CRS report 98-326 Privacy: An Overview of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping December 03, 2009 Summary: This report provides an overview of federal law governing wiretapping and electronic eavesdropping. It also appends citations to state law in the area and contains a bibliography of legal commentary as well as the text of the…
Category: Laws
CA: Judge allows DNA sampling for felony arrestees
Bob Egelko reports: A federal judge refused Wednesday to block a voter-approved California law requiring anyone arrested on a felony charge to provide DNA samples, saying genetic information is similar to fingerprints and helps police solve crimes. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer of San Francisco rejected an American Civil Liberties Union request to halt enforcement…
Congressman introduces federal anti-SLAPP bill
David L. Hudson Jr. writes: A Tennessee congressman has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives known as “the Citizen Participation Act of 2009” that would provide protection for people who are sued for exercising their First Amendment rights of petition and speech. If passed, the measure by Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., would…
Patriot Act renewal delayed
John Bresnahan reports: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has rejected a Senate plan to include amendments to the Patriot Act in a larger Pentagon funding bill covering the soaring cost of the war in Afghanistan, arguing that to do so would lead to a “revolt on the left,” according to Democratic insiders. Pelosi’s decision, announced…