Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Black's Law Dictionary Now Available on iPhones and iPods

Thomson Reuters has just created its fist application for iPhones and iPods:  Black's Law Dictionary. If you need a definition on the go from this authoritative resource for English or Latin terms or other legal lingo, you can find over 43,000 written definitions, with about 7,000 audio pronunciations (like Webster's online), available right on your iPhone or iPod. Access of course requires a subscription to Westlaw.

Follow Us on Twitter

The Law Library now has a Twitter feed. You can follow us at clevelandlawlib and see who we are following for news and information about happenings at the law library and the local legal community.

Licking County Courthouse Bannng All Cell Phone Use

Although cell phones are already prohibited in Licking County Courtrooms, a new court security policy will prohibit (with huge exceptions) anyone from even bringing a cell phone into the building. The new policy will be implemented on July 1st, and all cell phones, PDA's and other wireless devices will have to be left with security for pick-up upon exit from the Courthouse. This new policy is apparently to deter witnesses from texting each other and people from taking pictures of witnesses and jurors, both of which the Ohio Supreme Court is concerned about. According to the article about the new policy, the only exceptions are for law enforcement, county personnel, attorneys, delivery personnel, and the media.

Lake County DR Court Offers Free Parenting Coordination Services

Under a grant from the Ohio Supreme Court, the Lake County Domestic Relations Court has established a free program to help Lake County residents "manage shared parenting plans without expensive and sometimes lengthy litigation." Lake County Judge Colleen A. Falkowski has stated that this new program will help parents who cannot afford private mediation. The program employs a part-time Parenting Coordinator to help resolve disputes between the parents and determine what is in the best interest of the children involved. Parties can always utilize court procedures and relief when necessary. The Court plans to pick up the tab for the program when the start-up grant funding runs out in July.

City Loses Suit Alleging Nuisance by 16 Banks

Yesterday, the Plain Dealer reported that Akron federal District Court Judge Sara Lioi dismissed the City of Cleveland's lawsuit alleging nuisance against 16 banks in connection with the nation's "subprime lending and foreclosure crisis," which has disproportionately hit the greater Cleveland area. The docket and opinion dated 5/15/09 in the case can be found on PACER under Case No. 1:08-cv-00139SL. The docket also reflects that the City already appealed the Judge's decision to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Should Local Jails Charge for Room and Board, More for Candy?

It seems that the nationwide trend among jails and sheriffs is to begin charging inmates for room and board and dramtically increasing prices for items like candy that inmates can buy from commissaries. As an article in the Christian Science Monitor reports, a jail in Missouri charges $45 a night for a stay in its brand new jail, and an Oregon jail just passed a $60 per night rate. While jailers do not expect to collect all of these fees, inmates are at least going to have to pay more for non-essentials like chocolate, which a Florida jail just priced 244% higher. Other states are following suits, and the article reports that the Richland County Sheriff is considering imposing a $30 booking fee, plus medical and other charges to make up a $500,000 deficit. The article notes that the inmates and their families are complaining and summarizes arguments by detractors who challenge the legality of the charges or think they will be uncollectible.

237 Candidates Passed the February 2009 Ohio Bar Exam

According to the Ohio Supreme Court, 237 candidates passed the February 2009 Ohio bar exam. Almost 200 of these individuals chose to attend the swearing in ceremony at the Ohio Judicial Center in Columbus on May 18, 2009. Let's hope all who need jobs are able to find them in this tight economy.

Cleveland Law Library Blog in Top 50 Law Librarian Blogs

The Cleveland Law Library's Blog has made it onto a list of the top 50 blogs in the country for law librarians. To our credit, we are identified as a "Legal Researchg Blog," along with blogs maintained by our sister county law libraries in Cincinnati and Canton and the OSU Moritz Law Library blog. If you are not already a subscriber to our Blog, we provide an easy way to join on the right side of our screen so that you can aggregate our posts along with all of your other news.

ABA Creates Blog with Info. from ABA Books and Authors

The American Bar Association has launched a new blog called the Book Briefs Blog where the ABA will will post "excerpts, articles and interviews from ABA books and authors." The blog will also allow authors to make guest posts and provide special offers to ABA book readers. Some of the most recent posts include "Addressing Global Climate Change "and "Simplifying Legal Technology Decisions for Solos and Small Firms."

Federal Statutes and Rules Will Soon Have Same Deadlines

A new law that will take effect later this year in December will make the time limits in various federal statutes co-extensive with deadlines in amendments that the United States Supreme Court already approved to the federal appellate, bankruptcy, civil, and criminal rules of procedure. Thanks to the Cincinnati Law Library Association blog for the tip on this post.