Author Archive
U.S. Supreme Court Strengthens the Worth of Public Criminal Trials
On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court reinforced the right to public criminal trials. The ruling held jury voir dire proceedings should be open to defendants and to the public. The Presley v. Georgia ruling (unsigned 7-2) also said that a trial judge has a duty to seek alternatives to preserve an open courtroom even when there do not appear to [...]
New Illinois Laws For 2010
There are more than 270 new Illinois laws that went into effect at midnight January 1, 2010. Here is a list of the more significant new laws: TRAFFIC LAWS It is now illegal to text and drive at the same time. Drivers may not use cell phones in school or construction zones (unless they have a hands-free device). The speed limit for [...]
Sex For Sale On The Internet: Should Websites Be Liable For Adult Postings?
As cold weather begins to creep though the streets, prostitutes everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief. Unbeknownst to most who partake in the sex-trade industry, they have won a small victory in the war on cyber-prostitution. In late October, Federal Judge John F. Grady dismissed a lawsuit seeking to have Craigslist remove its “adult [...]
Social Networks Evolving Faster Than Laws Can Govern
Legal battles over online postings are being waged across the nation at an increasing rate. The idea of social networking is nothing new, but the exponential growth of sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter have brought these cases to the forefront of today’s news. Facebook alone has over 300 million active users, and with more new users [...]
Foreclosure Tips
If you are unable to make your mortgage payment: 1. Don't ignore the problem. 2. Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem. 3. Open and respond to all mail from your lender. 4. Know your mortgage rights. 5. Understand foreclosure prevention options. 6. Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. 7. [...]
