Vol. 38, Number 6 — June 2006

Federal Courts Snapshot:
Defendants Charged With Terrorism in the Federal Courts

Between fiscal years 1997 and 2005, terrorism was the major or primary offense charged in the cases of 197 defendants in federal court. Terrorism also could be brought as a secondary or minor charge; in the same time period, a total of 336 defendants faced charges where terrorism was the major or minor charge.

Following the terrorist bombing attacks of 9-11, terrorism as a major offense jumped from five defendants in FY 2000 to 52 defendants in FY 2001. In FY 2005, 35 defendants were charged with terrorism as a major offense.