Libertarians latest group to oppose Misdemeanor Arrest Bill
Libertarians latest group to oppose Misdemeanor Arrest Bill
RICHMOND-- Virginia Libertarians joined a growing number of groups opposed to HB2943, a bill now before the Virginia Senate that would allow police officers to arrest citizens for Class 1 and 2 misdemeanors.
Current Virginia law already provides police the flexibility to arrest persons suspected of committing misdemeanors if the police can articulate why they suspect the individual: (1) is intoxicated; (2) is not likely to show up for the hearing listed on the summons; (3) is refusing to discontinue the allegedly unlawful conduct; or (4) is likely to hurt himself or others. HB2943 would allow police to arrest without meeting this standard.
"Arrest carries a major consequence in Virginia -- once a citizen is arrested, officers may search them without consent," noted LPVa chairman Leonard Harris. "With hundreds of misdemeanors on the books in Virginia, HB2943 would give officers virtually unlimited discretion to go on 'fishing expeditions' for relatively minor infractions."
Groups ranging from the ACLU to the Virginia Citizens Defense League are already opposing the bill, and Virginia Libertarians were quick to join the chorus of opposition. "This bill represents an unacceptable compromise of Virginians' Fourth Amendment rights," stated Harris.
HB2943 has already passed the House, leaving the Senate as one of the last lines of defense for civil liberties on this issue. "Virginia Libertarians call on the state Senate to uphold the basic protections of privacy and property for all Virginians," said Harris. "Law and order are critical to society, but police don't need limitless search powers to keep the streets safe."
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