Kentucky court rules in police roadblock case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky’s Supreme Court has ruled that police failed to sufficiently follow guidelines in setting up a roadblock that led to a drunken-driving conviction. The ruling is the court’s latest effort to balance highway safety and constitutional protections against unreasonable seizures.

The divided court ruled Thursday that the roadblock did not meet a condition of being readily apparent to approaching motorists.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. said police failed to put up warning signs informing vehicles of the approaching roadblock. Officers turned on their cruisers’ emergency lights, but Minton says that wasn’t enough to provide adequate notice to motorists.

In his dissent, Justice Bill Cunningham says the roadblock was in “substantial compliance” with requirements, despite the lack of warning signs.

The case is from Marion County.