ACLU Supports Legislation Aimed at Protecting Attorney-Client Privilege

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: media@dcaclu.org

WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union announced its support for H.R. 3013, “The Attorney-Client Privilege Protection Act of 2007,” introduced today in the House of Representatives by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA). This important legislation is aimed at protecting the right to legal counsel for all Americans by prohibiting prosecutors from pursuing privileged information, while allowing people to cooperate with the government by voluntarily turning over information.

The following may be attributed to Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office:

“The Attorney-Client Privilege Protection Act is necessary in order to protect against overzealous government investigations that have violated the constitutional rights guaranteed to all Americans. Forcing organizations and their employees to give up their attorney-client privilege is an assault on the constitutional right to have legal representation – a bedrock principle of our legal system. American workers must have the right to speak freely and without hesitation about problems in the workplace, without worry that such conversations will be turned over to government prosecutors. The right to counsel is fundamental to our justice system, and affords all Americans the opportunity to defend themselves against criminal prosecution.”