To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate
U.S. Supreme Court Declares Open Season On Strip Searches
We want Congressional Legislators to enact legislation to protect our wives, daughters and sons from this ruling that affords law enforcement personnel capricious and insidious use of strip searches.
Why is this important?
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that police and law enforcement agencies can now conduct invasive strip searches for ANY OFFENSE, if the suspect is being introduced to a prison population. It no longer requires that the officer have a reasonable suspicion of hidden contraband or weapons.
This pertains not only to federal and state penitentiaries, BUT ALSO local precinct holding cells and detention centers. AND, you do NOT have to be convicted of a crime; it can apply if you have been arrested or detained and are awaiting a magistrate or hearing.
People have been detained and strip-searched for offenses as minor as:
-driving with an inoperable headlight;
-failing to stop at a stop sign;
-having outstanding parking tickets;
-driving with a noisy muffler;
-violating a dog leash law;
-failing to pay child support;
-riding a bicycle without an audible bell; and
-trespassing during a demonstration (and this happened to a nun)
This pertains not only to federal and state penitentiaries, BUT ALSO local precinct holding cells and detention centers. AND, you do NOT have to be convicted of a crime; it can apply if you have been arrested or detained and are awaiting a magistrate or hearing.
People have been detained and strip-searched for offenses as minor as:
-driving with an inoperable headlight;
-failing to stop at a stop sign;
-having outstanding parking tickets;
-driving with a noisy muffler;
-violating a dog leash law;
-failing to pay child support;
-riding a bicycle without an audible bell; and
-trespassing during a demonstration (and this happened to a nun)