Okay, 3 miles out into the ocean, is ANYTHING legal? How about murder? Follow-up questions in details.?

Question

I know that casino cruises have to go out three miles away from American soil before they can allow gambling. This would suggest that American laws no longer apply. Is this when international laws come into play? Are there places in the oceans that aren't registered under any nationality? Do laws apply in those places?

Answer 1

I doubt it is as little as 3 miles. Where ever international waters begin, then international laws take over. Many of these laws can be prosecuted in what ever country catches the perpetrator. If one or both are a citizen of a particular country it is possible that country may try to take precedence.

Answer 2

Laws apply anywhere--gambling isn't really a major law like murder-no place where that's legal . There are laws that cover anything from county to state to nation and then International Everybody comes from a land of laws and where you are going is a land of laws so if do anything illegal on a ship or a plane even over the ocean either you'll go back to country you're from and be turned over to authorities or if ship or plane near other country you'll be turnd over to those authorities and the Lucky if they contact US Embassy. No,you cannot get away with anything if caught and no area of ocean is law-free.

Answer 3

I am not sure about gambling, but most countries have a 200 mile offshore limit to fishing, among other activities.

Here is the definition from a Canadian perspective:

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/overfishing-surpeche/map_e.htm

The laws used to be 12 miles and then they raised it to 200 miles.

I would assume that if a murder or crime like that was committed on a ship 1000 miles from nowhere, say in the South Atlantic, the crime would considered under the jurisdiction of the flag of the country which the ship is registered. That is why so many ships are registered in Panama and Liberia where laws are hard to enforce.

Answer 4

it is against the law to take the life of a person anywhere on the planet. when ships first started exploring the "new world" laws were enforced by the captain of the ships. the first laws here in the US were based on that principle. these laws were called admiralty laws. although admiralty laws are considered antiquated and are not taught in modern law schools they still apply today. under any law murder has to be proved beyond a shadow of a doubt. if it was you and one other person on the open seas there would be no witnesses and the court would have to accept your version of the truth. if you were on a ship the captain would arrest you, make an investigation and turn you and the evidence into the port authorities at the next port. you would be detained in a cell until then. even luxury cruise ships have detention cells in the bottom of the boat.

Answer 5

We are all subject to 'someone's law' while out on the high seas, and that is the subject of the following website. Click there and you will find a history and explanation of International Waters Law. The more you scroll down, the more it gets applicable to modern day, and begins to reference case laws.

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mlawofsea.html

Answer 6

There are international laws besides the local ones. Someone could just fall overboard in an accident. Than there are other laws .. you might have to answer to ... for freaking ever.

Answer 7

I'm not sure, but probably. I'm sure you can't go out into the middle of the ocean, and just kill off people. lol If that was the case, everyone would be doing it.

Answer 8

Yes laws apply everywhere....no matter where you are...Some one is always in control.

Answer 9

sorry but every big brother has a claim on every ounce of territorial waters

Answer 10

What do you think coast guards do?