The day of the Supreme Court ruling, a woman on the PBS News Hour said the ruling was based on a case brought to the high court’s attention by a man in Maryland. He was arrested for “assault,” and apparently Maryland takes DNA samples for “serious” offenses. I don’t know how they define “serious.”
The woman on PBS said that 28 states plus the feds currently take DNA samples from certain suspects. She said more states may be encouraged to enact similar laws because of the Supreme Court ruling.
This woman....I forgot her name....also said that some states have even stronger laws than Maryland, so she predicted the high court would re-visit this issue in the future.
I don’t have a problem with felons who are CONVICTED of violent crimes like rape, kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, etc. having their DNA collected, but with the current situation, we have to worry about mission creep. Demanding DNA from people arrested for minor offenses is wrong.
Just like the income tax was 3% and only applied to wealthy people.....just like cops would NEVER pull anyone over for not wearing a seat belt....just like waiting periods for gun purchases would NEVER lead to gun bans......we all know how these lies turned out.
Many states now require your finger prints for a conceal carry permit; how long will it before they want our DNA, too? The slippery slope.
I had never had to give my finger prints for anything until the last time my drivers' lic was renewed. Freaked me out. I hadn't done anything against the law. I wasn't a criminal. Why did they suddenly need my prints? I should have worn a burka and screeched at them it was against my religion, Allah be praised! Slippery slope, indeed, and the sharp rocky bottom is coming into view.