On Tue, Nov 11, 2003 at 09:01:00PM -0800, Tim May wrote:
People should not talk to the Feds. If the Feds come calling, refer them to one's lawyer. For those who don't have a lawyer on retainer, tell them that you need to consult with a lawyer first. Whether you do or you don't is beside the point. The point is to not talk to them.
This is sound advice of course, as is the point about not inviting federal police into your home. When I was served with the Carl Johnson subpoena, I had had a party the night before and one fellow (a 20something sysadmin from Baltimore) was asleep on the couch in the front room. At the sound of the doorbell, he opened the door and let the federal process server into the front hallway. Moral of this story is to make sure your houseguests know your house rules. Even if you don't have a lawyer on retainer, and I suspect few folks here do, saying you need to consult with one will provide you with time to give the local ACLU affiliate a call. Also law school legal clinics can be useful sources of free advice in a pinch. -Declan