If the government becomes a law breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. To declare that in the administration of the criminal law the end justifies the means 'to declare that the government may commit crimes in order to secure the conviction of a private criminal' would bring terrible retribution.From dissenting opinion in Olmstead vs. United States, in which the court upheld the use of wiretaps in a case involving an investigation of bootlegging. Brandeis strongly defended the individual right to privacy from government intrusion.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the adverse consequences that occur when the government behaves unlawfully. It argues that when the government breaches the law, it undermines respect for legal institutions and encourages individuals to take matters into their own hands. This, in turn, paves the way for societal chaos and anarchy. The quote also warns against the dangerous notion that the end justifies the means, particularly in the context of criminal law enforcement. It asserts that if the government is allowed to commit crimes in the pursuit of convicting private individuals, severe consequences will befall society. Overall, the quote highlights the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting individual rights against unwarranted governmental intrusion.

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