St. Paul, Minn – Today, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a decision in State v. Thompson, a case that challenges the conviction of an individual who refused to submit to a urine test for alcohol. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota submitted a brief, arguing that Minnesota’s law criminalizing a refusal to submit to a blood or urine test for alcohol is unconstitutional.
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that under the Fourth Amendment law enforcement must get a warrant before requiring Minnesotans to submit to blood or urine test. This would allow individuals to refuse a search if law enforcement doesn’t have a warrant. The ACLU applauds this decision.
The following statement can be attributed to Charles Samuelson, Executive Director of the ACLU of Minnesota.
“Forcing Minnesotans to undergo an intrusive blood or urine search without a warrant, violates fundamental privacy rights. We are glad the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld the protections granted under the Fourth Amendment. Going forward Minnesotans.”
