Consumer alert issued for Black Friday, Cyber Monday

In advance of the Christmas and holiday shopping season, New York State officials have the following tips for consumers shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday:

• Beware of misleading bargains and added fees.
• Compare warranty terms.
• Know the terms of a layaway plan.

• Check return and refund policies.
• Beware of restricted gift cards.
• Shop only on secure Internet connections.
• Do not be tricked by confusingly similar website and domain names.
• Protect yourself by using credit cards.
• Be wary of too-good-to-be-true contests and prize promotions.
• Read the fine print.

More on each of these tips can be found at the link above.

New York law expands court access for the hearing impaired.

The new law, which became effective Sept. 25, 2015, gives the courts authority, at the request of a person (party, witness, juror, or prospective juror) who is deaf or hard of hearing, to "provide an assistive listening device, a stenographer who can furnish communication access real-time translation or any other appropriate auxiliary aid or service."

For individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to assure accessibility to the courts, the New York State Court System's Accessibility page offers information about making accommodation requests and a list of Americans with Disabilities Act liaisons for each county. Information about the range of court interpretation services is available on the Court System's Language Access and Court Interpreters page.

Beware of cold weather scams

Government officials in New York State have issued a consumer alert, advising the public, especially seniors, how to avoid potential scams that may occur with the onset of colder weather.

Consumers should protect themselves when hiring contractors to perform winter-related services by considering the following:

• Shop around. Get at least three estimates from reputable contractors that include specific information about the materials and services to be provided for the job. • Get it in writing. Insist on a written contract that includes the price and description of the work needed. • Do not pay unreasonable advance sums. Negotiate a payment schedule tied to the completion of specific stages of the job. Never pay the full price up front. • Get references. Check with the Better Business Bureau, banks, suppliers, and neighbors. Always contact references provided to you. • Know your rights. You have three days to cancel after signing a contract for home improvements. All cancellations must be in writing.

Persons who believe they were the victim of a scam can contact the New York State Consumer Frauds Bureau by calling 1-800-771-7755.

For more information, click here.

New protections for crime victims appear "Women's Equality" bills.

On Oct. 21, New York enacted new laws related to women's rights that deal with a variety of issues, including pay equity and protection of employees from sexual harassment and pregnancy discrimination.

Among the new rules, designed to protect crime victims, including victims of sex trafficking, are the following:

The Family Court Act has been amended to allow the Chief Administrator of the Courts to promulgate rules to “establish and implement a pilot program for the filing of petitions for temporary orders of protection by electronic means and for the issuance of such orders ex parte by audio-visual means in order to accommodate litigants for whom attendance at court to file for, and obtain, emergency relief would constitute an undue hardship or to accommodate litigants, for whom traveling to and appearing in the courthouse to obtain emergency relief, creates a risk of harm to such litigant.”

The "Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act," amends and adds many new sections of law. New crimes include aggravated labor trafficking, a class C felony; patronizing a person for prostitution in a school zone, a class E felony; and aggravated patronizing a minor for prostitution, a felony.

These new provisions become effective in 2016.

#DVFree: Implementing the Human Right to be Free from Domestic Violence

A panel discussion will be head Tuesday, October 20th at 12:20 p.m. in Saperston Student Lounge, G65 Myron Taylor Hall, Cornell University:

"#DVFree: Implementing the Human Right to be Free from Domestic Violence in Tompkins County, NY."

Panelists will discuss their work in drafting guidelines for employers to protect victims of domestic violence.

The panel will include Heather Campbell, Executive Director, Advocacy Center of Tompkins County, Alexander Gutierrez, J.D. Candidate and member of the Global Gender Justice Clinic, Carolina Morales, J.D. Candidate and member of the Global Gender Justice Clinic, and Amanda Reynoso-Palley, J.D. Candidate and member of the Global Gender Justice Clinic.

The panel is sponsored by Cornell Law School’s Global Gender Justice Clinic and the Avon Global Center for Women and Justice.

Lunch will be served. Interested attendees should RSVP by Monday, October 19 to Christina Price, cmp265@cornell.edu.

South Seneca Schools to Gain Police Officer

From the Ovid Gazette:

At the Ovid town board meeting Sept. 2, a shared services agreement that will allow Interlaken police chief Leon Anderson to patrol the schools and be their resource officer was

approved. Anderson gave his presentation, then left for a meeting with the South Seneca School Board whose meeting also began at 7 p.m.

His presentation was to inform about the required elements needed to complete the paperwork needed for a School Resource Officer position, which will be new to the school district. Anderson said it would also benefit the village and town of Ovid as well as the Village of Interlaken and the Town of Covert.

He further explained that the agreement, which comes at no cost to the villages or the towns, has been reviewed by the town attorney, Steven Getman, and Barry Porsch, District Attorney, to make sure that it meets all of the criteria.

The purpose of the SRO (School Resource Officer) position is “to protect our most vulnerable residents: in our community – our children and our schools. Tonight I am looking to the board to sign the Shared Services Agreement which is before you. If you have questions, I will answer them.”

State Appellate Court to hold session at Cornell

The New York State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division will be hearing oral arguments in Cornell Law School’s Moot Court Room from 9:30 am to noon on Thursday, October 22.

Arguments are open to the public.

Following adjournment, the justices attending will hold a short question and answer period regarding the proceedings.

Summaries of the cases to be argued have been provided by the court for informational purposes. They include cases of potential local interest to Finger Lakes residents.

For more information, click here.

5th National Animal Cruelty Prosecution Conference

The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) in partnership with the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) presents the 5th National Animal Cruelty Prosecution Conference taking place on

November 4-6, 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA.

This conference, hosted at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, will bring together prosecutors, investigators, veterinarians and related professionals in the criminal justice and animal welfare field, to enhance their efforts in combating animal cruelty and related violent crimes.

There is no registration fee for this conference.

For more information, click here.

Results of "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Labor Day Crackdown

New York State Police arrested 769 individuals for driving while intoxicated during the 20-day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over crackdown on impaired driving.

During this crackdown, State Police and local law enforcement agencies targeted not only drunk or impaired motorists, but also drivers who were distracted, speeding, not wearing seatbelts, and not abiding by the “move over” law.

State Police report that of the 769 DWI arrests between the August 21 to September 7 enforcement period, more than 219 occurred during Labor Day weekend alone. During the same period last year, 663 people were arrested for DWI.

During the campaign, Troopers also issued 47,359 tickets, up from more than 46,500 in 2014: 18,660 for speeding, 1,613 for distracted driving, 2,522 for child restraint and seatbelt violations, and 556 for failing to “move over.” Additionally, state police investigated 2,973 crashes during the 20-day period, compared to 2,940 last year. Of these crashes, 857 people were injured, and 25 people were killed.

For more on this program, click here.

School’s Open, Drive Carefully

AAA’s annual “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign alerts motorists to the special risks to school-age children from motor vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death for children from five to fourteen years old. This year, the campaign begins September 2, 2015 and runs through October 14.

With our schools reopening, children will be boarding buses and walking to and from school. All motorists should drive carefully and be especially aware of school speed zones, school bus traffic, and children walking. Drivers should be particularly alert for children darting out between parked cars on busy streets.

Motorists will receive an additional reminder each time they see one of the “School’s Open” bumper stickers on official vehicles, school buses and passenger cars.

For more information on AAA's "School's Open, Drive Carefully" program, click here.