Law Commons^™

The Play(Fulness) Of Law, Nicole Rogers

Dr Nicole Rogers

In this thesis, I undertake an investigation into the relationship between play, playfulness and law. Law relies on a certain form of play, rule-bound orderly play; this is demonstrated, for example, in the ceremony of the trial. Furthermore, underpinning every legal system, we find a different form of play: the spontaneous and disruptive performances of revolutionary violence which found every state.

Play can be, in fact, an unpredictable force. Play can disrupt or derail the structured performances of law; play can deflect the violence of the state. I am interested in the dramatic possibilities of using subversive play, or playfulness, …

The Bearded Bandit, The Outlaw Cop, And The Naked Emperor: Towards A North-South (De)Construction Of The Texts And Contexts Of International Law's (Dis)Engagement With Terrorism, Ikechi Mgbeoji

Ikechi Mgbeoji

For over one hundred years, the definition of the term "terrorism" has been subjected to political propaganda. In addition, dubious self-righteous indignation or outrage, often expressed by various states or prominent politicians at the occurrence of acts of terror have often masked the participation of those same states in international terrorism. In this endless cycle of finger pointing, accusations, denials, and counter-accusations, the problematic of what constitutes terror in legal parlance has degenerated into an exercise in name-calling. This sad spectacle frustrates objective and sincere attempts at fashioning out legal and policy framework to deal with the scourge of terrorism. …

Patriotism, Nationalism, And The War On Terror: A Mild Plea In Avoidance, Winston P. Nagan, Craig Hammer

Winston P Nagan

Professor Viet Dinh, a major drafter of and architectural influence upon the USA PATRIOT Act, provides an indirect scholarly justification for the far-reaching powers of the act in his article, Nationalism in the Age of Terror. Part II of this Commentary begins by exploring the ostensible underpinnings of Dinh's article by examining his understanding of nationalism. Part III explains why crony nationalism is not the best defense against global terrorism. Part IV then analyzes some significant United States foreign policy undertakings that have arguably negatively affected United States national security. Finally, in Part V we conclude by gleaning lessons from …

Terrorism And The Bill Of Rights, Rodney A. Smolla

Rod Smolla

This year is the Tenth Anniversary of the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, and the Journal is very fortunate and honored to have Professor Rodney Smolla publish an article in this year's volume. Professor Smolla played an integral role in the founding and organizing of not only the Journal, but also the Institute of Bill of Rights Law at William & Mary Law School. The Journal extends its most appreciative thanks to Professor Smolla for all his help. In this Article, Professor Smolla examines the right to free speech in the context of Black v. Commonwealth, a case …

From Hit Man To Encyclopedia Of Jihad: How To Distinguish Freedom Of Speech From Terrorist Training, Rodney A. Smolla

Rod Smolla

Not available.

The State Secrets Privilege In The Post-9/11 Era, Steven D. Schwinn

Steven D. Schwinn

No abstract provided.

What Is War? An Investigation In The Wake Of 9/11, Mary Ellen O'Connell

Mary Ellen O'Connell

No abstract provided.

Decoupling 'Terrorist' From 'Immigrant': An Enhanced Role For The Federal Courts Post 9/11, Victor C. Romero

Victor C. Romero

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Attorney General John Ashcroft has utilized the broad immigration power ceded to him by Congress to ferret out terrorists among noncitizens detained for minor immigration violations. Such a strategy provides the government two options: deport those who are not terrorists, and then prosecute others who are. While certainly efficient, using immigration courts and their less formal due process protections afforded noncitizens should trigger greater oversight and vigilance by the federal courts for at least four reasons: First, while the legitimate goal of immigration law enforcement is deportation, Ashcroft's true objective in targeting …

Noncitizen Students And Immigration Policy Post-9/11, Victor Romero

Victor C. Romero

The purpose of this article is to describe the post-9/11 world for noncitizen students and scholars in light of recent federal legislation, specifically focusing on three laws: the USA-PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Border Commuter Student Act of 2002, and the proposed Capital Student Adjustment Act, currently pending in Congress. In all three, Congress is seen trying to walk the fine line between providing fair access to postsecondary education to noncitizen students and guarding against the possibility that such institutions are being used as a springboard for terrorist activity.

Principles Of Counter-Terrorism Law, Jimmy Gurule, Geoffrey Corn.

Jimmy Gurule

The book examines the Military Response, analyzing legal issues related to treating terrorism as an armed conflict. These include the legal authority to use military force; determining when the law of armed conflict comes into force; the law of targeting and how this authority is applied to terrorist operatives; preventive detention; and prosecution of terrorists by military commission. The book also analyzes the Law Enforcement Response to international terrorism, including the legal framework for gathering counter-terrorism intelligence information, prosecuting terrorists and their sponsors, and freezing terrorist assets, domestically and internationally. Finally, the book examines the federal statutes authorizing civil liability …

Unfunding Terror: The Legal Response To The Financing Of Global Terrorism, Jimmy Gurule

Jimmy Gurule

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of 2,973 innocent civilians required as much as $500,000 to stage. At the time, al Qaeda was operating on an annual budget of between $30 and $50 million. However, despite the obvious fact that terrorists need money to terrorize, preventing the financing of terrorism was not a priority for the United States or the international community prior to 9/11. Jimmy Gurule, former Under Secretary for Enforcement in the US Department of the Treasury, provides the first book-length, comprehensive analysis of the legal regime that evolved following the terrorist attacks. The …

John Brown's Constitution, Robert Tsai

Robert L. Tsai

It will surprise many Americans to learn that before John Brown and his men briefly captured Harper’s Ferry, they authored and ratified a Provisional Constitution. This deliberative act built upon the achievements of the group to establish a Free Kansas, during which time Brown penned an analogue to the Declaration of Independence. These acts of writing, coupled with Brown’s trial tactics after his arrest, cast doubts on claims that the man was a lunatic or on a suicide mission. Instead, they suggest that John Brown aimed to be a radical statesman, one who turned to extreme tactics but nevertheless remained …

The Detention And Trial Of Enemy Combatants: A Drama In Three Branches, Michael C. Dorf

Michael C. Dorf

No abstract provided.

A Brief Review Of New Threats And Countermeasures In Digital Crime And Cyber Terrorism, Maurice Dawson

Maurice Dawson

Cyber security is becoming the cornerstone of national security policies in many countries around the world as it is an interest to many stakeholders, including utilities, regulators, energy markets, government entities, and even those that wish to exploit the cyber infrastructure. Cyber warfare is quickly becoming the method of warfare and the tool of military strategists. Additionally, it is has become a tool for governments to aid or exploit for their own personal benefits. For cyber terrorists there has been an overwhelmingly abundance of new tools and technologies available that have allowed criminal acts to occur virtually anywhere in the …