Opinion ID: 1060443
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: the nature of the state's interest

Text: The nature of the State's interest in this case is easily identified because the State has consistently argued that this roadblock was established only as a checkpoint to ensure highway safety by detecting and deterring unlicensed drivers. While some evidence admittedly exists to the contrary as to the true purpose of this particular roadblock, we will presume for sake of the present analysis that the State's interest is as asserted. Therefore, the essential inquiry here is whether the State's asserted interest is sufficiently compelling so as to justify suspicionless stops at a roadblock. With respect to the sufficiently compelling nature of this interest, we acknowledge that we gave no specific indication in Downey of when a State interest becomes sufficiently compelling so as to justify suspicionless seizures at a checkpoint. However, it is clear from the analysis of that opinion that the State's interest in detecting and deterring drivers under the influence of alcohol was sufficiently compelling for three reasons: (1) the State's interest in maintaining the roadblock was directly tied to the ability of drivers to safely operate motor vehicles on the roads and highways of the state; (2) the harm sought to be eliminated by the roadblock was one that posed an imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury; and (3) the magnitude of the problem, coupled with its harm, was such that it commanded heightened action. [2] When the purpose for a roadblock is arguably related to maintaining highway safety, we believe that these standards as set forth in Downey are sound, and we therefore require a similar showing in this case. Although these standards do not necessarily comprise the sine qua non of a sufficiently compelling state interest when the roadblock is arguably related to highway safety, any additional considerations justifying suspicionless stops of an automobile should be related in kind. [3] The concurring-dissenting opinion authored by Justice Drowota asserts that by requiring specific proof of the presence of the State's compelling interest, we are somehow being unfaithful to the test adopted in Downey . Indeed, the concurring-dissenting opinion takes the position that while the importance of the State's interest will affect the weighing process, no case has required the State to first possess a compelling interest before examining the other aspects of the roadblock. In essence, the concurring-dissenting opinion asserts that the absence of a sufficiently compelling interest may be offset by minimal police intrusion into the personal liberty and privacy of the motorists. We do not agree. In asserting that no case has ever required the State to initially set forth a sufficiently compelling interest, the concurring-dissenting opinion overlooks the fact that identifying a separate and distinct state interest with regard to Article I, section 7 was key to Downey itself. See 945 S.W.2d at 109-10. It is true that Downey did not dwell upon the importance of the State's interest in curbing incidents of DUI, but unlike the asserted interest in this case, the compelling nature of the interest in Downey was already abundantly clear from the proof as identified by the Court. As such, the Court instead focused its opinion on whether the roadblock's intrusion into personal liberty and privacy was too severe. The Court's primary focus on the severity of the intrusion, however, should not be construed as minimizing the need to identify and prove a sufficiently compelling interest in the first instance. Importantly, the Downey Court's discussion of the standards to minimize intrusion and limit discretion occurred only after the Court first recognize[d] the State's compelling interest in detecting and deterring motorists who drive while under the influence of alcohol. 945 S.W.2d at 110. Moreover, the concurring-dissenting opinion makes no mention in this regard of the United States Supreme Court's recent decision to the contrary in Edmond . In that case, the Court held a roadblock invalid solely because the asserted interestgeneral crime detectionwas an impermissible purpose under Fourth Amendment analysis. See 512 U.S. at 47, 114 S.Ct. 2038. Notably, the Court did not further examine the issue of whether the roadblock was established with minimal intrusions into the liberty and privacy of the motorists, but it instead affirmed that a program driven by an impermissible purpose may be proscribed while a program impelled by licit purposes is permitted, even though the challenged conduct may be outwardly similar. Id. To be clear, then, as far as the Fourth Amendment is concerned, the inquiry of whether a sufficiently compelling interest exists in the first instance is a separate, and independent, inquiry from whether the level of police intrusion into liberty and privacy is minimal. Both Downey and Edmond are quite persuasive authorities for the view that a roadblock will necessarily fail constitutional examination if it lacks a sufficiently compelling state interest. As such, contrary to the conclusion reached by the concurring-dissenting opinion, we conclude that the presence of a sufficiently compelling interest is necessary under Article I, section 7 before an examination of the other aspects of a roadblock may proceed.