Court Approves Drug Sniffing Dogs

[bigdoglover]

Chicago Tribune

SPRINGFIELD

Associated Press
Published May 19, 2006


SPRINGFIELD -- A deeply divided Illinois Supreme Court gave police broad authority Thursday to use drug-sniffing dogs to inspect cars during routine traffic stops, a move critics call an erosion of personal liberty.

The Illinois attorney general's office, however, applauded the ruling for giving police more freedom to use "an invaluable tool."

The court's 4-3 majority found that a dog sniffing the exterior of a car does not constitute an unreasonable search.

"A dog sniff will not reveal the contents of diaries or love letters; it will not reveal the individual's choice of reading materials, whether religious, political or pornographic; it will not reveal sexual orientation or marital infidelity," Justice Rita Garman wrote.