(Appeals) Court OKs searches at football games

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Court OKs searches at football games

By MITCH STACY, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 52 minutes ago

TAMPA, Fla. - A federal appeals court cleared the way
for pat-down searches to resume at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
home games, rejecting a fan's contention that they violate
his constitutional protection against unreasonable searches.

High school teacher Gordon Johnston successfully challenged
the frisking of fans entering Raymond James Stadium in three
lower courts, but a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals overturned those rulings Tuesday — saying
Johnston forfeited his right to challenge the constitutionality
of the pat-downs when he consented to them.

The court also said Johnston doesn't have a constitutional
right to watch a football game, that he was aware of the
search policy before entering the stadium and that the Bucs
can revoke game tickets for any reason.

-snip-

NFL officials have contended such searches, which began in
2005, provide an essential layer of security in an age of
constant terrorism threats.

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070627/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_bucs_security