COURT OKS SUIT AGAINST POLICE OVER QUESTIONING

Police officers who discourage suspects from calling an attorney after they
have been advised of their Miranda rights are not entitled to immunity from
civil suits, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday.

The suit filed against the Los Angeles and Santa Monica police departments
alleges that California police departments are routinely training their
officers to question suspects "outside Miranda." The ruling sets the stage
for a district court trial.

The officers argued they were immune from a lawsuit because they were
acting according to training by their departments.