Changes

Unlike [[state]] [[prosecutor]]s, [[federal]] [[prosecutor]]s are not elected.  They work under the [[Attorney General]], who is appointed by the [[President of the United States of America|president]].  They are called [[U.S. Attorney (or federal prosecutor)|U.S. Attorney]]s or assistant [[U.S. Attorney (or federal prosecutor)|U.S. Attorney]]s.  [[State]] [[prosecutors]] are called [[District attorney|District Attorney]]s.  The top [[state]] [[prosecutor]]s are elected, and thus directly accountable to the public.  When a [[state]] [[prosecution]] meets with public disapproval, the responsible [[district attorney]] can be defeated at the next [[election]].  But the [[President of the United States of America|president]] has to be defeated to change the [[Department of Justice]], and [[president]]ial [[election]]s are typically determined by [[economic]] rather than legal [[issue]]s.

Unlike [[state]] [[prosecutor]]s, [[federal]] [[prosecutor]]s are not elected.  They work under the [[Attorney General]], who is appointed by the [[President of the United States of America|president]].  They are called [[U.S. Attorney (or federal prosecutor)|U.S. Attorney]]s or assistant [[U.S. Attorney (or federal prosecutor)|U.S. Attorney]]s.  [[State]] [[prosecutors]] are called [[District attorney|District Attorney]]s.  The top [[state]] [[prosecutor]]s are elected, and thus directly accountable to the public.  When a [[state]] [[prosecution]] meets with public disapproval, the responsible [[district attorney]] can be defeated at the next [[election]].  But the [[President of the United States of America|president]] has to be defeated to change the [[Department of Justice]], and [[president]]ial [[election]]s are typically determined by [[economic]] rather than legal [[issue]]s.

Many are criticizing Attorney General [[John Ashcroft|Ashcroft]] for expanding [[federal]] [[power]] in investigating and prosecuting alleged [[terrorists.  After [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]], the [[George W. Bush|Bush Administration]] sought and achieved new [[power]]s to target [[criminal]]s under the [[Patriot Act]].  While all are in favor of catching and prosecuting real [[terrorist]]s, many oppose the loss of [[liberty ]]in the [[War on Terrorism]].  After all, some say, it is [[liberty]] that we are defending against [[terrorism]] in the first place.

Many are criticizing Attorney General [[John Ashcroft|Ashcroft]] for expanding [[federal]] [[power]] in investigating and prosecuting alleged [[terrorists]].  After [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]], the [[George W. Bush|Bush Administration]] sought and achieved new [[power]]s to target [[criminal]]s under the [[Patriot Act]].  While all are in favor of catching and prosecuting real [[terrorist]]s, many oppose the loss of [[liberty ]]in the [[War on Terrorism]].  After all, some say, it is [[liberty]] that we are defending against [[terrorism]] in the first place.

The main dispute revolves around the [[Fourth Amendment]].  The [[Patriot Act]] reduced the requirements for [[federal]] investigators to seize [[evidence]] and tape-record calls of alleged [[terrorist]]s.  No longer must a local [[judge]] issue a [[warrant]] based on a detailed [[affidavit]] of [[probable cause]] prior to searches of alleged [[terrorist]]s, broadly defined.  Also, [[federal]] investigators can now search certain homes without leaving a copy of a [[warrant]] so that the owner knows it has been searched.  This is known as “sneak and peak.”  There are many [[newspaper]] articles discussing this controversy.  On [[Sunday]], a pollster said that after [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]], people wanted to give up some freedoms in this area to stop [[terrorism]], but now over two [[year]]s later they no longer want to.  What do you think?

The main dispute revolves around the [[Fourth Amendment]].  The [[Patriot Act]] reduced the requirements for [[federal]] investigators to seize [[evidence]] and tape-record calls of alleged [[terrorist]]s.  No longer must a local [[judge]] issue a [[warrant]] based on a detailed [[affidavit]] of [[probable cause]] prior to searches of alleged [[terrorist]]s, broadly defined.  Also, [[federal]] investigators can now search certain homes without leaving a copy of a [[warrant]] so that the owner knows it has been searched.  This is known as “sneak and peak.”  There are many [[newspaper]] articles discussing this controversy.  On [[Sunday]], a pollster said that after [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]], people wanted to give up some freedoms in this area to stop [[terrorism]], but now over two [[year]]s later they no longer want to.  What do you think?