Aggregated News

Untitled Document

MONTPELIER, Vt. —The Vermont Supreme Court ruled Friday that the state can’t collect DNA from suspects in criminal cases unless they have been convicted of a felony.

The decision rolls back an expansion of DNA collection that has been both contested and praised for years.

The ruling preserves the presumption of innocence in Vermont, according to defense attorney David Sleigh.

“Your entire genome doesn’t become the property of the state merely because you’ve been charged with a crime,” Sleigh said.

In a 3-2 decision written by Justice John Dooley, the court ruled unconstitutional a state law allowing collection of DNA from people charged with felonies.

The dissent by Chief Justice Paul Reiber said the ruling overstated the privacy rights of people charged with felonies.

“The majority unduly restricts the state’s ability to make good on its fundamental duty to do justice through enforcement of laws,” Reiber wrote.

Those convicted of felonies can still have their DNA collected.

Supporters of the state law said DNA collection is the best way to prevent crimes.

“I know without a doubt that...