

5. If it even comes to that.

[Dawson Leery]

3. If the police and prosecutors are discontent with this,

then it clearly is a good ruling.

[bemildred]

7. It must be good. nt

[Dawson Leery]

8. Seeing the overreach of LEO and the system that favors them

it is important to take every victory we can get in pushing back against these encroachments on our liberties.

[Scurrilous]

6. Good news.

:thumbsup: