pull down to refresh

36 sats \ 7 replies \ @optimism 2h \ parent \ on: In Surprise Reversal, Trump Now Supports GOP Release Of Epstein Files Politics_And_Law
The thing I saw someone do in the EU was to do a FOIA1 request around the execution of their FOIA request whenever returned information seemed overly redacted.
From what I gathered, that truly pissed the functionaries off.

Footnotes

  1. its called different there but same principle applies there too. ↩
write
preview
100 sats \ 6 replies \ @siggy47 OP 2h
In the US you can challenge the redactions pre-trial. The judge listens to the arguments, does an "in camera" (secret) review of the evidence, and then decides that the government's proposed redactions are justified. The opposing team and the ref wear the same uniform.
reply
36 sats \ 5 replies \ @optimism 2h
I've heard you say that more often (I think last time was when you said that the SDNY judges are basically a second prosecutor team re some samurai/tornado news) and this is worrying.
What's the incentive for the judge to be more than partial only to the law?
reply
100 sats \ 4 replies \ @siggy47 OP 2h
Well, my response really was about the Southern District. New York City courts are very different. The judges are at times ridiculously lenient and biased towards defense attorneys there. Where there is bias favoring the prosecution, it's a matter of culture, I think. Prosecutors are free to stroll around back offices. Defense lawyers are not allowed unless invited. The guards know them. They hang out with the judges in chambers. They eat lunch together. They all get paid by Uncle Sam. It's a matter of human nature. You will favor your friends, even if you try not to.
reply
36 sats \ 3 replies \ @optimism 2h
"We're all friends around here. Except the one that's got your back; not in the club"
reply
100 sats \ 2 replies \ @siggy47 OP 2h
Yep. And then it's also economics. If the defendant can't afford a lawyer, one is appointed. The lawyer is on the CJA panel. Defense lawyers never get to hang around with the "in crowd", but they get a reputation quickly. If they go along to get along, they get more cases and make more money. If they are perceived as pains in the asses who slow everything down, they rarely get appointed. Nobody likes a pain in the ass defense lawyer.
reply
36 sats \ 1 reply \ @optimism 30m
Except those that need defense!!!
reply
100 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 18m
Exactly
reply