by: Jonathon C.A. Blevins
The sky is not falling…
The new AZ law requiring law enforcement to inquire as to the legal status of its population is a hot button issue. The reason the issue is so hot is that the law is targeted at illegal immigrants, undocumented workers, aliens, or whatever politically correct noun is currently popular. I will concede the facts surrounding the passage of the law are unpalatable. However, the law is probably consitutional. Further, the request for “your papers” is similar to a request for “your driver’s license or ID.” (The analysis assumes the law will require LEOs to inquire to EVERYONE about legal status).
I cannot postulate on the status of AZ law. But, I am familiar with the law of the State of Florida. Thus, I will provide analysis of the AZ law as if it were passed by the FL legislature. Hopefully, the readers can ascertain that the below is an analysis of the law and not a pro/con law enforcement argument. Regardless of your feeling regarding LEOs, the status of the law is, well, the status of the law.
Law enforcement is allowed to inquire into the legal status of the population provided LEOs follow certain procedures. If LEOs do not follow the procedures, the remedy is suppression of evidence and/or release of detainee.
So long as LEOs do not use the legal status inquiry as a basis for any of the following, the Fourth Amendment will not be triggered. If the sole basis for detention or arrest is to inquire about legal status, it is clear that all evidence from the detention would be suppressed.
Florida recognizes three levels of police-citizen encounters or “lawful police contact”:
1. Consensual encounter
2. Investigatory stop / detention
3. Arrest
Popple v. State, 626 So.2d 185, 186 (Fla. 1993).
In a consensual encounter LEO is allowed to approach any individual and inquire about any topic, including proof of identification. The test for a consensual encounter is whether a reasonable person would think he/she was free to leave. Whether a person is free to leave is a test of factors: the number of officers, tone/language used by LEO, display of weapon, blocked path, lights/sirens, whether the officer ordered anything (not an exclusive list). During a consensual encounter, LEO is allowed to ask for ID/DL/Proof of legal status.
The LEO is allowed to approach an individual at any location and ask any question. The responses to questions are not subject to Miranda and the answers may be used against the individual. Further, the LEO can search the individual with consent. The key to a consensual encounter is the individual sets the parameters for the encounter. The individual may refuse to answer any question posed by the LEO. The individual may walk away from the LEO and refuse to produce an ID. During a consensual encounter, the LEO is at the mercy of the individual’s consent.
An investigatory detention/traffic stop (aka Terry stop) the parameters are narrower. The encounters must be supported by reasonable, articulable facts that create a reasonable suspicion the individual has committed, is committing or is about to commit a crime. The totality of the circumstances will determine whether the LEO acted reasonably in detaining an individual.
If the LEO is able to articulate facts that lead to a reasonable detention of the individual, LEO can ask for ID. However, unlike a consensual encounter, the individual does not have the right to refuse. Thus, the individual will be compelled to answer investigatory questions. The questions are not always subject to Miranda. In fact, in a DUI case, the LEO is explicitly allowed to ask questions about the charge without reading Miranda.
LEO are permitted to detain a suspect as long as necessary to effectuate the purpose of the stop/detention. It is a reasonableness test. So, if the LEO has a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, the individual will be reasonably detained and compelled to produce ID/DL/Proof of legal status.
The arrest is the most obvious type of LEO-citizen encounter. If the individual is formally arrested and questioned, the individual must be provided Miranda warnings. The individual is not free to leave. The LEO may formally arrest someone if probable cause is established. Probable cause lies somewhere between reasonable suspicion and proof beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed, is being committed, or is about to be committed. Even if the person invokes Miranda, the individual will be compelled to produce ID/DL/Proof of legal status…at the time of arrest or at booking.
The analysis above is not mind blowing. In fact, the analysis is basic. The fact that the analysis is so basic is what astounds me about the outcry against the AZ law. If LEO follow the above parameters, no Fourth Amendment violation will occur. The request for production of ID/DL/Proof of legal status will not run afoul of precedent or the basic reading of the Fourth Amendment.
As for FL, in order to get a DL, you must produce proof of identify, social security and residence . Thus, if the LEO asks for ID, you are producing proof of citizenship…guess what? No Fourth Amendment violation!
If LEO does not follow the above parameters and the specific caselaw of the jurisdiction, the remedy is suppression of evidence and/or release of detainee. The “show your papers” hysteria assumes we live in a country run by law enforcement. For the law to truly be abused, the SAO, defense bar and judiciary would have to be in collusion.
Law enforcement officers are not the final decision makers regarding arrest and detention. Yes, LEO make the temporary decision whether to arrest an individual. Yes, LEO can ruin your day. Yes, there are abusive LEOs in the world…the opposite is also true.
However, a dutiful and responsible State Attorney (or similar state prosecuting agency) will analyze the case for 1) likelihood of conviction and 2) lack of potential suppression issues. If either of those two elements are not met, the ASA may want to think hard about whether to file the case. If the ASA is not diligent, it is the defense attorney’s responsibility to file appropriate motions. Then it is the judge’s job to decide whether the law was followed. The process is not perfect and the process is slow…but it is our process.
The above process is afforded to EVERY case in the Union. The system will provide redress for abusive policies and abusive laws. The same process will be provided to every person required to produce ID/DL/Proof of legal status to LEO. The idea that the “show me your papers” law will disassemble the process is without merit.
The “scary” issue of being forced to carry your papers everywhere is ridiculous. WE ALREADY CARRY OUR PAPERS. You are required to carry your papers to drive, to vote, to write a check, to set up cable, etc. We carry an ID everywhere…what is new?
This is much ado about nothing…at least much ado about nothing new…
