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Crimes Involving National Security

13 October, 2015 - 16:47

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  1. Define the elements of treason, and analyze treason’s evidentiary requirements and grading.
  2. Define the elements of sedition, and analyze sedition grading.
  3. Define the elements of various forms of sabotage, and analyze sabotage grading.
  4. Define the elements of espionage, and analyze espionage grading.

The government is tasked with keeping the nation safe from domestic and international attacks on the government and citizens. National security is an issue that affects the entire country, so most of the regulation in this area is federal, rather than state1 Criminal statutes protecting the government can encroach on the individual freedom to protest government action and can also affect privacy interests, which subjects them to enhanced constitutional scrutiny similar to the crimes against the public reviewed in "Crimes against the Public". This section explores crimes against the nation, such as treason, sedition, sabotage, and espionage. "Crimes Involving Terrorism" examines terrorism and the USA PATRIOT Act. The last section of this chapter discusses other crimes against the government that are primarily state regulated, such as perjury, bribery, and obstruction of justice.