Legal System
The Legal System Channel features information related to how society deals with crime, criminals and law enforcement. Learn more about how governments operate their legal systems.
What Does it Mean When a Book, Movie or Song Enters the Public Domain?
FBI Files Provide Chilling Look Into the Mind of Jeffrey Dahmer
Why the U.S. Hasn't Always Supported the International Criminal Court
Fed Up With a Noisy Neighbor? Try Mediation, Not Litigation
Why Astroworld Was a Recipe for Deadly Crowd Crush
U.S. Capitol Police on High Alert to Protect Congress and Democracy
Supreme Court on the Brink of Ending Affirmative Action in College Admissions
Are Skittles 'Unfit for Human Consumption'? A Lawsuit Says Yes
What Triggers the 'Trigger Laws' That Could Ban Abortions?
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In the United States, attorney-client privilege works to keep communications between an attorney and his or her client secret. But there are always exceptions to the rule.
By Oisin Curran
Where do we draw the line between interesting and appalling?
By Diana Brown
For the first 100 years, this amendment got little attention. But since the 20th century, Americans have been vigorously debating what exactly the "right to bear arms" means.
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The conviction of 80-year-old Bill Cosby on aggravated indecent assault charges raises the question of how sentencing works in the case of an elderly defendant.
The Mann Act was passed in 1910 and even though it's been used legitimately, it's also been abused to nab men of color like Jack Johnson and Chuck Berry.
By John Donovan
High-profile cases over the past few years have shown the benefits — and pitfalls — of asking the public to report any suspicious activities they notice to the police. When does that tip over into racial or ethnic bias?
By Dave Roos
Does this mean that a website actually is responsible for the content created by that site's users?
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Drug courts have changed the lives of the thousands of people who've "graduated" through the program. But how exactly do the judges, rehab facilities and counselors facilitate these courts, and do they deter repeat offenders?
Online ordination may be quick and easy and presiding at a friend's wedding may be fun and meaningful. But these marriages haven't always held up in court.
By Dave Roos
If you thought slavery ended with the ratification of the 13th amendment, think again. Slavery is flourishing across the globe.
By Diana Brown
Australia hasn't had a mass shooting in 22 years; the U.S. has had dozens during that same time.
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The United States doesn't have a national ID, but it's slowly moving toward one with the REAL ID law. But what happens if a citizen doesn't have identification?
Wayne Williams is serving a life sentence for killing dozens of black kids in Atlanta between 1979 and 1981. But some say he didn't do it and evidence of his innocence was covered up.
Hotels/motels must balance guests' privacy with the safety of other guests and employees.
Arsenic? Been there, done that! These six other poisons should delight you murder nerds and obscurists out there.
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The Logan Act prohibits American citizens from going behind the back of the U.S. government to deal with foreign powers. So why hasn't anybody ever been convicted?
By John Donovan
TripAdvisor deleted — and later reinstated — a hotel review where a visitor alleged she had been raped. How can review websites legally balance their duty to warn users as well as to beware of false, defamatory content?
By Dave Roos
Reports of famous people being accused of sexually harassment have been all over news sites and social media. What does U.S. law actually say sexual harassment is?
By Alia Hoyt
Charles Manson and his family have captivated the world since their murderous spree in the late '60s. What is it about this cult leader that made him so mesmerizing?
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The struggle to define which crimes are considered terrorism — and which are not — isn't easy.
By John Donovan
Ending federal pot prohibition could mean big changes and big bucks for states.
By John Donovan
Hotel security in the U.S. today seems to be where airport security was before 9/11. Will it change after the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history?
By Dave Roos
A lawsuit in federal court in Colorado seeks to establish that the Colorado River ecosystem has legal rights similar to those of a person.
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We don't expect to ever be in a mass shooting. But by assuming the worst can happen, one expert says, we take the first step toward being prepared.
By Jamie Allen
Three new studies highlight the regional differences in gun injuries and deaths among young children and teens.