Click on the case titles to link to the full case decision.
Delaware v. Prouse, 440 US 648(1979)-Non-standarized random traffic stops conducted for the purpose of checking driver licenses violates the Fourth Amendment.
Brower v. inyo County, 489 U.S. 593 (1989)-The police set up a roadblock on a curve using an 18-wheeler. The police did so to stop Brower who was eluding police in a stolen vehicle. Brower crashed into the roadblock and died. The USSC ruled that the family can sue under Section 1983. The court ruled that it was reasonable to believe that the roadblock was an excessive use of force to accomplish the seizure.
Michigan Department of State Police v. Sitz, 496 US 444 (1990)-The State's interest in preventing drunk driving is a highway safety issue. The use of checkpoints to detect drunk driving within certain guidelines is constitutional.
Indianapolis v. Edmond, 531 US 32(2000)-It is unconstitutional to set up a checkpoint to detect evidence of ordinary criminal wrongdoing. In this case, the officers were looking for drugs.
Illinois v. Lidster, 000 U.S. 02-1060 (2004)-Police set up a roadblock in the area of a fatality hit-and-run accident. The police used the roadblock to ask drivers and passengers if they had any information about the accident. Lidster was stopped at the roadblock and was found to be DUI. He appealed his conviction arguing that the Indianapolis v. Edmond case made this type of roadblock unconstitutional. The USSC ruled that the roadblock did not violate the Constitution because it was set up for informational purposes. Its purpose was not to determine if drivers or passengers were committing crimes.