CONCERT-GOERS WERE ILLEGALLY SEARCHED

To the Editor:

Stacey Harris' letter, "Judge shouldn't have dismissed charges," June 17,
chastises Warren County Judge Larry Ross for dismissing speeding and
marijuana possession charges for 24 defendants. The charges were dropped as
law enforcement officers used selective enforcement by stopping speeding
drivers with out-of-state license plates and virtually demanding a vehicle
search after the drivers acknowledged they were heading for the concert at
Bonnaroo.

A textbook lawyer knows such tactics are unacceptable and blatantly violate
constitutional rights. Consequently, Judge Ross ruled correctly and the
charges were rightly thrown out of court as both drivers and police
officers must follow the law. We cannot accept illegal search and seizure
tactics even if contraband is surrendered or discovered.

To do so would only encourage other police agencies to do likewise.

Ed Forbes, Hendersonville, 37075