The Patriot Act (2002)

By: Katie SchlosserPeriod: 9

A Day to Remember

• September 11, 2001• Designed to prevent

terrorism• Congress established

antiterrorist acts• Anti- Terrorism Act of

2001• Patriot Act of 2001

Passing The Act

• Russ Feingold proposed amendments

• October 23 USA Patriot Act

• One senator opposed• Amending bills did not

pass• Sunsets to expire

December 31, 2005• Signed October 26, 2001

Pros• Extra surveillance in crimes of terror. • Conduct investigations without tipping off

terrorists • Obtaining business records/ search warrants• Information sharing between cooperating

government agencies. • Reflect new technologies and threats• Increased penalties

Cons• Section 213 and section 215• Section 213• Searching private property • No notification to the owner • Violates the 1st and 4th

Amendments

More Cons

• Section 215• Gives FBI rights to any information• Financial or religious• Items you own• Without your knowledge• Judge cannot reject

Government Power

• Counterterrorism Fund• Search Property • Removal of Privet

Possessions• Trace Orders on electric

communication • Trace during

conversation

Penalties

• Weapon offences• Major attacks• Harboring a terrorist• Counterfeiting or

cybercrime• charity fraud• Lifelong parole

Procedural Adjustments

• Information about terrorist

• Execution of terrorism warrants worldwide

• Government access to confidential information

• DNA samples from prisoners

Sunset Provisions (2005)

• December 31, 2005• Sunset- all portions

would be repealed• Sixteen surveillance

provisions• 251- 174• Pros and cons

Section 203• Expired December 31,

2005• Information from

criminal probes to share• Pro- provisions have

enhanced information sharing

• Con-unrestricted sharing led to databases

Section 206

• Expired December 31, 2005

• One wiretap authorization to cover multiple devices

• Roving wiretaps needed

• Casual contact will be under investigation

Section 215

• Expired December 31, 2005

• Easier access to business records

• Helps government to obtain information

• Demand records of library /bookstore visitors

Section 218

• Expired December 31, 2005

• Launching foreign intelligence wiretaps and searches

• Allows investigators a search order

• Abuses may be difficult to uncover

Section 213

• Do not expire• "Sneak and peek" • Homes investigated

without endangering investigation

• Even minor crimes can be investigated

Section 805

• Does not expire• Expands ban on

giving material support

• Stops networks that make terrorism possible

• Lead to guilt by association