Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Why is this man smiling?


Because under provisions of the recently approved Patriot Act renewal, Gonzo now has the power to determine if a state's system of representation is adequate, a power previously held by the federal courts. If he finds that counsel for the poor is just peachy, capital cases go on the fast track to execution.
Critics of the new measure fear that U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, a strong death penalty proponent, will allow the faster appeals in many states that have failed to meet basic standards for competent defense representation. They also worry that the short timelines will deter private attorneys from taking capital cases in federal court, and could leave some people on death row without counsel altogether.

Whither the republic...

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