Texas cops force drivers off the road to give DNA to federal contractors

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/20/texas-cops-force-drivers-off-the-road-to-give-dna-to-federal-contractors/



Texas cops force drivers off the road to give DNA to federal contractors
By David Edwards
Wednesday, November 20, 2013 9:04 EST

Police in Fort Worth, Texas apologized this week after officers forced drivers off the road so federal contractors could test their saliva, blood and breath tested for a study on driving while impaired.

~snip~

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has insisted that the study, which was projected to cost $7.9 million over three years, is anonymous and “100 percent voluntary.”

But Cope questioned how it could be voluntary if uniformed officers forced her off the road.

“I gestured to the guy in front that I just wanted to go straight, but he wouldn’t let me and forced me into a parking spot,” she recalled. “They were asking for cheek swabs… They would give $10 for that. Also, if you let them take your blood, they would pay you $50 for that.”

[msanthrope]

1. "Am I being detained?" "Am I being detained?" No? Then leave. Yes? You want

to assert your Fourth Amendment rights that you do not consent to a search of your person or your property, but will comply when ordered. Ask if you are being ordered. Assert your Fifth Amendment rights to remain silent and to refrain from talking to the police. Assert your Sixth Amendment rights to counsel. Keep asserting your rights, politely.

[Lochloosa]

2. ^^^THIS^^^

[FatBuddy]

4. asserting your rights to the po-po

gets you a free ride to lockup.

that's the best case scenario.

don't be surprised if they smack you around a little first.

[msanthrope]

5. Not necessarily. I've had many a client who have managed to assert their rights

without further incident.

[FatBuddy]

11. I did it once

then they said, "we don't need no fucking warrant!"

then the door came crashing in.

it learned me to avoid them.

YMMV

[Baitball Blogger]

6. This is the kind of thing that should show up in a Constitutional forum.

But I can't drum up enough interest on DU to start one.

A day from now, your comments will turn into a needle in a haystack.

[msanthrope]

8. I'd join. nt

[Baitball Blogger]

9. Then rec this up.

Skinner wants to see interest before he'll start one.

Damn, the productive conversations we can get, all in one place.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024064802

[Orrex]

3. I'm sure that they do this to billionaires all the time.

[MindPilot]

7. It is to limit our ability to travel

And they are being successful. How many people right here on DU refuse to fly because of TSA?

Next month I have to fly to Phoenix and then drive 2 hours. I'm really afraid that I'm going to get caught up in some check point or some overzealous cop is going to pull me over and beat the shit out of me because of whatever pissed him off that morning.

Unless I absolutely have no other alternative, I never go anywhere outside of my regular commute. I am afraid of the police.

[Rex]

10. Yay cops!

They are the bestest!