Appeals Court Hears Patriot Act Challenge, Hints at Some Change

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A federal appeals court hearing two suits challenging Patriot Act gags hinted it might require the government to give entities required to produce records – libraries and corporations are at issue in these cases — clear legal avenues of appeal. A Justice Department attorney argued there is “very good reason not to allow public disclosure” during a counterintelligence investigation. And he said the national security letter used is being rewritten to let recipients know they can consult a lawyer. (11/3/05)