Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Schuyler County Blood Drive: Blood shortage prompts call for donations

American Red Cross Blood Drive
Conference Room #120
Thursday, July 27, 2017
9:30am – 2:30pm
Schuyler County Human Services Complex
Schuyler County employees are provided 1 hour paid leave to participate in the County sponsored blood drive, during normal work hours, without charging any accumulated leave credits.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

New York Appeals Court: Holding a GPS Device While Driving Violates Vehicle and Traffic Law

Matter of Clark v. New York State Dept. of Motor Vehs., 2017 N.Y. Slip Op. 05133, 3rd Dept 6-22-17:
Petitioner was issued a summons for operating a motor vehicle while using a portable electronic device in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1225-d after a police officer observed him driving while holding a global positioning system (hereinafter GPS) device in his right hand. Petitioner pleaded not guilty to the charge and, following a hearing before the Administrative Adjudication Bureau of respondent Department of Motor Vehicles, an Administrative Law Judge found petitioner guilty....

(A) hand-held GPS device meets the statutory definition of a "portable electronic device" inasmuch as it is a "hand-held device with mobile data access" (Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1225-d [2] [a]). In our view, it is mobile and receives data to

calculate a driver's geographical location and to communicate directions. Moreover, a review of the pertinent legislative history regarding Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1225-d [*2]demonstrates that the Legislature intended Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1225-d (2) (a) to encompass any portable electronic device that diverts a driver's attention away from the road and prevents the full use of a driver's hands (see Assembly Mem in Support, Bill Jacket, L 2009, ch 403 at 14; Letter from Dept of Motor Vehicles, Bill Jacket, L 2009, ch 403 at 20). Thus, we are satisfied that the Appeals Board's interpretation of Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1225-d (2) (a) as encompassing a hand-held GPS device was rational (see generally Matter of Fineway Supermarkets v State Liq. Auth., 48 NY2d 464, 468 [1979]; Matter of Bonhomme v New York State Liq. Auth., 221 AD2d 882, 883 [1995]).

We also agree that there is ample support for the Appeals Board's determination that petitioner was using the GPS device. Petitioner concedes that, while he was driving, he was holding the device in his hand and "view[ing] the GPS navigation system to read directions." Accordingly, we find that the determination was supported by substantial evidence (see generally Matter of Hollinger v New York State Dept. of Motor Vehs., 18 AD3d 1012, 1013 [2015]; Matter of Carota Enters. v Jackson, 241 AD2d 667, 668 [1997]). Petitioner's remaining contentions have been reviewed and found to be lacking in merit. 

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

New York State Bar Association supports a Constitutional Convention

The New York State Bar Association supports a Constitutional Convention to restructure the NYS judiciary, enhance voter participation and modernize and streamline the New York State constitution:
The New York State Bar Association is calling for a state Constitutional Convention, because New York “should not forfeit this rare, generational opportunity to modernize and significantly improve the Constitution that forms the foundation of state government.”
On November 7, New Yorkers will vote on whether to authorize a Constitutional Convention which, if approved, would be the state's 10th Constitutional Convention since 1777.
At its June 17, 2017 meeting in Cooperstown, the Association's House of Delegates voted 111 to 28 (with one member abstaining) to endorse a Constitutional Convention, or “ConCon.” A day earlier, its Executive Committee voted unanimously to support a convention.
For more on the Constitutional Convention process, click here.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Trauma Information for Child Welfare Attorneys

In collaboration with the National Child Trauma Stress Network's Justice Consortium Attorney Work Group, the ABA Center on Children and the Law recently released Trauma: What Child Welfare Attorneys Should Know.

This resource is meant to "strengthen advocacy, improve attorney-client relationships, and promote appropriate screening, in-depth assessment, and evidence-based treatment" by advancing the policy of trauma-informed practice. Practice tips include suggestions for targeted advocacy in response to a client's exposure to traumatic events.

Additionally, information regarding secondary traumatic stress is provided to prevent or address this issue for those who work in the child welfare system.