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I would refuse to decrypt the drive, even though it would be contempt, but everyone has to decide for themselves what battles are worth fighting.

mattmiller 15y ago
I would like to see them prove that I knew my password. That would be an interesting precedent. On an unrelated note, these people are probably guilty and it is a bummer that I have to choose to side with them because letting them go free is better than giving the government one more tool to erode privacy.
jrockway 15y ago
I would too. County jail is a lot better than federal prison. (Anything that you'd want to encrypt is going to get you life in prison these days, so it's not like you have anything to lose.)
- ceol 15y ago
  >(Anything that you'd want to encrypt is going to get you life in prison these days, so it's not like you have anything to lose.) There's more you can use encryption for than just illegal activities. Personal and financial information comes to mind, as do company secrets.
grecy 15y ago
I wonder what the penalty for contempt is? let's say it's a high-profile murder case, and they need the info on the drive to make it stick. Without the drive, there is no case. If the defendant gives over the key, they get 25-life, what's the penalty for contempt?
- Miner49er 15y ago
  In Colorado, it looks like the maximum sentence for contempt is 6 months. In Wyoming (my state), the max is 90 days or a $500 fine. I would choose contempt.
  - Jetlag 15y ago
    Every 6 months (or 90 days) the judge hauls you in to court and orders you to give up your password until one of you breaks.
    - RexRollman 15y ago
      I know there was a guy who spent years in jail on a contempt charge related to his divorce (the ex-wife claimed he has lots of money hidden about). I'll see if I can find a link for it. EDIT: Here it is: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09192/983301-454.stm http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09192/983301-454.stm

mattmiller 15y ago

I would like to see them prove that I knew my password. That would be an interesting precedent. On an unrelated note, these people are probably guilty and it is a bummer that I have to choose to side with them because letting them go free is better than giving the government one more tool to erode privacy.

jrockway 15y ago

I would too. County jail is a lot better than federal prison. (Anything that you'd want to encrypt is going to get you life in prison these days, so it's not like you have anything to lose.)

ceol 15y ago
>(Anything that you'd want to encrypt is going to get you life in prison these days, so it's not like you have anything to lose.) There's more you can use encryption for than just illegal activities. Personal and financial information comes to mind, as do company secrets.

grecy 15y ago

I wonder what the penalty for contempt is? let's say it's a high-profile murder case, and they need the info on the drive to make it stick. Without the drive, there is no case. If the defendant gives over the key, they get 25-life, what's the penalty for contempt?

Miner49er 15y ago
In Colorado, it looks like the maximum sentence for contempt is 6 months. In Wyoming (my state), the max is 90 days or a $500 fine. I would choose contempt.
- Jetlag 15y ago
  Every 6 months (or 90 days) the judge hauls you in to court and orders you to give up your password until one of you breaks.
  - RexRollman 15y ago
    I know there was a guy who spent years in jail on a contempt charge related to his divorce (the ex-wife claimed he has lots of money hidden about). I'll see if I can find a link for it. EDIT: Here it is: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09192/983301-454.stm http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09192/983301-454.stm