"The Prosecution of Santa" w/Corinna Lain, Professor of Law

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected] this special replay Christmas episode, we're diving into a light-hearted but intriguing legal exploration: prosecuting Santa Claus. Yes, you heard that right! We're putting Chris Cringle, aka Saint Nicholas, on the metaphorical stand. Known as the head of a global operation, Santa's actions raise numerous legal questions, from aviation law violations to potential animal welfare concerns.Corinna, with her background as a prosecutor and constitutional scholar, brings a playful yet insightful angle to the discussion. We'll delve into the hypothetical legal ramifications of Santa's global travels, his entry methods into homes, and even the employment practices at his North Pole workshop. Is Santa's operation a case of breaking and entering on a global scale? What about the FAA regulations for his sleigh and reindeer? And let's not forget the potential labor law violations with those hardworking elves!As we unpack these questions, we also touch on the lighter side of the law. How would Santa defend himself in court? Could he claim any legal immunities or special considerations given his unique role in society? And most importantly, what would a jury trial for Santa Claus look like?This episode is a blend of legal theory, festive fun, and a dash of holiday spirit. So, whether you've been naughty or nice, join us for an hour of entertaining legal debate that's sure to add a new dimension to your holiday musings. Remember, this is all in good fun, and no actual Santas were prosecuted in the making of this episode!Guest Bio:Professor Corinna Barrett Lain is a constitutional law scholar who writes about the influence of extralegal norms on Supreme Court decisionmaking, with a particular focus on the field of capital punishment. Her scholarship, which often uses the lens of legal history, has appeared in the Stanford Law Review, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Duke Law Journal, UCLA Law Review, and Georgetown Law Journal, among other venues. Professor Lain is an elected member of the American Law Institute, and received the University of Richmond’s Distinguished Educator Award in 2006. She is a former prosecutor and an Army veteran. Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: [email protected] Wright, Political Host: [email protected] Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast