Click here to learn more about the 14th Amendment.
Law Day is held on May 1st every year to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession. Learn more about the history of Law Day and past themes here.
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights convention. It advertised itself as "a convention to discuss the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of woman." Held in Seneca Falls, New York, it spanned two days over July 19–20, 1848.
Several generations of woman suffrage supporters lectured, wrote, marched, lobbied, and practiced civil disobedience to achieve what many Americans considered a radical change of the Constitution. Finally, when Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, it passed its final hurdle of obtaining the agreement of three-fourths of the states.
Chief Judge Janet DiFiore today designated the members of the new Judicial Advisory Committee on Evidence, a panel of experts charged with compiling a guide to New York’s existing law of evidence that will be readily available to judges, lawyers and the public.With its evidence law broadly dispersed among myriad cases and statutory provisions, New York is unique in lacking a consolidated source of the law of evidence, whether by statute or guide. The guide to be produced under the careful supervision of the Advisory Committee will state – in an organized, easy-to-use format − what the rules are. It will be divided into sections, and the rules will be accompanied by notes that include sources of authority and additional information, where appropriate. Once released, the guide will be updated annually to reflect any changes in the law of evidence.
The aim of the guide is to provide judges, lawyers and others with an easily accessible, important reference tool they can look to in discerning New York’s evidentiary rules.
In anticipation of Election Day 2017 − when for the first time in two decades New Yorkers will have the opportunity to vote on whether there should be a convention held to amend the New York State Constitution − Chief Judge Janet DiFiore [has] announced her appointment of the Judicial Task Force on the New York State Constitution.A group of leading judges, attorneys and academics from around the state, the Task Force will conduct a thorough review of Article VI of the New York State Constitution, which establishes the structure, organization and jurisdiction of New York’s Judiciary, and propose for Chief Judge DiFiore’s consideration possible revisions that may advance the work of New York’s state court system, making it more modern, efficient and accessible.The State Constitution requires that the question of whether to call for its amendment be put on the ballot every 20 years. Should New York’s electorate in 2017 approve the holding of a constitutional convention, the process would then call for delegates to be elected to the convention in the next general election (November 6, 2018), with the convention to commence on the first Tuesday in April following the election of delegates (April 2, 2019.
Pre-register by September 14 to save $5.00 and reserve CAPES for kids. RACE T-SHIRTS for ages 12 and over for first 100 participants.
For more information, click here.
The complete text of the proposed local law can be found here.
New York's top court this month delivered a big victory to state prosecutors who want to remove some of the worst sex offenders from society -- possibly forever.The court allowed the combination of two non-sex-related mental illnesses -- anti-social personality disorder and borderline personality disorder -- to form the basis for locking up sex offenders after their release from prison. The court had ruled previously that anti-social personality disorder (ASPD) could not be used alone to keep a sex offender confined.
The ruling strengthens the legal grounds to remove the worst sex offenders from the streets.
The complete decision can be found here.
What Do Lawyers Do? is an interactive web-based is designed to educate high school and college students about how to become a lawyer.The project focuses on preparation for law school, the law school experience, and different career paths for law school graduates.
Among its many goals, the project seeks to encourage a discussion about the different aspects of a legal education and the seemingly endless options open to those interested in pursuing a legal education.
Students will have a newfound understanding of the important roles that lawyers play in society, and that a legal education and a legal career are well within the reach of anyone willing to put in the time and effort to succeed
More information here.
The cost for this event is $50.00 for members, $75.00 for non-members. Lunch will be served.
Guided by a team of planning professionals from MRB Group and EDR, a town-appointed Steering Committee will meet monthly and follow a timeline which will be outlined at the Board meeting.
Public participation is the most important element. The Town Board wants input and feedback from as many residents as possible.
Scheduled for the beginning of the 7 pm Board meeting, the presentation will also include a look at a new website created to support the planning project.
