Weinstein-DA funding controversy helps inspire reform measures

New York Daily News:

As Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance's campaign contributions have come under scrutiny, a state assemblyman said he’s introducing a bill to reign in how much New York prosecutors can accept in donations from defense attorneys.

The bill by Assemblyman Dan Quart (D-Manhattan) would create a statewide database of lawyers and law firms who have criminal defense practices. Those on the list would be barred from giving more than $320 an election cycle to district attorney candidates.

It also would prohibit lawyers and firms from bundling donations on behalf of district attorney candidates...

Vance has been criticized for taking contributions from defense lawyers whose clients -- [including] disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein -- were targets of criminal probes that did not yield prosecutions.

New York State Appeals Court decides Schuyler County child abuse case.

Albany, NY- The New York State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division issued a decision on Thursday (October 19, 2017) largely upholding a Schuyler County Family Court order that found two local children to be neglected, abused, derivatively neglected and/or derivatively abused.

The Appellate Division further held that that the Family Court should have granted the County Attorney’s application to adjudicate one child to be severely abused at the hands of her father.

The Family Court case was prosecuted by the Office of Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman. The appeal was argued for that office by Assistant County Attorney Kristin Hazlitt.

The decision, “In the Matter of Logan C. and another, alleged to be Neglected, Abused and/or Severely Abused Children” is available on the court’s website here. (The names have been changed to protect the innocent)

New York State’s Limited Sealing Law Takes Effect.

New York State Criminal Procedure Law Section 160.59, entitled "Sealing of certain convictions," took effect Oct. 7, 2017.

Individuals who have been convicted of up to two eligible offenses, but not more than one eligible felony offense, may apply to have those convictions sealed. Eligible offenses may be sealed only after at least 10 years have passed since the sentence was imposed on the latest conviction or, if the sentence included a period of incarceration, at least 10 years since release from incarceration. Offenses that are not eligible for sealing include sex offenses and certain other felony offenses.

Sealing is discretionary with the court and applicants are required to serve notice on the District Attorney in the county of conviction.

Sealing does not equal expungement. Any such sealed records would remain available to the defendant, the defendant’s agent and certain various law enforcement agencies, as well as criminal background checks for firearm purchases.

Notice of Public Hearing: Town of Ovid, Seneca County, New York

Please take Notice that that the Town Board of the Town of Ovid, County of Seneca, State of New York, shall hold a public hearing on the following proposed Local Law at the Ovid Firehouse, 2136 Brown St, Ovid, NY 14521, at 7:00 p.m. on the 11 day of October, 2017: “Proposed Local Law No. 1 of the Year 2017, Town of Ovid, County of Seneca, State of New York, A local law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c.”

Please take further notice, that at such time all persons interested in the subject matter of the proposed local law shall be heard concerning same.

Please take further notice, that the complete text of the proposed local law is available during normal business hours at the Office of the Town Clerk, Town of Ovid and at the Ovid Firehouse, 2136 Brown St, Ovid, NY 14521.

The full text of the proposed local law may be found here.

Learning Comic Book Law

Comics Experience is pleased to announce Comic Book Law for Creators,

a four-week online course beginning on October 2, 2017.

Comic Law for Creators exists to correct both the dearth of information and misinformation about what creators should do to give their comics career a strong legal foundation.

Comic Law for Creators will meet weekly in Comic Experience's online virtual classroom from October 2 through October 23, 2017 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., Eastern time. Students will also keep up the discussion about what they are learning through a dedicated online forum for the class.

For more information and to enroll click here.

Harmful Algal Blooms: What they are and how government agencies are addressing the threat

On September 30, the Community Science Institute will be hosting a public forum on harmful algal blooms in Ithaca, New York. The Forum is co-sponsored by the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and the

Floating Classroom.

The forum is designed to address public concerns and provide community members with information about the ecology of harmful algal blooms, how public health officials respond to such blooms, and future monitoring initiatives.

The event is scheduled to run from 9:00 to 12:00 pm at The Space at Greenstar, 700 W Buffalo St, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Invited organizations include: Finger Lakes Institute, Tompkins County Department of Health, NYSDEC Finger Lakes Hub, Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Organization, Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission, Finger Lakes PRISM, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County.

For more on this event, click here.

Innovation in Prosecution Summit November 2 - 3, 2017

The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys will be holding its 4th Innovations in Criminal Justice Summit on November 2-3, 2017 in Philadelphia, PA.

The summit brings together a multi-disciplinary audience of criminal justice leaders to discuss initiatives which are creating more efficiency and effectiveness in our system of justice.

The event highlights and describes innovative programs across the nation and allows for discussion on emerging issues facing prosecutor's offices across the country.

For more information, click here.

Seneca County Police Departments offer child safety car seat check

Seneca Daily:

On Friday, September 22, 2017, from 2:30 pm-6:30 pm the Seneca Falls Police Department, in cooperation with the Waterloo Police Department, will be hosting an annual Child Safety Car Seat check at the Seneca Falls Police Department, 130 Ovid Street, Seneca Falls, NY.

Anyone with a car seat wishing to have the police check to ensure their seats are correctly installed or those who want to learn how to install a car seat properly can attend this free event. The police department will be able to distribute car seats for those that do not have them but will be limited to only one car seat per family.
No appointment is needed for this free event. Please bring the child with you when you come as it makes for a safer install.

Avoid Hurricane-related charity scams

The following tips have been offered by New York State officials for those contributing to the relief effort:

• Take Time To Research The Organization.
• Know Where Your Money Will Go.
• Give to Established Charities.
• Be Cautious With Telephone Solicitations.
• Check Before You Text A Contribution.
• Check Before Donating to an Online Giving Site.
• Don’t Respond to Unsolicited Spam Emails.
• Never Give Cash.
• Be Careful About Personal Information.
• Report Suspicious Organizations.

If you believe an organization is misrepresenting its work, or that a scam is taking place, click here.

For more information on how to avoid a scam, click here.

Law Day 2018 Theme Announced

The American Bar Association has announced the theme for Law Day 2018, "Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom."

The U.S. Constitution designated a system of government with distinct, independent branches – legislative, executive, and judicial – and outlines how they interact. Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court share power and serve as a check on the powers of the others, providing a framework for freedom.

For more information, click here.