Episode 27: "Cruel & Usual; Punishment by Taking the Black" feat. Don Zeko

Learned Hands: The Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association

In this twenty-seventh episode of Learned Hands, the Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association, Maester Merry, Clint, and Special Guest Hand Don Zeko ask: What does GRRM’s portrayal of the Wall reveal about the values that motivate criminal law in Westeros and how does it compare and contrast with other forms of punishment?

Our analysis this week includes:

• We take the focus away from liability and into punishment, for once.
• Superhero Public Defender Don Zeko schools us on theories of Westerosi punishment.
• A great debate ensues about who is eligible to take the black.
• Merry quotes The Expanse in an extremely relevant way.
• Clint talks about the 8th Amendment, for fun.
• No one says good things about Nino.
• A judgment is passed on whether the opportunity to take the black is good or bad or neutral.
• Learned Hands pays respect to Maester Luwin, the greatest law professor in Westeros.
• We also talk about Theon. My god, Theon, you dummy.

Supplemental reading:

• Hadrian's Wall GoT influence
• A critique of Innocence Projects
• Let's talk about prison colonies
• McClesky v. Kemp opinion and dissent

Bumpers by Lo The Lynx. Audio engineering by LittleWolfBird. Intro & Outro music courtesy Sid Luscious & The Pants. None of this should be construed as legal advice OBVIOUSLY.

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