Oct. 7, 2004 – A Vermont man is bringing a suit against Department of Homeland Security officials, questioning the constitutionality of a federal law that forces Lake Champlain ferries to search cars for bombs. Michael Cassidy filed the lawsuit in conjunction with the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and is asking that a federal judge put a stop to the searches until the case is decided. The complaint claims that the random searches by Lake Champlain Transportation Company violate the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. William Nelson, Cassidy’s attorney, said it sets a bad precedent. "If government can do this for a ferry, which is not a plausible terrorist target, it can do it anywhere," Nelson told the Vermont Press Bureau.
