// Tim Talley Associated Press Writer Legislation that would authorize microchip implants in people convicted of violent crimes was sent back to a committee for more work Wednesday after state House members questioned whether the proposal would violate constitutional civil liberties. [...] Related posts:
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Legislation to Microchip Criminals ‘Needs More Work’

on May 28, 2007 12:32 am / 3 comments

 

Tim Talley Associated Press Writer

Legislation that would authorize microchip implants in people convicted of violent crimes was sent back to a committee for more work Wednesday after state House members questioned whether the proposal would violate constitutional civil liberties.

The measure, approved by the Senate, authorizes microchip implants for persons convicted of one or more of 19 violent offenses who have to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence, including murder, rape and some forms of robbery and burglary, while prohibiting government from requiring microchips implants in anyone else.

The tiny electronic implants are commonly used to keep track of pets and livestock, but several House members questioned whether their forced use in people would be unconstitutionally invasive.

“We are going down that slippery slope,” said Rep. Ed Cannaday, D-Porum.

Lawmakers never voted on the measure. During debate, its author, Rep. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, asked that it be sent back to a joint House-Senate conference committee where the exception for violent offenders was inserted.

Cannaday and others said the measure may violate the Fourth, Fifth And Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, the Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and the Fourteenth Amendment contains the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses.

“I see it as invasive,” Cannaday said. He said many sex offenders and prisoners convicted of other crimes are already required to wear wrist or ankle bracelets when they are released from prison so their movements can be monitored by satellite tracking devices.

 

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  • Danny, Singapore

    What slippery slope? I am of the opinion that the rights of the individual, and criminals for that matter, should not take precedence over the rights of law abiding citizens and society as a whole. Why are you taking sides with criminals, rapists, drug dealers, murderers and the like. I am of the opinion that murderers and drug dealers and rapists are not in a position to claim rights violation, simply for the fact that they too, blatantly violate the rights of others. Understand that you are not dealing with boy scouts. Throw them into the dungeons and forget about them. Why should anybody care? I am from Singapore, the safest place on earth. We put violent criminals out of business, we hang drug traffickers and nobody raise an eyebrow. Decades ago, we had some self-styled mafias and gangsters. But our government had this provision called "detention without trial" and they are now all behind bars and forgotten. When the bad guys try to threaten witnessess, we say fine, we play a different ball game. We will lock you up indefinitely anyhow. Thanks to it all, people here are a lot safer. Woman can walk along the streets even in the wee hours of the morning and not have to worry too much. We give our government absolute power, and so far, they have done well. (Word of caution: This formula does not work for corrupt governments)

  • Keith Richard Radfor

    (FDA) has approved a vast array of what might be called biomedical enhancements: drugs, cosmetics, and devices that act on non-life-threatening, non-acute, non-disease human conditions such as shyness, feistiness, homeliness, underperformance, or short stature. 6 Enhancements are distinct from other biomedical products in that they are put to uses which extend beyond the goal of preventing disease, repairing disability, and restoring physiological wholeness. Daily sandwiches for all heretics with a don’t detonate my neck bomb stop at the soup kitchen and thank the lord we do this to you speech ,,,huh? Miss or charity and we will kill you?

  • celina

    We wouldn’t have to deal with these types of criminals if they would bring back the death penalty! It’s that simple. Why put in a chip to track people who shouldn’t be on the streets after what they have done. More money to have to pay to make these chips, equipment etc. We feed them and clothe them already! Stupid.