The United Sates’ criminal law does not offer a set definition for the word terrorism. It could be termed as an act of coercion through fear towards civilians with no regard to their safety. Due to the intensity of this word, it is hard to pinpoint just one definition of this act. Such acts are mainly promoted by religious or political agenda/motivation. The United States has defined terrorism under the Federal Criminal Code. Title 18 of the United States Code defines terrorism and lists the crimes associated with this violent act. The FBI has defined terrorism as unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a Government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. Additionally, the U.S. Army manual defines this act as calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological. This article answers several questions asked on this act and laws governing them. Is terrorism considered a criminal act or an act of war? Terrorism is more of a criminal act rather than an act of war and governments are responsible for act of wars. The United States deals with the act of terrorism or those who are convicted of terrorism charges just like other criminals. However, the punishments could vary largely when it comes to punish somebody who is convicted with terrorism charges. Timothy McVeigh committed a terrorist act when he bombed the Oklahoma City building and was charged and found guilty. What is the impact of terrorism and cyber crimes while in interpreting the fourth amendment? Terrorism and cyber crimes shouldn't affect our 4th amendment rights and if allowed many people would use these reasons as a way of breaking down the 4th amendment and causing less protection for us under the 4th amendment. To some extent, it is evident that our fourth amendment protections have been trimmed due to the impact of terrorism and cyber crime. What is an anti-terrorist code when trying to transfer money from London to the United States? You are most probably talking about the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) code which provides settlement and clearing services for financial transaction to banks which are involved in receiving international wire transfers. In case, you are not able to get a SWIFT code, you mostly have to have your money wired to a large bank rather than smaller banks as most of the small banks are not SWIFT members and cannot acquired codes for the fund transfer purpose. You will have to transfer the money to a smaller bank, once your wire reaches the United States. As per rules and regulations, banks in the United States are required to conduct search of individuals who wish to send or receive money. They run the name of such peoples against the database which carries the list of suspected terrorists. This is being done to check illegal money laundering to terrorist outfits. If a name is found to match that of someone on the list while a bank is conducting a search, they notify the FBI and Homeland Security immediately. However, if there are no matches found during the name search, the bank will notify the bank outside of the US that based on the Patriot Act, the transaction is allowed. I am probation for making terrorism threat but was thrown out of batterer’s intervention class as I could not afford the class. Do I have to go to the jail? Most likely, your probation period may get extended until your fines are paid and you cannot have your probation revoked if you cannot afford the classes. And not being able to pay for the classes does not mean that you will have to go to the jail. The Supreme Court states that a person's probation cannot be revoked due to the inability to pay ones fines. I am from Georgia and I am facing felony terrorist threat charges that are untrue and I mistakenly pled an Alfred Plead instead of pleading not guilty. How can I change my plead? You should now approach the court’s clerk and file a motion to withdraw your guilty plea. Usually, you should have done it within 10 days of pleading guilty. However, the state of Georgia will allow you to change your plea even after the 10 days time frame if you can prove that a manifest injustice has occurred. When you file the motion, you will have to prove that a withdrawal is necessary to correct a manifest injustice. You should retain the services of a criminal lawyer on this issue. Terrorism is a widely used for infusing fear among others by demonstrating violence. You should always ask a criminal lawyer if you have any doubt on this matter.
Related Articles -
Terrorism, what is terrorism, terrorism act, terrorism laws, anti-terrorism laws, terrorism problem, terrorism charge, terrorism issue, accused of te,
|