NACDL - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
News Release
Ongoing NSA Revelations Source of Deep Concern for Nation's Criminal Defense Bar
July 02, 2013
Washington, DC (July 2, 2013) – The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is profoundly concerned by ongoing revelations suggesting that the U.S. Government is engaged in a wholesale, round-the-clock infringement of Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights. Among the concerns raised by these disclosures specific to the Constitutionally-outlined role of defense counsel in the American criminal justice system is the sanctity of the attorney-client and work product privileges, as well as the use of secret evidence in criminal proceedings. No congressional enactment, executive action, or secret court order can trump the fundamental rights of the American people as set forth in the U.S. Constitution. NACDL Executive Director Norman L. Reimer said: “The time has long passed for the government to provide full disclosure of the complete nature and extent of these surveillance programs.”
As more details of the U.S. Government’s unprecedented surveillance activities come to light, NACDL can make available leading, expert practitioners from within the field of national security to provide insight and expertise to those reporting on these critically important matters.
Please contact Ivan J. Dominguez, Director of Public Affairs & Communications, (202) 465-7662 or idominguez@nacdl.org for more information.
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's many thousands of direct members in 28 countries – and 90 state, provincial and local affiliate organizations totaling up to 40,000 attorneys – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors and judges committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal legal system.
