Michigan v. Sitz

1990

Court: US Supreme Court

Facts: People filed a suit protesting the use of sobriety checkpoints. The procedure: all motorists are stopped-- any who show signs of intoxication are asked for license and registration. Otherwise you're free to go.

Posture: Suit was filed before the checkpoints even took place.

Issue: Is the seizure of vehicles in this manner unconstitutional?

Holding: No.

Rule: The competing interests must be weighed.

Reasoning: It's a very minimal intrusion, with major benefits.

Dicta: