The History of Son of Sam Laws

This episode examines "Son of Sam" laws, which were originally created in New York to block criminals from earning money through media deals related to their illegal acts. Named after serial killer David Berkowitz, these mandates were eventually deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court for violating First Amendment protections. Modern versions of the legislation now focus on seizing various assets to compensate victims rather than just targeting book or movie royalties. The episode also explores how these rules apply to modern cases, such as the Idaho college murders and the Gilgo Beach investigation. Ultimately, the source highlights the ongoing legal struggle to balance free speech with the desire to prevent offenders from gaining fame or fortune.

Content Warning: This podcast contains discussions of homicide, violence, abuse, and other graphic themes related to real-life criminal events. It is intended for mature audiences and listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes AI-generated content.