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Pro Se Site and Info

http://www.pro-selaw.org/pro-selaw/index.asp

 

This website is designed as a resource center on self-representation in civil legal matters. Our purpose is to provide a collection of materials and resources that can be used to create legal service delivery systems that are based on the concept of "pro se" or "self" representation within federally funded legal services programs, courts, pro bono programs, and other community-based programs.
Pro Se means "on one's own behalf."  A 1991 American Bar Association study of self-represented litigants showed:

  • Persons with incomes less than $50,000 are more likely to represent themselves.
  • About 20% of self-represented litigants report they can afford an attorney but do not want one.
  • Self-represented persons are more likely to be satisfied with the judicial process than those who are represented by attorneys.
  • Almost 75% of those who represented themselves in court said they would do it again.

Self-representation, when combined with the power of modern information technology can be an important means of providing increased access to the legal system.
This resource center contains:

  • A searchable Directory of Pro Se Programs operated by legal service providers;

  • White papers and research on the research concept;

  • A Discussion space where organizations that want to design and operate pro se assistance programs can post questions and receive answers from other
    professionals who are engaged in operating pro se programs.

Post a comment Tags: social services, child support, lawsuits, social worker, parental rights, lisa smith, bella smith, child custody …

MySpace 'Friend Request' Could Violate Protection Order

Published on February 14, 2008 by New York Law Journal
MySpace 'Friend Request' Could Violate Protection Order
by Mark Fass

In a case of apparent first impression, a Staten Island, N.Y., judge has ruled that a MySpace "friend request" can constitute a violation of a temporary order of protection.

"While it is true that the person who received the 'friend request' could simply deny the request to become 'friends,' that request was still a contact, and 'no contact' was allowed by the order of protection," Criminal Court Judge Matthew A. Sciarrino Jr. wrote in People v. Fernino , 07RI007322. "It is no different than if the defendant arranged for any agent to make known to a claimant, 'Your former friend wants to communicate with you. Are you interested?'"

The underlying conflict between the defendant, Melissa Fernino, 16, and the three victims, Sandra Delgrosso, 43, and her two minor daughters, stemmed from a romantic relationship between Delgrosso and Fernino's father, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the case.

Staten Island Family Court Judge Terrence J. McElrath issued orders of protection barring Fernino from contacting Delgrosso or her daughters.

Shortly thereafter, on July 26, 2007, Fernino allegedly sent separate friend requests to Delgrosso and both of her daughters via the popular social networking site MySpace.

In his four-page decision, Sciarrino described the usages of MySpace's "friend request" feature.

"If a person establishes an account from MySpace, she may receive and send messages from the Mail Center Friend Request Manager," the judge wrote. "Upon receiving such a message, the recipient could choose to do nothing, indicate that she approves of communication with the potential friend and create an opportunity for further communication by choosing 'Approve,' signal that she does not want immediate communication by choosing 'Deny,' or block immediate and future communications with the potential friend by choosing 'Spam'."

According to the decision, Delgrosso and her daughters chose a fifth option -- they reported the request to the police. Fernino was charged with three counts of second-degree criminal contempt for allegedly violating the orders of protection.

Fernino moved to dismiss the charges, arguing that the allegations, even if true, did not support the charges.

In a decision handed down Wednesday, Sciarrino denied Fernino's motion to dismiss, allowing the charges against her to move forward. He ordered a status conference for this afternoon.

The judge likened the case to another conflict in which the defendant indirectly contacted the victim. In the 1994 Appellate Division, 3rd Department, case People v. Johnson, 208 AD2d 1051, the defendant violated his probation by answering a personal ad with a letter purportedly signed by the victim, which resulted in an "unsolicited" communication to the victim from the person who placed the ad.

"In this case, the defendant used MySpace as a conduit for communication prohibited by the temporary order of protection issued by the Family Court," Sciarrino held. The MySpace Friend Requests fall within the court's mandate that, "Respondent shall have 'no contact' with Sandra Delgrosso."

Staten Island Assistant District Attorney Joseph Griffin is overseeing Fernino's prosecution. A spokesman for the district attorney's office said, "We're grateful that the judge recognized our contention that these MySpace.com e-mails allegedly sent by Fernino constituted a violation of the order of protection."

Victoria Navarro of Battiste, Aronowsky & Suchow on Staten Island represented Fernino. She did not return a call seeking comment.

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legal links and infor for tn

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Indiana County Human Services Calendar

Written by The Indiana Gazette   
Sunday, 27 January 2008

For the week of Jan. 27 to Feb. 2

Information for this column is provided by the Indiana County Department of Human Services.ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Aging Services, Inc. will have a Groundhog Day Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Mahoning Hills Social Center, Route 119 North near Punxsutawney. The breakfast is open to the public at a cost of $3.50.

* Indiana County Community Action Program is offering VITA, a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. This program provides free Income Tax services to eligible low-income families in Indiana County. For more information and to make an appointment, please contact Arlene Anderson at (724) 465-2657, ext. 207, or Diane Reese-Walters at (724) 465-2657, ext. 212.

* Katie's Closet provides free clothing for adults and children from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays upstairs at Zion Lutheran Church, Church and Sixth streets, Indiana.

* Kids Night Out, hosted by IUP Track and Field, will be offered from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Feb. 8 at Memorial Field House Auxiliary Gym, Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus. Enjoy a night out while the IUP Track and Field Team watches and entertains your children ages 5 to 14. Cost is $10 for three hours. For more information, call Ralph White, coach, at (724) 357-2464.

* Kiwanis Baby Cupboard and Indiana County Community Action Inc. are offering to provide diapers at $2 a pack (four packages a month in medium, large and extra large) to qualifying county families with an income lower than 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline. Call Arlene Anderson, AmeriCorps Vista volunteer, at (724) 465-2657, ext. 211, for more information and/or to register. Diapers will be distributed at the ICCAP food bank at 1849 South Sixth St., Indiana.

* Special Needs Activity Program is a physical fitness, motor development and aquatics program specifically designed for individuals with disabilities through IUP. The program currently serves individuals of all ages and abilities from the Indiana area and surrounding communities. The SNAP program is sponsored by the Department of Health and Physical Education and is a required practicum experience for all HPED students. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays in Zink Hall on the following dates: Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; March 1, 29, and April 5. Volunteers are welcome and hours can be documented upon request. For more information or to register, call David Lorenzi at (724) 357-4415 or e-mail David.Lorenzi@iup.edu This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

CLASSES

* Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is a group program designed specifically for people with arthritis to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion. The group meets Tuesdays and Fridays. For more information, call Indiana Regional Medical Center at (724) 357-8088.

* Breastfeeding is Best teaches about feeding your baby, pumping and storing milk from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at IRMC Outpatient Building. For more information, call (724) 357-8088.

* Childbirth/Infant Care classes are available through Excela Health. A variety of classes include Car Seat Safety, Getting Ready for Baby, Breastfeeding Basics, Infant Massage, Prepared Childbirth and Lamaze. Class times and locations vary. For more information, call (877) 771-1234.

* CPR Classes are available through Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. Participants will receive basic instruction in one-person adult and child CPR as well as choking intervention instructions. The class is designed for the layperson. For more information, call (724) 543-8473.

* Disaster Mental Health Services: An Overview, helps participants understand the function within the American Red Cross Disaster Services program. Participants will learn how DMHS supports disaster relief workers and people affected by disasters. For more information, call the Indiana Chapter at (724) 465-5678.

* Eat Well for Life is a four-week lifestyle improvement program promoting wellness and long-term weight management through balanced nutrition, cooking demonstrations and other hands-on experiences. For more information, call Excela Health at (877) 771-1234.

* Healthy Moves is a supervised, structured exercise program for inactive adults or those at risk for health problems. Any adult who wishes to improve their fitness level can attend. For more information, call IRMC at (724) 357-8088.

* Infant/Child CPR and First Aid classes teach "loving touch" techniques through American Red Cross. A fee is charged. For more information, call the Indiana Chapter at (724) 465-5678.

* Introduction to Disaster classes teach how the American Red Cross fits in when there is a disaster and how you can help your community. For more information, call the Indiana Chapter at (724) 465-5678.

* Logistics: Disaster Preparedness Training, is a study of providing the support services for a disaster relief operation including transportation, facilities and supplies through the American Red Cross. For more information, call the Indiana Chapter at (724) 465-5678.

* Mass Care Overview, through American Red Cross, teaches about helping to care for victims who are displaced from their residence during a disaster. For more information, call the Indiana Chapter at (724) 465-5678.

* Ornish Advantage teaches how to prevent heart disease and improve health by a six-week program focusing on nutrition, stress management, exercise, nutrition and group support. For more information, call Excela Health at (877) 771-1234.

* Prenatal Aquatic Exercise classes allow pregnant women to keep up their fitness levels while expecting. For more information, call the Indiana County YMCA at (724) 463-9622.

* Preschool and Progressive Swim Classes are held in 7-week sessions at the Indiana County YMCA. Preschool classes are for children ages 6 months to 5 years. Progressive classes are for children ages 6 years and older. Enrollment is limited. For more information, call (724) 463-9622.

* Ready to Quit is a seven-week smoking cessation course for those who have resolved to quit smoking. Scholarships are available for pregnant women. The class costs $25, and some costs may be covered by insurance. For more information, call (877) 771-1234.

* Survey/Damage Assessment teaches how to make assessment of damage to homes and areas affected by disaster. Participants must have attended the Introduction to Disaster class prior to this training. For more information, call the American Red Cross, Indiana Chapter, at (724) 465-5678.

* Toddler Time, offered by Armstrong-Indiana Intermediate Unit 28's Family Focus Program, is a class for children ages 1 to 3 years old. For more information, call (724) 463-5300, ext. 1234.

* Water Exercise Classes are available at the Indiana County YMCA. Classes include Arthritis, Swimnastics and Aqua Aerobics. The 7-week sessions are excellent for individuals with joint problems and/or those who cannot exercise on land. Non-swimmers are welcome. For more information, call Adam Weiss at (724) 463-9622.

* Working with Total Diversity teaches how to assist service providers in providing the needs of the changing populations in the communities served and how to overcome prejudices and stereotypes within the communities. For more information, call the American Red Cross, Indiana Chapter, at (724) 465-5678.

FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS

* Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Room 306, Pratt Hall, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; 8 p.m. every Thursday at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Indiana; and 8 p.m. every Friday at Marion Center Presbyterian Church.

* Diabetes Support Group at IRMC provides a dietician and clinical nurse specialists to help people with diabetes develop and practice self-management. For more information, call (724) 357-8088.

* Family Caregivers Support Group meets at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Aging Services Community Center, Indiana, with a special focus placed on Alzheimer's Care. For more information, call (724) 349-4500.

* HIV/AIDS Support Group meets twice per month through UPMC Lee Regional Community Care Management. This group is intended for people living with HIV/AIDS. All support group meetings are facilitated by a social worker. For more information, call (814) 534-6732 or (866) 429-1583.

* ICD Support Group is for those with an implantable cardiac defibrillator and their support persons. For more information, call Excela Health at (877-771-1234.

* IRMC's Breast Cancer Support Group is for individuals who have had breast cancer. The group generally meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Thursday of the month. For more information, call (724) 357-8088.

* La Leche League provides mother-to-mother information and support for those planning to breastfeed or currently breastfeeding. The group meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday at IRMC Outpatient Building, Classrooms A&B. For more information or 24-hour support, call (724) 463-4661 or (724) 463-9890.

* Moms Offering Moms Support Club is an international support group for stay-at-home parents. For more information, call Amy at (724) 465-0770, Stephanie at (724) 463-1453 or e-mail momsclubofindiana@yahoo.com This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

* PFLAG, or Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, have local chapters of a national organization to provide safe dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity. The group seeks to replace negativity with accurate and positive information and support. For more information, contact the Indiana chapter at (724) 357-8309 or e-mail pflagindiana@adelphia.net. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

* Post-Partum Depression classes are for natural and adoptive parents experiencing depression following the introduction of the new infant into the family. Dates and locations vary. For more information, call Excela Health at (877) 771-1234.

* Reach to Recovery provides newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with support, information and resources through visits and conversations with trained breast cancer survivors. For more information, call (800) 227-2345.

* US Too Prostate Cancer Support Group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Excela Health Westmoreland Regional Hospital. For more information, call (877) 771-1234.

GRIEF SUPPORT

* Bence Mihalcik Funeral Home offers a support group and a bereavement lending library with booklets, videos, etc. For information, call (724) 349-2000.

* Bereavement Support, Catholic Charities. Meetings vary based on need. Call (724) 463-8806 for information.

* Bowser-Minich Bereavement Support Services, (724) 349-3100 or (888) 923-5550. Offers lectures and grief seminars to public groups.

* Curran Funeral Home Grief Support Group, 701 Salt St., Saltsburg. Call (724) 639-3911 for dates, times and location.

* GriefShare is a special seminar/support group for people grieving the death of someone close. Registration is required, and sessions are in the fall and spring at Graystone Presbyterian Church, Indiana. For more information, call (724) 349-5556.

* Grief Support Groups, through Excela Health, offer a six-week series held Tuesdays at various locations. For more information, call (877) 771-1234.

* Help to Heal is an adult and child grief support group that meets twice per month. Registration is requested. For more information, call Excela Health at (877) 771-1234.

* Highmark Caring Place, through the Caring Foundation for Children, Pittsburgh, offers support groups weekly or biweekly for grieving children, adolescents and families. For more information, call (888) 224-4673.

* Mourning Has Broken is a grief support group for grieving partners and spouses. For information or support, call (724) 349-5677 or visit mourninghasbroken.org.

* Richard Shoemaker Funeral Home Support Group, Blairsville, (724) 459-9115; information and support offered by phone.

 

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TheDirector06 - Tuesday, December 25, 2007 11:03:49 AM

100_5721
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my momma look :)

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a great group for parents



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  alt="Click here to join child_neglect_abuse">
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6-year-old Gloucester boy killed; mom implicated

6-year-old Gloucester boy killed; mom implicated

by Seung Min Kim and Jonathan Casiano/ The Star-Ledger
Saturday December 22, 2007, 2:30 PM

A Gloucester County boy was killed this morning, allegedly by his mother who cut the child's throat before turning the weapon on herself, authorities said.

When police arrived at the family's home on Dartmouth Road in Deptford Township at around 7:30 a.m., they found the boy, Jared Harding, in the living room, bleeding profusely, He was taken to Underwood-Memorial Hospital in Woodbury where he died a short time later, said Bernie Weisenfeld, a spokesman for the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Jared's mother, 42-year-old Martina Harding was taken to Cooper Medical Center in Camden where she underwent surgery for a self inflicted wound to her throat, Weisenfeld said. She was placed under arrest and charges are pending, he said.

Weisenfeld said prosecutors have not yet interviewed Harding, whose injuries are not considered life threatening, and could not immediately comment on a motive.

Weisenfeld said Harding's husband, Christian, witnessed at least part of the attack. The couple's 9-year-old daughter was also home at the time. Neither was injured.

An autopsy was scheduled for this afternoon. Weisenfeld said formal charges are expected to be filed later this afternoon.

Local law enforcement authorities said they had not been called to the home in the Oak Valley section of town before this morning and that Harding did not appear to have an existing criminal record.

Kate Bernyk, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Youth and Family Services said investigators had never dealt with the family, but would launch an investigation as a result of the boy's death.

"He was a wonderful little boy," said Scott MacDonald, principal at Pine Acres Early Childhood Center, where Jared was a first-grader. "We're totally devastated and trying to process the whole tragic situation."

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/12/6yearold_gloucester_boy_killed.html

Post a comment Tags: murder, reform, abuse, tennessee, single moms, child abuse, knox county, lisa smith …