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Posted on : May 12, 2019
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Posted on : May 8, 2019
The bond between a mother and her child is strong and should always be reinforced. That is why incarcerated mothers are allowed to play and interact with their visiting children. The moments they share with each other help keep their connection strong. Letting them talk, laugh, and touch may even decrease the level of trauma while they are separated.
Courtney Saunders received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for possession of drugs. It seemed like her world was about to end especially when the reality of being apart from her daughters set in. Saunders said that incarcerated mothers should have more than visits behind plexiglass windows. Every visit should be child-friendly, allowing the mothers and their children to have physical contact. The interaction would give mothers hope in their situation.
The incarcerated mom served 6 months at the Bristol County Jail and House of Correction in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. After enduring that period in 2015, she convinced the judge to a compulsory treatment program, which would enable her to call her kids every day. Even if the calls lasted only five minutes, they truly made a difference in staying truly connected with her daughters.
Now 30, Saunders was able to regain her sobriety and is already reunited with her children.
Meghann Perry was also arrested in Maine, back in 2002, when her daughter was just about seven months of age. She was charged for being positive for methadone, which was prescribed by a doctor to help pull her out of heroin addiction. Perry kept entering and exiting prison and her treatments. She lost her daughter because she relapsed. Even so, she wanted to stay in touch with her daughter. Whenever they spoke to her daughter or received letters from her, she became motivated to fight. By 2009, she was granted regular visits. Because of those interactive visits that she was able to recover fully.
Now, Perry is a certified addiction recovery coach. She lives in Boston and works with people who want to strengthen or start their own recovery.
The United States has many incarcerated women. Most of them are in prison because of property or non-violent offenses because of the worsening opioid crisis. A huge number of these women are mothers and were the only ones who cared for their kids. Their children usually end up living with relatives or in foster care. The chance for an imprisoned mother to be with her children differs by the one who has custody, state, or correctional facility.
Unfortunately, prison visits are not granted to parents who were imprisoned because of child abuse or violent crimes. Some experts say that visits could cause more trauma to the children. Yet, for those who are allowed family visits, researches show that having them in a child-friendly manner possibly allays separation trauma, decreases backsliding, and maintains the connection with the family.It is odd for a child to see his or her mother and not be able to interact or connect. It is just unnatural, according to a professor of clinical pediatrics and psychologist at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Angela Tomlin.
Endeavors such as Still She Rises (North Tulsa, Oklahoma) are attempting to hinder damage to family relationships. This program is the first public defender office that solely represents imprisoned mothers. Some states have already started creating visitation programs that are child-friendly. In New York, a pilot program has just been started. It involves visits at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. When the museum is closed to the public, incarcerated mothers at Rikers could spend time with their children there.The said program was spearheaded by New York’s First Lady, Chirlane McCray. She saw herself how hard it was for children and parents to interact with each other during prison visits. She said that the off-site visits are important because they enable an imprisoned mother to have a relevant connection with her children. The quality time spent by mother and child, dancing, listening to music, or creating art together allows them to strengthen their bond and express themselves. The museum’s executive director, Andrew Ackerman, says that families can heal in such an inspiring environment.
Both Courtney and Perry have their daughters back despite what they have been through. Mothers and children should always maintain their connection with each other. The healing power of this exercise can truly change the lives of families and their inevitable futures as well.
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Posted on : February 4, 2019
The Right Attorney for You
Choosing the Right Buffalo Family Law Attorney for Your Needs. If you or your spouse is considering getting a divorce, one of the first things you should do is investigate a family law Attorney. You may be asking yourself, why do I need an Attorney? These type of cases can become a nasty legal battle and you want to make sure that you have someone on your side that will fight for an equal division of property, spousal support, child custody, and or child support.
There are a few things that you should look for in a good family law attorney. First of all, they should be objective. As someone coming from outside the case, they tend to see things a little differently than you. That is why you are hiring them. Make sure that whatever resolution you come to is suitable for you and just remember, quicker doesn’t always mean better.
Whichever attorney you consider should be familiar with the paperwork that is needed for your state. A good family law attorney should have an elite staff of consultants and experts that they can lean on in the specialized areas of the argument. They should also be well versed in working with other attorneys, more precisely the opposing counsel.
Making sure that they make the primary exchange of information properly can be a big benefit to the case. However, if worse comes to worse, then they are there to represent you zealously and achieve the best outcome possible.
These are just a few of the reasons why having an experienced family law attorney is important. You want to make sure that whichever attorney you choose fits your needs. You never have to select the first one you meet with, there are typically multiple ones in every area. Meet with a few and determine which you feel would best suite your needs.
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Posted on : January 13, 2019
Retaining an attorney
A lot of people will go through life basically flying by the seat of their pants. When they hit a rough spot, it seems to be the end of the world, but a little turbulence never hurt anybody. If you don’t want to take this route, especially when concerning your pending divorce or if you just like to plan ahead, talk to an attorney and put them one on retainer. This is the easiest way to ensure that that area of your life is protected.
Retaining an attorney can give you the “Peace of Mind” of knowing that anything that pops up can be dealt with. While, some people tend to use an attorney more than others, it can be a benefit to everyone. Because, it’s never a good feeling to get surprised by a situation that could have been handled beforehand and having an attorney on retainer is a good start for that type of protection.
Research
If you’re looking for a good attorney to put on retainer, don’t forget to do your research. Don’t mistake kindness for skill. Make sure that your attorney has the right kind of knowledge that you may be needing. They can specialize in many different areas. Talk to your attorney and make sure that they fit what you’re looking for. A lot of attorneys can come off as uncaring or brash. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that that means they’re not good attorneys.
Friends
Speak to your friends if any of them know a good attorney. This could help you decrease the research needed and make the process faster. You never want to choose the first one you come across, always do some research to make sure you are getting a good deal and an experienced lawyer. You don’t want to wind up stuck in a bad situation, divorce or otherwise without anybody on your side. Keeping an attorney on retainer just makes good sense in most circumstances.
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Posted on : January 4, 2019
One very important fact that you may not have thought of in your preparations to become a paralegal is that while attorneys have a number of wonderful options in specialized fields of law, so will you! This will be an excellent opportunity for you to work in the specific area which interests you the most and your personal interest will help you to develop your talents so that you can bring even more enthusiasm to your job!
When you are thinking about this, the first step you should take is to check into what is available in the location where you plan to work. You will probably find a number of law firms and private practise attorneys who deal in general law, some who deal with a combination, and some who specialize in specific fields. While all of these have positive aspects, wouldn’t you gain much more satisfaction from your job and your everyday work experiences if you decide to choose the one that appeals to you the most?
There are many options, but you should not find it difficult to focus on the one which peaks your interest. There are private practice attorneys and law firms which specialize in criminal law, business law, family law, tax law, and a variety of others. Your initial decision to become a paralegal likely had some degree of bearing on interest in the legal field, so you will probably find it quite likely that one specific type will catch your eye almost immediately.
There are some very good reasons to think about selecting a specialty. One reason is that your job will give you the unprecedented opportunity to learn first-hand nearly everything that there is to know about that specific field. When you are working on an everyday basis, you will not only have hands-on experience in the area of law that interests you the most, you will also have the benefit of working with the attorney who practices solely in that area. There is very little that has the potential to give you so much satisfaction as working at something in which you are truly interested.
Another reason for considering a specialty is that the enthusiasm that you generate will be very positive to your attorney and anyone else who works in your office. As enthusiasm is contagious, the fact that you have a significant interest in what you do will lead your entire work environment to be much more pleasant. Even the most routine tasks which you conduct on a daily basis will not seem like dreary or boring chores when you truly love the work that you are doing; and this enthusiasm will have a very good effect on your supervising attorney and co-workers alike.
When you choose a specialty, you will also rightly feel that you are making a very important contribution. Instead of simply doing a job, you will be actively promoting your field just by doing it well. If you wish for your job to contain a wide range of basic experience, general law can be perfect for you; but if you have a particular interest in mind, working as a paralegal in a specialized field of law may be the right decision for you!
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Posted on : January 4, 2019
With the high rise in the number of sex offenders who are also repeated offenders the federal government decided to impose laws requiring all convicted sexual offenders to register with the states in which they live. Although this measure is controversial, government officials are claiming that it is an increasingly effective method of avoiding re-offending in some of the most serious criminals. Is this an invasion of privacy that the states and politicians have imposed upon someone who has served their sentence, or is this a legitimate measure of control for some of society’s most dangerous offenders?
At some point in time, it became acceptable for the government to track former criminals; in requiring them to register as an offender, they are essentially tracking the criminal. They do nothing more than monitor closely their whereabouts, actions, friends, lifestyle, etc. How this came to be is quite scary, while it has occurred for a crime that fits the punishment, after all our children should be protected. It also comes with a price. Many people see this as an intense invasion of privacy and human rights, and in Europe under the banner of the European Convention on Human Rights, such procedures would almost certainly not be allowed.
Since beginning this and requiring that all sexual offenders register with their respective states, it opens the door for criminals of other crimes to be required to register. Once that occurs, it allows the governments to start requiring slowly that everyone be registered for one reason or another. Is this something that the people are willing to let happen? Should the government have full knowledge and control over where you go, who your friends are and where you work?
Many feel that the laws for the sexual offenders are not stiff enough; they call for stricter punishments and heavier penalties for these most despicable of criminals. This comes from the side of people that wish to seek nothing more than revenge. At the same time, if someone commits a crime whom is sent for mental help, instead of jail they are not required to register. Their offenses are recorded differently, and their punishment is much easier.
This can cause serious problems in terms of people not being registered that really should be registered as an offender. The main goal of the program is to protect the interest of the children; after all, they are the main resource worth protecting in society. Nevertheless, how far is too far? Some have suggested implanting the offenders with a microchip that would enable law enforcement agencies to track the offenders’ movements continuously. Is this something that the American public is willing to accept?
With this being talked about, what are the chances of this occurring for other crimes as well? What is the point of releasing someone from the judicial system if they are so dangerous that they must be continuously tracked? As a woman, or a child how safe do you feel knowing that there are people surrounding you whom have been convicted of serious crimes against others? What about as a man, does this change your opinion? The requirement for registration causes social problems and victimization for those offenders, arguably justifiably, who have shown themselves to be dangerous. This has the knock on effect of altering the course of justice, given that these people will have served the appropriate sentence for their crime, and hopefully have progressed through the systems of rehabilitation in place.
How do you think it should be handled? There are some people who truly believe that the registrations processes should be removed, that once their time is served the offenders should be allowed to disappear back into the woodwork and free to live their lives without being under the public scrutiny. These are the people who are looking to have yet another law changed, that could have some very devastating effects on society, particularly for our children in the coming generations.
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Posted on : December 21, 2018
Law and its meaning to you
While you may know what law is and why it‘s necessary for controlling our conduct in society, not many think about how law affects the average person. Have you ever wondered about it? Do you find it difficult to relate with? Here is a rundown on how law works in society and the law of nature.
Most people think that law is meant only for protecting their interests, and is not connected with their everyday interactions. They assume the law will operate and give justice if their behavior is questioned.
Everyday effects
This is a simple understanding of the functions of law, and does show how it works every day. For example, the top level constitution sets parameters for the government to use for protecting the citizens of the nation.
This effects how the government, and country is run which in turn regulates everything done though the day, and how it’s done. It also locally affects the services provided, how jobs work and practically everything we do with our lives.
This isn’t a distant concept as the laws don’t work only in criminal areas, and is not confined to only constitutional matters and power distribution. It’s much more sophisticated as it not only regulates society’s everyday personal organization but also how we act in business situations, like the mundane task of boarding a train.
Law is not abstract
According to criminal law and the constitution, you are permitted to board public transport. While the constitution lets you make contract with others, the laws of contract help create and fulfill a transport contract with the train company.
Both the laws of contract and tort let you board without fearing injuries or remedies for the worst happening. Finally, according to the law of ownership and currency, you pay money for these services which are valuable to the other contracting party.
This shows that the law isn’t something abstract that protects you only when you need it. It’s an important part of your democratic life which regulates your behavior to let you act as you want without any reasons. While it may seem too restrictive in some places, it does help by regulating our behaviors. And if it doesn’t we can always change it.
It has, with its implicated legal and social orders and boundaries, has played an important part in society since its establishment. Its intricate network of rules and guidelines shapes the way we live our lives from one day to another. This proves its importance and impact on the everyday lives of people.
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Posted on : December 18, 2018
One of the main problems with doing business across international frontiers—and especially online business is that it can be difficult to attain your legal rights or to exercise them in another country. Get professional legal help.
One of the problems with having dealings internationally that in the event of dispute, both parties claim they are in the right and the legal ramifications can be many. Even small online businesses doing business with suppliers in China or Japan may experience growing pains that can cause real problems trying to reach an amiable solution.
However, there are many ways around this situation for the savvy lawyer, including the widely used choice of law clause and the mutual arbitration /mediation or adjudication, which can help bypass this situation
When you are doing business across borders, the best way to accomplish good dispute resolution is to prevent the issue to begin with. That means that you need good and effective drafting of any contract under which you will be operating or at the very least you need an experienced attorney to review the contract prior to any signing taking place.
Before transacting with anyone online, it is essential that you are fully aware of their terms and conditions of service and ensure you clarify anything you’d like to see in the contract. If your proposals aren’t accepted, you’re far better to avoid transacting to avoid problems.
If you are considering working with other countries and entering into a contract with them, have that contract read and explained to you fully by an experienced legal representative who has your best interests at heart.
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Posted on : December 15, 2018
According to a survey conducted by Leo J Shapiro for the American Bar Association, most people need legal help at least once a year.
The problem is that most of us do not actively seek legal help and are not aware of where to find it when we do need it..
Attorney Trust
Also according to the survey, more than half of those who needed the services of an experienced attorney chose not to hire one or were unable to find one on short notice and suffered as a result of that. Their case did not turn out well for them because they lacked experienced legal help. Most simply didn’t trust the legal system and/or didn’t want to trust their problems to an attorney they did not know.
Secondary to trust, most named price as the second reason they did not hire an attorney.
Price is the biggest sticking point for most consumers. When it comes to hiring a lawyer, hourly fees of $100 up to $1000 are out of reach of most people’s budget. And then comes the trepidation of searching for a good attorney and the right services for your needs. There is a lot of uncertainty and confusion as what a lawyer will do, and how to tell the good from the bad.
Basic services such as the drafting of your will, review of sample health contracts and writing letters on your behalf are just a few of the things that you may need the assistance of an experienced legal counsel to navigate.
You may also require help with family problems, such as a divorce or custody of children, and/or legal representation in court.
With all of the issues that can crop up, it’s a given that American adults will experience some event during a twelve-month period that may require the services of a lawyer.
Doesn’t it make sense to find an attorney that you can trust before you need them? Seeking out a good attorney and examining those who are available in your area is a good idea. Look at the about pages, explore their legal expertise and perhaps even make a phone call to speak to the office. All of these things will help you to be prepared for the day when you do need legal services in Buffalo.
Everyone is a consumer, even married couples. The only problem is that some wives or husbands make purchases not known by their spouses. This is called financial infidelity. It is something that causes as much detriment in marriages as deceiving the person who was supposed to trust you for the rest of both your lives.
Financial lies come to light eventually. When this happens, the couple ends up arguing over money, losing trust, or getting a divorce.
Types of Financial Infidelity
Finances are important in a marriage. Infidelity in this aspect of the relationship comes in myriad forms. Some are simple, others are more complicated. The following are some of the financial lies married people keep from their spouses:
Who Does This Kind of Financial Infidelity
Financial Infidelity happens to people from all levels of income. Those who are rich just have the ability to create various schemes when they hide their money. Those who earn less have more difficulty doing this because of limited freedoms.
• Age. According to the CreditCards.com survey in 2015, one of four people ages 18 to 29 admitted to keeping their large purchases hidden. Only 15% of people at least 65 years old said the same thing. Based on the NEFE survey, men below 35 years old are highly likely to be financial infidels. Women committed more financial infidelity when they reach 35 to 44 years of age.
• Gender. Men and women commit financial infidelity, but men are usually more guilty. The NEFE survey says that only 38% of women do this, while 46% of men commit it. Men are more likely to lie about their earnings and major purchases. Women lie more about their liabilities than men.
Reasons
People become financial infidels because of so many reasons. Here are some of them:
• Guilt or embarrassment. After buying something impulsively, a spouse may become guilty about it and ends up lying about it to the other spouse.
• Conflicting goals. Some partners do not have the same money values. The more responsible one usually has no choice but to commit financial infidelity so that he or she can reach the goal for the two of them. To avoid conflict, they commit this type of infidelity.
• Affairs. Financial infidelity and extramarital affairs often go together perfectly. To hide the existence of affairs, spouses commit financial infidelity.
• Resentment. This is also known as revenge spending.
• Addiction. Gambling and shopping addiction could be strong reasons for financial addiction.
• Fear. Domestic abuse can be a significant reason for committing financial infidelity. A man afraid of his wife leaving him for losing his job could also lie.
Financial infidelity is common, but it doesn’t mean it should be treated as an unavoidable element of every marriage. To void it, honesty and communications should endure between couples. Only then would consequences such as separation and divorce can be eliminated.