Illinois Legislation 2008

Two pieces of legislation are important for officers.

ARRESTING TERRY SUSPECTS WHO REFUSE TO REVEAL THEIR IDENTIES

Most of the time I am death on legislation related to constitutional law.

I / we am / are going to try to push for legislation related to a constitutional case.

The case is one in which Hiibel is stopped by a Nevada officer after the officer has reasonable suspcion to believe that Hiibel has committed a domestic.

The officer asked Hiibel what his name was -- and Hiibel refused to answer -- so the officer arrested Hiibel.

The United States Supreme Court subsequently ruled that a TERRY suspect does not have the right to withhold his identity during a lawful stop.

Since Hiibel was decided the Illinois legislature has debated the issue of whether TERRY suspects can be ARRESTED for refusal to identify themselves. The ACLU and other liberal organizations have fought this legislation for the past years.

That is why it is crucial that everyone reading this should keep up with the progress of this potential legislation -- and should consider talking to their legislators about this legislation and getting their fellow officers to help out in getting this legislation passed.

So let me ask you to do three things --
1. Find out who your senator and representative in Springfield are.
2. Keep returning to this site to find out where the proposed legislation is in the process.
3. Be prepared when necessary to talk to your senators and representatives about this bill.
4. Be prepared to get your fellow officers to help to get this legislation passed.

Thanks.

DA