Izquierdo Law Firm September 2019

IzLegal Illustrated

THAT FIRST STEP OUT INTO THE WORLD Honoring the Working American

effort from American workers of the late 18th century and early 19th century to turn the working class into what it is today. In order to make a basic living during the Industrial Revolution, the average American had to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. In addition to this, children as young as 5 years old were working in factories, mines, and mills for just as lengthy shifts but were only given a fraction of the already-low wages their parents made. During these long hours on the job, workers also faced terrible and often unsafe working conditions. They had no breaks, lacked sanitary facilities, and, for many, had inadequate access to fresh air. These injustices eventually led the American working class to revolt. U.S. citizens weren’t the only ones facing these terrible conditions. Canadians were experiencing similar circumstances and were attempting to band together, demanding fewer working hours and higher wages. However, they were unable to unionize as the Americans did, as unions were illegal in Canada. This ended in 1872 when thousands of workers in Ottawa marched to Prime Minister John McDonald’s home. That march later spurred an annual holiday celebrated by thousands of Canadians year after year. In 1882, U.S. union leader Peter J. McGuire was invited to Canada by Toronto labor officials. Inspired by their labor celebrations, he returned to the states and suggested there be a similar parade in New York. On Sept. 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took to the streets, marching from City Hall to Union Square, marking

For a lot of people, Labor Day means taking the first Monday of September off of work, but this holiday represents much more than an extended weekend. Labor Day originated in the 19th century when 10,000 workers protested the poor working conditions many Americans were forced to endure. Today, the holiday is meant to honor the hardworking people of our nation and their achievements. Nearly everyone, at some point, has a blue-collar job, likely in the retail or fast-food industries. These jobs are important because they build a person’s experience, give them a sense of work ethic, and often help them take that first step out into the job world. One of the first jobs I had as a kid was busing tables at Molina’s Cuban Restaurant. It was the first time I was introduced to the working world, and I learned a lot from that experience. However, even though these jobs have the potential to help many people set off on the path toward their careers, it didn’t start out that way. It took a lot of “These jobs are important because they build a person’s experience, give them a sense of work ethic, and often help them take that first step out into the job world.”

the first Labor Day parade in our history. But there was one problem with these parades: When a worker chose to attend the celebrations, they were unpaid for the day. This changed in 1887 when Oregon legalized the holiday. Labor Day later became nationally recognized in 1894 when President Grover Cleveland signed a bill to make it a federal holiday. Today, we celebrate Labor Day and the working class by enjoying annual parades, doing the most we can with the long weekend, and, hopefully, thanking those who work hardest.

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IS YOUR CHILD BEING BULLIED? What You Can Do to Help

them advice or question the way they handled the situation, but doing this can give your child the impression that it’s their own fault they are being bullied. Let them tell you the whole story, without judgment, and then help them come up with ideas on what to do next.

A new school year is a prime opportunity for kids to make new friends among their classmates. Unfortunately, kids also form connections during the school year that aren’t always positive, and many children become the targets of school bullies. If you suspect your child is being bullied, there are a few things you can do to help.

KNOW THE SIGNS Kids usually don’t open up about being bullied right away. However, there are some common signs that your child is being harassed. Here are a few of them:

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If their grades suddenly change, it may be the result of constant harassment.

FINDING THE RIGHT SOLUTION Once you’ve been informed that your child is

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Anxious or depressed moods can be the result of bullying as well.

• being bullied, you should inform teachers as soon as possible. Apart from that, there are several ways you can help your child to deal with bullies, so talk to them about what approach they would be most comfortable with, such as de-escalation strategies or a buddy system with their friends. As with most conflicts, the sooner you handle the situation, the better. THE 4-LEGGED HEROES OF GROUND ZERO HONORING THE CANINES OF 9/11 If they’re refusing to go to school or ride the bus, they may be dreading their bully. • If they’re rushing to the bathroom after school, it may indicate that they’re being bullied in the bathroom, which is a common tactic bullies use to avoid teachers. If you spot one or more of these signs, it’s time to talk to your child about what’s happening to them at school. LISTEN When your child does open up, the best thing you can do is listen. It can be tempting to try to give

deceased victims refused to eat or interact with other animals. Search and rescue dogs became increasingly stressed and depressed the longer they searched without any results, mirroring their handlers. It wasn’t uncommon for handlers to stage mock “findings” of survivors to keep the dogs’ spirits up. Fortunately, the sacrifices these dogs and their handlers made did not go unnoticed. Many dog owners were inspired to earn their search and rescue certifications after the events of 9/11, promising to aid in future disasters and hopefully lessen the impact of such catastrophes. After 9/11, various researchers conducted many studies examining the effect this kind of work has on animals, both physically and mentally. Many of these studies wouldn’t be possible without the AKC Canine Health Foundation, so if you’re looking to give back this September, visit them at their website to see how you can help: AKCCHF.org .

In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets to clear rubble, offer supplies, and search for survivors. It was a powerful act of resilience in a deeply trying time, and while most of the individuals helping with the disaster stood on two feet, more than 300 canines also answered the call to service. Dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, including search and rescue dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs, were brought in to help find and care for survivors in the wake of the destruction. They worked tirelessly alongside rescue crews as they searched through the debris. Search and rescue dogs and their handlers worked 12– 16-hour days, searching for survivors and victims. They worked through dangerous conditions: Many dogs burned their paws as they dug through hot rubble, and both handlers and canines inhaled toxic dust. The task was both physically and mentally exhausting for the dogs during their shifts. Some dogs that found

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KNOWING THE PROCESS Juvenile Courts and Juvenile Justice

act instead of a crime, and the court may offer community service or provide counseling programs to help the accused. JUVENILE COURT While there may be some differences between the states, each has a unique court to address the violation of laws committed by a minor. A juvenile case will start when the committed offense is filed through a civil petition, either by a probation officer or prosecutor, to the court. The civil petition asks the court to decide whether or not the juvenile is a delinquent and what the appropriate charges should be. In juvenile court, there are three different procedures the case could fall under: juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, or status offenses. A juvenile delinquency case involves a minor who committed a crime, and the court decides which charge to give them. Juvenile dependency cases involve youths who have been abused, in which case the judge decides

Juvenile justice exists to protect minors if they violate the criminal justice system. Typically, these violations include theft, disorderly conduct, curfew violations, and drug abuse. Youth between the ages of 10–18 go through this special system that separates them from adults and criminal charges. THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM When a youth is accused of committing a crime, they are sent through a process called the juvenile justice system. While there are similarities between this and the adult justice system, such as arrests, petitions, detainment, hearings, and probation, the juvenile justice system places a distinct difference between the youths who are accused and the adults. The primary goal for the juvenile justice system, as described through Youth.gov, is to successfully and safely reintegrate youth back into their community by offering a variety of options to keep them out of jail. Typically, a minor will be prosecuted with a delinquent

if it’s in the best interest of the child to be removed from their environment. A case that involves a status offense only applies to minors and not adults, and it is usually used in the event that they skip school, consume alcohol, or run away. If your child or minor has been involved in an infraction and you’re unsure of what’s ahead of you, contact Izquierdo Law Firm for more information about the juvenile justice system.

Laugh Out Loud

Classic Apple Crisp Ingredients

Topping: •

Filling: •

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

5 lbs Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

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1/3 cup brown sugar

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1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped

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1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

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3 tbsp all-purpose flour

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1/4 tsp salt

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2 tbsp maple syrup

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6 tbsp chilled butter, cut into pieces

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1 tbsp lemon juice

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1/4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

Directions

Mix in butter until it forms lumps roughly the size of a pea, then stir in pecans. Sprinkle topping over filling. 4. Bake for 35–40 minutes, let stand for 10 minutes, and serve.

1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. In a mixing bowl, mix all filling ingredients together. Transfer to individual serving ramekins. 3. In a different mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the topping.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

2655 Le Jeune Road Suite 805 Coral Gables, FL 33134

INSIDE this issue

1

Remembering and Celebrating Labor Day

2

How to Respond to School Bullies

Honoring the Canines of 9/11

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The Juvenile Crime Process Classic Apple Crisp

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NFL Lowers Concussion Rates in 2018

The NFL’s Newest Rule Changes to Decrease Concussions A HEAD ABOVE Prior to the 2018 National Football League (NFL) season, the league administration introduced two rules aimed at preventing concussions: Players are no longer allowed to “wedge” block — players running shoulder-to-shoulder into another player — during kick-offs, and they can’t lower their helmets when they tackle.

Still, NFL and medical officials point to 2018’s decrease in concussions as a positive sign that league initiatives are working. Officials say the new rules helped push the numbers down, and the use of more sideline concussion protocol testing and increased advanced helmet technology aided in this boost. The NFL reported that 74% of its players were now wearing its latest protective headgear, a 33% increase from 2017. According to USA Today, the NFL’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, also indicated that medical teams across the league performed more sideline concussion tests than any year prior and saw a 75% decrease in diagnosing. The league is considering testing mouthguard technology that would give medical teams more information for diagnosing concussions. As we prepare for another season of football, there’s no telling what 2019’s numbers will show about the NFL’s latest safety protocols, but if 2018 was any indication, they just might be headed in the right direction.

Fans and players complained about the “soft” stance the NFL took on the gritty play football was built on. Most notably, former Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was subjected to a game-costing “roughing the passer” penalty for tackling in a way that would have been allowed in years prior. The NFL reported that it would be using Matthews’ hit as a teaching tape. Despite the backlash, offseason reports may suggest that these rules have influenced concussion rates. The NFL reported a 24% decline in the number of concussions between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, lowering the total from 281 in 2017 to 214 in 2018 when combined with preseason play. In the regular season alone, the number of reported concussions was 135 compared to 190 from the year prior. However, it’s worth noting that 2017 saw high recorded rates of concussions. Figures going as far back as 2012 indicate that 2017 was one of the most concussed years in recent football history.

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