Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ssc-vax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!vaxine!wjh12!genrad!decvax!ucbvax!ucbcad!tektronix!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!tjj From: tjj@ssc-vax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.legal,net.micro Subject: Computer Bulletin Boards Must Be Confiscated! Message-ID: <171@ssc-vax.UUCP> Date: Wed, 30-May-84 20:44:20 EDT Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.171 Posted: Wed May 30 20:44:20 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 6-Jun-84 02:25:51 EDT Organization: Boeing Aerospace, Seattle Lines: 27 Perhaps the subject line is somewhat skewed, but it seems that in all the fuss and feathers over the confiscation of the computer BB by the LAPD, no one has looked for a cogent reason that would require such action. I am not an attorney, but isn't it a requirement that when someone is charged with a crime that sufficient evidence must be presented for both an indictment and a conviction? So person A commits an offense by leaving a message on person B's computer bulletin board. If I, as the prosecuting attorney, want to establish the fact that such a crime was committed, what kind of evidence must I have? Right! I have to have proof that a message was transmitted and I must be able to present its content. How do I go about acquiring the custody of said evidence that is required to do my job? Maybe there are other ways, but certainly a very straightforward method is to obtain a warrant for the seizure of the computer BB system. I may not know exactly which portion of the system contains the real evidence, but at least I know I've got my arms around what is needed. I wouldn't like to have my computer system confiscated either, but I don't think I'd go around claiming that all Sysop's were going to be thrown in the slammer simply for what was placed on their bulletin board system. What say the legal beagles on the net? Ted Jardine -- TJ (with Amazing Grace) The Piper Boeing Computer Services Artificial Intelligence Center ...uw-beaver!ssc-vax!tjj