There has long been arguments about sobriety checkpoints. Law enforcement sets up these checkpoints on busy roadways and stops each vehicle to check for anyone driving under the influence. They can be quite effective in preventing drunk drivers. However, the law says law enforcement must announce them, so often many people simply avoid the checkpoint, especially if they have been drinking. There is now a new issue with sobriety checkpoints in Pennsylvania, according to the York Daily Record.
The concern comes from the fact that these checkpoints are often a collaborative effort. While the checkpoint may be in a specific county or city, other local officers assist the local officers in checking vehicles and drivers. The problem is that a local legal case brought to light officers not from the county or city have no jurisdiction. Therefore, if they arrest someone for a DUI or provide evidence in a case, it is not legal.
To legally work in cooperation and be able to use evidence gathered by outside officers, law enforcement must have an agreement between the two locales. Unless there is an agreement, any officers working in a location must have authority there. This means sheriffs deputies can work any checkpoint in the county and state officers can work any checkpoint in the state, but local officers must stay in their local area.
This should not reduce the effectiveness of these checkpoints nor deter law enforcement from using them. They do produce results, and anything that keeps drunk drivers off the roads is always a good thing. This information is for education and is not legal advice.