For Immediate Release
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CONTACT: Jason Westphal
State Bar of Wisconsin
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6077
jwestphal@wisbar.org |
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Upcoming seminar to focus on USA Patriot Act
MADISON, November 13, 2002 - In an effort to draw
attention to the potential impact that counter-terrorism measures - such
as the USA Patriot Act - will have on individual rights, the Criminal
Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin will sponsor a forum later
this week that will discuss the delicate balance between personal
liberty and public security. "Security
v. Terrorism" will be held on Friday, November 15 at the Alliant
Energy Center in Madison. The program is scheduled to run from noon
until 4:30 p.m.
"The Criminal Law Section believes that it vital for attorneys and
the general public to engage in an informed discussion on this issue,"
said Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Randy Koschnick. "Our hope is
that by the end of the seminar we will come to a better understanding
and appreciation of the need to protect individual rights, as well as
provide for public security."
University of Maryland Law Professor Michael Greenberger, the
seminar's moderator, is a nationally recognized expert on Homeland
Security, the USA Patriot Act and related legal issues. Other invited
speakers include U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, Congressman Tom Barrett and
Deputy United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Fran
Schmitz.
"Due to the ever-growing entanglement between security investigations
and criminal investigations, lawyers need to carefully monitor new
legislation and government procedures in this area," said section chair
Atty. John Birdsall. "Many of the powers that have been created by the
Patriot Act exist under the pretext of intelligence operations, while in
fact they could easily be intermingled with a concurrent criminal
investigation; in such a case the use of these powers would not be
subject to the same constitutional safeguards."
Tuition is $30 for Criminal Law Section members and $50 for
nonmembers. A complimentary luncheon and a complimentary reception is
included. To register, call the State Bar at (800) 728-7788.
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