Technology, it is a vast, ever expanding, rapidly maturing part of our life that we live and work with. Smartphone’s have applications also referred to as “apps” that are either equipped or give a format so they can be downloaded with a few taps of your finger to make things a little simpler, fun, or interesting. With that said, apps now include DUI enforcement. Available on not only the Apple Iphone Application Store, but also on numerous other cell phone services, there are applications made available to the general public that help the aversion of speed traps, as well as DUI checkpoints or roadblocks. Other users of the application generally add information to the application on a day-to-day basis, and ask for the response of other users to communicate other unknown whereabouts of these law enforcement locations. Since the location of any DUI roadblock has to be publicized in advance as stated in the law, this public information is therefore easily accessible to millions of private citizens using these applications.
Recently, a letter has been sent to Apple, Inc. by several U.S. Senators in an effort to try and have the apps, such as Trapster and others that associate the location of roadblocks or DUI checkpoints, removed from users and the availability to download them disabled as well. However, the Senators’ concern seemed misplaced to Apple, Inc. and others that reviewed the letter, considering that all roadblocks must be publicized in advance properly, which is stated in the law. In compliance with the Fourth Amendment, roadblocks or DUI checkpoints are there to downsize the intrusive nature or the occurrence of such search and seizures.
Even though these applications are great tools to spot and prevent drivers traveling through roadblocks or checkpoint, the DUI locations are still bring an enormous amount of revenue into the police departments. Numerous tickets almost seem normal to those passing through these checkpoints since officers tend to distribute tickets and citations for a number of small discrepancies such as: expired driver’s license, no license, driving while a license is suspended, tag expiration, inspection decal expiration, or not even holding a current insurance card. Even with so many continuous checkpoints, technology cannot always catch them all in a timely manner. Although roadblocks and checkpoints serve a superior, positive purpose, they usually do not catch many drivers that happen to be behind the wheel under the influence.
Call (800) 687-2252 to speak with an experienced Florida DUI attorney in your area.
