"Collateral Consequences" of Convictions Site Launched

Those convicted of crimes know that re-entering society will be difficult.  What many don't appreciate is the full extent of the "collateral consequences"--the legal restrictions, disabilities, or disadvantages that are triggered by state or federal convictions and imposed either by their state or the federal system.  They rely on their attorneys to advise them about restrictions on employment and licensing (from school bus driver to apprentice electrician), on housing, voting, and holding office, and on requirements for public notification of a criminal record.

This week, the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section and the National Institute of Justice launched a new website, fulfilling a Congressional directive to provide lawyers and the general public with this important information. Right now, an inventory of collateral consequences for New York and seven other states is searchable by triggering offense category, consequence category, and keyword.  Federal categories and consequences are included, and a helpful User Guide adds to the site's value. The target date for adding all jurisdictions is December 2013. Check out this important new site for attorneys, law students, and clients. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Today In Legal (And Literary) History

On September 20, 1878, Upton Sinclair was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Sinclair later became an influential author and social reformer. In particular, his novel The Jungle exposed unsafe and unsanitary conditions in America’s meat-packing industry, and helped to inspire the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.

(Credit to Findlaw)

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Public Beta Site Provides Free, Fact-Based Legislative Information

"The Library of Congress, in collaboration with the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and the Government Printing Office (GPO), today unveiled Congress.gov, a new public beta site for accessing free, fact-based legislative information. Congress.gov features platform mobility, comprehensive information retrieval and user-friendly presentation. Congress.gov, at beta.congress.gov, eventually will replace the public THOMAS system and the congressional Legislative Information System (LIS)."

Click here to read a fact-sheet on Congress.gov and Thomas.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Make your Twitter page POP!

Twitter has launched a new design feature for your Twitter page.  Using the menu, you can add a picture header to your page and create more interest in your twitter feed.  While you can upload any pitcure to your Twitter header, some of the designs actually incorporate your profile picture and header into one seamless picture...with varying results.  Some are cool, others are serene and still others are just funny. 

Check out 10 great examples of the new Twitter header/avatar combo.  Ryan Seacrest is number three on the list:

Quick video instructions on creating the Twitter header above and a template for editing your pictures to the perfect size and shape are available here: ttp://on.mash.to/R11xl4

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Stats and the City

Courtesy of Crain's New York, Stats and the City offers mountains of data on NYC.  You can search, explore topics and drill down into interactive charts.  You can also explore statistics for the five boroughs and contrast/compare.

Some of the info is surprising - only 14% of New Yorkers still smoke - and some is obvious - City living is getting more expensive but it all paints a complex picture of life in the Big Apple.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Constitution Day 2012

Monday is the 225th birthday of the U.S. Constitution, or more accurately, of its signing by the Constitutional Convention delegates before it went out for ratification by the states.  In 2004, Congress passed legislation requiring that "[e]ach educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution." (P.L. 108-447, Section 111(b)).  This year, Hofstra Law is presenting a panel of constitutional experts at a timely program on the Supreme Court's recent health care decision.  As explained on the Department of Education's web site, "because September 17 falls on a religious holiday (Rosh Hashanah), educational institutions receiving Federal funding may celebrate Constitution Day during the preceding or following week" this year.  So be sure to join Professors Robin Charlow, Eric Freedman, Leon Friedman, and Julian Ku, with attorney expert Deborah Misir, on Wednesday, September 19, for this special Constitution Day program on the impact of a landmark case.
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Terms of Service

O.K., we are lawyers or soon to be.  So, that means we read all of those web sites' endless Terms of Service, right?  In a word, NOT!  Now, there is a web site, appropriately named Terms of Service, which summarizes and rates many of the most frequently accessed web sites.

So, if you are checking out the new iPhone 5, check out Apple's Terms of Service.  If this is a  legal issue that interests you, join their working group.  They are looking for legal help.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Ten Search Engines To Explore The Invisible Web

There are a plethora of databases that contain Deep Web content; i.e., Web content that is normally inaccessible via general search engine queries. Here is a list of ten search engines that will help you to navigate this "vasty deep".


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Arizona Supreme Court Rules 1st Amendment Protects Tattoos

The WSJ reported that the Arizona Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling on Friday that tattooing is a form of free speech with full protection under the U.S. and state constitutions. 

“Its decision Friday came in a case in which a lower court ruled that cities can no longer use long-established regulations to block where certain types of businesses can locate.”  The Court stopped short of forcing Mesa, Ariz., City Council to allow tattoo artists to open a parlor.  

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Pondering a New Tablet?

If you are in the market for a tablet, check out the the pros and cons of 10 available tablets here: http://bit.ly/THHtqI.

The new Apple iPad came out on top when compared to its competitors, according to Laptop Mag's website.  They list 5 tablets they recommend you buy (and 5 tablets you should avoid). Don't make a costly mistake.  Check out their list before you buy!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat