Ithaca Cortland Lawyer: The New DSM-5 meets the Old New York DWI

The DSMs go on and on, courtesy of goodtherapy.org

The New DSM-5 meets the “Old” New York DWI

The manual, known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or D.S.M., aka the “Bible” of diagnosing mental disorders/diseases is about to have a major revision. This book will be the DSM-5, the last one being the DSM-4 which began life in 1994. The manual is slated for release in June 2013. Throughout this blog post I will alternate between Roman numerals and numbers for the DSM editions, my demonstration of contempt for this continued antiquation by condescending psychiatrists.

My familiarity with the book began back in my early days as a Chiropractic College student. The early 1980s had me taking a number of Abnormal Psychology classes. This background in Ab-normal psych was necessary for my National Board Certification as well as my introduction to being able to differentially diagnose the physical problems of my patients from their overlaying and underlying mental/emotional ones.

Practicing law since 1998 I have seen my fair share of changes both in law and medicine. Each change in a statute, a regulation, a definition, a term, an interpretation, and a law brings with it a number of issues (problems) both direct and collateral. People’s lives stand in the cross hairs of this “progress” and confusion.

Numbers for Legal Measurement of Criminal Behavior

As a New York DWI lawyer the BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) for DWI has gone lower and lower over the past four decades in all fifty states. Now the level stands at a .08 BAC nationally to declare that someone is “legally” intoxicated, or under the influence of alcohol.

Alcohol is the “only” drug (legal, socially acceptable, readily available) so far that has a number (a quantity) associated with it’s functional impact upon a person equals a criminal activity. There is no measure (amount in blood) for the effect of marijuana, or ambiene, or oxycodone. Nor are there any statutes that state a specific quantity of this or that amount of a drug/substance in the blood stream while driving would equate to a crime.

So what does all this have to do with the New DSM-V and New York DWIs?

I’m glad you asked, because the New DSM is as subjective as they come to now pathologizing normal activity. That scares me as an attorney because we are now as a society going to punish you for your criminal activity (DWI), and then label (categorize/diagnose) you as person in need of treatment. College binge drinkers beware, because you can now be diagnosed as mild alcohol abuser in need of treatment.

see this recent magazine article on college kids and the dangers of this new wider criteria for making a substance addiction (alcoholic) diagnosis:

http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/14/dsm-5-could-mean-40-of-college-students-are-alcoholics/

 

Who is Going to Use (and rely) Upon the New DSM-V Guidelines with NY DWIs?

Sweeping changes to the manual will affect broad criteria for addiction. The community of healthcare providers who use the manual (including OASAS certified drug/alcohol evaluators) will rely upon this wider range of behavior to give a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Mandated NY DWI Drug /Alcohol Assessments will include these new diagnoses and their commensurate recommendations which will then be relied upon by the Courts/Judges, the District Attorneys, and the County Probation Departments. Allen J. Frances, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University who has contributed to the D.S.M., has stated that the “new” definitions amount to “the medicalization of everyday behavior” and will create “false epidemics.” In short, addiction diagnoses will multiply like rabbits, which could result in millions of people being diagnosed (IMHO inappropriately) as addicts.

The Perfect Psychiatric Storm (increased business for providers)

The problem is twofold:
(1) there is an expanded list of recognized symptoms for drug and alcohol addiction, and
(2) they have reduced the number of symptoms required for an addiction diagnosis.

ADD 1 plus 2 = millions of people now diagnosed with alcohol addiction

This information is based on changes posted on the Web site of the American Psychiatric Association, which produces the manual.

Psychiatry has No Gold Standard

In medicine, certain tests are utilized to form and/or confirm a diagnosis. These tests or procedures are known as the “Gold” standard. An MRI will be used to diagnosis a disc herniation of the spine. So the MRI is the Gold standard for the diagnosis and then called for treatment of that condition. Certain blood tests are the Gold standard to diagnose certain bacterial and viral disorders. The Gold standard is not perfect medicine, merely the best scientific evidence to be obtained under reasonable circumstances. Unfortunately, the field of psychology is very subjective. There is a wide range of opinions among the community of practitioners as to how to make a mental diagnosis.

Under the new criteria (DSM-V), those DWI offenders who often drink more than intended and/or crave alcohol may be considered mild addicts. Under the old criteria (DSM- IV), more serious symptom behavior, such as repeatedly missing time from work or school, ANDbeing arrested for DWI/DUI, were required before a person could receive a diagnosis as an alcohol abuser.

Are YOU merely an "Unhealthy" User OR a "Severe" Abuser?

Great to have new defintions but what exactly is a craving? Many days I have cravings (desires) for specific foods, like pizza, Chinese, or thai. But do I also have a craving or a feeling for other things? And are cravings in and of themselves bad?

“Craving” is a new symptom of addiction. Is craving a scientifically measurable thing? Or is the definition of craving really a feeling and subjective?

Out with the Simple (Clear Cut) Past (DSM-IV) and in with the New Confusing (DSM-V)

1. DSM-IV created separate diagnoses for "abuse" and "dependence" in people having problems with drugs and alcohol. The new DSM-5 will instead will use the broader term "substance use disorders" as the diagnosis for people with such problems.

2. No longer will evaluators use increasing physical tolerance (for drugs and alcohol) and withdrawal symptoms as criteria for a disorder diagnosis. These are considered a normal physiologic response to the use of these drugs. Allowing doctors to prescribe and monitor their patients with prescription drugs that lead to these "normal" body responses.

In the words of one of the revisers: “The term dependence is misleading, because people confuse it with addiction, when in fact the tolerance and withdrawal patients experience are very normal responses to prescribed medications that affect the central nervous system,” said Charles O’Brien, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the APA’s DSM Substance-Related Disorders Work Group. “On the other hand, addiction is compulsive drug- seeking behavior which is quite different. We hope that this new classification will help end this wide-spread misunderstanding.”

3. The word "addiction"is GONE. It is history, a term of the past, everyone will now have or not have a Use Disorder.

Ah, the myriad of Use Disorders: There are Alcohol-Use Disorder, Marijuana-Use Disorder, Opioid-Use Disorder, and the list goes on. USE DISORDERS are now de riguer because the new revisiers thought the word addiction or to be an addict was politically incorrect (to be fair they used the terms pejorative and stigmatizing).   

4. The DSM-V also has new interesting diagnostic criteria for something they call “cannabis withdrawal.” I guess this is where someone stops smoking pot after being a pothead (do they still call them that?).

The APA says that this is caused by “cessation of cannabis use that has been heavy and prolonged,” which results in “clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning,” and is characterized by at least three of these symptoms: irritability, anger or aggression; nervousness or anxiety; sleep difficulties (insomnia); decreased appetite or weight loss; restlessness; depressed mood; and or physical symptoms such as stomach pain, shakiness or tremors, sweating, fever, chills, and headache.

Goodbye Addiction and Dependence Welcome Substance Use-Disorder

Welcome to this Brave New World where millions of college students and first time DWI offenders may now face labels, embarrassment, and inappropriate treatment programs.

Law Offices of Lawrence Newman

Dr. Lawrence A. Newman
Doctor of Chiropractic
Attorney and Counselor at Law

504 North Aurora Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

607-229-5184

http://www.ithacadwi.com

The meaning of "OF": The First Circuit Hears Oral Arguments in Rubin v. Iran

The First Circuit Court of Appeals today heard arguments about the meaning of the word "of" in the case of Rubin v. Iran.  The Rubin plaintiffs wish to seize "property of Iran" after receiving a multi-million dollar court judgment holding that country responsible for injuries caused by a terrorist attack.  The litigants have been unable to obtain payment; therefore, they seek to execute the judgment by taking ancient Iranian cultural artifacts housed at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) and the Harvard museums.  After losing their case in the lower federal district court, the plaintiffs appealed.

The attorney for the plaintiffs/appellants told the judges today, "We don't really care, frankly, whether or not the property actually belongs to Iran." explaining "All we care about is whether the property is 'of Iran.'"  "What does the word 'of'' mean?," counsel asked.  He answered that "...the word 'of' does not always mean possession."

Harvard's counsel countered that the basic, longstanding rule is that judgment creditors bear the burden to prove that property belongs to a judgment debtor before it can be seized.  Counsel objected to the notion that a judgement potentially could be satisfied against an innocent third party rather than the actual wrongdoer, Iran.  MFA's counsel said that the artifacts "are no longer associated with Iran," so they are not the property of Iran.  Indeed, Iran has never made any claim of ownership to the museum artifacts, counsel argued.

The United States presented argument as well to say, inter alia, that "of" means "belonging to."

In a rebuttal argument, counsel for the plaintiffs/appellants questioned whether the museums actually hold the cultural artifacts legally, saying that the museums have "done almost nothing to verify that ... their assets are properly received."  "At some point an inference is created .. that these assets are not here properly," counsel alleged.

Issues of  statute of limitations, adverse possession, preemption, the terms of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) and the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), and more were also discussed.  The full audio of the court session can be found by clicking here.  A summary of many written arguments made by the plaintiffs/appellants are found here, while the appellant museums' written arguments can be found here.


This post is researched, written, and published on the blog Cultural Heritage Lawyer Rick St. Hilaire at culturalheritagelawyer.blogspot.com. Text copyrighted 2012 by Ricardo A. St. Hilaire, Attorney & Counselor at Law, PLLC. Any unauthorized reproduction or retransmission of this post is prohibited. CONTACT: www.culturalheritagelawyer.com

The Cultural Property Importer's Responsibility

When cultural material is brought into the United States from abroad, the country of origin must be listed accurately on customs import forms. See 19 U.S.C. 1304. There are some, nevertheless, who argue that this duty and many other import mandates are too difficult to bear.  It has even been claimed in some instances that these requirements should be shifted from cultural property importers to customs officials. But such interpretations of federal law are incorrect. Three cases this year, in fact, reinforce the notion that cultural property import requirements are borne by importers, particularly--as one appeals court judge observed--because they possess the most knowledge about the goods that they seek to import.

In the case of Ancient Coin Collectors Guild v. U.S. Customs and Border Protection et al., the fourth circuit court rejected the ACCG's claim that information requirements concerning ancient coins from China and Cyprus should be placed on the customs officials who enforce the Cultural Property Implementation Act's (CPIA) import restrictions. One judge during oral argument commented that there is only a "slight burden" placed on importers to explain where regulated coins would have been located during the last few years. A unanimous court ultimately pointed out that importers bear responsibility for complying with customs rules, writing that "CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] need not demonstrate that the [Chinese and Cypriot] articles are restricted; rather, the [CPIA] statute 'expressly places the burden on importers to prove that they are importable.'"

The case of United States v. One Tyrannosaurus Bataar Skeleton also advanced the proposition that the cultural property importer has legal responsibilities that cannot be shirked.  In upholding the sufficiency of the government's complaint to forfeit imported dinosaur bones, the New York federal district court disagreed with the dinosaur importer's "conten[tion] that the failure of the government to provide regulatory guidance on determining the proper country of origin or value of fossils leaves importers 'hard-pressed to respond to a customs broker's inquiry about the country of origin of a dinosaur fossil that existed millions of years before the emergence of Homo sapiens and even longer before the concept of a 'country' was established.'"  The court wrote that "[t]he prohibition in [the anti-smuggling statute] against importation by means of 'any false statement' is not vague or ambiguous, and it does not make reference or in any way depend upon regulatory guidance concerning the proper country of origin or value of fossils."

US Customs House, New Orleans. Courtesy  CBP

Meanwhile, an October 2012 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tariff classification ruling (N233501), which addressed ancient coins, affirmed that cultural property importers bear the burden to comply with legal requirements. (The case also demonstrates the mechanism by which U.S. Customs can help importers who seek assistance with compliance).  In this case, the goods reviewed by CBP's National Commodity Specialist Division were "a collection of 12 ancient Greek coins ... obtained from different places and spanning different periods of time" and collectively labeled "The Ancient Greek World – 12 Silver Coin Collection." Also examined were "The Roman Love," described as two coins from the Roman Empire bearing portraits of Antonius Pius and Faustina I.

The customs ruling explained the importer's duty under 19 CFR 134.1(b) to declare the coins' "country of origin," accurately describing the country of manufacture or production. The ruling proposed the following sound advice to help the petitioning importer comply with the law: "Ionia (ancient Greek) is an ancient region of central coastal Anatolia in present-day Turkey. As such, it would not be unreasonable that some or all of the coins in The Ancient Greek World – 12 Silver Coin Collection be marked with country of origin Turkey and the 2 coins in The Roman Love in Genuine Silver (Pius and Faustina I) be marked with country of origin Italy.  If evidence exists that the coins were made in multiple modern day countries, but uncertain as to which specific country or countries, then list all possible countries in which the coins could have been made."

What these cases demonstrate is that cultural property importers who bring goods into the United States must openly and accurately--to the best extent possible--disclose where cultural objects come from as well as any other legally required information. Arguments to the contrary will continue to be rejected by legal officials.  That is because importers are in the best position to describe their products to customs officers, who often must rely on importers' declarations to either permit or stop goods from entering the country.

More on this topic can be found by reading Importing Cultural Objects Legally.


This post is researched, written, and published on the blog Cultural Heritage Lawyer Rick St. Hilaire at culturalheritagelawyer.blogspot.com. Text copyrighted 2012 by Ricardo A. St. Hilaire, Attorney & Counselor at Law, PLLC. Any unauthorized reproduction or retransmission of this post is prohibited. CONTACT: www.culturalheritagelawyer.com

10 Lawsuits Against The NYPD That You Should Know About

By Victoria Bekiempis Tue., Jun. 12 2012 at 3:38 PM

Categories: NYPD, Victoria Bekiempis

LINK

Yesterday, the Voice reported on a lawsuit filed against the NYPD, which alleges that the department's "Dead or Likely To Die" accident policy leads to botched investigations.

But this is hardly the only suit to hit the department recently.

So we have put together a guide to ten key court claims, which involve everything from negligence to grooming to religion. (Note: some categories include more than one filing, but the number totals ten.)

Pedestrian and Cyclist Deaths

We mentioned this before, but Jacob Stevens is suing the department, claiming officers dragged their feet when investigating the car that fatally struck his wife, Clara Heyworth.
This suit, reportedly the first of its kind, puts to question the NYPD's treatment of cycling and pedestrian deaths.

Hasidic Jewish Beards

NYPD recruit Fishel Litzman, a 38-year-old father of three and Hasidic Jew, was canned Friday because his beard was too long. But, you know, having a beard is part of being a Hasidic Jew and all, so he's planning on suing the department. Of note: The NYPD has had problems with religious dress requirements before. Remember that top brass has long struggled with Sikhs, who grow beards and wear turbans as part of their religion.

Muslim Spy Scheme

Not too long after The Associated Press uncovered the NYPD's surveillance of entire Islamic communities in the Northeast, a major Muslim advocacy group has slammed the department with a civil rights suit, demanding an end to spying.

Anti-Gay Muslim Bias

This news just broke today: A Muslim cop hopeful has decided to take the Police Academy to court, claiming it's discriminating against him because of his anti-gay bias, reports theNew York Post. The paper claims that he checked the "'yes' box next to the question, 'Do you believe that homosexuals should be locked up?'" -- which disqualified him for cadet candidacy. He says that Islam treats homosexuality as a sin, so the department's policies are discriminatory, he claims.

Treatment of Occupy Wall Street Protestors

One class-action suit lambastes the NYPD's barricading tactics . Other Occupy-oriented civil court actions claim First Amendment violations and police harassment of demonstrators.

Arrest Quotas

A Federal judge agreed in April to give class status to 22 New Yorkers who say the NYPD's quota system, which officials deny exists, "leads street cops to hand out summonses even when no crime or violation has occurred just to meet productivity demands from their bosses."

Adrian Schoolcraft, NYPD Whistleblower and NYCLU

As chronicled by Graham Rayman, Adrian Schoolcraft was locked up in a psych ward after claiming his commanders manipulated crime statistics. He made recordings inside the precinct confirming these manipulation allegations, however. He's suing the department, as is the New York Civil Liberties Union. The NYCLU says Schoolcraft's precinct won't turn over public records.

Follow Victoria Bekiempis @vicbekiempis.

 

Ithaca Tompkins County Ignition Interlock Devices: Hunt's Auto Service

Blessing and Curse, Little Ithaca, New York

Living in a small town is a blessing and a curse. The blessing: Everyone knows you and the curse: everyone knows you. It cuts both ways. Unlike living in South Florida and being surrounded by millions of people we have a more limited population, and a much smaller "living" space.

The Positives of the Small Town

I have met many people that have become my "go tos" for car problems, carpentry problems, medical problems, etc. Our house is Circa 1889 so you can call me if you want a referral. Most of the people I recommend, they live here, they work here, and for the most part they are sincere and genuine. I love that part of Ithaca, as they say don't crap where you eat, these people know, respect, and understand that word of mouth is important and your reputation is everything, especially in a small place like Ithaca.

My "Go To" Car Guys

Hunt's Auto Service http://huntsautoservice.com/ are my Go To guys for my cars. They have helped me with inspecting cars, buying cars, fixing cars, and keeping my cars trouble free since I've lived here. They are in my book "straight shooters" and I have seen them refund the disgruntled on more than one occasion. That to me speaks volumes for their integrity. As an attorney, I have seen my share of BS artists come and go. Honesty goes a long way with me, and I believe I can trust them.

Tompkins County Interlock Provider

Hunt's are also the providers of the Intoxalock Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices. Can you say,
"BAIIRD"?

http://www.intoxalock.com/

As an Ithaca Cortland DWI/Criminal Defense Attorney they are a good "go to" for getting one of these in this area. BTW Hunt's does not and has not given me anything to promote or endorse them (although I did get a Hunt's hat on my last oil change). After dealing with these over the past years, none are perfect, but some are better than others IMO. I like Intoxalock. Another BTW, Intoxalock doesn't know me or provide me any freebies, although I like chocolate chip cookies a lot!

I was recently at Hunt's, and had them get some Blizzaks on my car, please don't call them tires, they get insulted,,

I now have Blizzaks on two of my cars, Nice tread, Love these!

While I was at Hunt's I got some great information on the different devices:

First device: Class Level I, it has no camera, it is for Tompkins County DWI convictions with first time DWI convictions. The Punishment (sentencing) level: A Conditional Discharge from the Judge, see my blog post on What is a Conditional Discharge (it was my last post of 2011) here:

http://ithacadwi.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-years-eve-what-is-new-york-cd.html

or my video, What is a New York Conditional Discharge? here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg_6GE7Dlvo

Lifesaver Interlock Class I with mouth piece

This device (level One) can just sit on your car seat, you will need to blow (more like hum) into it before you drive and then at various intervals (called rolling checks) while you drive to check for breath alcohol.

Once a Month Check Ups

Once a month (approx. every 30 days) you will return to the installer for a device download. It will be disconnected from the car, and brought inside to be connected to a computer. Once the information concerning your blows is downloaded, off it goes to the County Monitor.

If you receive a sentence of Three Years of Probation for your DWI case then you will need a:

Second Device: Class Level III in Tompkins County.
BTW Many (most) counties Upstate require the Class Level III, even for Conditional Discharge sentences.

Class Level III Interlocks Download Base (under dash)

Class Level III Interlocks MUST have cameras installed as well

The Class Level III will require the installation of a camera which will take your picture upon blowing into the device and while you are driving (random). The installer will need to come out to your car and download via a long cable because the data storage is in the under dash base and not in the device itself.

Device downloads take approx. 15 minutes. Class Level three cost more per month, and take a little longer to install.

Devices get calibrated or checked against know solution of alcohol at a known temperature:

For Warnings and Precautions when using (having) these New York IIDs (Ignition Interlock Devices) see my blog post here:

http://ithacadwi.blogspot.com/2012/06/ithaca-lawyer-discusses-warnings-and.html


Dr. Lawrence Newman

Doctor of Chiropractic
Attorney and Counselor at Law

504 North Aurora Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

607-229-5184
newman.lawrence@gmail.com

http://www.ithacainjurylawyer.com

http://www.ithacadwi.com

Chiropractor/Lawyer Connects New York Chiropractic College, and Seneca Falls Court

I love this sign, Just a few miles South of New York Chiropractic College

I have a past, who doesn't. Before I was a lawyer I practiced as a Chiropractor and Acupuncturist in South Florida for 10 years. In the State of Florida it is called the Board of Chiropractic Medicine (regulates the profession). In Florida, Chiropractors are referred to as Chiropractic Physicians. The scope of practice law differs state by state, with some states saying what one can not do and others specifically stating what we (as Chiropractors) can do.

I was privileged to attend the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Illinois (approx. 20 miles West of Chicago). This school is now a University, the National University of Health Science. http://www.nuhs.edu/

My Alma Mater (class of 86') has expanded over the years to encompass more branches of the natural healing arts. Many years ago New York Chiropractic College moved from Stony brook, NY to Seneca Falls, NY.

http://www.nycc.edu/

My University and New York Chiropractic College share a long history and an intimate connection of sorts.

National became record holder and overseer of:

American College of Mechano-Therapy (1907 – 1920)
The Eclectic College of Chiropractic (1920 – 1922)
The Peerless College of Chiropractic (1922 – 1926)
American College of Naprapathy
Carver Chiropractic Institute (1919 – 1934)
Carver’s Colorado Chiropractic University
Chiropractic Institute of New York (1944 - 1968)
Cosmopolitan School of Chiropractic of New York
(1920 – 1944)
Detroit College of Chiropractic (1967)
Eastern Chiropractic Institute (1916 – 1923)
International Chiropractic College
Kansas State Chiropractic College, Inc. (1965)
Lincoln Chiropractic College (1926 - 1971)
Lindlahr College of Natural Therapeutics
Metropolitan Chiropractic College (1927 - 1948)
New York School of Chiropractic (1919 – 1944)
O’Neil Ross Chiropractic College (1970)
Progressive College of Chiropractic (1921 – 1926)
Standard Institute of Chiropractic (1920 – 1944)
Universal Chiropractic College (1910 –1944)
University of Natural Healing Arts (1964)

Back in the day there were many smaller Chiropractic programs and schools in New York state. These shared many similar philosophies and practice ideologies. Eventually they fractured and went their separate ways. National grew and became the Mid-West primary College of Chiropractic. They had the first accreditation for many Post-Graduate Degrees. I picked the college for it's strong academics. I have a B.S. in Human Biology, a Doctorate in Chiropractic, a Post-Graduate Accreditation in Acupuncture, and a law degree (my J.D., Juris Doctorate). Did I mention how much I like school? I just like to learn stuff.

New York Chiropractic College took on the merger of:

Columbia College of Chiropractic
(1946 - 1954)
Atlantic States Chiropractic Institute
(1964)  

All in all, the mergers brought more cohesion within the profession during the early years.

Which leads us to today. I live and practice law in Ithaca, NY but I handle cases in most of the Finger Lakes Region of the state. Criminal Defense and Personal Injury cases are my current practice focus areas because they allow me to combine my love of forensic science with the law.

Every time I drive up to Seneca Falls Court (in Seneca County) I think of two things:

Don't Blink or You Might Miss the Town

1. My favorite movie: "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart (supposedly based on the Town of Seneca Falls), and

2. New York Chiropractic College (for obvious reasons).

Seneca Falls has festivals, names, hotels, and cafes that play on the movie connection.
Is Seneca Falls really the "Bedford Falls" in the movie? I love the movie, the connections, and the idea.

http://www.therealbedfordfalls.com/

The Town of Seneca Falls has converted an old elementary school into their Courthouse/Municipal Building. It is a nice use of the space and structure considering what they have done with it. Resourceful to say the least. The Court can be busy but it is well managed and organized (as upstate Courts go).

http://www.senecafalls.com/town-court.php


I have been privileged over the past 14 years (as a lawyer) to represent, advise, and consult for hundreds of professionals within New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida (Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, Medical Doctors, Osteopaths, etc.) with practice and legal issues.

I am proud of where I have been, what I have learned, and I love to share it with those who seek growth and personal development. My clinical experience (being in the trenches) has allowed me to be truly empathetic with the professional man or woman facing issues.

 Dr. Lawrence Newman

Doctor of Chiropractic
Attorney and Counselor at Law

504 North Aurora Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

607-229-5184
newman.lawrence@gmail.com

http://www.ithacainjurylawyer.com

http://www.ithacadwi.com

Ithaca Enters the Zone or Why We Have a New 20MPH Speed Limit

New Gym at Ithaca High School

We moved to lovely Ithaca, NY in 2006. Ithaca may have begun as a choice but it is also far more than a final destination for us. Moving here has led me to examine and evaluate. It has in a sense slowed us down. My wife and I take walks together. My four children have all attended Ithaca High School. Three have graduated in the years we have been living here (one more to go). I have watched the school go through changes physically as well as philosophically. The community has invested in the structure and growth of the school. The new architecture further mirrors and enhances the direction of the school's progress and growth.

Ithaca High at Night, Beautiful Design Elements and Materials

I believe Ithaca "was and is" a good choice for my family. As much as many here complain about this or that we are privileged to have those that genuinely care.

Which leads me to the how and why of new speed limits in our school zones. As a criminal defense lawyer focusing on traffic violations, DWI, and car accident related  injuries I certainly don't want to live, walk, and have my children in a place where there are NO rules. But why do we have these rules? and why do rules (laws) have to change with time?

New Speed Limits: School Zones Now 20MPH

The front of Ithaca High School lies on Cayuga Street. Car accidents over the past years (on Cayuga Street) have led to recent changes in the speed limits around the High School being changed. I think it is a change long coming. Seeing people speeding in and around the school as kids are crossing the street has always been an issue. I believe that the new school zone speed limits should also be placed on the roads at the rear of the school as well. My wife and I have seen way too many people on the rush up Gun Hill Road (going up to Cornell) driving recklessly, especially with snow and icy conditions.

I think I can understand speeding on some of the main arteries (route 96, route 79, route 89, route 13) coming in and out of Ithaca easier than the little streets downtown. My opinion of this situation is shared by many prosecutors and Judges as well. Going 50 mph in a 20 mph school zone is not going to win you many friends. A word to wise in Upstate New York, when you see any kid/school zones slow way down.

Dr. Lawrence Newman

Doctor of Chiropractic
Attorney and Counselor at Law

504 North Aurora Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

607-229-5184
newman.lawrence@gmail.com

http://www.ithacainjurylawyer.com