Thousands of Federal Cases Kept Secret, page 1

Secret dockets, secret testimony and lack of transparency in the federal judicial process has increased significantly in many drug and terrorism cases. This makes it difficult if not impossible for public oversite of the federal judiciary.

news.yahoo.com
WASHINGTON - Despite the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of public trials, nearly all records are being kept secret for more than 5,000 defendants who completed their journey through the federal courts over the last three years. Instances of such secrecy more than doubled from 2003 to 2005.

An Associated Press investigation found, and court observers agree, that most of these defendants are cooperating government witnesses, but the secrecy surrounding their records prevents the public from knowing details of their plea bargains with the government.

Most of these defendants are involved in drug gangs, though lately a very small number come from terrorism cases. Some of these cooperating witnesses are among the most unsavory characters in America's courts — multiple murderers and drug dealers — but the public cannot learn whether their testimony against confederates won them drastically reduced prison sentences or even freedom

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The federal judiciary is taking its lead from the executive branch in depriving the public of information necessary to evaluate government actions. It is appears that goal here is to keep the public ignorant. Unfortunately many citizens have been cowed into believing it is for their own good. Americans should be PO'd at republicans and democrats alike for allowing this crap to continue.

[edit on 6-3-2006 by df1]

[edit on 6-3-2006 by df1]

[edit on 9-3-2006 by asala]