U.S. Patriot Act
The Patriot Act empowers the law enforcement by allowing the investigators to employ the available tools in the investigation of drug trafficking and organized crimes. The investigators are allowed to employ surveillance against terrorism crimes including the use of electronic surveillance. They are given the power to investigate part of crimes committed by terrorists, gather relevant information during investigation of crimes related to terrorism such as chemical weapons crimes and terrorism financing. The law enforcement is also given the mandate of following sophisticated terrorists whose training may enable them evade being detected (Department of Justice, n.d).
As per the Act, a federal judge can authorize the use of roving wiretap to a given suspect instead of using a specific communication device. The investigators are also allowed to carry out investigations without terrorists’ information, whereby the court can allow law enforcement to delay search warrant notifications so as to prevent destruction of evidence, killing or intimidation of associates, evading arrest of, and severing communication with associates (Department of Justice, n.d). The law enforcement agents are allowed to seek court order for taking business records involved in cases related terrorism. This is possible if after it can be demonstrated that the records are needed in carrying out authorized investigation to acquire foreign intelligence that does not involve a US Citizen or for protection against terrorism activities in international arena (Department of Justice, n.d).
The Department of Justice provides guidelines on how the law enforcement can employ the Patriot Act while addressing terrorism related crimes. The guidelines include the extent to which the powers given to agents can be exercised. The Department provides information on the limits placed on these powers so as those local agents may not go overboard.
References
Department of Justice (n.d).The USA PATRIOT Act: Preserving Life and Liberty. Retrieved from: https://www.justice.gov/archive/ll/highlights.htm
