{"id":355885,"date":"2016-04-04T11:04:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/traffic\/traffic-stops\/can-the-police-set-up-roadblocks-for-any-reason.html"},"modified":"2023-10-17T23:38:14","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T04:38:14","slug":"can-the-police-set-up-roadblocks-for-any-reason","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/traffic\/traffic-stops\/can-the-police-set-up-roadblocks-for-any-reason.html","title":{"rendered":"Police Roadblocks: Laws and Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Police Roadblocks: Laws and Limitations<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The Supreme Court<\/a> ruled that law enforcement agencies can only set up roadblocks for "special needs, beyond the normal need for law enforcement." (City of Indianapolis v. Edmond<\/i><\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

At a police roadblock,<\/a> officers stop and assess all or some motor vehicles and drivers at the checkpoint.<\/p>\r\n

Police officers cannot set up roadblocks only to assist in the normal process of law enforcement, crime prevention, and traffic safety.<\/a> There must be a unique circumstance that justifies the intrusion into the lives of motorists that a roadblock entails.<\/p>\r\n

To justify these types of traffic stops, the following criteria must be met:<\/p>\r\n