Questions tagged [law-in-fiction]
For questions about the law or legal process as depicted in works of fiction. Avoid using this tag unless the fiction is a key component of the question.
61
questions
3
votes
3
answers
104
views
Would funding the Sentinel Program violate the equal Protection clause?
For today's exercise into comic book law, let's take a look at another X-men storyline.
As we previously established using the Purifiers as an example, people can talk all they want about wanting to ...
- 24.7k
14
votes
3
answers
5k
views
In Ratatouille, did Linguini have a legally legitimate reason to fire Skinner?
In Ratatouille, when Linguini took over Gusteau's by proving he inherited the restaurant, Skinner seemingly lost his job. Was there legal precedent for Skinner to lose his job; would Skinner hiding ...
- 319
2
votes
2
answers
105
views
Is there a line that excludes preaching religious murders from first amendment protection?
In general, religious beliefs can be as free under the first amendment as they come. You can believe in any god or pantheon, or nothing at all in pretty much any fashion. Very free indeed. But is it ...
- 24.7k
25
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Can a private person deceive a defendant to obtain evidence?
In the 2019 movie "Badla" (spoilers ahead), Naina was accused of committing a murder in the UK, and her trial is in London. She denies the accusation. Her clever lawyer Badal arrives and ...
- 475
22
votes
3
answers
8k
views
What is a "Night Court"?
In the fictional TV comedy "Night Court" (both the original and the recent remake), the court is described as an "Arraignment Court", which I understood should serve to read the ...
- 1,630
11
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What is the minimum sentence for murder in Japan?
In the Yakuza series, several characters are sent to jail for murder, but it's only ever for 10-15-ish years. I was wondering if this was at all realistic, since I'm only aware of people going to jail ...
- 2,830
2
votes
0
answers
110
views
How would "I leave my estate to my wife" in a British will be treated if the only "wife" never divorced her first husband?
This is motivated by a key plot point in a televised version of an Agatha Christie story "At Bertram's Hotel". Although I read the story several years ago, I don't remember if the original ...
- 10.2k
3
votes
3
answers
942
views
What would the punishment be for an accidental killing, provoked by threats of sharing a video of the attacker naked?
This is based on the Drishyam Bollywood movie
Suppose a boy made an MMS video of a girl taking a bath, and then asked of her sexual favours, with a threat to circulate the video otherwise. Next, the ...
7
votes
1
answer
138
views
"Most junior counsel present"
In W.S. Gilbert's The Maiden Brief -- a work of fiction set in England in the mid-nineteenth century -- when prosecuting counsel does not attend due to another case, the judge calls for "the most ...
- 173
0
votes
1
answer
70
views
Fictional fiduciary makes loan against stock
This question is about events in the SF novel Owner's Share by Nathan Lowell. The novel is set in the year 2373. Obviously there is no way to be sure what the law will be at that date, so I am asking ...
- 112k
14
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Who owns the ancient alien bases hidden underneath Antarctica?
I know most of you don't believe in "aliens," but my friend John MacQuoid believes there are underground ancient alien bases in Antarctica.
Yeah, I know this sounds ludicrous, but according ...
3
votes
1
answer
138
views
The Con-Air Deal....denied?! Does it work that way?
Con Air, an action movie released in 1997 starring Nicholas Cage, features his character cutting a deal after killing a man during a fight after being assaulted. The judge rejects this deal and ...
- 51
1
vote
3
answers
216
views
Hypothetical invoving the Felony Murder rule and a violent crime intermeddled-upon by an un-involved murderer
This is a hypothetical that I encountered in a work of fiction. The work itself wasn't really a story about law and only briefly discussed the possible ramifications, but I thought I would bring it ...
- 2,886
-3
votes
1
answer
124
views
Insane Shonda Rhimes coincidence: The last name of the lead actors of HTGAWM and Scandal match the last names in Washington v Davis [closed]
There's a cited court case in How To Get Away With Murder season 4, episode 13, called Washington v Davis. See here about the incorrect citation:
In Washington v. Davis, your predecessors decided ...
- 915
1
vote
1
answer
509
views
Did Sokka commit the war crime of false flag? (ATLA S01E17)
Based on Avatar The Last Airbender S01E17, Sokka is ostensibly a war criminal, at least based on our laws. See eg here and here.
From International Committee of the Red Cross - Practice Relating to ...
- 915
27
votes
11
answers
9k
views
If vampires were real, what would one who broke into someone's home to drink their blood be charged with?
This question is of course entirely hypothetical, but I am curious as to what crimes would be applicable in this situation. Alternatively, you could interpret the question as: If someone pretending to ...
- 405
0
votes
2
answers
140
views
"Sentence first, verdict afterwards"?
In Alice in Wonderland, the Queen of Hearts said during a trial, "Sentence first, verdict afterwards." Are there any common law countries where this could be legal? Could the judge say "...
- 11.6k
2
votes
1
answer
113
views
What would be the legal repercussions of a UK government employee coming out as homosexual in the 1970s?
This question is inspired by an incident in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (the Hollywood film version starring Gary Oldman, not the novel or the BBC miniseries with Alec Guinness).
One of the British ...
- 487
15
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Can a parent insist that her child (teen) stop assisting police?
This is based on a situation early in the novel The Witness by Norah Roberts.
Suppose that a sixteen-year-old girl (E) witnessed a serious crime, in fact a double murder, apparently by an organized ...
- 112k
1
vote
2
answers
51
views
Limits on sources of fact or law for a court (incl. appeal)
There are specific rules for introducing sources of fact in a normal (first-instance) trial, either through evidence or through witnesses, with constraints around hearsay, etcetera. A fact (or an ...
- 842
2
votes
3
answers
500
views
Do criminals really "have no recourse" if their ill-gotten property is stolen by a third party?
From the TV series Better Call Saul (S1E7 - Bingo) main character Jimmy McGill is involved in a case wherein a client of his, Craig Kettleman, stands accused of stealing 1.6 million dollars.
The ...
- 399
1
vote
2
answers
225
views
Is "No More Mutants" Genocide?
It's September 28th 2005. A heartbroken mother who recently lost her twins and their father has a mental breakdown and utters three words. Too bad that she is a quite powerful reality bender and that ...
- 24.7k
2
votes
2
answers
151
views
Questions about a complicated criminal case in my novel
I'm writing a novel and have a complicated criminal case to bring to a close in a court scene. I have a bunch of questions about how the case (or cases) would work based on the specific events of the ...
35
votes
4
answers
13k
views
Is it true that it's not illegal for a parent to sell their 13-year-old child to a drug dealer?
My question is prompted by an episode of the TV show Law & Order, specifically the 6th-season episode titled "Slave".
In the episode, a couple of the lawyers state as fact that it is not ...
- 487
17
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Is it allowed to non-consensually submit someone's diary as evidence?
In episode 12, season 4 of The Office, called "The Deposition", the diary of a witness (Michael Scott) is used as evidence, without the witness's consent. The diary was taken by the suer, ...
- 656
7
votes
2
answers
275
views
Is a will provision naming "my wife" as a beneficiary before marriage valid?
In the novel A Colorful Death by Carola Dunn, a man, Dr Fenwick, becomes engaged to a woman, Stella Warren.He makes a new will leaving all his property (except for a few small specified bequests) to &...
- 112k
24
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Were USA states really this disconnected in 1964, and was bigamy really punished by death?
I've just watched the The Alfred Hitchcock Hour episode Three Wives Too Many from 1964.
In it, a man has a wife in four different USA states, traveling between them constantly and keeping them secret ...
- 249
41
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Is "My Cousin Vinny" dismissal actually possible?
In one of my favorite films of all time, 1992's My Cousin Vinny, at the end of the trial when it's abundantly clear the prosecution will lose, at least that's the conclusion the filmmakers want the ...
- 1,624
2
votes
1
answer
198
views
Can a family ask the government to hide the details of a relative's death?
I know of a fictional story plot where the cause of someone's death is unknown. The death may be due to natural causes, or it could be murder. The government investigates, but the findings are hidden ...
- 1,123
8
votes
1
answer
3k
views
If a person is tried for fraud for practicing law without a degree, and the verdict is not guilty, would double jeopardy prevent future fraud charges?
[SPOILERS for Suits]
In season five of the TV series Suits, Mike Ross, who has practised law for a few years without a degree and passing the Bar himself, is tried for fraud. The jury's verdict is ...
- 825
2
votes
1
answer
582
views
Can the defense claim that the defendant isn't the defendant? And if so, how is the case handled?
"I object, Your Honor.
What precedent are we setting here?
That the defendant isn't actually the defendant?"
— An American Pickle (2020)
Suppose that a man that society identifies as ...
- 21
17
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Would Georgie’s “Teddy Bear Casino” from Young Sheldon actually be legal?
On the TV series Young Sheldon, Connie secretly runs an illegal casino (slot machines and card games where you can earn cash), which is shut down by the police.
Connie’s grandson Georgie thinks she ...
- 3,597
5
votes
2
answers
349
views
Were the district attorney and his legal advisor legally correct in Dirty Harry about the total inadmissability of evidence?
In the first Dirty Harry movie, the titular detective Harry Callahan is in pursuit of a serial killer who already murdered several victims and is holding another victim as a hostage. He figures out ...
- 856
1
vote
2
answers
106
views
Can taking photos from a hallway be a trade secret violation
I was rereading Killer Market by Margaret Maron. In this book furniture buyers and reporters and others are admitted to a complex of buildings housing offices and showrooms for a set of sales-related ...
- 112k
4
votes
1
answer
215
views
Can a court compel a particular doctor to treat a particular patient?
In episode 15 of the first season of House, Dr. House is served with a federal court order which specifically orders him to treat a particular patient who is needed as a witness in some kind of ...
- 1,320
1
vote
1
answer
208
views
Using DnD monsters in fiction writing - what’s the laws for/against?
If I wanted to use a Gelatinous Cube/Jubilex in a (hopefully one day published) fictional story, could I do that, or is there some copyright against it? I wouldn’t be using media or actual ...
- 13
1
vote
1
answer
244
views
Is the portrayal of the police at the end of the movie 'Stillwater' accurate in regards to their powers and authority?
This question has what may be considered spoilers for the movie 'Stillwater'.
In 'Stillwater', near the end of the movie when the main character comes home, he quickly becomes surrounded by police, ...
- 275
25
votes
8
answers
8k
views
If someone stops a potential murder by subduing a gunman, what would be the possible consequences?
I'm writing a story and I wanted some accuracy on this matter, specifically for the consequences on the person to whom this would happen.
Imagine an off-duty security guard, while walking home, finds ...
- 359
3
votes
2
answers
605
views
What war crime (if any) is being committed in this fictional story?
There are quite a few people claiming that, according to the Geneva Convention, the Humans in this story are committing a war crime using the alien POWs the way they are.
https://www.reddit.com/r/HFY/...
- 141
21
votes
5
answers
10k
views
Is it legal to put a death row inmate in harm's way if their execution is near?
In Death Note, a serial killer named Kira is killing the world's criminals. All he needs is a name and a face. It's not too long before countries realize someone is targeting criminals and hire a ...
- 1,553
2
votes
5
answers
296
views
If a person would confess a speeding event many years after it happened, what would be the consequences?
I'm writing a story and I wanted some accuracy on this matter, specifically for the consequences on the person to whom this would happen. Imagine a situation a public person (this will be important ...
- 21
3
votes
3
answers
504
views
A Lawyer recieves an unintended letter from a client. Is it privileged?
This is based on a situation in a mystery novel. In the novel a lawyer receives an envelope addressed to him by a client, in the client's handwriting, which the lawyer knows well. But the letter ...
- 112k
1
vote
1
answer
182
views
Stuffed in the Fridge
Los Angeles, August 1994.
Kyle Rayner returns home to his flat to find a note about a surprise in the fridge, signed A. The door to the same is left ajar. Inside he discovers the remains of his ...
- 24.7k
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does putting a dollar in a lawyer's pocket entitle you to attorney client privilege (like Saul Goodman from breaking bad)
Breaking Bad Season 2 Episode 8, Saul Goodman tells Walt and Jesse (who just kidnapped him) to put a dollar in his pocket so they'll have attorney-client privilege.
first things first you're gonna ...
- 1,553
2
votes
1
answer
148
views
Accident at Ace Chemical Processing - New Jersey
It is 1988, New Jersey.
In the area commonly known as Gotham, a poor engineer, let's name him John Doe, is forced - under the threat of death and bodily harm on denial - to take part in a small crime ...
- 24.7k
5
votes
1
answer
326
views
Would it be legal to forbid Superman from participating in college sports?
Suppose Kal-El, son of Jor-El, living under the assume identity Clark Kent, decides to spend some time as a professional athlete.
Suppose he reveals his true identity. Obviously most professional ...
- 2,469
2
votes
1
answer
435
views
In Breaking Bad, how strong would Hank Schrader's case be if he had lived and Walter White had gone to jail?
Yes, Hank has definitely put together that Walt had been manufacturing methamphetamine and committed several other crimes to protect himself, and he'd fight tooth and nail for a conviction. However, ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
145
views
Homicide off Brooklyn Bridge
Let's go on a retrospective to June 1973, New York. Upon a pillar of Brooklyn Bridge Peter Parker is facing Norman Osborn who kidnapped his friend Gwen Stacy. After a short standoff, Mr. Osborn's very ...
- 24.7k
2
votes
0
answers
617
views
What would the Blues Brothers have been charged with?
In 1980 comedy film The Blues Brothers, brothers Jake and Elwood Blues commit a seemingly endless series of crimes over the course of about eleven in-story days. They:
evade arrest for Elwood’s ...
- 211
0
votes
0
answers
78
views
Reference request: A lawyer's take on the novel _Starman Jones_?
A lawyer named James Stone has a Youtube channel on which he posts his analyses of movies that involve legal matters – usually civil or criminal lawsuits. I've wondered about a lawyer's take on a ...
- 2,293