This case started in an unusual way, but I'm happy today it's in a criminal court proceeding. Mr. Padilla is being treated like any other American citizen in the criminal justice system.

Without Padilla's input, this court is deprived of a full factual record.

Without Padilla's input, this court is deprived of a full factual record,

This case started in a very unusual way but I'm happy to say that today it is a criminal proceeding. Mr. Padilla is being treated as any American citizen charged with wrongdoing in this country.

The issue that is before the court, that we have asked them to take up, is: does the president of the United States have the authority to sign a piece of paper and send someone to jail without criminal process, and have him held by the military. We say the constitution does not permit that.

The plea that will be entered next Thursday will be 'not guilty'.