Seat Belt Ruling: ‘Just Shoot Me’

* According to “Justices Back Arrest for Not Using Seat Belt” (April 25), Justice David Souter opined that the history and tradition of the 4th Amendment show it was intended to shield the privacy of homes. Isn’t it one of the benchmark premises of conservative judges that justices are not to legislate from the bench? That a literal reading of the printed word is their job? Well, a literal reading of the 4th Amendment is: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures. . . . “

When I leave my house, I have to take my person with me. And, more than likely, some of my effects. In what demented world is it reasonable for me to be (at the sole discretion of the police) arrested and possibly searched because one of my taillights is out? Just shoot me now.

RICHARD SANDSTROM

Los Angeles

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Souter’s reasoning in the case of the woman who was arrested for not wearing a seat belt is the scariest thing I’ve heard in a very long time. He wrote, “The arrest and booking were inconvenient . . . but not so extraordinary as to violate the 4th Amendment.”

Being arrested and handcuffed is “inconvenient”? That is so outrageous that words can’t begin to express how flabbergasted and angry I am. Being pulled over is an inconvenience. Being handcuffed and forced into a car--well, if a private citizen were to do that we would call it kidnapping. But if a police officer does it then it becomes a mere inconvenience?

ERANN GAT

Altadena

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The Texas police have a right to stop and arrest a woman with two children in the vehicle, none of whom are wearing seat belts. But why is it necessary to handcuff the woman before hauling her off to jail? Is this supposed to be a lesson?

PHIL ISAACS

Los Angeles

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I am an American citizen. At least I thought so before Tuesday, when I found out that the Supreme Court had ruled that if I am stopped for a minor traffic violation, at the officer’s discretion, I can be cuffed, booked, fingerprinted and have a mug shot taken. I am outraged.

As a minority individual (a woman, over 60 and of questionable ethnic background), I have suffered discrimination more than I’d like to mention. Now anyone can be humiliated in front of their children. Young people will have to write down on their job applications that they have been arrested, even though it was for a minor infraction. I thought this was the land of the free.

HELEN GALVIN

Altadena