Michigan Department of State Police v. Sitz

In Michigan Department of State Police v. Sitz, 496 U.S. 444 (1990), the Supreme Court sustained a sobriety checkpoint aimed at removing drunk drivers from the road. The director of the state police appointed a "Sobriety Checkpoint Advisory Committee" that created written guidelines setting forth procedures concerning the operation of the checkpoint, site selection, and publicity. Id. at 447. Under the guidelines, every car was to be stopped, and their drivers would be examined briefly for signs of intoxication. Where police initially suspected intoxication, the motorist would be directed out of the flow of traffic and would be detained for further tests. Id.