Elie Mystal, a legal expert and commentator, has compiled a list of laws he believes should be abolished. As an editor for Above the Law, Mystal has a deep knowledge of legal systems and frameworks, which he believes can be improved.
Mystal’s list of laws extends to several areas. He categorises these laws under sections such as criminal justice, privacy rights, and freedom of speech. The legal analyst has strong opinions on laws he deems to be harmful or not functioning to their greatest potential.
In the realm of criminal justice, for example, Mystal suggested that laws, such as mandatory minimum sentences for certain offences, should be done away with. Mandatory minimum sentences lack flexibility, leading to sentences that can be overly severe for the crimes committed, in Mystal’s view. Notably, the Federal Bureau of Prisons reports that over 45% of federal inmates are serving time for drug offenses, illustrating the broad impact of these sentencing rules. (source)
Mystal’s commentary also extended to privacy rights, as he criticized laws that permit authorities to gain access to individuals’ private online communications without warrants. He argues that these laws are outdated and intrude on personal freedoms in the digital age. The debate over privacy rights in the US has been ongoing, as citizen’s concern about their data being accessed without consent grows.
The legal expert also targeted laws that curb freedom of speech. Mystal argues that the right to free speech has been misconstrued to protect hate speech. He advocates for a redefinition of this law to ensure it doesn’t shield those who harass or threaten others based on race, religion, or sexual orientation, among other protected categories.
Mystal’s list of laws bring forth a discussion about the effectiveness, applicability, and repercussions of current legal frameworks. This conversation is paramount in an evolving society where the law needs to keep pace with societal changes.
Last modified: April 1, 2025
