Patriot Act (2002)

Dylan Plassmeyer-Pd:8

Attack on 9-11-01

• Suicide attack by al-Qaeda.

• 19 terrorists hijacked 4 commercial jet airliners.

• Crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington D.C.

Contrived Acronym

• October 26, 2001.• signed into law by President George W. Bush.• Contrived Acronym- Uniting and

Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001

Patriot Act Summary

• Passed in response of the attack of 9/11.• Government did this to track communications.• Benefits the law enforcement and foreign

intelligence legal purposes.• Creates new crimes, penalties to use against

international terrorists.

Congress

• The act was passed in both houses of congress by both the democratic and republican party.

• It’s often criticized because it goes against your right of privacy.

• Federal courts have ruled that any more provisions are unconstitutional.

Adjustments

• It increases the rewards for information on terrorism cases.

• Allows a “sneak & peek” search warrants.• Allows the Attorney General to collect DNA

from prisoners. • It adjusts victims compensation and assistance

programs.

Three Tiered System

•Tracking telephone calls.•Face-Face.•Computer communications.•This allowed the government to intercept communications.

Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968

• Prohibits listening in on telephone conversations, face-to-face conversations, or computer communications.

• Although authorities can use these as a last resort in serious criminal cases.

• Law enforcement officers need a court order to do any of the three tiered system actions.

Pros of the Patriot Act

• Increases the penalties for those who commit terrorist crimes.

• Use surveillance to help solve crimes.

• New technologies and new threats.

• Search warrants may be obtained for anyone who seems suspicious.

Cons of the Patriot Act

• Law enforcement can take anything without consent or without you knowing. (medical records, books, financial info, memberships)

• Violates the 1st and 4th Amendments of the Constitution.

• 0 out of 5,000 suspects detained for terrorism have been convicted

President Obama

• President Obama signed the patriot act to a one year extension with another year of no privacy protection.

• If Obama would not of signed for another year then the government wouldn’t have the authority to tap phones and search houses and records.