Criminal Justice USA

10 Incredible Safety Features on Obama’s Limo

Posted by Site Administrator on 04/29/2009 | 0 Comments

By Megan Jones

From inauguration day to current outings in DC and around the nation, the limo in which President Obama rides is, by all speculation, the one of the safest vehicles ever made. Obama’s limo is made by Cadillac, a company with a history of providing secure vehicles to United States presidents that began with Woodrow Wilson in 1919 as he was driven down streets of Boston during a WWI victory parade. Since then, the company has served nine other presidents, providing safe, secure transportation. While the official word from the Secret Service is that the specifics of the car cannot be discussed, they do say that the public can rest assured that the, "car’s security and coded communications systems make it the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world.” Despite the necessary secrecy, there are several security features that have been around since the car’s debut or are speculated to be part of the vehicle by experts in the field.

1. Windows. The windows on Obama’s limo are reportedly 5 to 6 inches thick, bomb-proof, and can withstand armor-piercing bullets. Compared to previous versions of the presidential limos, this newer model has more window space providing better outward visibility. The driver’s window is the only window that opens, at only 2.75 inches, so the driver can speak with secret service agents outside the vehicle.
2. Doors. The doors, which were seen both in photos of the vehicle leaked prior to Inauguration Day and afterwards on the finished product, are armour-plated and 8 inches thick–three inches thicker than President Bush’s limo doors. These doors are the same weight as a Boeing 757 cabin door. An additional safety feature includes steel overlaps between the seams to protect against bullets entering in the space between the doors and body.
3. Passenger section. The area in which Obama and any of his approved guests ride is a space of both security and luxury. This section generously seats four and includes a glass partition that can only be opened by President Obama as well as a panic button for summoning help. While riding in the limo, Obama can still work and stay connected safely on his fold-away desktop that includes a laptop with secure Wi-Fi capabilities and a satellite phone with a direct line to the Pentagon and the Vice President.
4. Interior: The interior of Obama’s limo is rumored to be completely sealed in case of a chemical attack. Another safety feature that may possibly be included on the car is a lock-safety mechanism that, in case of emergency, seals off the entire car similar to how a bank vault can be locked during a robbery.
5. Driver. Obama’s driver is not just a regular chauffeur, but a CIA agent specially-trained for situations ranging from driving during challenging situations to regular types of mechanical break-downs as well as how to handle any emergency that may come up. The driver also has access to helpful equipment such as a communications system and GPS unit in his compartment. Think you’d have what it takes to be a presidential driver? Find out what President Clinton’s former driver says about his experience working as the official presidential driver.
6. Fuel Tank. The limo’s fuel tank is armour-plated to help repel bullets. As a second line of defense, similar to what race cars use, the fuel tank on Obama’s limo is filled with a special foam that prevents it from exploding even if it sustains a direct hit.
7. Defense equipment. James Bond isn’t the only one who may need a car to provide defense. In case Obama comes under attack while riding in his limo, there are several pieces of defense equipment rumored to be on board. Night-vision cameras, pump-action shotguns, and tear-gas cannons are among some of those weapons speculated to be included. If Obama is injured during an attack while in the car, there are supposedly bottles of the president’s blood in case he needs emergency transfusions. Additionally, the trunk houses an emergency oxygen supply and firefighting equipment.
8. Tires. To protect President Obama from bullets, spike strips, or any other device aimed at disabling the car’s Goodyear tires, the limo is likely equipped with specially designed, Kevlar-reinforced, shred and puncture-resistant tires. If indeed someone or something was able to destroy the tires, the car also has steel rims and a run-flat device so that if the tires are disabled, the car can still drive at high speeds to escape any imminent danger.
9. Chassis. The car, commonly known as Cadillac One, but nicknamed by the Secret Service as The Beast, is thought to be based on a Cadillac DTS when it comes to style, but may be built on a truck chassis in order to support the weight of the car and all its special equipment. There is also speculated to be a reinforced, 5-inch steel plate that runs underneath the car in the event that a bomb is placed there.
10. Body. To fend off anything from bullets to rocks, the body of the car is probably composed of a mixture of hard and soft material that work to halt and dissipate the energy of the projectile so that no matter what type of projectile may be hurled toward the car, the outside protection will not be penetrated. Typical materials used for these types of cars are a combination of dual-hardness steel, aluminum, titanium, and ceramic.

Most Dangerous Criminal Justice Degree Jobs

Posted by Site Administrator on 04/25/2009 | 0 Comments

Criminal justice is one field that offers students the opportunity to take a wide array of job options as soon as they graduate.  However, most students are attracted to the field to get involved in more of the “nitty-gritty” aspects of crime and help solve many complex crimes as well as have a deeper understanding of the criminal mindset.  As a result, these students often go on to take positions in law enforcement, many of which are more of the dangerous careers that you can take on as a recent graduate.  While these may not be a future every person looks forward to, many students dream of the day when they will be able to take such a job.

Many people consider careers in law enforcement to be among the most dangerous criminal justice jobs.  While this is one career option that is more dangerous than say a receptionist, it does not inherently mean that you will be faced with dangerous situations every day.  Rather, much police work involves a great deal of paperwork after a single incident and much time behind a desk.  While field work does involve many dangerous situations, it is not as dangerous as the media and Hollywood has made it out to be.  It is still a dangerous job, however, although many law enforcement careers simply do not rise up to the level that they are portrayed by the media to be. 

Positions in intelligent agencies are another dangerous position for criminal justice students.   While these are more romanticized “James Bond-esque” positions, working for intelligence agencies requires a great deal of diligence and higher levels of education.  CIA and FBI positions are typically reserved for those who have years of experience in the field already, although sometimes recent graduates of criminal justice degrees have been offered positions in Homeland Security, one industry that is constantly changing with the threat of terrorism.  As a result, it has become one of the most dangerous career options for recent graduates because of the unexpected results that can happen from a routine investigation. 

Finally, while most prison-work is reserved for potential law enforcement candidates, there are areas within prison that require employees with a higher level of education, typically in the criminal justice field.  Prisons constitute one of the more dangerous realms of law enforcement, as they can contain hundreds of dangerous criminals, albeit behind bars.  Positions within prisons require criminal justice graduates to either understand more of the psychology behind criminal acts or investigate further into the prevalence of prison gangs.  While these may not sound like dangerous ventures, there are many instances within prison walls that can rapidly become deadly without the proper background education. 

Criminal justice degree jobs come in a multitude of shapes and sizes, and if you do not want to go into the more dangerous realm of career choices, you are not forced too.  However, for the students who want to live life on the edge, there are plenty of future options for you in this industry.  

50 Terrific Social Sites for Law Students and Lawyers

Posted by Site Administrator on 04/21/2009 | 0 Comments

Law school and law firms sponsor their own networking events and aim to connect legal professionals for the sake of recruitment, collaboration and more. But to compete with the top lawyers and graduates, you’ll need to venture out on your own, too. These social sites can help you find jobs, interact with clients and build cases, all online.

Information Gathering

Thanks to social media sites, lawyers can enjoy unique access to people’s records and evidence through Facebook and other sites. This list of social networks are great for information gathering.

1. MySpace: Find incriminating photos and more on MySpace.
2. Facebook: Facebook is a popular site for members to put up photos of partying and other scandalous behavior.
3. Flickr: Find hard evidence through pictures on Flickr accounts.
4. LinkedIn: Confirm professional and social relationships by exploring a client’s LinkedIn profile.
5. Cake Financial: Find out information about someone’s accounts and investments on this site.
6. YouTube: Browse YouTube for videos of your clients or others caught in compromising situations.
7. Meetup: Find out where someone is going to be at a designated time by following them on Meetup, a social site that helps groups organize meetings in real life.
8. Geni: Use this social network for organizing family trees and genealogy records to confirm family ties.
9. OUTeverywhere: OUTeverywhere is a social networking site for gay dating and more.
10. Vimeo: Vimeo is another video sharing site that may prove useful to your research.

Networking and Jobs

Use these social sites for networking and job searching, as well as making friends.

11. Attorneys Online: Here you can take advantage of the Lawyer to Lawyer Referral Service for networking and more.
12. Twitter: Keep in touch with lots of colleagues and friends by sending out one single message to everyone.
13. Ryze: Ryze is a professional networking site that thrives on making business contacts.
14. Law.com: Check out the lawyer blogs and law jobs center on this site for networking purposes.
15. Counsel.net: This network features a chatboard, forums, and more resources for lawyers, law students and other legal professionals.
16. American Bar Associations: ABA members have access to an events calendar, career resources, discussion groups, a member directory, and other benefits through the website.
17. International Lawyers Network: Access contact lists and more for lawyers around the world.
18. Legal OnRamp: This invite-only network provides legal professionals with web services, like blogs, wikis, profiles and more.
19. MyPractice: Catch up on legal news, events and issues through this social network that lets you build your own profile and make connections.
20. LawLink: Join groups, chat on the forums, pose questions and learn about other attorneys in your field and beyond.
21. Law Marketing: This "national business network for the legal industry" features a forum, events calendar, profiles, blogs, notes, videos and more.
22. Avvo: The public uses this directory to find lawyers, so make sure you’re included in the network.

Sharing

Share news stories and collaborate on special social sites to work on your cases and contribute to the industry here.

23. Above the Law: This law news and gossip blog features a community for lawyers and legal professionals who want to discuss jobs, cases and other issues.
24. ESQChat: Here you can connect with other attorneys to share news, blog, ask questions and more.
25. MarkaBoo: Easily bookmark from e-mail, browser and your phone with this social bookmarking site, which also lets you host online study groups, share videos and create your own blog or podcast.
26. Ning: Create a social group online for the people you’re working with on a specific case. You can share information and ideas easily.
27. Memotoo: Organize your case information on this site, where it can be seen by colleagues.
28. Digg: Digg is one of the most popular social bookmarking sites and can be a great place to share news and research.
29. Google Groups: Google Groups is another place for you to set up a private place online to collaborate and share information.
30. Mixx: Lawyers in all areas of expertise, including sports, entertainment, science and health law can share news and stay on top of industry trends here.
31. Uloop: Law students and college students use this site to sell books and more.
32. Justia.com: Find the best law stories and groups online using Justia.com.

Forums

Visit these legal forums to meet others in your profession or share your advice.

33. LawVibe.com: Stay current on the law issues that people around the world are talking about.
34. The Attorneys Forum: Threads here include topics like bankruptcy, accident and injuries, financial law, and more.
35. Court Forum: Ask questions and submit feedback on feeds that deal with cyber law, corporate law, employment law, civil suits and more.
36. FreeAdvice: Build up your reputation and make contacts by giving free advice on this forum.
37. The Law: Access legal tools and network on the law forums.
38. The Frugal Law Student Forums: This popular site also features a forum for law students, where issues like productivity, personal finance and other topics are discussed.

Miscellaneous

From law student networking to more job connections, these social sites are worth checking out.

39. PivotalDiscovery.com: This network features a career portal, videos and more, for "e-discovery and litigation professionals."
40. lawyrs: lawyrs is a small networking group that lets members join groups and find law firms.
41. Advanced Advocates: Law students connect on this social site to find jobs, discuss issues, and more.
42. HubPages: Market your skills by becoming an expert the public turns to when you write articles on HubPages.
43. WSJ Law Blog: The Law Blog on wsj.com is more than just a blog. Readers, legal professionals and others frequently use the site to comment, discuss issues, network and more.
44. TweetLaw: This Twitter service is for legal professionals who want to narrow down their networking opportunities.
45. JDDiversity: This organization is devoted to promoting diversity in the legal community. Use the site to access blogs, participate in discussions, learn about special events, and more.
46. LegalBirds: Find legal professionals on Twitter by first networking on this site.
47. U.S. Law Blog Directory: Quickly find blog posts and discussions relating to various legal topics here.
48. LexTweet: Use this directory and community to find legal professionals on Twitter.
49. LB Network: Share photos, music, videos and your resume on this legal network.
50. Legally Minded: Here, legal professionals join groups, share news, network with other professionals, blog, join discussions, and a lot more.

Top Five Criminal Justice Careers

Posted by Site Administrator on 04/20/2009 | 0 Comments

Criminal justice careers appeal to nearly every person who watches crime shows: Law & Order, CSI, even movies such as the Bone Collector.  These movies and TV shows romanticize criminal justice careers and almost belittle the amount of work which actually goes into this type of job.  However, criminal justice degrees remain a popular major in undergraduate institutions solely because they offer students the flexibility to choose within a wide array of future careers.  Some are more popular than others, but the top careers are listed below. 

Police Officer
One of the more prominent positions in the criminal justice field is that of a law enforcement officer.  While it is not pertinent to get a criminal justice degree in order to become a police officer, it helps you better understand the law and the reasoning behind it.  Larger cities typically require a criminal justice degree, while small towns only require a high school diploma.  Criminal justice degrees are also attractive on resumes when you are enlisted into the police academy.  Criminal justice classes additionally help focus students’ skills on judgment, decision-making, and a background in weaponry.  There will always be a need of law enforcement in any civilized society, which means this career will be stable for years to come although not for the faint of heart.

Detective
Detectives are next on the tier of law enforcement although they typically require a more advanced degree than most police officers.  Detective work is more analytical and therefore a background in criminal justice or related fields helps many students hone in on this special qualification.  Detective work has also been romanticized by the many movies and characters that have pervaded through history (Sherlock Holmes); however, many detectives will tell you that real life is far from cinematic and typically requires following many leads with little to show for it. Detective work is not for everyone, but contributes to the upholding of the law and sometimes can prove to help solve a crime that threatens the well-being of society.

Criminal Investigator
Criminal investigators are also in the realm of law enforcement, although they go a step further and present evidence to the prosecution and help prepare pre-trial paperwork.  In this sense, criminal investigators seem more closely related to the judicial process than to law enforcement, but it becomes obvious that the two realms intermingle on many occasions.  Criminal justice degrees help promote this type of connection and introduce students to the many forms law enforcement can take.

Specialists (fingerprinting, arson, etc.)
The many forms of specialists that exist within the criminal justice system are vital to solving crimes and preventing future felonies.  Fingerprint specialists focus their sole career on finding remnants of fingerprints on the crime scene and applying them to the national database.  While this may be disappointing work on many occasions, this has proven to be an important part of the criminal justice system.  Additionally, arson specialists help determine what the true cause of a fire is, either releasing innocent people from jail or exonerating the guilty. 

Legal Assistant
Finally, criminal justice degrees have been found to lead to careers within the legal industry, such as legal assistants and other clerkship positions.  Legal assistants are the right hand person to many prestigious attorneys and therefore require a basic understanding of the law.  Criminal justice degrees prepare students specifically for this type of broad spectrum of careers and therefore introduce students to knowledge they need for this type of job. 

10 Most Hilarious Crimes in Celebrity History

Posted by Site Administrator on 04/19/2009 | 0 Comments

By Kelsey Allen

Celebrities are known for their looks, wealth, homes, vacations and of course talent. But with all of the money and access comes a darker side that some celebs have a hard time avoiding. From drunk shopping escapades to quick affairs with prostitutes, these are some of the most hilarious crimes in celebrity history.

1. 
   Shia LaBeouf: Before Shia LaBeouf was arrested for drunk driving in the summer of 2008, he had a less dangerous, more humorous altercation at a Walgreens in Chicago. In November 2007, the Transformers star headed to a Walgreens store for pimple cream and cigarettes, after a night of drinking. After his first trip to the store, however, the intoxicated LaBeouf realized that he had forgotten the cigarettes, so he changed clothes (as part of a disguise) and returned to the store. He bought gummy bears but again forgot to buy cigarettes. LaBeouf went back to Walgreens a third time, wearing a new hoodie, and told the clerk "Well, buddy, it’s your worst nightmare" after the clerk teased him for changing so many times. Ultimately, LaBeouf was arrested for trespassing and refusing to leave the store, but the case was dropped.
2. 
   Charles Barkley: Rushing to the hospital is a common excuse for speeders who are caught by the police, but Charles Barkley revealed a little too much of the truth when he was pulled over for passing a stop sign. The basketball player and sports commentator told the police officer that he was in a rush because he was hurrying to drive around the corner and get a blow job. The police officer also notes that Barkley told him that the same woman who accompanied him had given him a blow job "one week earlier," and said "it was the best one [Barkley] had ever had in his life." That night, Barkley was arrested for drunk driving.
3. 
   Hugh Grant: British actor Hugh Grant is still considered a romantic comedy star and an A-list celebrity, but in 1995 he was famously arrested for misdemeanor lewd conduct in a public place with a prostitute. The scandal occurred just before Grant’s first major film release, but instead of damaging his career, Grant’s attitude toward the arrest helped amp up his image. He surprised the industry and the public by refusing to make excuses for himself and simply stating, "I think you know in life what’s a good thing to do and what’s a bad thing, and I did a bad thing. And there you have it."
4. 
   Kid Rock: Musician Kid Rock has earned five Grammy nominations, but he’s also accumulated a string of arrests, mostly stemming from his feud with Tommy Lee. When Kid Rock began dating Lee’s ex-wife Pamela Anderson, he called Lee in jail to tell him the news. After a few years of almost-fights between the two musicians, Pamela Anderson divorced Kid Rock and began dating Tommy Lee again. At the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, Tommy Lee stole Kid Rock’s seat when he went to the bathroom. When he returned, Kid Rock slapped Lee in the face and then punched him, sort of like you do in elementary school.
5. 
   George Michael: George Michael enjoyed a successful pop career in the 1980s and 1990s as part of the pop duo Wham! and as a solo artist. But his sexuality and public image were questioned in 1998 when he was arrested in Los Angeles as part of a sting operation that resulted in Michael’s "engaging in a lewd act" in a public restroom. The undercover police officer "started playing this game," Michael explained, "which I think is called, "I’ll show you mine, you show me yours," which ultimately resulted in his arrest.
6. 
   Nikki Blonsky: Long Island actress Nikki Blonsky became a became a national sweetheart when she won the role of Tracy Turnblad in the film version of Hairspray in 2007. The smiling, giggly twenty-year-old was even nominated for a Golden Globe and appeared on several talk shows to discuss her success, but in 2008, she and her father were arrested at the Providenciales International Airport in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Blonsky and her father were accused of starting a fight with America’s Next Top Model alum Bianca Golden and her family, during which Golden’s mother was injured and Golden claimed that Blonsky sat on her. Blonsky was charged with, and later cleared of, causing actual bodily harm, and her father was charged with assault and causing grievous bodily harm.
7. 
   Winona Ryder: Actress Winona Ryder was one of the most popular, most successful movie stars in the 1990s, appearing in films like Edward Scissorhands, Beetle Juice, Mermaids, Little Women, The Age of Innocence, and Reality Bites. When her career started to lose its spark in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ryder made headlines for her shoplifting arrest. In December 2001, she was arrested in a Beverly Hills Saks Fifth Avenue for shoplifting $4,760 worth of items. She was charged with grand theft and for illegal possession of prescription drugs, though her attorney insisted that Ryder was not under the influence of the painkillers at the time. One year later, Ryder was sentenced to three years’ probation, 480 hours of community service, $3,700 in fines, and $6,355 in rest
8. 
   Eddie Murphy: Comedian and actor Eddie Murphy was a favorite on Saturday Night Live and has appeared in successful films like Beverly Hills Cop and Dreamgirls, for which he won the Screen Actors Guild for Actor in a Supporting Role. But during a gap in his career, Murphy was involved in a scandal that involved a cross-dressing prostitute. In 1997, Murphy was pulled over by police, and the prostitute was ultimately arrested on charges from another warrant.
9. 
   Kelly Osbourne: Kelly Osbourne stood up for her fiance’s reputation and subsequently was arrested. Zoe Griffin, a celebrity journalist from the UK publication The Mirror, allegedly "reported that Osbourne’s fiance, Luke Worrall, did not know how an earthquake occurred," according to Wikipedia. In 2008, Osbourne allegedly slapped Griffin for her comment and was arrested for assault in January 2009.
10. 
    Boy George: In the 1980s, Boy George was an English icon and international celebrity, famous for his unique musical style and dress code. Currently, Boy George continues to write songs and release albums, but no longer enjoys the same celebrity status. In fact, his public image has been tarnished by a recent, disturbing arrest that involved Boy George and a male escort. In 2007, Boy George, after taking cocaine, became paranoid that the escort had hacked into his computer. George handcuffed the escort to the wall and beat him "with all sorts of sex toys and chains," reports Hollyscoop. In January 2009, Boy George was sentenced to 15 months in jail.