TRAFFIC STOPS TO INCLUDE DOGS

Decision Authorizes Drug Canine Use in Routine Searches

A speeding ticket will be the least of some drivers' problems in the wake
of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

Drug dogs can now be used during any lawful traffic stop even if the
officer has no suspicions that illegal drugs are present. The Jan. 24
ruling stemmed from the case of an Illinois man who was stopped for
speeding but was convicted for marijuana found during the traffic stop.

Roy Caballes' ticket was being written when another officer arrived with a
drug dog that barked at the trunk of his car.

Caballes' conviction had been reversed by the Illinois Supreme Court with
the opinion that his right to be free of "unreasonable searches and
seizures" had been violated, but the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the
lower court's ruling.

According to Lafayette County Sheriff Buddy East, Oxford and Lafayette
county will see results from this ruling. He said he expects the number of
drug searches in the area to increase.

"We aren't doing (searches) nearly as much as we will be doing it now,"
East said.

East said he believes the decision is a good idea as long as it is not abused.

"If we start abusing it, it won't be a good thing," he said.

On a regular basis, Lafayette County Sheriff Department officers do not
stop cars and immediately search them. If there is reason to suspect the
driver has drugs, however, the officers will bring the drug dogs, East said.

University Police Department Chief Randy Corban said officers occasionally
run a dog around the outside of a vehicle if there is suspicion. He said
they had not performed such a search since the ruling was made. However,
Corban also said there was still the possibility that a car could be
searched for drugs during a routine traffic stop.

"If we have a canine handler and a canine already on campus, there would be
a possibility," Corban said.

Corban also agreed that the decision was a good one as long as they did not
have to wait on the dog, which could take 15 or 20 minutes he said.

"I think it's okay as long as it's not an unreasonable detention," he said.

Lee Anne Mathena, a junior pharmacy major from West Point, said the changes
would not bother her.

"I think it's going to cause problems for the people it should be used
against, like those who need to be caught," she said.

Jay Thomas, a senior political science major from Tupelo, said he thinks it
will cause problems with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties
Union, but that he agreed with it.

"I think it's a step in the right direction to being more secure."