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Government to Eavesdrop on Lawyer-Client Conversations

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the you-have-no-rights-left-get-over-it dept.

An Anonymous Coward writes: "This CNN article outlines the justice department's plans to start monitoring lawyer-client communications of detainees. The decision was made by the justice department without any public debate or the involvement of the Senate or Congress. It's astonishing how easily a basic civil right such as the right to counsel is taken away!" The ACLU is, predictably, opposed.

1 of 508 comments (clear)

  1. Where does attorney-client privilege come from? by melquiades · · Score: 4, Redundant

    I'm hazy on the subject, but I believe that there is no constitutional right to lawyer-client privacy. I'm under the impression that, like therapist confidentiality, it's mostly a matter of common consensus -- the bar association and the government have simply agreed to uphold this as a tradition. IIRC, there was some great contoversy last year when the bar association decided to relax its policy to allow lawyers to step forward with privileged information which presented a clear and direct threat to the safety of others.

    Is my understanding correct? Is there any consitutional protection, or protection in federal law, of attorney-client privilege?

    Is it time to propose a new consitutional amendment?