The United States Patriot Act was an act passed by the United States Congress subsequent to the attacks by foreign nations that took place on September 11th, 2001. The U.S. Patriot Act allowed for government officials to use a more strengthened, intense approach when it came to avoiding any terrorist attacks. The approaches taken can range from unwarranted searches, confiscation of belongings from suspected threats, and even to wiretapping done by the National Security Agency. The U.S Patriot Act has caused conflict within the United States since it was first introduced in 2001. This act takes extreme measures towards protecting citizens, but in doing that violates several rights given in the Bill of Rights. The U.S. Patriot Act, while it
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Patriot Act is an apparent violation of first, fourth, and sixth amendment rights. This act violates the first amendment because, as stated in the Bill of Rights, people have the privilege to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. However, under this act, things people say or print may be used against them as a form of protection for others. The fourth amendment is violated by the U.S. Patriot Act because it states that people are secure from unreasonable, unauthorized searches. Conversely, this act allows the government to search anyone if they are deemed suspicious, despite whether or not they have a warrant. And finally, the sixth amendment says that as soon as a citizen is suspected of committing a crime, they are given the right to a speedy and public trial, have to be given a clear charge, and have the right to witnesses. On the other hand, the U.S. Patriot Act says that people may be put in jail without a clear charge or witnesses. While you could argue that this is for the safety of other citizens, it is a complete violation of numerous aspects of a person’s rights given to them centuries …show more content…
Wiretapping is an infringement of a person’s rights. The United States has the power to do this under the U.S. Patriot Act, but they actually are only allowed to monitor a conversation if they have a probable cause and a warrant. A great quote regarding NSA Wiretapping in relation to the Patriot Act comes from Dean Heller, a senator from Nevada. He said in a press release that “there is a fine line between protecting our nation and protecting our Fourth Amendment rights.” (Heller, 2013) This quote goes to show that while the nation should be protected, the government should not have the right to blatantly overlook the rights of the people of the country.
The elastic clause was a major factor in the establishment of the Patriot Act. The elastic clause allows the United States government to overlook certain rights and privileges of citizens as long as the act or law can be proven “necessary and proper”. The United States Patriot Act, of course, was formed with this in mind because without the elastic clause, the government would have never been able to neglect such significant rights of citizens who are not to blame in the terrorist attacks that have previously occurred in the
Patriot Act is an apparent violation of first, fourth, and sixth amendment rights. This act violates the first amendment because, as stated in the Bill of Rights, people have the privilege to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. However, under this act, things people say or print may be used against them as a form of protection for others. The fourth amendment is violated by the U.S. Patriot Act because it states that people are secure from unreasonable, unauthorized searches. Conversely, this act allows the government to search anyone if they are deemed suspicious, despite whether or not they have a warrant. And finally, the sixth amendment says that as soon as a citizen is suspected of committing a crime, they are given the right to a speedy and public trial, have to be given a clear charge, and have the right to witnesses. On the other hand, the U.S. Patriot Act says that people may be put in jail without a clear charge or witnesses. While you could argue that this is for the safety of other citizens, it is a complete violation of numerous aspects of a person’s rights given to them centuries …show more content…
Wiretapping is an infringement of a person’s rights. The United States has the power to do this under the U.S. Patriot Act, but they actually are only allowed to monitor a conversation if they have a probable cause and a warrant. A great quote regarding NSA Wiretapping in relation to the Patriot Act comes from Dean Heller, a senator from Nevada. He said in a press release that “there is a fine line between protecting our nation and protecting our Fourth Amendment rights.” (Heller, 2013) This quote goes to show that while the nation should be protected, the government should not have the right to blatantly overlook the rights of the people of the country.
The elastic clause was a major factor in the establishment of the Patriot Act. The elastic clause allows the United States government to overlook certain rights and privileges of citizens as long as the act or law can be proven “necessary and proper”. The United States Patriot Act, of course, was formed with this in mind because without the elastic clause, the government would have never been able to neglect such significant rights of citizens who are not to blame in the terrorist attacks that have previously occurred in the