Justices Weigh Foreign Defendants' Rights

[im10ashus]

By MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press Writer
Wed Mar 29, 11:51 PM ET

Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical as lawyers for two foreigners convicted of violent crimes in the United States argued that police had violated the men's rights.

Lawyers for the two men — one from Honduras, the other from Mexico — told the court Wednesday that police should have told them they could seek legal help from their countries' governments, as required by a 1969 treaty.

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy asked why police — and not the men's attorneys — should be required to inform foreign suspects of their treaty rights.

"If a Miranda warning is given, it seems to me that comprehends the relief you need," Kennedy said, referring to the standard police practice of telling suspects they have the right to remain silent and the right to consult an attorney.

cont'd...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060330/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_foreign_suspects;_ylt=AmSMLI4fN3F88cwISK3XWV5MEP0E;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--