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March 5, 2010
STATE BAR ASSOCIATION URGES SENATORS SCHUMER AND
GILLIBRAND TO OPPOSE BILL THAT BLOCKS THE USE OF FEDERAL MONEY TO HOLD
CRIMINAL TRIALS IN FEDERAL COURTS
New York State Bar Association President Michael E.
Getnick (Getnick Livingston Atkinson & Priore, LLP of Utica and of
counsel to Getnick & Getnick of New York City) released letters
today he sent to United States Senators Charles Schumer and Kirstin
Gillibrand urging them to oppose legislation that would block the use of
federal money to hold criminal trials in federal courts of certain
suspects detained at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.
The letters call on the two senators to oppose S.2977,
sponsored by South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, that effectively
prevents the U.S. Justice Department from trying certain Guantanamo
detainees in federal civilian courts, also known as Article III
courts.
“This bill would effectively preclude trial of
certain detainees in Article III courts, no matter the facts of the case
or the circumstances of their detention,” wrote Getnick.
“The State Bar Association believes in the strength of our court
system, which has been demonstrated over the years in so many different
ways.
“Many trials of those seen as terrorists have been
held and successfully concluded in federal courts. S. 2977 would send
the message, both in the United States and throughout the world, that
our judicial system does not have the capability to try those detained
at Guantanamo. It is the wrong message and not supported by historical
fact. The New York State Bar Association strongly urges you to vote
against S. 2977,” Getnick concluded.
To view a full copy of the letters sent to Senators
Schumer and Gillibrand today, please visit www.nysba.org/GuantanamoLetters.
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Founded in 1876, the 77,000-member New York State Bar
Association is the official statewide organization of lawyers in New
York and the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. The
State Bar’s programs and activities have continuously served the
public and improved the justice system for more than 130 years. For more
information, visit us at our Web site at www.nysba.org.
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