The "Son of Sam" law in New York, officially known as the "Crime Victims Compensation Law," was enacted in 1977 in response to the notorious case of David Berkowitz, also known as the "Son of Sam." Berkowitz was a serial killer who committed a series of murders in New York City during the mid-1970s.

The law was designed to prevent criminals from profiting financially from the notoriety of their crimes. It prohibited individuals convicted of crimes from earning money through the sale of their stories, books, or other forms of expression related to their criminal activities. The intent was to ensure that criminals could not profit from their crimes, and any proceeds would be used to compensate victims.


However, the law faced constitutional challenges regarding free speech rights, as it potentially restricted an individual's ability to express themselves through their writings or other forms of expression. Over the years, the law has undergone modifications and adjustments to address these legal concerns.


Now New York lawmakers are looking to update the law to include family members of convicted killers to the list of those who cannot profit from the crimes.

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to contact me:

bobbycapucci@protonmail.com



sources:

Gilgo Beach serial killer documentary sparks push for crackdown on Son of Sam law | The Independent (the-independent.com)