From Deseret News archives:
A.G.'s Web site troubling
Shurtleff has the right to free expression. But exercising free speech has consequences. We'd argue that the consequences are more significant for the state's elected attorney general. As an officer of the court, Shurtleff should help to ensure that the man who appears on his Web site video, whom Shurtleff says is innocent until proven guilty, receives a fair trial.
Shurtleff faces re-election in the fall. Although this particular Web site is a government site, its apparent intent is to demonstrate that Shurtleff, his assistant attorneys general and investigators are vigilant in enforcing Internet crimes against children. The public should be kept informed how law enforcement and prosecutors address this issue. However, it is possible to achieve the same ends by featuring a defendant after he or she has been convicted. This particular suspect had not been formally charged when the Web site was unveiled.
The ACLU has raised concerns about the appropriateness of the attorney general's Web site. These concerns are well placed. Shurtleff's role is different than that of a county sheriff conducting a perp walk or taking a mug shot. He is not only the state's top law enforcer, he has taken an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution as an office holder and as a member of the Utah State Bar. As such, he should be held to a higher standard.
Recent comments
The D-News likes to post pictures and stories about those arrested...
Concerned Citizen | Sept. 7, 2008 at 10:47 p.m.
I was interviewed by KSL radio when this site first was announced,...
wandrew | Sept. 6, 2008 at 7:16 p.m.
What's wrong with being straight forward and to the point? Let the...
Scared straight.... | Sept. 6, 2008 at 3:05 p.m.
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