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Three Strikes Laws in the 1990s: Origins, Implementation, and Controversy

Three Strikes Laws in the 1990s: Origins, Implementation, and Controversy I. Introduction The “Three Strikes” laws that proliferated across the United States in the 1990s represent one of the most emblematic and controversial elements of the tough-on-crime era. These laws mandated significantly harsher prison sentences—often life imprisonment—for individuals convicted of a third serious or violent felony. Championed as a response to fears about rising crime and recidivism, these laws were adopted at both the state Read more…

By Tsvety, ago

Deepfake Defamation: Section 230 Immunity Challenges

Deepfake Defamation: Section 230 Immunity Challenges The proliferation of deepfake technology—synthetic media generated using artificial intelligence to convincingly fabricate images, audio, and video—poses a profound challenge to traditional legal concepts such as defamation and platform liability. At the heart of this legal tension lies Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), a statute originally enacted in 1996 to shield internet platforms from liability for user-generated content. As deepfakes become increasingly realistic and potentially destructive Read more…

By Tsvety, ago

The Future of Non-Compete Clauses After the FTC’s Proposed Big Ban 101

The Future of Non-Compete Clauses After the FTC’s Proposed Ban Non-compete clauses have long been a contentious feature of American employment contracts. Designed to prevent employees from joining competitors or starting rival businesses, these agreements have been criticized for suppressing wages, stifling innovation, and limiting worker mobility. In April 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced a sweeping rule to ban most non-compete agreements, marking a significant shift in U.S. labor policy. However, the rule’s Read more…

By Tsvety, ago

Blockchain and Smart Contracts: Legal Implications and Challenges

Blockchain and Smart Contracts: Legal Implications and Challenges What is the relation between Blockchain and Smart Contracts? The emergence of blockchain technology and smart contracts represents a paradigm shift in the domains of finance, governance, and law. Originally conceptualized as the foundation for cryptocurrencies, blockchain has evolved into a broader infrastructure capable of transforming contractual relations and institutional trust. Smart contracts—self-executing code that runs on a blockchain—promise to automate agreements and reduce dependency on intermediaries. Read more…

By Tsvety, ago

Squatters’ Rights: How Adverse Possession Works (and How to Fight It)

Squatters’ Rights: How Adverse Possession Works (and How to Fight It) In the complex intersection of property law and social equity lies the controversial doctrine of adverse possession, often popularly framed under the colloquial term “squatters’ rights.” The idea that an unauthorized occupant of land or property could eventually claim legal ownership over it is perplexing to many, particularly property owners. Yet, this legal doctrine has deep roots in common law, aimed originally at rewarding Read more…

By Tsvety, ago

The Most Important Legal Acts in American Criminal Law 101

The Most Important Legal Acts in American Criminal Law The American criminal law system is built upon a complex interplay of federal and state legislation, constitutional principles, judicial interpretation, and legal tradition. Among these, certain legal acts have emerged as foundational pillars in defining crimes, setting procedures, and ensuring the balance between state power and individual rights. This essay examines the most important legislative acts in American criminal law, focusing on their historical emergence, doctrinal Read more…

By Tsvety, ago

Cryptocurrency and Criminal Theory: How Dark Nets Challenge Territorial Jurisdiction

Cryptocurrency and Criminal Theory: How Dark Nets Challenge Territorial Jurisdiction What is the relation betwen Cryptocurrency and Criminal Theory? In the digital age, the emergence of decentralized technologies—particularly cryptocurrencies and the dark web—has posed profound challenges to traditional legal frameworks. Among the most affected is criminal law, especially in relation to territorial jurisdiction. Territoriality, a foundational principle of state sovereignty in law enforcement, is increasingly rendered inadequate in the face of anonymous, transnational crimes enabled Read more…

By Tsvety, ago

Theories of Complicity: When Does Association Become Criminal?

Theories of Complicity: When Does Association Become Criminal?RICO, Gang Laws, and the Limits of Guilt by Association Introduction The modern criminal justice system is increasingly challenged by collective behavior: organized crime, gang networks, and conspiratorial arrangements that defy clear lines of individual culpability. Central to these challenges lies a perennial legal and moral dilemma: when does association become criminal? In an age of expansive criminal statutes such as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act Read more…

By Tsvety, ago

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA, 1998): A Legal Analysis

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA, 1998): A Legal Analysis The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), signed into law by President Bill Clinton on October 28, 1998, represents a significant evolution in American copyright law in response to the digital age. Designed to bring U.S. legislation into conformity with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, the DMCA has played a foundational role in shaping digital rights Read more…

By Tsvety, ago