4 ms·

If you can send email from the FBI then you also have a get out of jail free card for any crime. Seems like a bad use of this access.

enkid 5y ago
I don't see how sending an email from the FBI gives you a get out of jail free card.
- curryst 5y ago
  Probably not a literal get out of jail free card, but it gives you a lot of options to impede the investigation. From what I can tell, investigations are comprised of a large network of loosely connected groups that need to coordinate to win. The game is to use it to interrupt communications between loosely affiliated parties in the investigation. You're not going to convince the director of the FBI to drop it, but you probably could wreak havoc on the investigation by sending emails allegedly from the FBI to the labs, local law enforcement, etc. Don't tell them to drop it, just redirect them to something less useful. "Oh, we don't need those reports right now, prioritize analyzing <something you know isn't helpful>". Try to get local PD to go knocking on doors or something that won't help, but isn't too obviously unhelpful. You could also try to make the various groups mad at each other to reduce cohesion. It's probably not going to keep you out of jail, but it buys you some time.
- toomanybeersies 5y ago
  Send an email under the guise of the FBI to the president, asking for immunity for yourself?
  - hungryforcodes 5y ago
    President: "Hey FBI dudes -- is this email legit?" FBI: "LOL WTF!?" Probably not.
  - lostlogin 5y ago
    Maybe this if how dubious characters have received presidential pardons over the years?
- Alex3917 5y ago
  If the FBI offers you immunity in exchange for implicating yourself in a crime, then they can't retroactively retract that offer after you've already confessed. This is true even in cases where the defendant was improperly offered immunity. And emails from an organization's domain name are generally legally binding. (Obviously this isn't legal advice.)
  - elliekelly 5y ago
    The FBI doesn’t offer immunity. The DOJ does. There’s also usually a signed document called a “proffer letter” or a “Queen for a Day” agreement that’s signed by an AUSA. I’m not sure an email would pass muster. Maybe it would, but it would certainly be a very big departure from the norm.
    - Alex3917 5y ago
      > The FBI doesn’t offer immunity. The DOJ does. Fair. But if the FBI gave someone a cryptographically signed offer of immunity and the person then confessed, you don't think the case would get thrown out?
      - bink 5y ago
        Those types of papers get filed with the court. They don't simply shake hands (or exchange emails) before accepting a plea agreement.
      - teddyh 5y ago
        “Your faith in the legal system is appalling.” https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2009-06-26 https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2009-06-26

enkid 5y ago

I don't see how sending an email from the FBI gives you a get out of jail free card.

curryst 5y ago
Probably not a literal get out of jail free card, but it gives you a lot of options to impede the investigation. From what I can tell, investigations are comprised of a large network of loosely connected groups that need to coordinate to win. The game is to use it to interrupt communications between loosely affiliated parties in the investigation. You're not going to convince the director of the FBI to drop it, but you probably could wreak havoc on the investigation by sending emails allegedly from the FBI to the labs, local law enforcement, etc. Don't tell them to drop it, just redirect them to something less useful. "Oh, we don't need those reports right now, prioritize analyzing <something you know isn't helpful>". Try to get local PD to go knocking on doors or something that won't help, but isn't too obviously unhelpful. You could also try to make the various groups mad at each other to reduce cohesion. It's probably not going to keep you out of jail, but it buys you some time.
toomanybeersies 5y ago
Send an email under the guise of the FBI to the president, asking for immunity for yourself?
- hungryforcodes 5y ago
  President: "Hey FBI dudes -- is this email legit?" FBI: "LOL WTF!?" Probably not.
- lostlogin 5y ago
  Maybe this if how dubious characters have received presidential pardons over the years?
Alex3917 5y ago
If the FBI offers you immunity in exchange for implicating yourself in a crime, then they can't retroactively retract that offer after you've already confessed. This is true even in cases where the defendant was improperly offered immunity. And emails from an organization's domain name are generally legally binding. (Obviously this isn't legal advice.)
- elliekelly 5y ago
  The FBI doesn’t offer immunity. The DOJ does. There’s also usually a signed document called a “proffer letter” or a “Queen for a Day” agreement that’s signed by an AUSA. I’m not sure an email would pass muster. Maybe it would, but it would certainly be a very big departure from the norm.
  - Alex3917 5y ago
    > The FBI doesn’t offer immunity. The DOJ does. Fair. But if the FBI gave someone a cryptographically signed offer of immunity and the person then confessed, you don't think the case would get thrown out?
    - bink 5y ago
      Those types of papers get filed with the court. They don't simply shake hands (or exchange emails) before accepting a plea agreement.
    - teddyh 5y ago
      “Your faith in the legal system is appalling.” https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2009-06-26 https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2009-06-26