SEARCH AND SEIZURE

I agree with the principles behind the Post-Dispatch's report and
evaluation of the recent Supreme Court ruling against Gail Atwater of
Texas. Without a doubt, the police officer overstepped his authority by his
arbitrary handling of the situation. A calmer, more objective approach
would still have resulted in detainment for lack of proper identification.

The real issue is Fourth Amendment rights. With no evidence to suggest that
Atwater was carrying illegal drugs or firearms, the search of her vehicle
was, in my opinion, an abuse of authority condoned by the Supreme Court.

Will this ruling encourage law enforcement to further expand vehicle
searches for minor offenses? I believe it will.

I also believe that one of our basic rights has been severely restricted
because the Supreme Court's duty to uphold and preserve the Constitution of
the United States was inexorably compromised by this decision.

Barb Bartels
St. Charles