Legal System

The title "murder capital of the U.S." often sparks intense debate, but identifying which city holds this grim distinction requires more than just a glance at murder rates. Factors such as population density add critical context to the narrative.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

The nation of Mexico is home 130 million people across 31 states (Mexico City is a separate entity but not a state in itself, similar to Washington, D.C. in the United States). Unfortunately due to a variety of factors, Mexican cities are often host to a violent crimes including homicide. Here, we'll detail the most dangerous cities in Mexico and give some info about their history.

By Talon Homer

Whether you're looking for adventure, work opportunities, new scenery or better weather conditions, California cities represent a special, sunny place in the popular imagination. But before packing your bags and heading to the Golden State, you'll want to know which is the most dangerous city in California.

By Zach Taras

The most dangerous cities in the world are a major concern for residents, visitors, law enforcement and policymakers. While crime exists everywhere, some cities statistically experience consistently high crime levels. We turned to Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform, to find the hard numbers on the murder rate per capita in cities worldwide.

By Karina Ryan

Serial killers have long captured the public's attention with their upsetting stories, but there are few things more tragic than a murder committed by a young child.

By Marie Look

Modern states take a variety of approaches to curtail or regulate the drinking of alcoholic beverages by young people. The United States, with its across-the-board minimum legal drinking age of 21, is something of an outlier; many other countries have a lower legal age.

By Zach Taras

Gun laws in the United States vary by state, especially when it comes to open carry of firearms. In open carry states, people can carry firearms openly without special permits as long as they follow state laws. Most states allow the open carrying of long guns for self-defense in the home, target practice and lawful hunting.

By Mitch Ryan

As a remnant of the legacy of President Nixon and the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, cannabis plants are still categorized as Schedule I narcotics at the federal level. Although federal law remains less progressive than state laws, several states with legal weed permit medical or recreational use for citizens.

By Karina Ryan

The accidental death of 10-year-old Caleb Schwab on August 7, 2016, at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City sent shockwaves through the local community and marked a heart-wrenching chapter for the Schwab family.

By Marie Look

By now, it's probably a familiar sound: jarring, ear-splitting tones that sound from your mobile device. Known as an AMBER Alert, these emergency notifications can be pivotal in finding abducted children. Named after Amber Hagerman, the system started in 1996.

By Yara Simón

Gary Francis Poste made headlines after his death as the suspected Zodiac Killer. But is there enough evidence to finally close this case?

By Sascha Bos

In November 1984, at the age of 17, Lisa McVey Noland was riding her bike home from work in Tampa, Florida, when she was abducted by a serial killer.

By Sascha Bos

What does Spider-Man do when he sees someone commit a crime and there are no police officers around to help? He swings in, wraps the wrongdoer in his web and leaves them hanging from a telephone pole until the cops take over.

By Seth W. Stoughton & Caroline McAtee

Dive into the world of La Cosa Nostra. Discover its origins, impact, and intriguing aspects of this infamous organized crime syndicate.

By HowStuffWorks

Explore the enigmatic Bonanno Crime Family. Discover its origins, criminal operations, and intriguing legacy in organized crime.

By HowStuffWorks

Navigating copyright law has never been more confusing. With the onslaught of AI in art and content, is copyright law now as good as dead?

By Robert Mahari, Jessica Fjeld & Ziv Epstein

Junko Furuta was a Japanese schoolgirl, brutally raped and killed by four young men, who received shockingly light sentences. How did they get off so easily?

By Dave Roos

Because of the murkiness of maritime law, it's hard to pursue crimes committed on cruise ships. What makes it so easy to get away with a crime on the high seas?

By Julia Layton

Now that former President Donald Trump has been indicted by the Justice Department, what happens to his Secret Service detail? Would he get protection if he goes to prison, too?

By Dave Roos

Former President Donald Trump was arraigned but didn't have his mug shot taken. Why not, and what's the deal behind this police photograph?

By Patrick J. Kiger

The arrest warrant issued today for Russian President Vladimir Putin will not guarantee his arrest and it will not bring the children home, but it's a start.

By Stefan Schmitt

Five of the 10 Sodder children disappeared after the family home went up in flames in 1945, but their bodies were never found. Strange theories have abounded ever since. So, what happened to them?

By Kate Morgan

The reproduction of books, movies and songs is closely protected by copyright law, but intellectual property in the public domain can be used by anyone for free.

By Patrick J. Kiger

The court heard oral arguments Oct. 31, 2022, in two cases that could end the use of race as a factor in college admissions decisions. How could this also affect affirmative action in the military?

By Travis Knoll

A Netflix docuseries about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is one of its most-watched shows ever. We reviewed FBI files of his case instead and got a chilling look at what drove him to kill.

By Suzie Dundas