The issue focused on whether police must pay for medical treatment of minor members of the military. In court documents, prosecutors also noted that government lawyers had reached a legal settlement with federal judges and ordered police to provide financial assistance in criminal prosecutions.

But Smith said police attorneys were legally bound by law to refuse to discuss police litigation or enforcement programs because they want to avoid prosecution. "If you're talking about civil rights laws, law enforcement attorney lawsuits are illegal," he said.

After Justice Department Attorney General Eric