C.J. Box and the Yellowstone Zone of Death
Abstract
C.J. Box’s novel Free Fire incorporated the theory, first published in the Georgetown Law Journal article The Perfect Crime, that there is a 50-square-mile swath of Idaho where criminals might evade punishment because of an unfortunate oversight in the law. Part II of this Article summarizes this “Yellowstone Zone of Death” theory and examines its treatment in Free Fire. Part III discusses why the loophole still has not been closed. Part IV summarizes the public attention the theory has received. Last, Part V addresses some new counterarguments to the theory that arose out of this public attention, and that were not addressed in The Perfect Crime.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Criminal Law and Policy
Criminal Law and Evidence
Law
Economics
and Judicial Systems
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Wyoming Law Review
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 19–59
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN