I just came back from South Texas and on the way I had to go through a checkpoint. I think they flagged me and had me pull over to the side because I told the man running the checkpoint that the car wasn’t under my name. They proceeded to pat me down and tear my car apart. They even opened my hood and interrogated me about when and where my headlamp had been changed.
Do you think this ruling can be applied to the Constitutionality of that search?
If they damaged your car in tearing it apart, I would think you could sue for damages.
absolutely... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6uw7506xMw
What type of checkpoint was it- Border Patrol or other? many people have taken the BP checkpoints to court over the years and they have been found constituional. Border Patrol has extraordinary powers within so many miles of the border. Where I live we deal with BP checkpoints and traffic stops regularly. I have never felt hassled, but I know some that do feel they have been.