Letter: Wiretap plan doesn’t restrict citizens’ rights

Monday, Jan. 21, 2002 | 9:04 a.m.

In an editorial published Jan. 17, the Sun raised concerns with the state's proposal to expand Nevada's wiretap authority. There is no dispute that one's privacy interest is a fundamental privilege, which cannot and should not be compromised.

The proposal contained in the governor's and attorney general's Anti-Terrorism and Securities Initiative does not seek to compromise the liberties of Nevada citizens but instead adds the crime of "terrorism," as defined in the proposal, to the list of crimes constituting an emergency, thereby allowing law enforcement with a single party's consent to intercept a wire communication. It does not remove the requirement for court review of the interception before the information obtained is admissible in a court proceeding. To do so would be to stretch the fabrics of protections guaranteed to all citizens beyond their limits.

As indicated in the initiative, this office welcomes input from interested parties and appreciates the opportunity to address concerns such as those raised in the Sun's editorial.

KIMBERLY M. RUSHTON Editor's note: The writer is chief deputy attorney general for the state of Nevada.