The past two decades have seen several changes to criminal law in the United States. These changes can be attributed to various acts passed by Congress. Some of these changes have been good, while others have caused a great deal of controversy. The staff at the criminal defense law firm, Mike G Law, share their insights on seven of the most notable changes to criminal law in recent years.
1. The Patriot Act
One of the most controversial laws passed in recent years is the Patriot Act. Passed in 2001 under the Bush administration, the Patriot Act significantly expanded the powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the name of national security. The act allows law enforcement agencies to fight terrorism, including conducting searches without a warrant and detaining suspected terrorists without charge.
The Patriot Act has been criticized by civil liberties advocates for eroding civil liberties, while others argue that it is a necessary tool in the fight against terrorism.
2. The No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act, passed in 2001, was a federal law that mandated standardized testing in public schools. The law intended to improve student achievement by holding schools accountable for their student’s performance on standardized tests.
Some have criticized the act for putting too much emphasis on standardized test scores, while others argue that the law has helped to improve student achievement.
3. The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act
The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, passed in 2006 under the Bush administration, makes it a federal crime to engage in activities that disrupt an animal enterprise. Essentially this means that if you engage in activities such as protesting outside of an animal testing facility, you could be charged with a federal crime.
The act was passed in response to a series of protests by animal rights activists against businesses that use animals for testing or food production. Of course, animal rights activists often harshly criticize the act, who believe it violates their free speech rights.
4. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, passed in 2009, expanded the definition of federal hate crimes to include crimes motivated by a victim’s race, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. The act is named after Matthew Shepard, a gay man who was brutally murdered in 1998, and James Byrd, Jr., an African American man who was dragged to his death behind a truck in 1999.
The act was passed in response to the increasing number of hate crimes against minority groups in the United States. As a result of its passing, law enforcement agencies have been better equipped to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.
5. The Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, is a federal law that requires all Americans to have health insurance. The law also provides subsidies for low-income individuals to help them afford health insurance. In addition, the law requires employers with more than 50 employees to offer health insurance for their workers.
Some have criticized the Affordable Care Act for its individual mandate, which requires all Americans to have health insurance or face a penalty. Others argue that the law must provide affordable health care for all Americans. The Affordable Care Act was partially repealed during the Trump administration, though the individual mandate was left in place.
6. The Fair Sentencing Act
The Fair Sentencing Act, passed in 2010, reduces the disparity between sentences for crack cocaine and powder cocaine offenses. Before the act was passed, penalties for crack cocaine offenses were far harsher than for powder cocaine offenses, even though the two drugs are chemically identical. The act was passed to reduce sentencing disparities and provide more lenient sentences for crack cocaine offenses.
Some have criticized the Fair Sentencing Act for not going far enough to reduce sentencing disparities. In contrast, others argue that the act has helped to reduce the number of people represented by a criminal defense law firm, Mike G Law, and incarcerated for nonviolent drug offenses.
7. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, passed in 2013, reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. The act provides funding for programs that prevent and prosecute domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition, the act includes new provisions that expand the definition of domestic violence to include stalking and cyberstalking.
Advocates have praised the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act for its focus on preventing domestic violence and sexual assault. However, the act has also been criticized by some for its expansion of the definition of domestic violence.
Final thoughts
These are just a few of the criminal law changes that have taken place in the United States over the past decade. As you can see, some of these changes have been controversial, while others have been widely praised. Whatever your opinion on these laws, it’s crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest changes to ensure that you comply with them.
