Unveiling Yellowstone's 'Zone of Death': A Legal Anomaly in the American Wilderness

Introduction to Yellowstone's 'Zone of Death'

Yellowstone National Park, renowned for its geothermal wonders and diverse wildlife, spans across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Within this vast expanse lies a 50-square-mile area in Idaho ominously dubbed the 'Zone of Death.' This region has garnered attention due to a purported legal loophole that could, in theory, allow individuals to evade prosecution for serious crimes committed within its boundaries.

The Genesis of the Legal Loophole

The existence of this loophole was first brought to light in 2005 by Brian C. Kalt, a law professor at Michigan State University. While examining the Sixth Amendment's provisions on jury trials, Kalt identified a peculiar situation in Yellowstone. The entire park falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming, including the portions extending into Idaho and Montana. The Sixth Amendment mandates that federal crimes be tried by a jury from both the state and district where the crime occurred. However, the Idaho section of Yellowstone is uninhabited, making it impossible to form a jury comprising residents from that area. Consequently, this could potentially prevent the prosecution of felonies committed there. ...Read More

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