Symposium Article

Deputizing Homeland Security

Prof. Jon D. Michaels
Vol. 88, Issue 7
Symposium Article appears in Issue 7
88 Texas L. Rev. 1435

In this Article, Michaels discusses participation of private actors in efforts to identify and counter threats of domestic terrorism.  Michaels attempts to explain the rise in participation as a result of awareness, interest, and ease of information acquisition by private actors in their local areas.  He explains the variety of ways citizens and corporations are becoming more involved and describes the legal uncertainties associated with these activities.  Michaels then assesses whether these activities ought to be acceptable.