Douglas Frazer, a partner at the DeWitt Ross & Stevens law firm, has published an expanded edition of "The Complete Handbook of Investigations & Privacy Rights: Demystifying the Legal Parameters of Criminal, Civil and
Private Investigations."
The book focuses on privacy and investigations, including information on bank records, school lockers, pesticides and employee e-mail.
The 68-page handbook is based on the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and discusses United States case law affecting investigations and privacy. The Fourth Amendment addresses search and seizure; the Fifth Amendment applies to testimonial evidence (privilege against self-incrimination); and the Sixth Amendment addresses criminal proceedings (the right to counsel).
"This is a concise handbook written for the non-lawyer, but has enough detail to be helpful to lawyers as well. The content covers the law as it pertains to criminal and civil investigations," Frazer said.
Frazer tackles several common workplace legal situations in the handbook. For instance, can employers read employee e-mail marked "private?" He says the answer is yes.
"While investigators know the rights and obligations of others, the public generally knows very little," Frazer said. "Privacy rights are the flip side of investigative powers."
Frazer, who practices from the law firm’s metro Milwaukee office in Brookfield, is an attorney who focuses primarily on tax, litigation, business and estate planning issues. The genesis for the handbook grew from Frazer’s experience as a senior trial attorney at U.S. Department of Justice tax division.
"Our system of checks and balances is good," Frazer says. "It can only work well, however, when citizens, residents and visitors, as well as the authorities, know the system."
A single copy of the book is available for $10 plus $2 for tax, shipping and handling and can be ordered through info@dewittross.com, or by sending to: Handbook, DeWitt Ross & Stevens, 2 E. Mifflin St. Suite 600, Madison, WI 53703.
