Legal System

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.

By Patrick J. Kiger

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

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?

By John Perritano

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

Australia hasn't had a mass shooting in 22 years; the U.S. has had dozens during that same time.

By Patrick J. Kiger

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?

By John Perritano

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.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Hotels/motels must balance guests' privacy with the safety of other guests and employees.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Arsenic? Been there, done that! These six other poisons should delight you murder nerds and obscurists out there.

By Laurie L. Dove

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?

By Ed Grabianowski

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.

By Patrick J. Kiger

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

The Somerton Beach man mystery has baffled authorities and mystery buffs for decades, but DNA researchers have finally put a tentative name to the man found dead on Somerton Beach in 1948.

By Diana Brown

While most people think of the Secret Service's only job as protecting the president, its first mission was combating counterfeiting. How does it balance the two?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Canadian student Elisa Lam went missing in 2013 and the mystery surrounding her death captured national attention. So what really happened to this 21-year-old?

By Diana Brown

Richard and Mildred Loving's interracial marriage was against the law. But it led to the Supreme Court's historic decision in 1967 to ban anti-miscegenation laws across the country.

By Kate Kershner

Research shows that nicotine residue lingering in furniture and carpets may be hazardous to kids. Could that mean legal action for unsuspecting homeowners and tenants?

By Dave Roos

The TSA can open your checked bags at an airport. But how deep can they dig into electronic devices they find inside?

By Patrick J. Kiger

Antarctica belongs to no one nation. So what happens in the event of a crime?

By Dave Roos

While the press often gets a beating from the public and politicians, journalists have brought to national attention lots of issues that would otherwise remain hidden.

By Patrick J. Kiger

The U.S. has thousands of prisoners in solitary confinement. But experts are now saying it does more harm than good.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

If someone is insulting you or your family and you clock 'em, can you get away with it, legally?

By Dave Roos