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Month: June 2020

Chief judge orders racial inequality probe of union leader

On Behalf of | Tuesday Jun 30, 2020 |

The national turmoil sparked by the apparently racist killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers has resulted in a number of inquiries into alleged racism by municipal and police department officials across the country. One such inquiry has erupted inside the New York state court system. An e-mail to Chief Judge Janet DiFiore has caused the Judge to order an investigation into alleged “racial inequality and brutality” against black court officers. According to a report in the New York Post, Judge DiFiore received an e-mail signed by three black police officers accusing James...

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NYPD disciplinary records will no longer remain in the dark

On Behalf of | Tuesday Jun 23, 2020 | ,

The New York Police Department will no longer be able to hide records of officer misconduct from the public. The state’s governor recently signed into law a bill repealing 50-a, a decades-old policy that let police departments keep discipline and misconduct records secret. This repeal was effective immediately upon its signing on June 12, 2020, and was brought forward as part of a larger law enforcement reform package. “We know this isn’t a cure,” said one of the state senators behind the repeal bill. “We know that this is the beginning, but it’s a move to bring justice to a system that has...

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What are the kinds of credit fraud, and how serious are they?

On Behalf of | Monday Jun 22, 2020 |

Credit card fraud is a significant problem in the United States, which is why it's taken so seriously by the government. It's a federal crime, and you can face time in prison or other harsh penalties if you get caught stealing another person's credit cards or identity. The United States has the most cases of credit fraud in the world based on the fact that cases in this county make up 38.6% of all cases worldwide. Most fraud in the U.S. starts with telephone or email fraud. What is credit card fraud? Credit card fraud includes several different acts. These may include: Taking the account...

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What are your rights when stopped by the police?

On Behalf of | Friday Jun 19, 2020 | ,

Being stopped by the police can be overwhelming and alarming which is why it is essential for anyone stopped by police officers to be familiar with their rights. By being familiar with  their rights, those who have been stopped by police will have the knowledge they need to  protect themselves in a difficult situation. Citizens in New York have important protections and rights when encountered by police including: The right not to speak to police officers – when an individual has been stopped by police, they are not required to answer questions the police ask them and in New York are not...

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New York State Repeals Civil Rights Law 50-a

by | Wednesday Jun 10, 2020 |

On June 9, 2020, New York State lawmakers moved history forward by voting to repeal Sec. 50-a of the New York Civil Rights law, a state law that enabled police departments to withhold officers’ disciplinary records from public view. The vote came in response to the horrific death of George Floyd, a nationwide movement for police reform and accountability, and the general sentiment that systemic change is necessary to redress a systemic problem – namely, the violence perpetrated against minority communities and people of color. The repeal of 50-a was among numerous other calls for change as...

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George Floyd case sheds light on need for police reform

On Behalf of | Tuesday Jun 9, 2020 |

The case of George Floyd has drawn the attention of the entire world in recent weeks. We all watched in horror this past Memorial Day, as Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on the neck of George Floyd and, over nine agonizing minutes, pressed the life out of him. Meanwhile, three other officers on the scene stood by and did nothing to intervene. What happened to George Floyd should never happen to anyone in the Land of the Free – especially from law enforcement officers who have a sworn duty to protect and serve the community. Unfortunately, though, stories of police...

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What should you do if you’re hit by falling debris?

On Behalf of | Monday Jun 8, 2020 |

There are many different reasons that someone could get hurt while working on a construction site. From falling from scaffolding to getting hit by a falling object, there are various accidents that could happen. While construction workers have protections like hardhats and safety glasses, people walking near or around a construction site may not have anything to protect them. A construction site should be designed to keep all hazards within its bounds, but uneven walkways and debris could impact others. What should you do if you're hit by a falling object near a construction site? If you are...

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New York law protects police disciplinary records

On Behalf of | Tuesday Jun 2, 2020 | ,

Recent events have raised concerns about police discipline all across the country. New York City has seen its share of police misconduct cases, including cases resulting in one or more deaths. A key difference between the Floyd case and analogous New York cases is the fate of the officers’ disciplinary records. In Minnesota, the records are public; in New York, the records are confidential. The key statute is Sec. 50-a of the New York Civil Rights law. This statute says that “all personnel records used to evaluate “performance . . . or promotion” shall be considered to be “confidential and...

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