"C. Search Warrants and Subpoenas
1. A search warrant is a court order authorizing the police to search premises to locate evidence that may be used in a criminal prosecution. No elder should ever consent to the search of a Kingdom Hall or any other place where confidential records are stored. However, armed with a search warrant the police do not need consent and may even use force to accomplish their task. Likely before obtaining a search warrant, the police or other governmental officials will make inquiries regarding confidential records, make request to obtain the records, or indicate that they will seek a search warrant if the elder(s) involved does not cooperate. In any such situation, the Society's Legal Department should be called immediately.
"At any time an elder is confronted with a search warrant (whether given advance notice or not), the elder should first ask to read the warrant. After reading it he should ask if he can call for legal guidance and then call the Society Legal Department, If for some reason the Legal Department cannot be contacted. the elders involved should make every effort to obtain the assistnce of a local attorney for the purpose of protecting the confidentiality of the records.
"It may be impossible to stop determiner, officers from conducting the search authorized by the warrant. Conscientious elders will want to do all they reasonably and peaceably can to preserve the confidentiality of the congregation in harmony with the principle set out in Acts 5:29."
Now after reading that letter(especially reading between the lines) what good conscientious elder wont be left with a desire, to do 'all he can' to keep confidential material out of the hands of determined agents of the law?
Would any of you be suprised if once they found out Law enforcement agents were after such records they would remove them from the location that the warrant is for?
excerpt from 7/1/89 letter on search warrants.
by darth frosty 5 Replies latest jw friends
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darth frosty
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DT
I'm curious about the legalities of this. It sounds like the WTS is asking the elders to break the law. Isn't it illegal to ask someone to break the law, especially if you are in a position of authority over them?
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sir82
Isn't it illegal to ask someone to break the law, especially if you are in a position of authority over them?
Of course. That is precisely why the letter doesn't tell elders to break the law.
It's just kind of (wink wink) reminder that (nudge nudge) if, somehow, the files were to disappear (say no more, say no more!) mysteriously, why, look! The confidentiality of the files would be preserved!
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darth frosty
Well thats why there confidential. Like I said you have to read between the lines. That is the beauty of there writing. There is nothing in this letter thats says to break the law, but the way they outline for you to work with the law can be very duplicitous.
Of course any thinking person would ask what would a religious organization have to hide? They like to claim ecclesiatical privledge when it comes to such legal matters, yet they condemn catholics when they do the same thing. -
darth frosty
weekend bump
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hamsterbait
The Borg obviously is aware of how very many sealed envelopes there are in congo files.
These give details on pedo cases and accusations.
HB