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Effective Assistance of Counsel Toolkit

Applying attorney-client privilege between prisoners and their attorneys to email communications will protect the right of effective assistance of counsel. 

Advocate Now

Edit and send a preformatted letter directly to your Members of Congress by simply entering some basic information into our Congressional Messaging Portal!

Overview

The Effective Assistance of Counsel in the Digital Era Act would end a Federal Bureau of Prisons practice that denies prisoners access to email unless they waive claims of attorney-client privilege. The bill would close the loophole and ensure that the same confidentiality that protects phone, mail, and in-person visits also protects email. Until then, prisoners’ Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of counsel is in jeopardy.

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Contact Us

To contact the ABA staff member, Ken Goldsmith who works on issues with Effective Assistance of Counsel, click here.