Publisher's Synopsis
This book covers documents and related information pertaining to civil liberties in America, including the debates over arbitrary state action, due process, equal protection, freedom of speech, and privacy issues.
The USA PATRIOT Act, the actions and free speech of the Ku Klux Klan, and the use of privately owned devices with GPS by law enforcement are all highly controversial topics that fall under the blanket of civil liberties and federal or state authority-subjects that are important to most Americans.
This book provides a comprehensive examination of arbitrary state action post-September 11, 2001, combining detailed examinations of specific legislation with watershed coverage of issues such as freedom of speech, press, and religion as well as various aspects of criminal law and procedure. This text presents documents from Britain, the American colonial period, the Founding period, and the modern era, including recent Supreme Court cases. The author provides an accompanying analysis of each document, providing insightful historical context and ramifications of the decisions and the laws passed.
- Provides primary source documents such as court cases, federal and state laws, and executive orders
- Offers a chronology of significant documents, laws, and court cases from colonial times to present day
- Presents illustrations to clarify key concepts
- Supplies an annotated selection of websites from advocacy groups and the Republican and Democratic Parties
