The laws upheld were meant to guard against the sale of animals bred in inhumane conditions and then were sold to unsuspecting consumers. Through their sterilization rules, the laws also sought to address overpopulation of unwanted animals.
The ruling reinforces the ability of local governments to crack down on Amish and Mennonite puppy mills in New York State.
• Beware of misleading bargains and added fees.More on each of these tips can be found at the link above.
• 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.
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.
Consumers should protect themselves when hiring contractors to perform winter-related services by considering the following:
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.• 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.
For more information, click here.
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.
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.
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 wasapproved. 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.”
Arguments are open to the public.
Following adjournment, the justices attending will hold a short question and answer period regarding the proceedings.
For more information, click here.
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.
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.
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.
