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I am looking for some interesting and stimulating memoirs, novels, and interesting academic books/academic papers on understanding law/courts -- especially from a Canadian perspective. Or any interesting Canadian trials and international famous/interesting trials. (I also loved To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee, 12 Angry Men, and the Verdict as well - but want to dig deeper in the memoir, novel, academic papers/books aspect to law as well.) [more inside]
posted by RearWindow on Mar 26, 2020 - 16 answers

Theoretically, not practically, as in impeachment counts as one option, even though last year's attempt was a non-starter. A lot of us know about the 25th Amendment as well. But what other remedies exist, if any?
posted by troywestfield on Mar 24, 2020 - 10 answers

An activist performance artist is currently facing a year in jail for a 15 minute protest in a New York bank; the Manhattan District Attorney’s is charging him and his choir director with “riot in the second degree, menacing in the third degree, unlawful assembly, and two counts of disorderly conduct”. The case is well publicized and has first amendment issues; I’m curious about its economic implications. How much money will New York City spend bringing this case to trial? What if the trial goes past the one hearing? How much does it cost to jail someone for a year? Courtroom use; judge and prosecutor time; trials for other crimes having to start later, appeals: added up, what do these parts of a misdemeanor prosecution cost NYC in cash money?
posted by Haere on Dec 8, 2013 - 6 answers

What are the ramifications of putting one's voting franchise up for a vote? [more inside]
posted by Archelaus on Oct 24, 2012 - 15 answers

I'm a dude going to marry a dude in New York State. Said dude I am going to marry is a resident alien from the UK. Will the UK recognize the marriage? Does he become an American Citizen by marrying him? Does that counteract his UK citizenship? What are my rights, here?
posted by The Whelk on Jul 20, 2011 - 27 answers

Book suggestion filter! I need to catch up on all the 20th century history I missed because of childhood..... [more inside]
posted by motsque on Jun 28, 2011 - 14 answers

Which unions in Wisconsin are affected by the new bill? I know it's state employees, but obviously not all of them. [more inside]
posted by annsunny on Mar 10, 2011 - 8 answers

Could I have a case in the European Court of Human Rights against being subject to an unelected monarch? [more inside]
posted by northerner on Feb 22, 2010 - 18 answers

I'm thinking of creating a political parody website that may step on some toes and/or trademarks. I have a few technical and legal questions about how best to go about this. [more inside]
posted by Riki tiki on Dec 22, 2009 - 6 answers

PoliticsLawFilter: Dick Cheney's lawyer, David Addington, wrote a series of papers/statements/memos that ostensibly change an existing law. How can one lawyer, or even a team of lawyers, change a law by simply writing a memo? Is this even possible? [more inside]
posted by zardoz on Dec 21, 2008 - 16 answers

When did the practice of refusing to comment on a given issue due to pending litigation become an acceptable response? Is this a fairly recent development -- a result of living in a sue-happy nation? Is it just the vogue rhetoric of avoiding even a minimal amount of accountability? Or is it something else? For the lawyers out there, what are the ramifications of commenting? ... especially with cases like those involving the government?
posted by fourstar on Jun 29, 2005 - 4 answers

What constitutes treason in your country?
posted by Cryptical Envelopment on Dec 1, 2004 - 21 answers

ElectionFairnessFilter. So i just voted (yay) and noticed something odd - a man in the polling place sitting quietly behind a MoveOn PAC sign. I didn't think we in the US could have anyone inside the polling place advocating a specific voting paradigm (even if I do think it's a good paradigm to support), and so I wasn't surprised when a lady complained and an officious-looking man walked over to talk to the seated gentleman - but after a short conversation, they let him stay. Anyone know what gives here? Why would they not ask him to leave?
posted by caution live frogs on Nov 2, 2004 - 15 answers