We Are Already Using the Civilian Court System

Barak,

I agree with you that terrorists are criminals, and I understand your very real fear for the safety of your fellow countrymen, but I must disagree with you that terrorists should not be tried in civilian courts. Although high profile terrorists like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (the so-called “Christmas Day Bomber”) have brought the media spotlight on the issue, terrorist suspects being tried in federal civilian courts is nothing new.

In fact, from 2001 to 2009 there have been 828 terrorists prosecutions, made up of 337 cases and 804 individuals (Center on Law and Security 1). We have prosecuted and imprisoned many high profile terrorists in the past. Terry Nichols, Timothy McVeigh, Theodore Kaczynski, John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo just to name a few. All of these men committed violent terrorist attacks on the United States and all were convicted, efficiently, in federal civilian courts.

In the last eight years, federal prosecutors have had nearly a 9 in 10 success rate at seeking convictions in civilian courts. In total, only 1.7% of people charged and tried in court for terrorism were acquitted (1-2). We have demonstrated that we are more than capable of prosecuting and convicting terrorists in civilian court. We should not let a few high profile cases sway us from a system that is working.

Works Cited

Center on Law and Security. Terrorist Trial Report Card: Sepember 11, 2001 - Sepember 11, 2009. New York University School of Law. New York: New York University, n.d.