The Matlock Law Firm, P.C.
Terrorism Crimes
September 11th had an effect on everyone that witnessed the tragedies in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. The American legal system has not been immune to the consequences of the terrorist attacks. In an effort by the Federal government to combat the “The War on Terror,” many of the basic rights afforded Americans have been eroded. In addition, the Federal government has launched an unprecedented increase in investigations and prosecutions of those directly, and indirectly involved in alleged terrorism allegations.
A terrorism investigation is no time to hesitate to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. This is not the type of crime you want any defense attorney handling. Rather it takes unique knowledge to negotiate the minefield of the Federal Anti-Terrorism laws.
At the Matlock Law Firm, Federal Terrorism Defense Attorney Shawn Matlock and his staff are able to investigate and defend Federal Terrorism charges in Federal courts around the country. Contact the Matlock Law Firm immediately if you or a loved one become aware that you are being investigated for Terrorism.
Federal Terrorism Prosecutions
Although various Executive Orders, Presidential Decision Directives, and congressional statutes address the issue of terrorism, there is no single federal law specifically making terrorism a crime. Terrorists are arrested and convicted under existing criminal statutes. All suspected terrorists placed under arrest are provided access to legal counsel and normal judicial procedure, including Fifth Amendment guarantees
During the past two decades, the U.S. Government has expanded the FBI’s authority to investigate terrorist activities against U.S. interests overseas. Specifically, the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorist Act of 1986, the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, and Presidential Decision Directive 39 have served to extend FBI investigative authority beyond U.S. borders when U.S. interests are harmed or threatened.
Since 1984 the FBI has carried out over 300 extraterritorial investigations, in close cooperation with the U.S. Department of State and with the assistance of host governments. These investigations include some of the FBI’s most complex and high-profile cases, including investigations into the September 11 attacks, as well as the bombings of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia in 1996, two U.S. embassies in East Africa in 1998, and the USS Cole in the Yemenese port of Aden in October 2000.
The growing internationalization of crime, including the crime of terrorism, has led the FBI to expand its international presence. By the year 2001, the FBI had legal attache (LEGAT) offices in 44 countries around the world. At the same time, the increasing scope of terrorist threats--from bombing plots of domestic and international extremists to threats involving weapons of mass destruction to the growing menace of computer intrusion crime and threat of cyberterrorism--led the FBI, in November 1999, to create the Counterterrorism Division to help focus its operational capabilities upon the full range of activities in which violent extremists engage. The Counterterrorism Division works closely with other FBI components and with other agencies to counter current and emerging terrorist threats.
Federal Terrorism Criminal Defense Attorney/ Federal Terrorism Defense Lawyer/
Federal Terrorism Appellate Lawyer
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