ACLU Drops Challenge to Patriot Act

ACLU Drops Challenge to Patriot Act

Cross Posted from Revealing the ACLU: Posted back in early October about a recent ruling by a Detroit Judge in response to an ACLU 2003 challenge to the Patriot Act.

The outcome of that ruling basically amounted to the Judge asking the ACLU to review the more recent changes to the Patriot Act and decide if they wish to continue the suit.

Late last night the ACLU decided that they did not wish to continue the suit.

From the Washington Post:

The American Civil Liberties Union on Friday dropped a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the USA Patriot Act.

The ACLU said it was withdrawing the lawsuit filed more than three years ago because of “improvements to the law.” The Justice Department argued last month that amendments approved by Congress in March 2006 had corrected any constitutional flaws in the Patriot Act.

[…]

The ACLU said the revisions allow people receiving demands for records to consult with a lawyer and challenge the demands in court.

The Justice Department, which first asked that the lawsuit be dismissed in December 2003, said it was pleased by the ACLU’s action, which was contained in a one-paragraph notice filed with U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood in Detroit.

“We … reiterate that the Patriot Act is a legitimate and important tool that has better helped law enforcement fight terrorism while simultaneously protecting our valued civil liberties,” Justice spokeswoman Tasia Scolinos said.

As mentioned before I believe a strong vigilance is needed to keep the Patriot Act in check. Such a powerful tool could turn into an equally devastating weapon. I think the ACLU goes to far in most of these types of challenge, but perhaps they can do some good here.

The total fight against the Patriot act is not over, the ACLU dose plan to continue to challenge some portions of the act.

The group also said it is continuing its legal fight against a more frequently used provision of the Patriot Act that authorizes national security letters. Such letters allow the executive branch of government to obtain records about people in terrorism and espionage investigations without a judge’s approval or a grand jury subpoena.

That we need tools like the Patriot Act is a testament to the world in which we live – lets be cautious in its use, wise in its application, and merciless to those who would destroy us.