Privileged Information Damages Security example essay topic

405 words
Because disclosing privileged information in the name of so called "truth seeking" will not only impair the justice achieved by our judicial system, but also potentially put thousands of lives at risk I must negate the resolution as presented by the affirmative. My value for this debate will be that of Security. This includes the safety and protection of all citizens and military personnel. My value criterion is that of teleology.

This is to say that the end results are what matter, not intentions or motives. I. Disclosing privileged information or communications impairs justice. A. Information and statements can be taken out of context. A statement made to an attorney, husband, wife, ect can easily be taken out of context. For example an ambitious prosecutor can present a sarcastic remark about the charges as a confession. This just put the innocent under more scrutiny and does nothing to help convict the guilty. B. People need to be able to trust their attorneys. An attorney cannot defend a person to the best of their ability if that person fears the attorney to be called against them in court. It is necessary the defendant to be able to confide in their lawyer.

For over 200 years this is the way our system has worked and has proven to be the best in the world. C. Disclosure of privileged information isn't necessary. Improved technology and investigative techniques make this resolution unnecessary. DNA testing has been shown effective in determining guilt or innocence of crimes. As technology improves, the number of innocent people being convicted has been dropping dramatically. II.

Releasing of privileged information damages Security. Classified documents fall under the category of privileged information. Classified documents falling into the wrong hands will put the security of all citizens at risk. This resolution allows our nations secrets on display for jurors, attorneys, witnesses and the judge; in which few, if any, have the clearance necessary to view the documents. Executive orders can also be disclosed, which can give our enemies information on where our troops are as well as where we are vulnerable. In summary, by looking at this resolution from a teleological point of view we can see that in the end it impairs justice by removing attorney-client trust, and damages Security by putting vital secrets at risk.