Title III wiretapping do the Courts look the other way when the Government crosses the line?

Wiretaps seem like a technological anachronism these days, conjuring up romantic images of agents slipping into house in the dark of night to plant bugs in telephone receivers. No need for any of that nonsense anymore. Today, it's just a flip of the switch and your call is available for their listening pleasure. But the rules of Title III remain intact. These rules require minimization, that agents limit their listening to conversations relating to the basis for the warrant and not overhear privileged communications.

It's tricky business, with agents allowed to sneak back in for a couple minutes here and there just to be sure they haven't missed anything. Then again, it's not always clear what's relevant and inculpatory, since people can talk in code and appear to be speaking about ordinary stuff, like purchasing 10 and a half pizzas, when their discussion is more ominous.

Of course, sometimes a conversation has absolutely nothing to do with criminal conduct. Sometimes husbands and wives talk, maybe argue, even fight, disclosing very personal information that was not intended for anyone else's ears and has absolutely nothing to do with any criminal conduct. It's wrong of the government to listen in, record, enjoy overhearing these conversations.


Link:http://blog.simplejustice.us/2011/04/23/deeply-troubled-and-so-what.aspx