Criminal_Justice

Discuss the differences between terrorism and other criminal acts. Let’s first talk about what a terrorist is. A terrorist is defined as “a person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism” (terrorist , 2012). Now, terrorism is when violence and intimidation and threats are used for fear and submission. It is normally used for political or religious purposes. It is a method or process of governing or of opposing a government. Terrorism is used to provoke fear and insecurity in the world. Any individual can be a terrorist. Terrorists are usually part of a group. There can be any number of reasons why a terrorist group or a person in a terrorist group would target and commit and act of terrorism. Any person can be a terrorist. Terrorists commit these acts to provoke fear and insecurity. Terrorists have different reasons for what they do but some of the major purposes of terrorism are to bring about political change, create psychological terror and to attain specific goals associated with their organization. Terrorists want the media attention and for their acts of violence to get and gain such attention. Criminal acts are “Any crime, including an act, omission, or possession under the laws of the United States or a State or unit of general local government, which poses a substantial threat of personal injury, notwithstanding that by reason of age, insanity, intoxication or otherwise the person engaging in the act, omission, or possession was legally incapable of committing a crime” (CRIMINAL ACT, 2012). An example of a criminal act would be an individual robbing a bank, setting a bomb in a bank with the intent to cause chaos and create a diversion so that they can commit a bank robbery. My next objective is to provide an analysis of crimes associated with terrorism and how they differ from street crimes. First, let’s talk about what street crime is. Street crime is illegal activity in the public domain, usually in a city or town, for example John Doe steals Aunt Mary’s purse or John Doe is dealing illegal drugs for sale on the local street corner. Street crimes are criminal offenses that happen or take place in public places. Examples of these are prostitution, vandalism, car theft, assaults on individuals, and purse snatching. Now, crimes associated with terrorism are done for a higher purpose. The group ALF (Animal Liberation Front) is a domestic terrorist group who are against the use of testing on animals and against fur farms. Their motto is to act to further their cause but to do so without endangering the life of innocent people. Not all terrorists groups share the same sentiments. Most will do what is necessary to carry out the mission for the cause even if it means life endangerment. What are the specific challenges within the U.S. courts with trying organized crime and terrorist groups' Organized crime is “Widespread criminal activities, such as prostitution, interstate theft, or illegal gambling, that occur within a centrally controlled formal structure” (organized crime). Terrorists groups use organized crime to fund their organizations. There has been an increasing dependence on criminal activity by terrorists groups since the 1990’s around the world. Terrorist attacks are now being funded or financed through crime profits. This is being done by criminal acts like robbery, smuggling, prostitution rings, and drug trafficking. The integration of organized crime into terrorist operations shows that terrorist groups are adapting to raise the needed funds necessary to carry out their terrorist attacks. Terror suspects are now incarcerated on numerous charges which include both criminal and terrorist in nature. Now, law enforcement is challenged because conventionally they targeted criminality and terrorism separately. In the fight against organized crime and terrorism there is the Patriot Act. This came about after September 11, 2001. This act radically reduces restrictions in law enforcement agencies harvesting of intelligence in the United States. It expands authority to law enforcement in a variety of areas such as detaining and deporting immigrants who are suspected of terrorist related acts. This act basically expanded the powers of law enforcement. References CRIMINAL ACT. (2012). Retrieved August 29, 2012, from The Lectric Law Library: http://www.lectlaw.com/def/c152.htm organized crime. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2012, from Yahoo Education: http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/organized%20crime street crime . (2012). Retrieved August 29, 2012, from MacMillian Dictionary: http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/street-crime terrorist . (2012, August 28). Retrieved August 28, 2012, from Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/terrorist