April 19 to 25 Proclaimed National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, 2020

From the White Proclamation on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, 2020:

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to acknowledge the abuse and trauma that victims of crimes often experience, and to recognize the tireless work of dedicated advocates who have taken up the cause of supporting crime victims across our country.

Thanks to the efforts of these individuals, more victims are receiving the care they deserve and accessing tools to empower them as they recover.

This week, we express our appreciation for those who support crime victims, and we reaffirm our strong commitment to reducing the trauma of crime for victims and their loved ones.

New York courts and officials prepare for implementation of bail and discovery reforms. New resources available.

With the discovery and bail reform laws taking effect January 1, 2020, judges, attorneys and other court officers have new resources to help them prepare for and comply with the new procedure:

• New York's Discovery Reform Law: A Bench Book for Judges serves as a guide to the many aspects of the reform such as the prosecutor’s discovery obligations, the defendant’s reciprocal discovery to prosecution, timing requirements, protective orders, and trial readiness.
• New York's Bail Reform Law: A Bench Book for Judges provides information about the new law and gives attorneys notice on information upon which judges are likely to be relying.

In addition, the Queens District Attorney's Office has compiled a list of those crimes for which bail no longer will be an option.

For more on discovery reform laws, click here.   For more on the bail reform laws, click here.

Annual National Animal Abuse Prosecution Conference to be held in September

In partnership with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys have announced the the 6th Annual National Animal Abuse Prosecution Conference.

The conference’s goal is to provide prosecutors and law enforcement with the requisite skills to strengthen links between the criminal justice system and the community by protecting our most vulnerable victims and to enhance prosecutors’ ability to successfully identify and prosecute animal cruelty and animal fighting cases.

This year's conference focuses not only basics of animal abuse prosecution, but tackles new and emerging issues facing criminal justice stakeholders today.

The Conference will be held in Austin, Texas on the dates of September 14-16th, 2016.

Registration is now open. All attendees are required to register.

Hearing set in Seneca County assault weapons case

Finger Lakes Times

WATERLOO — A hearing will be held in the case of a Geneva man accused of having stolen assault weapons in Seneca Falls last September.During an appearance by Gary Goodman in Seneca County Court Monday, Judge Dennis Bender scheduled a suppression hearing for March 29. Goodman is being represented by local attorney Steven Getman.

Legal links of interest: week ending July 28

A number of stories about the law and lawyers in the news this week:

The Daily Record: Addressing threats to an independent judiciary

Reason.com: How colleges suppress free speech

American Spectator: Federal court halts enforcement of the Obama administration’s abortion pill mandate on religious freedom grounds

Democrat & Chronicle: Fewer DWI offenders foot bill for interlock device

New York Post: Connecticut prosecutor accused of sneaking naughty pics of female lawyers

Associated Press: Drug company McKesson to pay New York $36 million in settlement


Post Standard: Syracuse law against bath salts still a 'work in progress'