Criminalized Defense

In a decision that reflects the post-911 terrorism hysteria, a three-judge panel of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of prominent civil rights attorney Lynne Stewart, who defended alleged terrorists.  The 70-year-old woman is now in prison.

The clear message of the appellate panel opinion is that attorneys who zealously represent their clients in the post-9/11 era must beware. It's likely the result will chill the willingness of criminal defense attorneys to handle terrorism cases.

Image courtesy of http://lynnestewart.org/