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H.B. 45

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TRAFFIC CHECKPOINT AMENDMENTS

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1997 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Sponsor: Nora B. Stephens

5    AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE; ELIMINATING REQUIRING
6    MAGISTRATE AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH ADMINISTRATIVE TRAFFIC
7    CHECKPOINTS; AND AMENDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE
8    TRAFFIC CHECKPOINT PLANS.
9    This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
10    AMENDS:
11         77-23-103, as enacted by Chapter 72, Laws of Utah 1992
12         77-23-104, as enacted by Chapter 72, Laws of Utah 1992
13         77-23-105, as enacted by Chapter 72, Laws of Utah 1992
14     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
15        Section 1. Section 77-23-103 is amended to read:
16         77-23-103. Circumstances permitting an administrative traffic checkpoint.
17        A motor vehicle may be stopped and the occupants detained by an enforcement officer
18    when the enforcement officer:
19        (1) is acting pursuant to a duly authorized search warrant or arrest warrant;
20        (2) has probable cause to arrest or search;
21        (3) has reasonable suspicion that criminal activity has occurred or is occurring;
22        (4) is acting under emergency circumstances; or
23        (5) is acting pursuant to duly authorized administrative traffic checkpoint authority
24    [granted by a magistrate] in accordance with Section 77-23-104.
25        Section 2. Section 77-23-104 is amended to read:
26         77-23-104. Written plan -- Approval of commissioner of public safety.
27        [(1) An administrative traffic checkpoint may be established and operated upon written


1    authority of a magistrate.]
2        [(2) A magistrate] (1) The commissioner of public safety or the commissioner's delegate
3    may issue written authority to establish and operate an administrative traffic checkpoint if:
4        (a) [a] the command level officer submits to the [magistrate] commissioner of public safety
5    or the delegate a written plan signed by the command level officer describing:
6        (i) the location of the checkpoint including geographical and topographical information;
7        (ii) the date, time, and duration of the checkpoint;
8        (iii) the sequence of traffic to be stopped;
9        (iv) the purpose of the checkpoint, including the inspection or inquiry to be conducted;
10        (v) the [names] number of [the] personnel to be employed in operating the checkpoint,
11    including the [name] rank of the officer or officers in charge at the scene;
12        (vi) the configuration and location of signs, barriers, and other means of informing
13    approaching motorists that they must stop and directing them to the place to stop;
14        (vii) any advance notice to the public at large of the establishment of the checkpoint; and
15        (viii) the instructions to be given to the enforcement officers operating the checkpoint; and
16        (b) the [magistrate] commissioner of public safety or the delegate makes an independent
17    [judicial] determination that the plan appropriately:
18        (i) minimizes the length of time the motorist will be delayed;
19        (ii) minimizes the intrusion of the inspection or inquiry;
20        (iii) minimizes the fear and anxiety the motorist will experience;
21        (iv) minimizes the degree of discretion to be exercised by the individual enforcement
22    officers operating the checkpoint; and
23        (v) maximizes the safety of the motorist and the enforcement officers.
24        [(3)] (2) Upon determination by the [magistrate] commissioner of public safety or the
25    delegate that the plan meets the requirements of Subsection [(2)] (1)(b), the [magistrate]
26    commissioner of public safety or the delegate shall sign the authorization and issue it to the
27    command level officer, retaining a copy for the [court's] Department of Public Safety's file.
28        [(4)] (3) A copy of the plan and signed authorization shall be [issued to] kept by the
29    checkpoint command level officer participating in the operation of the checkpoint.
30        [(5)] (4) Any enforcement officer participating in the operation of the checkpoint shall
31    conform his activities as nearly as practicable to the procedures outlined in the plan.

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1        [(6)] (5) The checkpoint command level officer shall be available to exhibit a copy of the
2    plan and signed authorization to any motorist who has been stopped at the checkpoint upon request
3    of the motorist.
4        Section 3. Section 77-23-105 is amended to read:
5         77-23-105. Failure to stop -- Criminal liability.
6        Any person who intentionally and knowingly passes, without stopping as required, any
7    administrative traffic checkpoint operated [under the authority of a magistrate as provided] in
8    accordance with Section 77-23-104 is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-16-96 1:38 PM


This bill raises the following constitutional or statutory concerns:

    
This bill may face constitutional challenge on the grounds that it may violate the Utah
Constitution, Article I, Sec. 14, Search and Seizure.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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