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Recent Blog Posts
The Concerning and Undisclosed History of Cruise Ship Accidents and Injuries
When most people think about a cruise ships, they imagine exotic locations, excellent food, and lots of rest and relaxation. Of course, this is exactly how it unfolds for most, but for some, the cruise experience is more of a personal injury nightmare than a vacation. It is most disturbing how few passengers are aware of the risk, and how cruise lines have taken every possible precaution to protect themselves from a lawsuit.
Slips, Trips, and Falls Most Frequent Injuries Aboard Cruise Ships
Although there are other types of personal injuries aboard cruise ships — such as the one suffered by a man who recently was awarded $21.5 million after being hit by an automatic door — the most frequently seen are slips, trips, and falls. Though so underreported that statistics are inconclusive, they are caused by everything from slippery surfaces to objects left in walkways to design issues aboard ships.
Technology, Privacy, and Crime: Right to Privacy Lines Blur in a Technology-Driven World
Technology has truly become an integrated part of our lives, affecting all that we do. In fact, very few Americans ever leave their homes without some sort of electronic device in tow. For the most part, the infiltration is benign and offers enjoyment, connection, and education. But the speed at which technology has advanced does have its drawbacks, namely where the law and our right to privacy is concerned.
What Americans Are Giving Up
At any given moment, we could be recorded on one or more cameras at a business establishment, on someone’s home security system, or even on a cell phone. Cell phones can become tracking devices, and social media accounts, which often detail almost every aspect of our lives can give away where we have been, what we have been doing, and who we were with while doing it.
State Advocacy Groups Discuss the Problematic Costs of Wisconsin Corrections Program
Incarceration costs are a part of every state’s budget. For Wisconsin it is much higher than the national average. The state advocacy group, Wisconsin Budget Project, recently discussed those costs and why they exist. They also discussed ideas for reform, and how some initiatives may help to reduce spending.
Incarceration Disparities Damaging Minority Communities
When compared to the rest of the nation, Wisconsin has the highest percentage of incarcerated black men — 12.8 percent (which is twice the national average) — and is also leading the nation in the number of Native American men behind bars. This incarceration means that there will be fewer job opportunities for these minorities once they are released, which leaves them struggling to support their families and their communities.
Embezzlement in Wisconsin: Examples of Cases and Related Statute Information
Although Wisconsin does not call it “embezzlement,” the act of pilfering money or property by an employee is delineated under Wisconsin statute 943.20 is a felony. This “theft” statute defines the illegal action of any person who has taken funds or property, greater than $10,000 in value, without the owner’s consent and resulting in personal or business gain for the offender. Although prosecution and restitution may be handled as a civil matter between the business or entity that has experienced loss and the alleged person responsible for the loss, embezzlement cases are often charged criminally.
- If the value of the property is less than $2,500, the defendant is looking at a misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months in jail and a fine of $10,000;
Then and Now: The Evolution of the RICO Law
The mention of the Rico Law or more formally, the 18 U.S. Code Chapter 96, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) often brings to mind the five Mafia families convicted in New York City on November 19, 1986. Although the Rico Law has been on the books since 1970 when Congress passed the Act in an effort to combat organized crime, many criminal defense attorneys first shied away from using the act as a prosecution tool because they did not fully understand the power of the Act.
Often referred to as the atomic bomb that brought the Five Mafia Families to their knees, the RICO Act was evoked to establish the intertwined families as an operating commission linked to criminal activity for monetary gain.
Although today’s crime syndicates appear less territorial and open to stronger collaborative bonds, prosecution under the RICO Act remains in play today.
Recent Release of New York Police Officer Highlights Difference between Criminal Intent and Fantasy
Some cases are black and white, with a clear line between right and wrong. Other times, the facts are more obscure, hazy, even gray. Case in point: the recent release of a New York police officer who was recently acquitted of all criminal charges after a jury convicted him of plotting to kill and eat women.
Fetishes and the Internet
Fetishes are not always taboo subjects or acts of a violent nature, but sometimes they are. Discussions about them can be found online in chat rooms or fanfiction sites. As with many topics on the internet, no fetish is too grotesque, too violent, or too disturbing. Often, it is a manifestation of fantasy — acts that the writers and readers would never actually commit that leads to criminal charges. But, because of other evidence, investigators believed it was possible the New York officer just might commit the acts he discussed on the internet.
Wisconsin DNA Database an Infringement on Privacy, Lawmaker Says
When charged with a violent crime in Wisconsin, defendants must submit to a sample of their DNA to be collected, stored, and cataloged in a state database. Those records stay there, even if the individual’s charges are ultimately dismissed by a judge. This has some lawmakers concerned about the privacy rights of non-convicted individuals. A bill, set to be presented to the Senate in 2016, is an attempt to remedy the issue.
History of the DNA Database
In 2013 Governor Scott Walker and the state’s Attorney General introduced the idea of a state database containing DNA evidence of those arrested for violent felony offenses.. Representative Dean Knudson and other lawmakers raised concerns over the privacy rights of those that were ultimately vindicated from criminal charges, but nothing was done about these concerns at that time.
Truck Accidents: Safety Advocates Appalled by Trucking Highway Concessions Made in New Highway Bill
Since 2009, the number of deaths and injuries related to semi-trucks have increased 17% and 28% , respectively. And, in the last six years, Congress has been left with few alternatives to remedy some of the major contributing factors behind everyday dangers on the highway. The solution was to forge a bill that, on one hand, might improve safety, but — according to safety advocates — will turn around and diminish it again by giving in to some potentially dangerous concessions sought by the trucking industry.
The Big Concern over Truck Safety
While they fulfill a vital role in our economy today, semi-trucks pose a serious danger to other drivers. Large, oversized, and frighteningly powerful, they have the ability to cause chaos in an accident. A large number of drivers that come into contact with them are fatally injured. The majority of those remaining are often seriously injured. Of course, not all accidents are actually caused by the semis —but when they are, victims are often slighted, not just in life, but also in compensation.
Safe Winter Weather Driving and Wildlife-Related Accidents
In winter, deer and other types of wildlife become more prominent on the roads. As a result, wildlife-related accidents increase. One recent case, which involved two vehicles and a deer in Georgia, caused the death of an 11-year-old child. Sadly, it is far too common of an issue.
Wildlife-Related Accident Statistics
According to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), one in 17 cars is involved in an accident with wandering wildlife — about one every 39 minutes. The majority of those collisions occur on two lane roads, much like the one that recently took place in Georgia. Approximately 200 motorists are killed each year because of an accident involving wandering wildlife.
Reducing Your Risk
While not every wildlife-related accident can be prevented, the following tips can help you reduce your overall risk:
Unmasking the Many Faces of a Criminal Arsonist
As per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2007-2011, more than 282,000 intentional fires have been reported to various U.S. fire departments. These incidents are associated with an annual loss of civilian life totaling 500 innocent victims and are also responsible for over 1,000 civilian injuries and costs reaching $1.3 billion in direct property damage.
Robert Disbrow, Jr., who has spent over 20 years investigating suspicious fires and a frequent contributor to the website Firehouse.com, believes there are repetitive patterns of arson that can be sub-classified as those who fall into a serial, spree or mass arsonist categories.
The Serial Arsonist
This type of arsonist often sets as many as three fires at different locations with each incident exhibiting a cooling off period between each event.
