The decision of United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to order a review of the military justice system in place in combat zones has brought attention to an oft-overlooked problem affecting active duty servicemembers: making sure that justice is done when there are criminal interactions between the military and civilians in war zones. Panetta's Decision The memo issued by Secretary Panetta's office directs the Defense Legal Policy Board to form a subcommittee tasked with reviewing the military's response "in cases of U.S. Service members alleged to have ...

Drug trafficking is commonly referred to as the sale and distribution of illegal drugs. It considered a serious hazard that affects every sector of our society, as well as a threat to national security. For many, the term conjures up memories of infamous drug lords featured in movies and television. While Tony Montana and Stringer Bell may be household names, the types of crimes that rise to federal jurisdiction are not. Nevertheless, drug trafficking is punished harshly under federal law. For example, a person caught with 500 grams of cocaine (or 28 grams of cocaine ...

Summer vacations on the road are a national past time. They allow countless families to bond while having fun and creating that will last a lifetime. Tragically, though, many of them end with injury-causing motor vehicle accidents. Eight of the 10 deadliest days for roadway accidents are in the summer, falling between July 4th and Labor Day. The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day even holds the dubious distinction of being known as the "deadliest days on the road for teens," and the month of August is traditionally when the highest concentration of fatal ...

One of the primary services provided by international arbitration attorneys is helping business clients choose the proper venue for possible future disputes over contracts or other legal issues. Depending on a client's business aspirations and various factors unique to alternative dispute resolution processes, an ADR lawyer can advise companies doing business in Asia, Europe, Central and South America, the Middle East or elsewhere. Many factors lie behind a choice of venue for international arbitration disputes, including access to tribunals in a particular country or ...

The results of a recent study have prompted the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to request that OSHA provide employers with guidance on how to properly implement a safety incentive program that does not discourage employees from reporting workplace injuries or illnesses. The recommendation was made after a study showed that certain types of safety programs disincentivized reporting. At Issue: Rate-Based Programs The GAO targeted rate-based safety incentive programs in particular. Rate-based safety incentive programs reward workers for low rates of reported ...

The Florida Supreme Court recently reaffirmed the constitutionality of a provision in the state's Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act that has been steeped in controversy. The state Supreme Court's decision allows the court system to continue to unfairly discriminate against defendants. The court's ruling will likely be challenged in federal court. The Florida Supreme Court's Ruling In a 5-2 decision, the state Supreme Court upheld a provision of Florida's drug laws that specifies an accused's knowledge that he or she possessed illicit drugs is not a factor in his ...

In the aftermath of most motor vehicle accidents, identifying evidence of driver negligence is always a primary concern. Just as important, a car or truck accident attorney must also consider whether dangerous roadways, defective vehicle parts or other factors may have led to the crash. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently issued a safety bulletin to motorcoach companies warning them that excessive weight can lead to tire blowouts, a factor that may have caused two recent high profile bus accidents. Double-decker coaches operated by Megabus ...

The new highway-funding bill signed by President Obama in July 2012 includes a mandate aimed at making America's roadways safer: the requirement that commercial carriers install Electronic On Board Recorders (known colloquially as "EOBRs," "black boxes" and "tattle boxes") in their vehicles beginning on October 1, 2012. Legislation requiring EOBRs was introduced following Congress' updating of federal hours-of-service (HOS) regulations earlier this year. The version of the funding bill passed in the House of Representatives in late July ...

In 2011, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that there were 1,550 civil aviation accidents, an increase from 1,500 in 2010. Of those, 1,466 fell into the "general aviation" category, comprised of "Part 121" (commercial air carriers like Delta, United Airlines, AirTran or Southwest) and "Part 135" (on-demand commuter services) vehicles. The umbrella term "civil aviation" encompasses all manner of air travel, including commercial airlines transporting both passengers and freight, private planes, corporate jets, ...

With an economy already suffering from a disastrous housing market, Arizonans continue to be buried under seemingly endless mountains of debt. It is important to note, however, that many of those getting deeper in debt are not doing so by freely buying frivolous products; many simply cannot afford to pay off debt because they have fallen on hard times - all the while the interest merely adds to the person's debt. The loss of job or unexpected medical bills can easily create a situation in which a person falls behind on their bills for the first time in their lives. Many ...

In Michigan, drunk driving can carry harsh penalties. Various drunk driving offenses under state law include operating while intoxicated (driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or above), high BAC or "superdrunk" OWI (driving with a BAC of .17 or above) and operating while visibly impaired (in which no chemical test is required, and arrest is solely at the discretion of the arresting officer if he or she feels you are unable to operate your vehicle). While there are a variety of drunk driving charges, all of which include stiff penalties, many motorists ...

Like automobile drivers, Alabama law requires motorcycle riders to be insured whenever they ride. The requirements for motorcycle insurance mirror the minimum liability standards for cars.Motorcyclists must have a minimum of $50,000 for bodily injury liability protection, $100,000 for property damage, and $25,000 for personal injury protection. Aside from the basic requirements, riders can also obtain coverage for medical payments that may not be covered by their health insurance policies, as well as coverage to protect them in the event they are hit by uninsured or underinsured ...

In certain circumstances, federal law allows employees to take leave from their employment for an extended period of time to tend to family matters. The Family and Medical Leave Act, commonly referred to as the FMLA, allows employees to take unpaid time off without fear of losing their jobs (or being retaliated against) for many family and medical situations. The birth of a child is probably the most common situation in which the FMLA will touch people's lives. But it also applies in instances of illness or to provide care to a seriously ill family member. What many ...

All employers have a duty to provide safe and fair working environments for their employees. Unfortunately, some employers discriminate against disabled workers. All employees should be educated in recognizing when an employer is discriminating against a disabled worker or job applicant and understand how employers can be held responsible for such illegal behavior. What Constitutes Disability Discrimination? The Americans with Disabilities Act protects individuals with disabilities, histories of disabilities or spouses with disabilities from workplace discrimination. ...

Falls are still the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Federal regulators have taken notice and have made fall prevention a priority. As part of its residential fall protection directive, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) to establish a national outreach campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs. The main thrust of the campaign is to educate employers and ...

Commercial vehicle accidents can be some of the most deadly of all accidents. A fully-loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. When a rig of that size crashes into another vehicle, those involved in the truck accident are lucky if they escape with their lives. Frequency of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Missouri and Nationally According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2009 there were over 3,000 fatal accidents involving large trucks and buses. Additionally, there were about 60,000 accidents causing injury. Over ...

A case currently before the Texas Supreme Court has garnered national attention, shining a light on the practice of allowing judicial review of mediated divorce and child custody agreements. The case -- In re Stephanie Lee, Relator; No 11-0732 -- involves the validity of a previously mediated child custody and visitation arrangement. The case could very well change the landscape of mediated family law settlements throughout Texas. The Underlying Dispute The Lee matter is a particularly noteworthy one not only because it deals with the practice of judicial review of ...

Taking a cruise ship vacation remains a hugely popular option for many thousands of people every year. Cruise ships depart regularly from New York, taking passengers to fun and faraway destinations such as Canada or the Caribbean. The appeal of a cruise ship holiday lies mainly in the various stops along the way, making for great sight-seeing opportunities, as well as the on-deck activities that take place all through the day and night. Many happy passengers report that the food was great, the staff members were helpful and that all in all, they had a ball. For some ...

The beauty spa is the place you go to relax; to visit your beautician and really pamper yourself with a special treatment such as a manicure or a pedicure. Your beautician has a duty of care to ensure that your health and safety are never put at risk. Because procedures such as manicures and pedicures involve contact with the skin and nails, infection control practices must be observed in the beauty spa environment. The pain, frustration and trauma of personal injury are not something ordinarily associated with a beauty spa. However when a beautician does not adhere ...

It can happen in the blink of an eye. A negligent Illinois driver is distracted by a cellphone or driving under the influence of alcohol, and crashes into your car. After such an accident, a hospital will treat cuts, bruises and broken bones. While these outward symptoms are easy to detect, serious and less apparent injuries are also common following automobile accidents. Specifically, traumatic brain injuries often result from motor vehicle accidents, but can be difficult to diagnose. A recent study from the University of Oklahoma illustrates the importance of proper ...

Recently, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an amended definition of constructive possession that may have misled the jury in a drug crime case. The decision has implications for defendants and prompts a look into the difference between constructive and actual possession. Constructive versus Actual Possession To fully understand the significance of the recent court decision, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the difference between actual and constructive possession. These legal principles come into play when someone is suspected of drug possession. The ...

Rodriguez MD, a bilingual Lawrenceville clinic in Gwinnett County, GA, is currently offering Back to School Health Checks and sports physicals for preschool through college age students. Available for the 2012 school year, this Lawrenceville family practice will accept patients by appointment and walk-in for Health Checks. Students will be able to learn about their physical condition and treatment if a problem is identified. Available services at Rodriguez MD's clinic in Lawrenceville GA include: - Physical exams - Lab Tests - Blood Pressure screenings - Allergy ...

Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts, a leading Atlanta tree removal company, calls for homeowners and business to have their trees inspected and removed if necessary after the summer storm season. Summer storms can cause damage to compromised or dying trees, which can make these trees a potential hazard. While storms can't be avoided, they can become violent and deadly during summers in Atlanta. Tree trimming and removal is one of the best ways to minimize risks of damage or injury from storms, and the professional staff at Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts can remove hazards and help ...

Atlanta tinting company The Tint Guy reminds the public that the company also offers residential and commercial window tinting in Canton GA. The Tint Guy, with the widest selection of window films in Georgia and expertly trained professional installers, have the best residential window tinting Canton has to offer, in addition to the highest quality commercial tinting. Whether you run a small mom and pop type business, or a large office complex, you will feel the benefits of a good window film. It's a great way to cut energy costs by causing your building to stay ...

Atlanta pool repair company Pinnacle Pool Services would like to discuss the problem of phosphates and how they can affect your pool water. Phosphates are chemical compounds that can wind up in your pool through a variety of means. Most commonly, they wash in through run-off water from your yard. How many phosphates are in this run-off will depend largely on the environmental conditions of where you live, but some of the biggest culprits are ash from fires and chemical lawn fertilizers. Once your pool water becomes high in phosphates, you will notice it begin to grow ...