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Virginia police are encouraging anonymous tipsters to call in when they spot a driver who might be under the influence of alcohol. This is despite a recent court ruling that threw out a case against an intoxicated driver because the anonymous tipster was the only one who personally witnessed the driver’s drunken behavior.
After Richmond area police received an anonymous tip in 2005, an officer pulled over the suspect in Virginia. According to police reports, the individual smelled of alcohol and failed the field sobriety tests. As a result, the individual was charged with driving while intoxicated.
However, the Virginia Supreme Court recently threw out the conviction because the traffic stop was based on an anonymous tip. The police officer, reasoned the court, did not witness the driver violating any traffic laws. According to the court, there was not enough reasonable suspicion for the police officer to stop the intoxicated driver.
The case was headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which this week decided that they would not hear the case.
A spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic stated that despite the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling, police officers will still rely on anonymous tips about suspected drunken drivers. However, it is unclear what value tips will provide police departments across the state if they won’t hold up in court.
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