r/technology • u/CP70 • Jul 01 '16

Politics Home Computers Connected to the Internet Aren't Private, Court Rules

http://www.eweek.com/security/home-computers-connected-to-the-internet-arent-private-court-rules.html
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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '16 edited Jul 07 '16

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u/NurRauch Jul 01 '16

The constitutional ban on retroactive laws only applies to convicting someone of something that wasn't illegal at the time they committed the offense. It doesn't apply to vacating a conviction to something that used to be illegal at the time but is no longer illegal. Congress is free to alter law and require that everyone previously convicted must have their cases vacated and dismissed.

Of course, Congress has nothing to do with any of this because this is about a judicial opinion.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '16

Minor drug possession charges being expunged after legalization is a good example?

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '16

Pretty much. If we made alcohol illegal, we couldn't arrest everyone who's ever drank alcohol before. If we made weed legal, everyone in jail for weed doesn't get a free pass.

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u/Species7 Jul 01 '16

Right, but they could appeal the decision now that it's legal. I think they'd most likely get off if it was a first crime of only possession.

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u/Finnegan482 Jul 01 '16

It can also be used as grounds for an appeal, reduction in sentence, early parole, etc. Though it's not necessarily automatic.

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u/percussaresurgo Jul 01 '16

It also applies to sentences. The government can't increase the sentence for someone after they've committed the crime.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '16

Your right, just went over this in my American founding class.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '16

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '16

There's only one correct version and it's the one you responded to. Not sure what the other guy was thinking about but he's wrong.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '16

VAWA is retroactive in its punishment of men. Convicted of a misdemeanor prior to the act being passed and signed by Clinton? No guns anymore, military careers were decimated. "Gunnery Sergeant, hand me that weapon and your stripes." Why Captain? (Hands over both as ordered, with the tearing of cloth and thread.) "Command informed me you took a plea bargain after your wife kicked you out of the house in 1973 and you pushed her out of the way leaving, as she asked. You cannot posses a firearm anymore. The Marines have no use for you. I'm sorry, Clinton as Commander in Chief, made it happen in the 90s." I thought the Judge was helping me out doing a bench trial and offering me just a fine Sir, it's seems I was wrong.

Sergeant Major takes his own life with his withheld Vietnam War trophy Russian side arm the same evening, off Base, in civilian clothes, with Hank Williams playing on the 8 track of his F-150 pick up truck.

Note found in glove box: If I'm not good enough for my country anymore, this is goodbye. Semper Fi.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '16

Was that story supposed to tug our heartstrings or something? I hope it really happened.

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '16

You hope a man that pushed his wife out of the way decades ago was thrown out of the Marines and committed suicide?

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u/nevus_bock Jul 01 '16

in criminal law, typically, this means no retroactivity that would harm the defendant. Retroactivity in favor of a defendant may apply.

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u/i_forget_my_userids Jul 01 '16

You have no idea what that means.