What is the USA Patriot Act? Explain why Title II has the most controversial aspects. What other sections of the law affect law enforcement and the criminal justice system?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• A law passed in October 2001 that expands law enforcement's power to investigate and deter terrorism, the act was amended and renewed in 2006
• Opponents claim that it adversely affects civil liberties; proponents claim that it introduces reasonable measures to protect the country against terrorists.
• Some of the most controversial aspects of the Patriot Act appear in Title II, which aims to improve the government's ability to gather electronic evidence.
• Police officials have expanded authority to monitor communications.
• It allows intelligence and federal law enforcement agencies to share noncriminal information with each other.
• It also forces private corporations to share records and data with federal law enforcement departments during investigations and allows the FBI to seize material when it believes national security is jeopardized.
• Title II also contains a sunset clause, automatically ending the provisions of the Patriot Act unless it is renewed before a certain time limit, and enacts congressional oversight of the act.
• Other sections of the law affect law enforcement and the criminal justice system in a variety of ways.
• Title III empowers federal law enforcement to interact with banking regulators and provides arrest power outside U.S. borders for U.S. agents investigating terrorist financing and money laundering.
• Title IV increases border patrols and monitoring of foreigners within the United States and mandates detention of suspected terrorists.
• Title VII focuses on police information sharing, specifically targeting a nationwide police investigative network known as the Regional Information Sharing System (RISS).