On CNN last night, Alan Dershowitz was ranting about grand juries

[steve2470]

I can't remember exactly what he said, but it was to the effect that the ACLU was not going to stand up against grand juries, and he was going to stand up against their deprivation of civil rights for the accused. He was referring to Trump indirectly.

What's up with him ? Is he auditioning for being Trump's lawyer ? I have to give Jeffrey Toobin credit, he said there were decent prosecutors who did not abuse grand juries. Haven't grand juries been around forever ?

[Madam45for2923]

1. Was that the same defense as in Bush/Gore 2000. Bush's rights violated or crap like that

[Jersey Devil]

2. Dershowitz has always been very smart but a little nuts

He's like the mad scientist of law.

[Phoenix61]

3. Grand juries are from old English law

Really old, 1166 AD, old.

[steve2470]

4. exactly

He sounded EXACTLY like Trump's lawyer would. I was just aghast.

[Else You Are Mad]

5. Alan Dershowitz has always been right wing.

He has defended so many powerful scum bags in his career that he automatically defends them even if they are not his clients.

[steve2470]

6. It would not surprise me if he ends up the lawyer for Trump

Trump could afford him, and he damn sure sounded like he wanted that gig.

[Else You Are Mad]

10. I wouldn't be surprised.

But, I don't think he would put up with Trump's lies. Alan Dershowitz may be an asshole, but I don't see him as the kind of lawyer to let his client get away with the things that Trump would want to get away with. Trump tends to stick with less than ethical lawyers.

[mackdaddy]

12. He was Jeffrey (lolita express) Epsteins Lawyer. Helped get him the sweet deal.

I would not put anything past him. I do not trust him.

http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/crime--law/jeffrey-epstein-sex-scandal-alan-dershowitz-suffers-setback-defamation-case/VAEPYCPV7dHUvjSp3ctVHP/

[leftynyc]

7. Not a Dersh fan but he's right

about grand juries - they're inherently unconstitutional because the defendant doesn't get to get their side heard. Only the prosecution. It's a 6th amendment issue. If the prosecutors think they have a case, bring an indictment and serve it up.

[DefenseLawyer]

11. The grand jury's role is only to "bring an indictment"

In many jurisdictions charges can be brought by the prosecutor filing a "charging information" without using a grand jury at all. In the federal system charges can be brought by filing a "complaint" which must be followed up by an indictment within 30 days, but the indictment is essentially a formality at that point. It certainly sucks to the the target of a grand jury, as it is most certainly a one-sided affair, and nearly always results in an indictment. It doesn't violate the 6th amendment, however, because it isn't a trial. Grand juries don't convict, they only indict.

[leftynyc]

14. It's the prosecutor trying to cover their ass

nothing more, nothing less.

[LenaBaby61]

8. Give me ....

Team Tribe all day long over that bloviating jerk Dershowitz.

[hamsterjill]

9. Toobin is a former student (literally) of Dershowitz.

Toobin has been calling Dershowitz out on his bullshit of late. I think the student has mastered the teacher! LOL

[UTUSN]

13. Yip, plus he enjoys shushing TOOBIN "my former student" - TOOBIN does a slow burn