AB552 allows law enforcement to take a DNA specimen from anyone who is ARRESTED for a felony. ARRESTED, not convicted. And it includes arrests for non-violent crimes such as:

• acting as a hunting guide without a license
• unlawful interception of cable TV service
• food stamp fraud
• writing a bad check
• failure to register with the pharmacy board
• false statement to obtain workers compensation
• and a dozen other non-violent crimes

DNA is not like a fingerprint. It is an individual’s entire genetic blueprint.

This bill is similar to one introduced by then-Minority Leader Heidi Gansert in the 2009 session. It was a bad bill then, and is a bad bill now…though it understandably garners a lot of sympathy from victim advocates. But you’ll find no better argument against this bill than this explanation from two years ago by an MIT physicist who lives here in Nevada:

Click here

AB552 will also mean a new $2.50 FEE to each person who receives a ticket in all COURTS, such as a traffic ticket. This new fee is supposed to fund this very expensive DNA collection system. Already there is a backlog of critical DNA information needed for solving crimes.

The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to protect us from the overreaching abuses of GOVERNMENT. The founders knew who the ultimate enemy could be. John Adams, in defending the British soldiers in the Boston Massacre case stated, “…It’s of more importance to community, that innocence should be protected, than it is that guilt should be punished.”

Benjamin Franklin warned, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety.”

As of today we do not know when the vote in Senate Judiciary will be held, but it be soon.

Oppose AB552: Defend Fourth Amendment rights.
Oppose DNA testing for people arrested, but not convicted.

Be sure to contact Senator Roberson: mroberson@sen.state.nv.us 775-684-1481
& Senator McGinness mmcginness@sen.state.nv.us 775-684-1442
& Senator Weiner vwiener@sen.state.nv.us 775-684-1422
& Senator Copening acopening@sen.state.nv.us 775-684-1475

MESSAGE: OPPOSE SB552 Oppose DNA testing for people arrested, but not convicted. Defend our Fourth Amendment rights. People should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

Contact: Senate Judiciary Committee: vwiener@sen.state.nv.us, acopening@sen.state.nv.us, sbreeden@sen.state.nv.us, rkihuen@sen.state.nv.us, dgustavson@sen.state.nv.us, mmcginness@sen.state.nv.us, mroberson@sen.state.nv.us,

Legislative Phone & Fax numbers: Southern Nevada: 702-486-2626, Northern Nevada: 775-684-6800, 775-684-6789, Toll Free: 800- 978-2878, Toll Free Fax: 800-995-9080

Copy of Bill: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/76th2011/Bills/AB/AB552_R3.pdf

Chuck Muth
President
Citizen Outreach