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Questions tagged [united-states]

For questions specific to the United States as a whole, or that span multiple state jurisdictions. If your question is related to a specific state then you should use that state's tag instead (or as well).

Courts:

In the United States, individual states have significant independence from the federal government, particularly in the area of their respective legal codes (ref. "dual sovereignty"). If your question concerns a specific state jurisdiction, include the tag for that state as well as (or instead of) the "united-states" tag.

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What if a law is literally impossible to follow?

This question originated from the Australian encryption debate, but I am mainly asking about the US. Just to keep things simple (if a bit absurd), suppose the US passed a law that says, Every citizen is required to provide the government with a…
Anon
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Can you make the police department pay for damage done to your property if you get swatted?

For purposes of conjecture, say some nameless online troll decides that they hate you. Perhaps you said you don't worship the members of a K-Pop band they like. As a result, they do some research and find your address. They then proceed to call your…
In Hoc Signo
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What prevents laws from being interpreted pedantically?

In some discussion on another StackExchange, 18 US Code §1464 came up, which states: Whoever utters any obscene, indecent, or profane language by means of radio communication shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or…
Phil Frost
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Is there any law that states how far you can dig underground in the United States?

Is there any law that states how far you can dig underground in the United States? Are you allowed to dig as far as you can or is there some kind of limit defined by the law? I am wondering because there must be a lot of resources available to mine…
Sayaman
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Is it legal in the US to watch pornography in public places?

This question popped up on the HNQ sometime over the last couple of days and it started a discussion in one of the chat rooms. https://academia.stackexchange.com/questions/66409/is-watching-porn-in-university-a-crime We all began to wonder about US…
Citizen
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Can an author get commission if he writes books from prison?

I'm reading the Anti-Tech Revolution by Ted Kaczynski, the following is noted in the front matter: Theodore John Kaczynski does not receive any remuneration for this book This led me to wonder, what are the regulations behind taking commissions…
tryst with freedom
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Why does this movie say a witness can't present a jury with testimony which would assist in making a determination of guilt or innocence?

In The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) movie, assistant federal prosecutor Richard says: Richard: The witness can't present them [with] testimony that would assist in making a determination of guilt or innocence. Why shouldn't the witness present…
Joe Andrews
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Is it legal to acquire radioactive materials from a smoke detector (in the USA)?

I was recently reading about a Boy Scout that created a nuclear reactor from scratch, and I was wondering if it's legal to acquire radioactive materials from a smoke detector. I'm aware that he was arrested for stealing some from a nearby hotel, but…
Blue Herring
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Can I sue for being banned from a federal museum?

When I was three years old, my dad received a notice from our local interpretive center banning him and his children from the premises. This museum is federal property, coordinated and overseen by US fish and wildlife and the Corps of Engineers. We…
Shelby W
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Is communism illegal in the U.S. because of the Communist Control Act of 1954?

The Communist Control Act of 1954 was designed to protect America from communism. Among other things - it made membership in the communist party illegal. An Arizona judge ruled it was unconstitutional in 1973 (but the supreme court didn't). Does…
sevensevens
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Are there any US laws that correspond to Proverbs 3:27,28,29, or 30?

Proverbs 3 27 - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. 28 - Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. 29 - Do not plot harm against…
Maria
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If an american is attacked or discriminated by his status as american, is he protected by anti discrimination laws?

Recently a person has been jailed for 16 years for burning a flag which represents a group of people meeting certain conditions in United States. This was deemed as discrimination and a hate crime if I understood correctly. But we also see a lot of…
Pablo
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Is it legally required for districts to be contiguous?

I was reading about Shaw v. Reno, a case about a congressional district that was altered on the basis of the race of its voters. Is there a law (precedent or statutory) which requires congressional districts to be contiguous? I was thinking that you…
Nick ODell
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Can I use a product that already exists to make another product?

In short, I want to start a small internet shop (think like Etsy) that sells an idea I have for a handmade item. Something I would need to make the item is hair dye, and I've done TONS of research and I can't find anywhere to buy ingredients for…
Katie
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Is there a legal duty to inform a caller claiming official business that they have the wrong number?

I recently changed my phone number. Today, I received a number of phone calls from an unknown entity claiming they had to make contact with the individual who last had the number, pertaining to legal documents or some other official purpose. Some of…
user100487
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