CRIMINAL LAW II CASE DIGEST/ DELA CRUZ V. PEOPLE, G.R. NO. 200748, JULY 23, 2014

DELA CRUZ V. PEOPLE,

G.R. NO. 200748, JULY 23, 2014

TOPIC/DOCTRINE

FACTS

It is incontrovertible that petitioner refused to have his urine extracted and tested for drugs. He also asked for a lawyer prior to his urine test. He was adamant in exercising his rights, but all of his efforts proved futile, because he was still compelled to submit his urine for drug testing under those circumstances.

ISSUE

Whether the drug test was a violation of petitioner’s right to privacy and right against self-incrimination.

RULING

Yes.

The court held that no person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself. In the face of these constitutional guarantees, we cannot condone drug testing of all arrested persons regardless of the crime or offense for which the arrest is being made.

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