Constitution Free Zone

**Xen** · May 27, 2009, 05:23 PM

Normally under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the American people are not generally subject to random and arbitrary stops and searches.
The border, however, has always been an exception. There, the longstanding view is that the normal rules do not apply. For example the authorities do not need a warrant or probable cause to conduct a “routine search.”
But what is “the border”? According to the government, it is a 100-mile wide strip that wraps around the “external boundary” of the United States.
As a result of this claimed authority, individuals who are far away from the border, American citizens traveling from one place in America to another, are being stopped and harassed in ways that our Constitution does not permit.
Border Patrol has been setting up checkpoints inland — on highways in states such as California, Texas and Arizona, and at ferry terminals in Washington State. Typically, the agents ask drivers and passengers about their citizenship. Unfortunately, our courts so far have permitted these kinds of checkpoints – legally speaking, they are “administrative” stops that are permitted only for the specific purpose of protecting the nation’s borders. They cannot become general drug-search or other law enforcement efforts.
However, these stops by Border Patrol agents are not remaining confined to that border security purpose. On the roads of California and elsewhere in the nation – places far removed from the actual border – agents are stopping, interrogating, and searching Americans on an everyday basis with absolutely no suspicion of wrongdoing.
The bottom line is that the extraordinary authorities that the government possesses at the border are spilling into regular American streets.

Do you live in the constitution free zone Americans?

Thought this was interesting.

**Digbert** · May 27, 2009, 05:29 PM

All I can say is wow really it never stops to amaze me what on Earth is happing in the US ATM

**Desperado †** · May 28, 2009, 10:25 AM

More evidence that the constitution provides little actual protection of liberties.

**MathiasOfAthens** · May 28, 2009, 10:47 AM

I took a greyhound bus from Oklahoma to California, we passed through the southwest through riverside and LA, close to the border with Mexico we were stopped by a couple border patrol trucks and a police cruiser, the bus was searched and 5 latino looking men were arrested. Everyone, however, was asked for an ID though.

**C-Rob** · May 28, 2009, 10:56 AM

strange.... According to your map I'm really close to the "constitution free zone"... Just a pinpoint off. I think the canadian border and the alaskan one is a little bit less and a lot of BS by the author of the map. Admit it, there is very little serious border patrol in those two areas. Only at the very border to canada does the US give a

.

**Fishy** · May 28, 2009, 10:59 AM

If that's true it would be quite sick, almost every mayor city in the US is in that zone. Makes you wonder what the hell the US government is doing there.

Also, if this is true why hasn't anybody sued the government yet? I mean a normal citizen can challange the government in the US right when it comes to decisions like this? People should try that once.

**Xen** · May 28, 2009, 06:21 PM

You Americans should try to sue less and do something about it more. I don't really see how you could sue either since it's a choice to live in these areas.

**DekuTrash** · May 28, 2009, 06:24 PM

Ah thankfully I live in America's cozy tummy!

**magickyleo101** · May 30, 2009, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by Xen

You Americans should try to sue less and do something about it more. I don't really see how you could sue either since it's a choice to live in these areas.

You would sue because if the Constitution is actually being violated, a court would be the proper avenue for relief. [If the Constitution isn't being violated, then it hardly makes sense to speak of a "Constitution free zone".]

And the fact that you choose to live their has nothing to do with it. For example, if I'm an African America and I'm excluded from attending certain schools because my state has passed laws enforcing segregation, I can (and should) still sue. That I chose to live in the state that imposed the racially discriminatory laws has nothing to do with my ability to sue that state.

**Barry Goldwater** · May 30, 2009, 09:45 PM

The Constitution does not apply in Richmond? This is the height of madness!

**Aldgarkalaughskel** · May 29, 2009, 04:25 AM

I can't believe the Constitution is not applied in Boston. Is this a joke?

**Tiberius Tosi** · May 29, 2009, 09:46 PM

The Border Search Exception is only applicable when a person is crossing from one border to another, or is an international airport. If a person is searched who had not traveled from one border to the other, all evidence is thrown out.

After an arrest is made, it is always reviewed by a judge to decide if the exception was carried out legitimitely and fairly (i.e. if you are a US citizen who was randomly searched, all evidence is thrown out and the case is not able to be prosecuted).

The Exception is only for people traveling, or people suspected of being in the country illegally who are most likely smuggling. If this is not the case and an arrest is still made, a judge will throw out all evidence. Also only a search of items on a person are admissable, cavity searches and searches of that nature are not allowed and if carried out, evidence from these will be dropped upon prosecution. Search of houses is also not allowed.

So no, it really doesn't mean the constitution is void in those areas.

**Djûn** · May 30, 2009, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by Tiberius Tosi

The Border Search Exception is only applicable when a person is crossing from one border to another, or is an international airport. If a person is searched who had not traveled from one border to the other, all evidence is thrown out.

After an arrest is made, it is always reviewed by a judge to decide if the exception was carried out legitimitely and fairly (i.e. if you are a US citizen who was randomly searched, all evidence is thrown out and the case is not able to be prosecuted).

The Exception is only for people traveling, or people suspected of being in the country illegally who are most likely smuggling. If this is not the case and an arrest is still made, a judge will throw out all evidence. Also only a search of items on a person are admissable, cavity searches and searches of that nature are not allowed and if carried out, evidence from these will be dropped upon prosecution. Search of houses is also not allowed.

So no, it really doesn't mean the constitution is void in those areas.

QFT.

This post says it all really. The Constitution is not something which gets applied arbitrarily dependant on where you live, that would be completely contrary to the reason for the establishment of a Constitution.

**Alkarin** · May 29, 2009, 09:51 PM

lol

america fail.

**Hilarion** · May 29, 2009, 09:56 PM

My entire state is in that zone.

**lordoftheT** · May 30, 2009, 12:07 AM

Police in the Constitution free zone are pretty cool guys. They harass random drivers on the freeway and doesn't afraid of anything.

**Deep_Red** · May 30, 2009, 06:55 AM

That remembers me of the G8 in Heiligendamm, somehow... XD

**MaximiIian** · May 30, 2009, 07:59 AM

lol @ border folk. This is why I like in the wooded interior, a decent ways away from federal give-a-f

kery.

**magickyleo101** · May 30, 2009, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Xen

Normally under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the American people are not generally subject to random and arbitrary stops and searches.
The border, however, has always been an exception. There, the longstanding view is that the normal rules do not apply. For example the authorities do not need a warrant or probable cause to conduct a “routine search.”
But what is “the border”? According to the government, it is a 100-mile wide strip that wraps around the “external boundary” of the United States.
As a result of this claimed authority, individuals who are far away from the border, American citizens traveling from one place in America to another, are being stopped and harassed in ways that our Constitution does not permit.
Border Patrol has been setting up checkpoints inland — on highways in states such as California, Texas and Arizona, and at ferry terminals in Washington State. Typically, the agents ask drivers and passengers about their citizenship. Unfortunately, our courts so far have permitted these kinds of checkpoints – legally speaking, they are “administrative” stops that are permitted only for the specific purpose of protecting the nation’s borders. They cannot become general drug-search or other law enforcement efforts.
However, these stops by Border Patrol agents are not remaining confined to that border security purpose. On the roads of California and elsewhere in the nation – places far removed from the actual border – agents are stopping, interrogating, and searching Americans on an everyday basis with absolutely no suspicion of wrongdoing.
The bottom line is that the extraordinary authorities that the government possesses at the border are spilling into regular American streets.

Do you live in the constitution free zone Americans?

Thought this was interesting.

Best. Hyperbole. Ever.

It feels good to laugh...

**Sebdeas** · May 30, 2009, 04:22 PM

The government probably makes a difference between an actual bloody border and a piece of land that is nowhere near a border (most of the east coast for example).
Government conspiracy accusal fail.