How long does it take to petition for (and receive) a wiretap warrant?

Question

Bush is adamant that Congress allow him to wiretap without a warrant. Far as I know, that was unconstitutional in the pre-Bush era.

I understand that we need to be able to combat terrorism. However, if the FBI or CIA or NSA have a good reason to spy on someone, how long does it take to get a warrant?

Is the fear that the individual of concern will flee? I was under the impression a warrant could be had in less than a day.

Is that delay of one day (give or take) enough to justify trampling on your rights?

Hey joe, answer the question, without the typical "Bush-boy" attitude.

This is a legitimate concern. If someone is giving the order to attack next second, I doubt a wiretap would do anything, approved or not.

Answer 1

Actually, the Patriot Act gave them the power to get the warrant after they wire tapped. I believe they were given 72 hours after the fact. So, what is the problem with getting a warrant. I assume it is a bit difficult to administer the added paperwork, etc., but without them, how can anyone know who or why they are wiretapping people. Are we just supposed to trust them when they have already proven they can't be trusted? It is too easy to make a mistake and destroy someone's life without oversight. It is a complete travesty to the Constitution.

The fact is, nobody will fight it because they are afraid they will be blamed if there is another attack. In reality, the terrorists have already put some pretty big chinks in our American way of life in many ways.

Answer 2

It does not take long to get a warrant (wiretap or otherwise) after applying for it. It takes time to get the information together to support a warrant request.

To the extent that the Administration has an argument for its position with respect to certain communications, it is that modern technology has made the medium used to communicate so temporary that we need the ability to act instantaneously -- basically a claim of exigent circumstances justifying an exception to the traditional warrant requirement.

Answer 3

It only takes 5 seconds or less for someone to give the order to attack.

There hasn't been another attack on our soil since 9/11 and that's not a coincidence.

I almost wish for another attack to succeed to shut people like you up. They are constantly planning for future attacks on this country. Look at how many foiled attacks we have had. You can probably double that number in reality since the government isn't going to let the news print every story...