by James Oliphant
The United States is losing the legal war on terror. So says an American Bar Association poll released today.
The association’s magazine, the ABA Journal, talked to 50 defense attorneys who have represented clients in terror-related lawsuits. Asked what grade they would give the U.S. legal system in its fight against terrorism, the lawyers gave an average grade of D plus.
The magazine says it attempted to talk to 50 federal prosecutors to balance the results, but that the Justice Department refused to allow them to participate.
Only 30 percent of the lawyers surveyed said that terror prosecutions brought in court since 9/11 have made the country safer. Only 14 percent of the lawyers said anti-terrorism laws passed by Congress, such as the USA Patriot Act, have made the country safer.
More interestingly, almost 60 percent said they would take on Osama bin Laden as a client. (Assuming, of course, that he can afford the retainer.)
The Chicago-based association counts more than 400,000 lawyers among its ranks. A release providing more information about the survey can be found here.
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