United States of America v. Dire

Abstract

Sea — High seas — Piracy — Definition of crime of piracy — United States law defining piracy as defined by law of nations — Whether piracy narrowly defined as robbery at sea — Whether piracy encompassing violent conduct — Whether defendants guilty of crime of piracy under United States law — Whether defendants’ mandatory life sentences appropriate

Relationship of international law and municipal law — United States law incorporating law of nations in definition of crime of piracy — Interpretation of law of nations — Whether law of nations at time Congress passed United States law — Whether law of nations as evolved — Precedent — Alvarez-Machain — Treaties — Definition of piracy — Geneva Convention on the High Seas, 1958, Article 15 — United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982, Article 101 — Customary international law — Intention of United States Congress — Whether defendants guilty of crime of piracy under United States law

Jurisdiction — Universal jurisdiction — Piracy — Universal jurisdiction crime — Whether United States Congress intending to define piracy as universal jurisdiction crime — The law of the United States