The USA PATRIOT Act is a federal law (statute) passed in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The official title of the USA PATRIOT Act is: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001.

The purpose of the USA PATRIOT Act is to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world; to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools; and other purposes, some of which include:

• To strengthen U.S. measures to prevent, detect, and prosecute international money laundering and financing of terrorism;

• To subject to special scrutiny foreign jurisdictions, foreign financial institutions, and classes of international transactions or types of accounts that are susceptible to criminal abuse;

• To require all appropriate elements of the financial services industry to report potential money laundering;

• To strengthen measures to prevent use of the U.S. financial system for personal gain by corrupt foreign officials and facilitate repatriation of stolen assets to the citizens of countries to whom such assets belong.

The vast scope of the USA PATRIOT Act can be seen in part from the titles of the sections of the statute:

• Title I—Enhancing Domestic Security Against Terrorism

• Title II—Enhanced Surveillance Procedures

• Title III—International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing

• Title IV—Protecting the Border

• Title V—Removing Obstacles to Investigating Terrorism

• Title VI—Providing for Victims of Terrorism, Public Safety Officers, and Their Families

• Title VII—Increased Information Sharing for Critical Infrastructure Protection

• Title VIII—Strengthening the Criminal Laws Against Terrorism

• Title IX—Improved Intelligence

• Title X—Miscellaneous

The USA PATRIOT Act is a comprehensive federal statute enacted in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with the aim of enhancing national security. In Missouri, as in all states, federal law including the USA PATRIOT Act supersedes state law where they may conflict. This Act grants law enforcement agencies increased powers for surveillance and investigation, aiming to deter and punish terrorist activities both domestically and internationally. It includes provisions for strengthening anti-money laundering efforts, enhancing border security, improving intelligence gathering, and facilitating information sharing among agencies for infrastructure protection. The Act also emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious financial activities and scrutinizes foreign jurisdictions and financial institutions that may be vulnerable to abuse. While the Act is federal, its implementation affects law enforcement practices and financial institutions within Missouri, requiring compliance with its provisions. Attorneys in Missouri may advise clients on matters related to the USA PATRIOT Act, such as compliance with financial reporting requirements or issues related to surveillance and privacy.