Does Arizona law enforcement have the right to infringe on my constitutional rights?

Imagine this:

I'm driving through Arizona and I get pulled over for speeding. I have my driver's license and my insurance and registration and everything you would need during a traffic stop. Except, oh yeah, my proof of American citizenship. I just realized I left my certificate of birth at home and my passport is locked away because I'm not leaving the country. The officer asks for my proof of citizenship, but I can't provide it at this time.

Suddenly this little speeding ticket becomes a hassle. Because I cannot prove my citizenship, I am detained until I am able to. I am an American citizen, and I am carrying all the documents I thought were required in public. I mean, why would I want to carry such valued documents as a passport and certificate of birth on my person? That would just make it even easier for an illegal immigrant to steal because it's not locked away safely in one secure place, therefore making it easier for illegal immigrants to forge identities.

So I must ask, how is it not infringing on my constitutional rights provided to me as an American to detain me because I don't have 'proof of citizenship' on my person?

?2010-07-22T11:17:58Z

Favorite Answer

If you have your drivers license, you are NOT illegal you IDIOT.

If they pull someone over, ask for a license and THEY DO NOT HAVE ONE BECAUSE THEY ARE ILLEGAL....then THEY HAVE NO RIGHTS

Anonymous2010-07-22T06:41:58Z

Nice rant, poorly framed. First of all, Should all of your 10-28 information be in order, there
is no reason for the uniform to go beyond the the scope of the traffic stop. However should
you give the officer or state agent Probable cause to think there is something more to derive
from this stop, Then you will be turned upside down. Notice I said (YOU) give the officer the
reason. Otherwise thank you, drive carefully, and have a nice day.

The only influence in screwing yourself allegedly out of your constitutional rights, IS YOU.

grandmac382010-07-22T06:50:59Z

You are lucky. You are not in New York City. If you are stopped there, are here on a visa and don't have it with you, you would be taken into custody.

In AZ, your drivers license would be all you need, as long as you weren't here illegally or had a warrant out for your arrest.

It is sad that the President of this United States is not behind the AZ law.

Anonymous2010-07-22T06:37:48Z

Within reason it does and can, Arizona has State Rights ! If Louisiana decided to use "state rights" to argue the clean-up of BP was a fraudulent responsibilities by the Government and lacking to protect its shores by a class action suite against the Government to oversee any monies from BP and instead be left to each in question to determine, this would be an example of their use of "State's Rights" also ! the Arizona case is an good State Rights issue ove Government's Responsibility and should go to the Supreme Court !

bkc99xx2010-07-22T06:31:34Z

If they pull you over and you have a valid drivers license and insurance, they will not take it to the next step and ask for citizenship papers.

To throw this out as a likely outcome of a routine traffic stop is simply stretching the truth to scare others to be against this bill.

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