According to the Denver Post, the United States Supreme Court has upheld a Maryland law allowing police in that state to swab for DNA from anyone who has been arrested without first seeking a warrant to do so. A similar law in Colorado would have been affected if the Supreme Court had agreed with a lower court that said that the police would need approval from a judge. In the past, DNA samples had been taken from people convicted of felonies in Colorado, but the current law allows samples to be taken from anyone who is arrested, and added to a DNA database. Proponents of the law liken it to fingerprinting photographing people who are arrested, and the databases of that information that has existed for decades.
Have you or a loved one been arrested for a crime in Colorado? Contact an experienced Denver criminal defense attorney today to protect your rights.
Over the years, some of the most interesting court cases have involved the balancing act between public safety and person privacy. Many common police practices have been declared to be illegal based on invading the privacy of people who are suspected, but have not been found guilty, of crimes. At the same time, there is of course a need to protect safety of the public. The fact is that it is very easy for a state legislature to pass a law, with the best of intentions, that will do more to violate individual’s rights than it will to protect public safety. It is vital to remember that every person accused of a crime in Colorado has constitutionally guaranteed rights, and that those rights can be difficult to protect.
Contact the dedicated Denver criminal defense attorneys at Steven Louth Law Offices immediately if you have been charged with a crime, or even if you think that you will be. Protecting your rights in the early stages can make all the difference. Many people believe that they know their rights, but actually protecting them is not as easy they may think. Protecting your rights begins with speaking to a Denver violent crimes criminal defense attorney. Steven and Zachary Louth have helped countless Coloradans to protect their rights and get the best possible outcome from a terrible situation. Whether you have made a mistake, or have been accused of something that you did not do, Steven Louth Law Offices can help. For more information and a FREE CONSULTATION, contact Steve today at (303)442-2297 or simply fill out and submit the contact form on this website.