Delaware v. Prouse - Significance, Impact, Drunk Driving And Drug Use, Further Readings
court william petitioner decision
Petitioner
State of Delaware
Respondent
William J. Prouse III
Petitioner's Claim
Random vehicle stops by state patrolmen are justified by a compelling state interest to promote traffic safety.
Chief Lawyer for Petitioner
Charles M. Oberly III
Chief Lawyer for Respondent
David M. Lukoff
Justices for the Court
Harry A. Blackmun, William J. Brennan, Jr., Warren E. Burger, Thurgood Marshall, Lewis F. Powell, Jr., John Paul Stevens, Potter Stewart, Byron R. White (writing for the Court)
Justices Dissenting
William H. Rehnquist
Place
Washington, D.C.
Date of Decision
27 March 1979
Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Delaware Supreme Court--that it was unconstitutional for state police to randomly stop vehicles at a check stop unless there was a justifiable reason for a motorist to be stopped. Unwarranted stops represented unreasonable seizure under the Fourth Amendment.
Related Cases
- Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968).
- Adams v. Williams, 407 U.S. 143 (1972).
- United States v. Brignoni-Ponce, 422 U.S. 873 (1975).
- United States v. Martinez-Fuerte, 428 U.S. 543 (1976).
- Michigan Department of State Police v. Sitz, 496 U.S. 444 (1990).
Sources
Morgan, Kathleen O'Leary, et al., eds. Crime State Rankings. Lawrence, KS: Morgan Quitno, 1994.
User Comments