H.B. 140

1

VEHICLE CHECKPOINT AMENDMENTS
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: David G. Butterfield
5 Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill repeals authorization for traffic checkpoints regarding impaired driving and
10 lawful vehicle operation.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . repeals authorization for administrative traffic checkpoints:
14 . regarding drivers that may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and
15 . regarding license plates, registration certificates, insurance certificates, or driver
16 licenses.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 77-23-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 282
24 77-23-103, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1992, Chapter 72
25 77-23-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2001, Chapter 168
26 ENACTS:
27 77-23-102.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953

28
29 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
30 Section 1. Section 77-23-102 is amended to read:
31 77-23-102. Definitions.
32 As used in this part:
33 (1) "Administrative traffic checkpoint" means a roadblock procedure where
34 enforcement officers stop all, or a designated sequence of, motor vehicles traveling on
35 highways and roads and subject those vehicles to inspection or testing and the drivers or
36 occupants to questioning or the production of documents.
37 (2) "Command level officer" includes all sheriffs, heads of law enforcement agencies,
38 and all supervisory enforcement officers of sergeant rank or higher.
39 (3) "Emergency circumstances" means circumstances where enforcement officers
40 reasonably believe road conditions, weather conditions, or persons present a significant hazard
41 to persons or the property of other persons.
42 (4) "Enforcement officer" includes:
43 (a) peace officers as defined in Title 53, Chapter 13, Peace Officer Classifications;
44 (b) correctional officers as defined in Title 53, Chapter 13;
45 (c) special function officers as defined and under the restrictions of Title 53, Chapter
46 13; and
47 (d) federal officers as defined in Title 53, Chapter 13.
48 (5) "Magistrate" includes all judicial officers enumerated in Subsection 77-1-3 (4).
49 (6) "Motor vehicle" includes all vehicles as defined in Title 41, Chapter 1a, Motor
50 Vehicle Act.
51 Section 2. Section 77-23-102.5 is enacted to read:
52 77-23-102.5. Administrative traffic checkpoints prohibited.
53 All law enforcement agencies in this state, including state, local, and college or
54 university law enforcement agencies, are prohibited from implementing or conducting
55 administrative traffic checkpoints, except as provided in Section 77-23-103 .
56 Section 3. Section 77-23-103 is amended to read:
57 77-23-103. Circumstances permitting an administrative traffic checkpoint.
58 A motor vehicle may be stopped and the occupants detained by an enforcement officer

59 when the enforcement officer:
60 (1) is acting pursuant to [a duly] an authorized search warrant or arrest warrant;
61 (2) has probable cause to arrest or search;
62 (3) has reasonable suspicion that criminal activity has occurred or is occurring; or
63 (4) is acting under emergency circumstances; or
64 (5) is acting pursuant to [duly] an authorized administrative traffic checkpoint authority
65 granted by a magistrate in accordance with Section 77-23-104 .
66 Section 4. Section 77-23-104 is amended to read:
67 77-23-104. Written plan -- Approval of magistrate.
68 (1) An administrative traffic checkpoint may be established and operated upon written
69 authority of a magistrate.
70 (2) A magistrate may issue written authority to establish and operate an administrative
71 traffic checkpoint if:
72 (a) a command level officer submits to the magistrate a written plan signed by the
73 command level officer describing:
74 (i) the location of the checkpoint including geographical and topographical
75 information;
76 (ii) the date, time, and duration of the checkpoint;
77 (iii) the sequence of traffic to be stopped;
78 (iv) the purpose of the checkpoint, including the inspection or inquiry to be conducted;
79 (v) the minimum number of personnel to be employed in operating the checkpoint,
80 including the rank of the officer or officers in charge at the scene;
81 (vi) the configuration and location of signs, barriers, and other means of informing
82 approaching motorists that they must stop and directing them to the place to stop;
83 (vii) any advance notice to the public at large of the establishment of the checkpoint;
84 and
85 (viii) the instructions to be given to the enforcement officers operating the checkpoint;
86 (b) the magistrate makes an independent judicial determination that the plan
87 appropriately:
88 (i) minimizes the length of time the motorist will be delayed;
89 (ii) minimizes the intrusion of the inspection or inquiry;

90 (iii) minimizes the fear and anxiety the motorist will experience;
91 (iv) minimizes the degree of discretion to be exercised by the individual enforcement
92 officers operating the checkpoint; and
93 (v) maximizes the safety of the motorist and the enforcement officers; and
94 (c) the administrative traffic checkpoint has the primary purpose of inspecting,
95 verifying, or detecting:
96 [(i) drivers that may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs;]
97 [(ii) license plates, registration certificates, insurance certificates, or driver licenses;]
98 (i) invasive species under Section 23-27-301 ;
99 [(iii)] (ii) violations of Title 23, Wildlife Resources Code of Utah; or
100 [(iv)] (iii) other circumstances that are specifically distinguishable by the magistrate
101 from a general interest in crime control.
102 (3) Upon determination by the magistrate that the plan meets the requirements of
103 Subsection (2), the magistrate shall sign the authorization and issue it to the command level
104 officer, retaining a copy for the court's file.
105 (4) A copy of the plan and signed authorization shall be issued to the checkpoint
106 command level officer participating in the operation of the checkpoint.
107 (5) Any enforcement officer participating in the operation of the checkpoint shall
108 conform his activities as nearly as practicable to the procedures outlined in the plan.
109 (6) The checkpoint command level officer shall be available to exhibit a copy of the
110 plan and signed authorization to any motorist who has been stopped at the checkpoint upon
111 request of the motorist.




Legislative Review Note
as of 12-12-11 7:14 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel