Utah State Law Library http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/ Serving Utahns' legal research needs since 1852* en Copyright 2010 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:33:10 -0700 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Court of Appeals Briefs
The library has received 31 additional Court of Appeal briefs. The docket numbers range from 20070308 to 20090442 (list not inclusive).

If you're looking for a specific brief, contact the library by phone (801-238-7990) or email to make sure we have it. If you can't come in to make copies yourself, we offer a document delivery service for 25¢ per page and will scan the briefs and email them to you.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/court_of_appeals_briefs_3.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/court_of_appeals_briefs_3.html Briefs Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:33:10 -0700 Changes Coming to PACER PACERHDR.GIFIf you have a PACER account to search federal district court records, you may be interested to know that the Judicial Conference of the United States recently voted to make important changes to fees and records access in PACER. Among the changes:
  • Allow courts to make digital recordings of hearing available through PACER with permission from the presiding judge.
  • Adjust the fee schedule so users aren't billed unless their usage reaches $10 per quarterly billing cycle.
  • Approve a pilot project for some federal and district bankruptcy court opinions to be published online at FDSys, the Government Printing Office's new online database.

If you don't have access to PACER, you can find more information about it here. You can also access PACER free if you visit the clerk's office at the U. S. District Court for the District of Utah.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/changes_coming_to_pacer.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/changes_coming_to_pacer.html Legal Research Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:03:34 -0700 2010 Legislative Session Wrap-up IMG_2702.jpgThursday, March 11, was the last day of the Utah State Legislature's 2010 General Session. You can view the bills that passed during the session here, and note whether Governor Herbert has signed the bills into law. If the governor does not veto or sign the passed bills, the bills become law 20 days after adjournment.

If you're interested in what happened during each day of the session, you can read the House and Senate Journals, which document vote counts, committee referrals for bills, and often include amended or substituted language in bills proposed by legislators.

The 2010 General Session page also links to 2010 Selected Highlights and 2010 Key Issues.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/2010_legislative_session_wrapu_1.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/2010_legislative_session_wrapu_1.html Utah State Government Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:56:52 -0700 Sunshine Week 2010 sunshineweek.jpg We've blogged in the past about several resources that encourage open government and civic participation, such as Regulations.Gov or announcing federal agencies on Twitter and Facebook. This week marks Sunshine Week, an annual event sponsored by libraries, universities, schools, and news and nonprofit organizations to promote discussion of the importance of open government and the freedom of information.

Sunshine Week first began in 2005 by the American Society of Newspaper Editors. Several states were already hosting day-long events for several years, mostly in response to state legislation on public records laws. It is held every year in March around National Freedom of Information Day.

Events are being held nationwide. If you're in Salt Lake City, the City Library will be screening a free movie, Iron Jawed Angels, about the women's suffrage movement on March 18th from 6:00-9:00 pm. The screening is cosponsored by the League of Women Voters of Utah and the Utah Foundation for Open Government.

Check your local newspaper or with your library for events in your area. If there isn't a Sunshine Week event near you, you can always attend OpentheGovernment.org's nationwide webcast on building transparency this Friday, March 19th, 12:00-2:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/sunshine_week_2010.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/sunshine_week_2010.html Federal Government Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:30:35 -0700 New Modifying Parent-Time Forms The new Utah State Courts' web page on Modifying Parent-Time provides information about jurisdiction (does the court have legal authority to hear the case?), default judgments and the forms necessary to both request and respond to modifying parent-time.

Use these modification forms only if you already have an original order controlling parent-time. Note that if parents do not agree to a parent-time schedule, the legislature provides for minimum parent-time for both children under 5 and children 5 to 18 years of age.

If you need assistance filling out these forms, consider hiring an attorney or speaking to a lawyer at a free legal clinic.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/new_modifying_parenttime_forms_1.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/new_modifying_parenttime_forms_1.html Forms Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:22:39 -0700 Wireless Password: drink keyboard.JPGThe wireless password for the week of March 15, 2010 is drink.

More information about wireless access in Utah's courthouses.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/wireless_password_drink.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/wireless_password_drink.html Wireless Password Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:58:06 -0700 2009's Top Consumer Complaints The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's largest consumer protection agency, receives hundreds of thousands of complaints every year. They have recently issued a report documenting consumer complaints received in 2009. Identity theft tops the list of the fifteen most common complaints at 21% of all consumer complaints received.

The FTC has created a new video, seen here, on how to file a complaint. There are many options for filing a complaint online. You can use the FTC's form (also available in Spanish). If you're serving any branch of the U.S. military, you can file a complaint through FTC's Consumer Sentinel. If you want to file a complaint against an organization located in another country, file your complaint with EConsumer.Gov.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/2009s_top_consumer_complaints.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/2009s_top_consumer_complaints.html Consumer Protection Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:22:08 -0700 Daylight Saving Time clock.jpegDaylight Saving Time has arrived again starting this Sunday, March 14, at 2 am when clocks move forward one hour. In a previous post, we discussed the laws that first enacted Daylight Saving.

Why is Daylight Saving Time so early in the year? The Energy Policy Act of 2005 changed Daylight Saving dates in 15 U.S.C. §260a(a) to the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November starting in 2007. Previously, Daylight Saving Times were scheduled the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October. This law also gave Congress the authority to reverse its decision to change Daylight Saving dates.

The U.S. Department of Energy studied the effects of these changes and published a report. Among its findings:

  • Changes in gasoline consumption were small.
  • Electricity usage decreased .03% in 2007.
  • Electricity savings were slightly larger during the March Daylight Saving date than the November date. Northern sections of the United States experienced more electricity savings than southern sections.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/daylight_saving_time_2.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/daylight_saving_time_2.html Federal Government Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:07:30 -0700 Free Credit Reports creditrep.jpgEverybody should check their credit history to make sure the information is correct and to watch for suspicious activity. Identity theft can wreck havoc on your life. Stay on top of things by requesting a copy of your credit report each year.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - provide you with a free copy of your credit report upon your request every 12 months. You can request your reports online, via a toll-free phone number or by mail.

http://annualcreditreport.com

Beware of imposter websites! This is the only authorized website to request your credit reports.

1-877-322-8228

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

For more information about getting free credit reports, see the FTC's Your Rights: Credit Reporting page. The FTC website also provides information about Credit Reports & Scoring and Credit Cards & Consumer Loans, among many other consumer protection topics.


]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/free_credit_reports.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/free_credit_reports.html Consumer Protection Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:16:27 -0700 Craiglist Scams IC3.jpg If you've used Craigslist to rent an apartment, sell furniture, find a job or countless other things, you probably know you should look out for various scams. Craigslist has its own list of tips on how to avoid scams when using this service, especially when a transaction involves money. For a local Utah perspective, the Division of Consumer Protection has tips to stay safe when transacting business online based on an example of wire transfer fraud that happened here. In addition, in 2008 Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff signed an agreement with Craigslist to try to end illegal erotic ads. Per the agreement, posters who advertise erotic services must provide a real, working phone number and pay a fee that will be donated to charity.

Other Craigslist scams have included the false promise of a Better Business Bureau buyer protection program, marriage fraud after a woman advertised for a spouse, and rental housing scams.

Of course, these tips apply to any transaction made online, whether its through an online advertising site like Craigslist or KSL Classifieds or through an online merchant.

So what should you do if you think you have been victimized by a scam or fraudulent transaction? Contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a joint venture between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/craiglist_scams.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/craiglist_scams.html Consumer Protection Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:07:28 -0700 Avoid Job Scams
In today's tough economy, looking for a job can be difficult and stressful. If a job ad is offering the ability to work at home, be a mystery shopper, or is advertising the opportunity to own your own business, be aware that these advertisements may be job scams. The Federal Trade Commission provides tips on how to avoid job scams, such as avoiding any company that is promising you a job or will charge you money. The FTC has also recently begun Operation Bottom Dollar against several companies that have collectively scammed thousands of job seekers.

If you're a Utah resident, you have a variety of ways to research a company offering work opportunities. Check with Utah's Better Business Bureau to find business ratings. Utah businesses are also registered with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code--you can search for registered businesses, licensed professionals, and UCC filings.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/avoid_job_scams.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/avoid_job_scams.html Consumer Protection Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:35 -0700 Utah Consumer Protection Resources Be a smart consumer and educate yourself! Start with Utah's Divison of Consumer Protection website, which provides a wide-range of useful resources including:


]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/utah_consumer_protection_resou_1.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/utah_consumer_protection_resou_1.html Consumer Protection Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:09:43 -0700 National Consumer Protection Week National Consumer Protection Week

March 7 -13 is National Consumer Protection Week.

In honor of this week, State Law Library staff will blog on consumer-related topics including Utah consumer protection resources, scams, free credit reports and consumer complaints. We hope you find these posts useful!

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/natonal_consumer_protection_we.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/natonal_consumer_protection_we.html Consumer Protection Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:42:09 -0700 Wireless Password: cocoa keyboard.JPGThe wireless password for the week of March 8, 2010 is cocoa.

More information about wireless access in Utah's courthouses.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/wireless_password_2.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/wireless_password_2.html Wireless Password Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:08:00 -0700 Self-Help Resources Page Redesigned The Utah State Courts' Self-Help Resources page has been redesigned so it is easier to location information. Now you can select the category of information you're looking for - whether it is Criminal Justice, Housing or Life Planning and Probate - and then narrow your results by specific topic. You can also easily access the Online Court Assistance Program from this page. The Self-Help Resources page also links to outside pages that may be of particular interest to self-represented parties, including U.S. Government agency links and consumer protection links.

]]> http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/selfhelp_resources_page_redesi.html http://www.utcourts.gov/lawlibrary/blog/2010/03/selfhelp_resources_page_redesi.html Self-Help Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:58:06 -0700