LAW

Justice Branch: Tree DNA Helps Secure Conviction of a Lumber Thief

A case of tree theft in Olympic National Forest in Washington was proven by matching the DNA of the stolen lumber with the tree's remains.

Why Do Police Officers Wear Blue?

The dark blue uniforms worn by police officers date back to the early police departments of the 19th century.

Bare feet and driving don't always go together.

Is It Illegal to Drive Barefoot?

Going for a summer drive while barefoot can be tempting, but is it safe and legal? Here's the answer.

Massacre on the Mary Russell: When a 19th-Century Ship Captain Murdered His Crew

“The curse of God is upon you all!” Captain Stewart bellowed. Then, he methodically bludgeoned seven sailors to death with a crowbar.

Cow Tip: Some Cattle Helped Police Apprehend a Suspect Following a Car Chase in Wisconsin

This isn’t the first time cattle have helped police catch a suspect, so maybe don’t count on your neighborhood cows to help you resist arrest.

Notarizing: An exciting world awaits you.

What Exactly Does a Notary Public Do?

You may have seen a legal document asking for a notary public's stamp of approval. Here's why, and how to find one.

Hustler publisher Larry Flynt lived a life of controversy.

The Naked Gun: When Larry Flynt Allegedly Tried to Put a Hit Out On Hugh Hefner

Larry Flynt and Hugh Hefner—two titans of titillation—were never close. But a paper trail shows that Flynt may have wanted to see the 'Playboy' founder suffer a case of lead poisoning.

Dormie was an Airedale Terrier who ran afoul of the law.

Paw and Order: Dormie, the Dog Who Went on Trial for Cat Murder

In 1921, an Airedale Terrier named Dormie captured national attention by becoming the first dog to be put on trial for (cat) murder. And yes, he had a lawyer.

Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

15 Surprising Facts About Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Spinoffs rarely outlive their original series, and they definitely don't eclipse them in terms of longevity. But 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' has been defying expectations for decades.

Nicola Sacco (right) and Bartolomeo Vanzetti (third from right, with mustache) head back to jail accompanied by deputy sheriffs.

11 Things You Should Know About the Sacco and Vanzetti Case

For more than a century, legal experts have argued that Sacco and Vanzetti didn't get a fair trial. Here are the facts in the landmark case.

10 Juicy Facts About Mary Astor’s Purple Diary, Old Hollywood's Most Infamous Sex Scandal

Mary Astor and her 'Purple Diary' were the center of a Hollywood scandal so big, it knocked news of Hitler off the front page.

LEGO thefts have French police on high alert.

French Police Are Investigating an Interlocking Ring of LEGO Thieves

LEGO-related crimes are on the uptick, including a group from Poland said to be visiting France for the express purpose of swiping LEGO playsets to sell on the black brick market.

D.C. judges have strong feelings about typefaces.

D.C. Court Wants to Erase Garamond Font From Filings

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has a vendetta against Garamond, which is purportedly too small to read and allows lawyers to skirt filing rules.

JLGutierrez/iStock via Getty Images Plus

What's the Difference Between Copyright, Trademark, and Patents?

When you have a great idea, do you copyright, trademark, or patent it? Well, it all depends on what kind of idea it is.

10 Strange Sex Laws in the United States

Do a quick search online for strange sex laws in the United States, and you’ll find a treasure trove of oddities—the country has its fair share of peculiar penalties when it comes to amorous activities.

Famed bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman starred in the reality TV show Dog the Bounty Hunter from 2004-2012.

8 Facts About Bounty Hunters

The history of bounty hunting goes back centuries, but the term itself is relatively new. Find out more about this unsavory profession.

Are You Legally Required to Shovel Your Sidewalk?

Even if the sidewalk outside your home isn't your property, you still may have to shovel it after a snowstorm.

FreezeFrameStudio/iStock via Getty Images

From WFH Write-Offs to Stimulus Payments: We’re Answering 7 COVID-Related Tax Questions

COVID might have forced you to work from home or even temporarily move out of state for a bit. We're figuring out how all that impacts your 2020 tax returns.

Pete Souza/The White House, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Can Presidents Pardon Themselves?

It’s a question that has been debated since the writing of the Constitution: Can Presidents pardon themselves?

5 Fascinating Artifacts From the FBI’s Photo Archives

From the polygraph machine used on an assassin's killer to a first-edition of 'Gone With the Wind' with a hidden compartment, here are fascinating images from the FBI's photo archives.

We are gathered here today to find out what happens when your mouthy uncle makes a scene.

What Happens if Someone Actually Objects During a Wedding Ceremony?

It happened in ‘Shrek.’ It happened in ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral.’ What if it happens in real life?

The Watts family is featured in American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020).

American Murder: The Family Next Door: 6 Facts About Chris Watts and the Psychology of Family Killers

'American Murder: The Family Next Door,' Netflix’s true crime documentary, tells the tragic story of Chris Watts, a Colorado man who murdered his then-pregnant wife and their two young girls.

Judge Thomas Patrick Thornton (left) is sworn in as a federal judge by Judge Arthur F. Lederle (right) on February 15, 1949.

The Reason Supreme Court Justices Wear Black Robes

The tradition of judges wearing black robes goes back centuries, but the meaning behind it is as timely as ever.