Police Checkpoints Violate Rights to Public Access

The federal appeals court argued the checkpoints violated the constitutional rights of residents in the city's Trinidad neighborhood in Northeast Washington. City officials say the checkpoints were used sparingly, in this case in response to a triple homicide among several recent shootings.

"It cannot be gainsaid that citizens have a right to drive upon the public streets of the District of Columbia or any other city absent a constitutionally sound reason for limiting their access," Chief Judge David B. Sentelle wrote for a three-judge panel. "It is apparent that appellants' constitutional rights are violated."