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Correspondences with Oshins, Arthur

Correspondence

Letter from Arthur Oshins about Publicity for Article on the Fifth Amendment and Halacha (1966)

Dear Dr. Lamm: I have read your article about the difference between the restrictions on confessions in the Constitution and in the Halachah. In addition to being quite informative, the article also has what I believe to be considerable publicity potential. For example, it stirs in me several questions, the answers to which might be publicity "dynamite." 1. In view of the Halachah's rejection of the right even to confess "voluntarily," would it be fair to say that you, as a prominent rabbi, do not believe that a Jew accused of a crime should confess it to the police or anyone else even if he wants to?Would it be fair to conclude that you do not believe any confession should be used as evidence in a court of law?In light of current developments in the field of law enforcement, would you be willing to declare publically that, morally, the police should be denied the right to seek confessions from suspects even if, as they claim, only a confession could provide the necessary evidence to bring them to justice?I’m sure you can appreciate that your answers to these questions could make an enormous impact, and if you believe it would be advisable to do so, I wonder if I could see you after you return from Camp Morasha to determine whether we can develop publicity about your point of view.SincerelyArthur OshinsDirector of PublicityAO:bh