U.S. Seeks Expansion of Terror Subpoenas

[True_Blue]

WASHINGTON - To aid the fight against terrorism, the Bush administration wants to add a subpoena power that does not require federal investigators to seek approval from a judge or grand jury.


Justice Department (news - web sites) officials say use of "administrative subpoenas" would enable the FBI (news - web sites) to obtain information from records or witnesses that might more quickly prevent a terror strike. Critics say the extension of power is unnecessary and would permit investigations with no judicial supervision.


"It's just a grab for more and more power," said Gerald Lefcourt, a New York attorney and past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. "They want to do things that they know a judge won't approve of."


Legislation authorizing the new power would require that the person getting the subpoena in national security cases keep that information secret from nearly everyone except his lawyer. Anyone who did disclose the existence of the subpoena could be charged with a crime and put in prison for up to five years.

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[HereSince1628]

1. A clear infringement upon the bill of rights.

Sorry we just aren't scared enough yet to accept this one.
The potential for abuse is greater than the risk of yellow and orange alerts. Even Republicans like Sensenbrenner will get acid reflux over this one.


Article IV US Constitution
Right of Search and Seizure Regulated

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.