U.S. Will Monitor Calls to Lawyers

November 9, 2001 12:30 PM

U.S. Will Monitor Calls to Lawyers According to this article in today's Washington Post, the United States' Department of Justice (DOJ) has decided to "listen in" on telephone conversations between lawyers and their clients in federal custody—including people who have been detained but not charged with any crime "whenever that is deemed necessary to prevent violence or terrorism." Sounds to me like an infringement of the right to counsel and attorney-client privilege. In a related article, the DOJ has also decided to stop releasing a count of the thousands of people it is detaining—without charging them with a crime—just as civil libertarians and the media are starting to question the secret and possibly unconstitutional detentions.
posted by terrapin (10 comments total)

I can't imagine this to stand up during appeal. It arguably violates both the 5th and 6th amendments.
posted by skallas at 12:39 PM on November 9, 2001

Ayep. I'm pretty much openly rooting for the terrorists to win now.
posted by hincandenza at 12:40 PM on November 9, 2001

People have accused me of being paranoid or over-reacting, when I see how Shrub is using 911 as an opportunity to increase the progress on his Daddy's plans for a One World Order that dismisses the constitution for some higher purpose. I'm crazy. Oh sure. And those people who regularly picket and demonstrate against the WTO, they're crazy too. Sure. Whatever.

Watch as your futures end. Me and my straight jacket will be right over here.
posted by ZachsMind at 12:54 PM on November 9, 2001

Violating American principles and constitution = protecting American principles and constitution.

Oh, it makes sense now.

Isn't helping your enemy in a time of war considered treason?
posted by yesster at 12:56 PM on November 9, 2001

I cant tell if this is purely a power grab or complete desperation by a clueless attorney general and co. Its probably both.
posted by skallas at 12:56 PM on November 9, 2001

I'm pretty much openly rooting for the terrorists to win now.

And you'll be one of the first ones up against the wall if they do, hincandenza.
posted by MrBaliHai at 1:00 PM on November 9, 2001

This is not good. The DOJ has really gotten out of control. I hate to see what's next.
posted by Potsy at 1:03 PM on November 9, 2001

Easy, people. I've seen horseflies that lived longer than this thing is going to. Appeals court isn't even going to bother writing up a reason for striking this turd down.

And leave Hin alone, ya bullies. He might be a traitor, but he's our traitor, and that counts for something.
posted by UncleFes at 1:06 PM on November 9, 2001

Now I'm fucked. My lawyer moonlights as a terrorist.

"Works on contingency? No! Money down!"
posted by Skot at 1:07 PM on November 9, 2001

good Simpson's reference, Skot :)
posted by terrapin at 1:15 PM on November 9, 2001