As legal professionals, our duty is to uphold the law, albeit grudgingly for certain pieces of legislation. Considering our intimate knowledge of the system and its implications, it’s only natural we may hold personal views on what could be deemed ‘the worst law’. In a recent publication on Above the Law, readers were challenged to voice their conviction about the most troublesome regulations.
The article highlights some seriously contentious laws, such as the doctrine of qualified immunity that essentially allows law enforcement to escape liability in many instances, thought to result from a clerical mistake. The discovery of the error only compounds the frustration.
Then there’s the law granting immunity to the gun industry, a policy that arguably exacerbates America’s gun trauma. The felony murder rule has attracted criticism as well, given its capability of connoting major penalties for minor participants in a serious crime. The mandate of minimum sentences, often seen as a mechanism of injustice, also features in the list of controversial legislation. The debate surrounding the electoral college, responsible for what some deem erratic election results, doesn’t seem to die down either.
An invitation was extended to vote for the most absurd law, the “winner” of which may feature in Above the Law alumnus Elie Mystal’s forthcoming book, “Bad Laws”. Interested parties can email or text their nominations for consideration. In this era of expansive forums for legal discourses and the capacity to influence policy reforms, this is a unique opportunity to shed light on irksome legislation.