The lawsuit contends that the three witnesses' treatment represents a widespread practice and policy of the Chicago Police Department. In a 2002 decision, a U.S. District Court Judge found that the police routinely violate the rights of witnesses by denying them legal counsel while holding them against their will. The decision was reversed by an appellate court, but in that ruling, the judge wrote, "But if the police are violating the rights of some witnesses by holding them against their will, the right response is to award damages to the witnesses."

The MacArthur Justice Center is a non-profit public interest law firm affiliated with the University of Chicago Law School that fights for human rights and social justice through litigation. The center concentrates on cases that raise constitutional or significant issues in the field of criminal justice.

[thanks to Eric at Hamster for the link. By the way, if you're not already a daily reader of Hamster, you should be.]