DoD Deputy Assistant Secretary Urges Boycott of Law Firms Representing Detainees

Via Boing Boing, CNN: Charles “Cully” Stimson, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for detainee affairs urges companies to boycott the law firms that represent detainees (suspected terrorists). If Stimson’s boycott proposal was put into practice, it would effectively prevent the detainees from obtaining good legal representation. Perhaps Stimson is using the same reasoning as the Bush administration when they claimed that detainees should not have any legal recourse to challenge their incarceration.

The fact that they are suspected terrorists, not convicted terrorists, should be sufficient for anyone to understand that they need to be able to defend themselves, and need legal representation to do so. The very severity of the charge makes it important that their detention and trial be conducted by proper legal principles. If someone is a suspected serial killer, we don’t say that because the crime they are suspected of is so heinous, they should be denied the right to representation and a fair trial.

If we were to go down that slippery slope, how long would it be before we were applying that logic to white collar crime? “Sorry, since embezzeling is so serious, you aren’t allowed to defend yourself from the charge.” After all, doing away with the lawyers and fair trials would certainly save taxpayers a lot of money.

If you don’t recognize the importance of legal representation for suspected terrorists, consider the case of Keith Henson, a US citizen who was charged with terrorism for non-violent protest against a religious cult. The long arm of the so-called “PATRIOT” act can be used against any of us at any time. I know I’d want a damn good lawyer if I were ever charged with terrorism; what about you?