Criminal Justice USA

Recent Court Cases Reveal the Importance of Criminal Justice Degree Jobs

Posted by Site Administrator on 07/12/2010 | 0 Comments

We can’t go a day without hearing about a horrific child abuse case, domestic abuse case, or capital murder case in this country.  Actually, I take that back – maybe if you live in Big Sky, Montana, you can go a while without hearing of any atrocities, but for those of us in major US cities, the criminal justice system resides in our backyards and city streets.  I think Houston had a miraculous day some time last year in which there were absolutely no violent crimes committed. I may have just hallucinated and misheard that, but it seems about right for Houston, a city ripe with locations for shady drug deals and other crimes that stem from the areas. 

After hearing all this, it seems somewhat disheartening that we not only live in this country, we live in these violent towns.  However, the criminal justice system and those who work for it are at the forefront of these cases, working to both prevent crime and bring criminals to justice.  Court cases are a common result of violent crime, although it is amazing how many judges and juries sentence these criminals to either probation for one, or the other extreme, to the death penalty/life in prison.  It’s always difficult to procure an adequate punishment when you are a judge or a member of the jury, but sometimes this realm of the criminal justice system appears to be one that should be lightly treaded upon. 

Our major news networks sensationalize nearly every major violent crime story, leading to a misheld belief that we live in a country in which crime lurks around every corner, searching for its next victim.  We live in a relatively safe country, despite what the media tries to tell us on an every-day basis.  Today the big news involves a bank hold-up (do we still need to use this word?) and a possibly disgruntled employee who shot several coworkers.  While this is sad, and our hearts go out to the victims’ families, this does not necessarily mean that our criminal justice system is in complete disarray.  Crime happens on a regular basis, despite what we can try and do to prevent it.  Criminal justice degree jobs teach students this exact same message, and encourages most students to try and get jobs that make a difference within the criminal justice system.

The ending of the criminal justice system brings some sense of closure to most families who sit in the courtrooms to watch the jury deliberate and confirm that the defendant is, in fact, guilty.  There is probably little else we could compare to this experience, and it is one the criminal justice system strives to maintain for any person who has been criminally wronged. 

Are Criminologists the New Sherlock Holmes?

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/29/2010 | 0 Comments

Sherlock Holmes has caught our imagination since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created his character in the late nineteenth century based on events of the time.  The fictional work has spawned several movies, cartoons, spoofs, sequels, and contributed greatly to current pop culture of the criminal justice system.  However, while Sherlock Holmes has typically been defined as a detective, the (relatively) new title of criminologist seems to fit in well with his fictional understanding of crime.

Criminologists are defined as those who study the nature, extent, causes, and control of criminal behavior in individuals and society.  This does not seem too different from the tasks that many detectives take on throughout their line of duty, especially Sherlock Holmes.  Understanding the sociological background of crime as well as the causes and consequences of crime help many law enforcement officers (and criminologists) apprehend the criminals through an understanding of their mindset. Criminologists follow many different schools of thought, as they are one branch in the criminal justice system that focuses more on the sociological writings about the subject, rather than on hard facts about the specific cases.

However, criminologists continue to play a widely important role throughout the criminal justice system because they look at any contributing factors to the criminals’ background, as well as the crime itself.  In this sense, Sherlock Holmes predated the notion of a criminologist by only a few years, but his mere fictional character can help people outside the system better understand what goes on with the study of crime.  Criminologists are typically not involved with the “nitty-gritty” work of apprehending dangerous criminals, but are typically called in for a more theoretical outlook on the crime itself, especially when it is out of the ordinary.

The social order of a community can lead greatly to increased amounts of crime, and criminologists are typically called upon to analyze crime-ridden communities.  Some theories suggest that neighborhoods high in poverty with large population turnovers lead to the failure of social structure because it is too difficult for any type of social organization to take place, instead leading to crime.  Other theories focus on social ecology, which is essentially “white flight”, creating neighborhoods of the disadvantaged that spawn criminal behavior as well.  The many different schools of thought that are involved in criminology allow students of criminal justice to take on a more sociological outlook of crime, rather than settle with the “on-the-go” criminal mischief.  If Sherlock Holmes has taught us anything, it’s that an understanding of the criminal brain will truly reveal the purpose behind the completion of the crime. 

Probation Officer Duties

Posted by Site Administrator on 05/17/2010 | 0 Comments

Probation officer duties can range from being in charge of some of the most violent criminal offenders to simply ensuring that juvenile delinquents do not violate their parole.  There is a delicate balance in the criminal justice system between criminal prosecution and the probation that is offered when a judge is being lenient, the understanding being that a probation officer will ensure the offender follows the court-appointed rules.  However, probation officers in general came under strict scrutiny recently with the revelation that the people who kept a young girl hostage in their backyard for 18 years had frequent visits from parole officers who did not notice anything out of place.

Philip Garrido is the California man who kidnapped Jaycee Dugard and kept her in his backyard for 18 years, despite a prior rape and kidnapping conviction, a sentence which was still carried out by visits from probation officers several times a month.  The question on everyone’s mind after the story broke (besides how he managed to keep her for so long), was how the probation officers did not notice the young girl in his backyard.  Apparently, most probation officers speak to every member of the family and do a walk-through of the house.  The thoroughness with which they do the walk-through, however, is up to the probation officer and the rules of the court or state.  If the walk-through triggers any concern, the probation officer is required to follow up with a more thorough walk-through or call police officers to the scene. 

Other officers additionally do follow-up interviews with the parolee’s family and neighbors when they are not home, being careful not to worry anyone and prevent their re-integration into society.  Additionally, in cases like Garrido’s, probation officers typically ensure that children have not been seen around the house.  If there is any violation in any of the tests or visits the officer conducts, the parolee will be carefully monitored and the parole has an option of being revoked.  However, someone Garrido’s file slipped through the cracks, as his probation officer did not notice anything amiss at his residence during the 18 years of probation when Jaycee was in the backyard.  Most probation officers carry an average of 70 cases at a time, according to California sources, although some can have anywhere from 30-200 cases, causing many to slip through the cracks. 

While probation officers serve an important role in our criminal justice system, it is evident that some states do not employ enough officers to appropriately cover the amount of parolees in the state.  Once every parolee is covered by an officer, the criminal justice system will be able to relax and note that their citizens’ probation sentences are accurately covered.  However, until this point, many states will continue to monitor the accuracy of their probation officers and the behavior of the parolees. 

How the Recession is Affecting Criminal Justice Careers

Posted by Site Administrator on 01/25/2010 | 0 Comments

Throughout the country, there has been a cold chill in the air, quite unlike that related to the changing season.  Instead, economic forecasters have frightened many of us into believing that there is no hope for recent college graduates in an economy which was once considered to be the most stable in the world.  While these economists may paint a dismal picture, this does not have to be a permanent painting, but is instead already in the process of changing in the same manner as the seasons change.  No economic disaster remains around for longer than a few years, and our country even bounced back from the Great Depression which should give all of us hope.

Criminal justice careers are one area that have had economists worried due to the amount of expanding programs throughout colleges, although this is one area that remains relatively unscathed.  Criminal justice careers have experienced a “boom” of sorts, akin to that of the health care industry, indicating that the economy has not closed out options for every graduate.  Far from it, criminal justice careers have become more prevalent within every major cities, which should be a sign that crime is on the rise, but fortunately it is not.  Instead, criminal justice careers have increased due to advances in technology as well as a new flexibility the degree offers to recent graduates.  No longer is criminal justice only useful for a future in law enforcement, but it can now be used in a variety of fields ranging from law to psychology.

One of the largest criminal justice programs in the country is in a small town in Texas within Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.  This was the first school to offer a doctorate program in criminal justice, and if its statistics are any indication of the popularity of the program, it is evident that criminal justice degrees are in no danger of slowing down.  Instead, students are finding new niches to break into every year that require a deeper understanding of the criminal mindset and the history behind criminal justice. 

Law enforcement only touches the surface of studies of this nature and instead of boxing students into a future in the field, criminal justice allows a wide array of options for the future.  The criminal mind is a curious thing to study, and the psychology behind it can lead to a future in psychology or even in a type of criminal sociology career.  The possibilities are endless, which fortunately does not mean that we have reached an era of high crime rates.  Instead, we have reached an era that holds a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system and offers recent graduates up as evidence of this new progression in the field. 

100 Tips, Tools, and Resources for Locking Down Your PC

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/14/2009 | 0 Comments

The web can be a tricky and dangerous place to navigate, especially if you’re unprepared. However, you can better protect yourself by taking necessary steps to make your computer more secure. Here, we’ll discuss 100 tips, tools, and resources that can help you build a more secure PC.

Tips

Follow these tips, and your PC will be well on its way to locked down.

1. Use a password: Although they may be easily bypassed, be sure to at least use a password for your PC.
2. Disable boot devices: Someone with physical access to your computer and a freely available custom boot CD can access your PC without even opening Windows.
3. Use an alternative browser: Ditch Internet Explorer for Firefox or Opera, or at least tighten IE’s security settings.
4. Eliminate your data: Don’t keep supersensitive information on your PC or laptop-put it on a CD or file server, but take it off of your hard drive.
5. Disable file sharing: Limit your file exposure by disabling file sharing on your hard drives.
6. Protect your administrator account with a password: Make sure to always protect your administrator account.
7. Use a non-obvious laptop bag: Avoid using a bag that advertises that you’re carrying a laptop.
8. Change your password often: Keep your password fresh by changing it often.
9. Back up your files: Save your data with backup systems and utilities.
10. Use a strong email client: Make use of an email client that offers your PC a level of security.
11. Use biometrics: Use a biometric device like a fingerprint reader.
12. Use a screen guard: Keep your information private with a screen protector that hides your screen from snoops.
13. Scan email attachments: Before opening email attachments, be sure to run them through a scanner first.
14. Use email filters: Set up filters in your email to make sure that only safe email reaches your inbox.
15. Password protect your BIOS: Prevent others from changing your BIOS settings by setting up an administrator password.
16. Don’t fall for hoaxes: Be careful of bogus alerts, emails, and more.
17. Never leave your laptop in the car: A laptop turns your car into a sitting duck, and extreme heat can damage it anyway.
18. Use Linux or Mac OS X: Although Windows, Linux, and Mac all offer about the same security, Windows is more frequently targeted.
19. Use a variety of different passwords: Make sure you’re not using the same password for all of your sites and programs.
20. Use a rescue disk: Just in case, make sure you have a book or rescue disk to bring things back to normal.
21. Use an antivirus software: Use antivirus software and keep it up to date for good protection.
22. Use an asset tag: With a highly visible tag, your laptop is deterred from thieves and can be identified easily.
23. Scan executable files: Make sure you scan executable files before opening them.
24. Secure your network: Make sure you’re not keeping your network open-set it up with a password.
25. Test for flaws: Even if you think you’re locked down, you may still have some holes, so use a security scanner to make absolutely sure.
26. Use a strong password: Avoid dictionary words, names, and dates, and use numbers, special characters, and uppercase/lowercase letters.
27. Scan disks before opening them: If you receive a CD or floppy disk, be sure to scan them before opening.
28. Watch out for your SSID: Tell your wireless access router to avoid broadcasting its SSID, and change your SSID from the default.
29. Physically lock your laptop: Help prevent your laptop from walking away by using a cable lock, but know that it won’t keep all thieves away.
30. Password-protect Outlook: Make sure you put a password on your inbox, as well as your Outlook identities.
31. Log off: When you step away from your computer, be sure to log off of your identity.
32. Use a firewall: If you connect to the internet, you need to be using a firewall to be protected from network attacks and rogue programs.
33. Install tracking software: With tracking software, you can be alerted whenever your stolen laptop gets connected to the internet.
34. Watch out for spyware: Keep the snoops at bay by regularly scanning for spyware and adware.
35. Automatically update important software: Minimize application security flaws by always staying up to date on updates and patches.
36. Encrypt your files: Make it hard for your files and information to be stolen by encrypting them.

Tools

With the help of these tools, you can get your PC more secure.

37. Spybot: With the help of Spybot, you can keep spyware and other nasties at bay.
38. Ad-aware: Keep your computer safe from adware by periodically using LavaSoft’s Ad-Aware.
39. PC Security: Lock down your system with explorer control, file and folder locks, program locks, intruder detection, and more.
40. OSSIM: In OSSIM, you’ll find a number of different open source security tools.
41. Asset Labels: Mark your property and protect it with an asset label or security tag.
42. Perfect Passwords: Here you’ll get an ultra high security password generator.
43. Firewall Test: Make sure you’re not open to attack by testing the quality of your firewall.
44. Lockdown: This tool will monitor your computer and sound an alarm if someone tries to access your system.
45. RoboForm: RoboForm is a password manager that will help you keep your passwords in check.
46. ProShield: Use ProShield, and you’ll have your system scanned for malware and up to date software.
47. Antispam: Antispam offers an easy way to fight spam.
48. Trust-No-Exe: Set up a whitelist and blacklist of trusted and non-trusted executable files for your PC with this tool.
49. Untangle: Through Untangle, you’ll get spam, virus, and spyware protection, plus a firewall and web filtering.
50. Hardened Linux: With this Linux distribution, you’ll get excellent security.
51. Simpliciti Locked Browser: If you need to restrict employees, children, or others from visiting non-secure sites, try Simpliciti Locked Browser.
52. Snort: Snort offers effective intrusion detection.
53. Lockdown Plus PC: Lockdown Plus PC offers a network based desktop security solution for public access computers.
54. eBox Platform: This network management framework will help you filter content, use a firewall, proxy, and more.
55. Network Security Toolkit: In this toolkit, you’ll get a number of different open source apps for security.
56. TrueCrypt: Get strong encryption for free with TrueCrypt.
57. Metasploit: With Metasploit, you can test out your system like a hacker might.
58. Anonymous Surfing & Privacy Check: Use this test to find out how anonymous your surfing is.
59. Kismet: With Kismet, you’ll get wireless network detection and packet sniffing. sudo: sudo allows you to selectively control which programs are allowed to run on your PC.
60. Spam Assassin: This spam tool will keep your email safe from spam.
61. EXE Lockdown: Use EXE Lockdown to protect yourself against the installation of unauthorized applications.
62. AWStats: With AWStats, you can monitor attacks on your server.
63. Spamato: Spamato will help keep spam out of your popular email client.
64. Bastille Linux: Use this tool to get a custom lockdown solution for your PC.
65. Honeytrap: Honeytrap offers advanced warning about attacks.
66. Thunderbird: Thunderbird offers lots of tools for keeping spam and viruses out of your inbox.

Blogs & Books

Get ongoing updates about security threats and solutions from these blogs.

68. IT Security: Check out this site to learn all about securing your PC and more.
69. BlogInfoSec: Here you’ll find an information security magazine in blog format.
70. Schneier on Security: This blog covers security and security technology.
71. Security Now!: This audio podcast features weekly security information from Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte.
72. Security Fix: Brian Krebs discusses computer and Internet security.
73. TaoSecurity: Richard Bejtlich’s blog covers digital security, forensics, and more.
74. Windows Lockdown!: Your XP And Vista Guide Against Hacks, Attacks, and Other Internet Mayhem: Here you’ll find an absolute beginner’s guide to keeping your Windows PC locked down.
75. No Tricks: Dr. Luke O’Connor’s blog offers information on risk, security, and IT technology.
76. My PC Security Blog: Follow this blog to get a new computer security tip every day.
77. The Ethical Hacker Network: Learn about security from ethical hackers in this network.
78. Netgear ProSecure Security Blog: Check out this blog to find out about the latest malware, viruses, and more.
79. Mind Streams of Information Security Knowledge: Read Dancho Danchev’s blog to find independent open source intelligence for security threats.
80. elamb: elamb’s security blog offers up to date information on threats to your PC.
81. Network Security Blog: Here you’ll find news about security and privacy.
82. McAfee Avert Labs Blog: Learn about cutting edge security research as it happens through McAfee’s blog.

Guides

These guides will teach you various ways to protect your PC.

83. Home Computer Security: This guide from CERT has a wealth of useful information.
84. Lock Down Your PC: PC World offers this guide with 29 steps to good PC security.
85. Ten Password Commandments: Follow these commandments to make sure your passwords are protecting you as much as possible.
86. 5 Steps to Secure Windows XP Home Edition: Use these 5 steps, and you’ll get a more secure home computer.
87. Lock Down Your Laptop: Learn about products and tips for PC security in this guide.
88. 10 Easy Ways to Lock Down Your Computer: Learn about user passwords, authentication, anonymous access, and more.
89. Advice to Linux Users: Lock Down Your PC: Find out how to lock down your Linux PC with these tips.
90. Five simple PC security tips: Here you’ll find a simple guide to PC security.
91. The Ten Commandments of PC Security: Follow these rules to avoid viruses, worms, and more.
92. The Twenty Minute Guide to PC Security: 20 Tips to Secure Your Box: Get a simple tutorial in PC security from this guide.
93. Cyber-Security: Tips for Safe Computing: Follow these instructions to help reduce the threat of running into security problems online.
94. How to lock down the computer via a shortcut: Follow this guide and you’ll learn how to create a computer lockdown shortcut.
95. FAQ: Locking Down Your Computer: This guide from the University of Utah offers practical advice for PC security.
96. Computer Security 101: Get the basics of computer security through this guide.
97. Lock Down Your PC!: This guide offers practical tips for making your computer more secure.
98. Lockdown Your Laptop: Follow this guide to learn how to keep your laptop safer.
99. Lock Down the Data on Your Portable Drives: Follow this guide, and you’ll find out how to get your laptop, portable disks, and more supersecure.
100. Lock Down Your PC: Here you’ll find answers to your network and internet security questions.

Best Criminal Justice Jobs

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/12/2009 | 0 Comments

 Criminal justice degrees offer students a wide range of options in regards to their future.  They can choose to enter law enforcement and see criminal justice at work first-hand, or even delve into the legal/judiciary aspect of it all.  However, most students will agree that the more fulfilling jobs center on upholding the law and prosecuting wrongdoers.   These are three of the most popular criminal justice jobs that students of criminal justice aspire to earn. 

Becoming a police officer does not necessarily take a criminal justice degree, unless you want to become an officer in one of the larger cities or metropolitans.  However, the police force is one of the most intense forms of criminal justice jobs because it directly introduces you to the seedy underbelly of society.  Criminal justice jobs are not about shelter from the dark side of society, but rather force you right into the center of it all.  Therefore, at least an introductory course in criminal justice can help prepare you for the job that may await you upon graduation.  If you simply throw yourself into police work, the results could be devastating and you may experience a type of culture-shock.  Criminal justice jobs involve dealing with many people who have a disregard for the normalcies of civilized society and instead insist on breaking many of the most fundamental human laws. 

A career in the FBI may also open up for many students of criminal justice, although this career is not degree-specific.  This is one of the most heightened forms of a criminal justice job and allows employees to delve even deeper into criminal justice.  Most FBI careers are not easy to come by, but they introduce you to one of the peak forms of criminal justice jobs.  FBI agents must undergo a vast spectrum of medical and psychological tests before they are admitted into the program, although previous work and education experience should prepare applicants for the career they will face.  FBI agents are among the most respected of law enforcement agents and therefore a background in law enforcement usually helps applicant chances. 

Finally, another popular criminal justice job is that of DEA agent.  The specialties that go into this type of work deal directly with criminal justice, although in a more specified area.  The drug industry has boomed in the past decades, causing a greater need for this type of enforcement.  DEA agents are involved in the same type of work as other law enforcement officers, such as criminal investigations and tracking dangerous criminals, although they simply operate in a much smaller spectrum.  DEA agents are respected within the field because they are in charge of combating some of the most dangerous criminals of modern society: the drug wars that are going on in border towns are living proof that we need such criminal justice jobs in the country. 

50 Best Blogs About Environmental Law

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/10/2009 | 0 Comments

Environmental violations, toxic torts, and more can be quite interesting and informative, and you can read all about them in various environmental law blogs. You can find environmental law blogs about news, developments, education, and more. Read on, and you’ll find 50 of the best blogs about environmental law.

General

Take a general look at environmental law through these blogs.

1. Environmental Law Resource: Follow this blog to get environmental law updates, rulings, and information around the world.
2. Biolaw: Read about law and the life sciences from BioLaw.
3. Environmental Legal Blogs: Learn about developments in environmental law from this blog.
4. Law and the Environment: Seth Jaffe’s blog is a good source for learning about current events in environmental law.
5. Green Counsel: On this blog, you’ll learn about using the law to promote renewable energy, environmental business, and sustainability.
6. Environmental Crimes Blog: Check out Environmental Crimes to learn about some of the acts being committed against the environment.
7. The Brockovich Report: Erin Brockovich works to protect the public from dangerous substances that cause health problems.
8. Environmental Toxic Torts: This blog offers a look into legal developments and defense strategy in environmental toxic torts.
9. Ear To The Ground: Thomas Clarke blogs about the law and science of the environment and toxic torts.
10. Municipal, Planning & Environmental Law Group Blog: This blog offers a look at how municipal law and planning affects the environment.
11. Law and the Environment: In this blog, you’ll find commentary and insights into the issues of law and the environment.

News

You can stay up to date on environmental news developments with these blogs.

12. Environmental & Energy Law Monitor: This blog covers news and updates on environmental and energy law.
13. Becker’s Environmental Law Update: Find news about environmental law from this blog.
14. eNewsUSA: Visit this blog to find environmental news and information for environmental attorneys and consultants.
15. Sharks in the Water: Sharks in the Water is all about global environmental and IP matters.

Educational

These bloggers are involved in environmental law education.

16. Environmental Law Prof Blog: Susan Smith is a professor of law at Williamette University College of Law.
17. American College of Environmental Lawyers: This group of environmental lawyers offers insight into environmental law, ethics, and administration of justice.
18. Legal Planet: Legal Planet is an environmental law and policy blog that’s a joint effort between Berkeley Law and UCLA Law.

Climate Change

Find out about law and climate change from these blogs.

19. Envrionmental Law & Climate Change: This Lexis Nexis blog offers a look into our changing climate.
20. Sustainability Law Blog: Tonkton Torp Attorneys write this blog about climate change, sustainable business, practices, and more.
21. Climate Change Attorney: This blog is written by climate change attorneys Silverberg Zalantis.
22. Climate Change Insights: Climate Change Insights offers a forum for critical analyses of climate law and policy.
23. Global Climate Law Blog: Here you’ll find discussion on issues about global climate law and litigation.
24. Climate Change & Carbon Management Blog: Check out this blog to get insight into climate change and carbon management in the law.
25. Warming Law: This blog works to change the climate in the courts.
26. Environmental Law Diary: In this blog, you’ll learn about environmental law with a focus on the climate.
27. ClimateIntel: This blog offers insight on climate change, including international law, intellectual property, and more.

Animals

See how the law protects animals in these blogs.

28. ESA Blawg: This blog takes a look at the Endangered Species Act.
29. Animal Rights: The Abolitionist Approach: Check out this blog to learn about animal rights and the law.
30. Animal Law Blog: Follow animal law news, litigation, and more from this blog.

Local

These blogs focus on environmental law at the local level.

31. Envirosphere: Envirosphere shares information about environmental law in New York State.
32. Oikos: David Jeffrey’s blog is based in Australia, focusing on connections between the environment and the economy.
33. Saxe Environmental Law Mews: Dianne Saxe’s blog features environmental law updates from Toronto, Ontario.
34. PA Brownfields Environmental Law: Visit this blog, and you’ll get a look into brownfields in Pennsylvania and beyond.
35. Environmental Law in Washington State: Get an overview of the issues in Washington environmental law from this blog.
36. Ohio Environmental Law Blog: Check out this blog to find information and commentary about environmental law in Ohio and beyond.

Energy

See the future of energy law in these blogs.

37. Renewable Energy Law Blog: Read about the law, science, and policy of renewable energy on this blog.
38. Energy Legal Blog: Energy Legal Blog discusses national and regional energy issues.
39. Renewable + Law: This blog covers climate policy, renewable energy, and sustainability.
40. The Energy Law Blog: In this blog, you’ll find information about oil and gas exploration, development, and more in the Gulf Coast.
41. Offshore Renewable Energy Law Blog: Follow this blog, and you’ll learn about the news and regulation of wave, tidal, and offshore wind energy.

Building

These blogs focus on the laws involving building developments.

42. Green Building Law Blog: Shari Shapiro’s blog is all about green building law.
43. Construction Law Musings: On this blog, you’ll find information about construction law in Virginia.
44. Green Building & Environmental Trends: Visit Rich Cartlidge’s blog to learn about trends in the fields of green building, construction and environmental law.
45. Construction Law Blog: This blog offers insights on legal issues concerning the construction industry.
46. Green Building Law Update: On this blog, you’ll learn about trends, legal developments, codes, and regulations in green building from a construction attorney.

Government

Check out these blogs to see the latest in government environmental law.

47. Greenversations: Here you’ll find the official blog of the US Environmental Protection Agency.
48. EnviroWonk: Find news and analysis of politics from an environmental perspective on this blog.
49. Green Car Congress: This blog is all about the politics surrounding sustainable mobility.
50. Hill Heat: Learn all about science policy legislation action from Hill Heat.

Criminal Justice Jobs in a Justice Entrenched Society

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/09/2009 | 0 Comments

We like to think that we live in a democratic nation in which our justice system convicts the guilty and releases the innocent, but we know every system has its problems.  The innocent are not always released, and the guilty are not always punished.  This is a growing problem in our nation, and many criminal justice jobs exist to straighten out this endless mess of justice.  While it is difficult to make changes in a justice system that is so heavily entrenched in its ways, new criminal justice jobs have sought to try.

While we live in a nation that is more or less consistent with its criminal justice system, each state has its own methods of delivering justice, causing a drastic difference both in punishments and in trials.  Michigan, for example, denies appellate lawyers to most poor people who plead guilty to a crime.  This is a far cry from most of its neighboring states who believe that any person should be entitled to defense, regardless of their economic state or the severity of their offense.  While these seem to be more about public policy changes, it holds firm that criminal justice jobs can deliver the changes that are needed through many criminal justice students’ extensive backgrounds in the justice system.

It is unlikely that we will ever reach a point where our nation’s justice system is congruent in every state, but we may reach a point where various changes can be implemented into the federal system so at least criminal justice can begin to be more uniform than it currently is.  Public defenders are the epitome of a criminal justice job and many of them have challenged rules similar to that in Michigan, which seeks to preserve the state’s criminal justice costs by denying prisoner’s rights to counsel in a move which is seemingly unconstitutional.  However, every state has similar little quirks in their justice system, all of which can be challenged by banding together a group of public defenders (as was the case in Michigan) or even law enforcement.  Criminal justice does not have to be confined to one specific area of the law or criminal defense, but instead encompasses the wide array of topics within the justice system.

Criminal justice jobs are typically known as those which are most popular, such as a detective, or forensics analyst.  However, there are many opportunities within criminal justice and many ways to help expand and promote the justice system.

50 Best Blogs for Privacy Nuts

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/09/2009 | 0 Comments

In today’s world of Internet interconnectedness, guarding your privacy can become a full-time job. Whether you are worried about your personal privacy, government interference, national security, identity theft, or the laws and policies surrounding privacy, these blogs will help you stay vigilant against any breaches in your privacy rights.

Privacy, Communications, and Censorship Blogs

These blogs cover a wide range of privacy issues including censorship, surveillance, online privacy, communications, and more.

1. The Privacy Blog. Anonymity, online privacy, policies, surveillance, and censorship are among the topics featured on this blog.
2. Privacy Blog. Medical record disposal, social networking privacy, and the Supreme Court’s take on privacy are recent posts here.
3. Threat Level. This blog at Wired.com touches on privacy, security, and related topics.
4. Conspicuous Chatter. Get research and opinions on the latest topics from the fields of anonymous and covert communication, traffic analysis, and censorship resistance.
5. Inoperability Streams. These posts include news about telecommunications, communications, and security.
6. Privacy International. This watchdog group posts news pertaining to privacy from all around the world.
7. Privacy Diary. Identity theft, risk management, information security, and more find their place in this blog.
8. TRUSTe Blog. Cybercrime and self policing are among the topics on this blog.

Online Privacy and Security

Guarding your privacy online is not only a good idea, but actually a necessity. Read these blogs to find news and updates from the world of cybersecurity and privacy.

9. MetaSecurity. Topics on this blog often include intelligence, cybersecurity, and virtual worlds.
10. Matt Blaze’s Exhaustive Search. This professor from University of Pennsylvania blogs about security and privacy issues as they relate to science and technology.
11. Freedom to Tinker. Published by Princeton’s Center for Information Technology Policy, this blog examines privacy, Internet security, intellectual property, and much more.
12. SMBlog–Steve Bellovin’s Blog. This professor from Columbia University blogs about Internet Security, privacy, and related issues.
13. Avi Rubin’s Blog. Electronic voting security, computer and network security, and other security issues appear on this blog written by a professor from Johns Hopkins University.
14. CERIAS. The Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security is one of the leaders in research and education on information security. and their blog focuses on these issues.
15. Random Spaf Items. Professor Gene Spafford from Purdue, who also posts on CERIAS, writes about privacy, cybersecurity, cybercrime, and more on his personal blog.
16. 1 Raindrop. Written by security software expert, Gunnar Peterson, the posts on this blog discuss online security and privacy issues.
17. SecurityBuddha.com. Mark Curphey writes about Internet security tools as he has begun to reshape his blog.
18. Security Retentive. This information security engineer blogs about Internet security and privacy issues.
19. Another Set of Teeth. This blog covers privacy, security, and ethics especially pertaining to Internet security.

National Security

These blogs cover national security from the perspective of the government, strategists, and others who are dedicated to keeping you informed about security issues.

20. In Homeland Security. This non-partisan and non-commercial blog is sponsored by the American Military University and delivers news and analysis of issues relating to national security.
21. Stephenson blogs on homeland security 2.0 et al.. Written by the well-known strategist and theorist, W. David Stephenson, this blog touches on technology and civil liberty issues in relation to homeland security.
22. Global Guerrillas. This former USAF pilot and current analyst on warfare and security writes on communities and potential crises.
23. Vital Systems Security. With posts including such topics as community health issues, security, and globalization, this blog brings the latest scientific news as it relates to these issues.
24. Emergency.Blog. This blog focuses on information relating to security issues such as terrorism, emergency service, and cyberwar.
25. Homeland Security Watch. This non-partisan, non-commercial blog provides information about national security events and news.
26. War and Piece. Written by a national security correspondent, this blog provides insight on national security issues and foreign policy.
27. DefenseTech. This blog from Military.com covers a variety of topics that pertain to national security.
28. Evolution of Security. From the Transportation Security Administration, posts here discuss security and technology as they relate to national security.
29. Security Debrief. This blog features news and commentary from several sources that all discuss issues surrounding national security.
30. Home Station. From the Integrative Center for Homeland Security at Texas A&M University, this blog discusses timely issues surrounding homeland security including cybersecurity, terrorism, and more.

Personal Privacy, Security, and Identity

From guarding your identity to keeping your family safe to digital identity issues, these blogs cover personal security and privacy.

31. Privacy and Identity Theft. Get news and learn how to protect yourself with the information here that examines cybercrime, identity theft, and more.
32. Privacy Gourmet. Privacy and social networking, data privacy, privacy resources, and keeping families safe online are some of the subjects covered on this blog.
33. Emergent Chaos. This collaborative blog focuses on privacy, security, liberty, and economics.
34. Schneier on Security. This "security guru" and renowned author blogs about computer security, personal security, and Friday squids.
35. The-New-Internet-Security-Cyberhood-Watch-Blog. This blog focuses on such privacy and security issues such as identity theft, child cybersafety, and cybercrime.
36. Ceci n’est pas un Bob. Learn about issues surrounding security, privacy, identity, and risk at this blog written by Bob Blakley.
37. Identerati. Another blog from an employee of Burton Group, this focuses on identity management and security with a perspective from both business and the individual.
38. IdentityBlog. Kim Cameron writes about digital identity, privacy, and more on his blog.
39. Identity Woman. Social issues surrounding online digital identity are the focus of Kaliya Hamlin’s blog.
40. Adventures of an Eternal Optimist. Digital identity, privacy, and more are the topics discussed here.

Law and Policies

These lawyers and organizations all blog about privacy law and policies.

41. Privacy Law Blog. Security breaches, privacy law issues, and more are the focus of this blog from Proskauer Rose, LLP.
42. Burton Group Identity and Privacy. Burton Group reports news and offers opinions on the state of privacy policy and issues.
43. Privacy and Security Law Blog. Medical records, cybercrime, and other privacy issues get attention on this legal blog.
44. Privacy and Information Security Law Blog. Global privacy law issues, especially as they pertain to the cyberworld, are featured here.
45. Privacy Spot. The law firm of Hughes & Luce, LLP blog about data protection and privacy law.
46. beSpacific. This law and technology blog frequently discusses topics such as government, cybercrime, and the Internet.
47. Think Progress. Advancing progressive ideas and politics are the mission of this blog where you can find topics including privacy, immigration, and security.
48. In General Counsel. This right-leaning legal analyst discusses issues of security, politics, and more from a legal perspective.
49. Gregory S. McNeal. This law professor writes on such topics as counterterrorism, national security, and criminal law.
50. Privacy Law & Policy. Privacy rights, open government, and cybercrime are the topics on this blog.

Careers in Criminal Justice in a Global Society

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/09/2009 | 0 Comments

Our criminal justice system has been turned upside down in recent years due to the increasing pressure on different nations to prosecute dangerous war criminals.  This is a difficult task for a global society because every nation has their own justice system, and the possibility of combining all of them together causes many conflicts between nations and a general complexity in prosecuting international terrorists.  However, with programs like the UN and the European Union, these issues are becoming easier to solve and many countries have begun to work together in matching their justice systems with each others.  As a result, careers in criminal justice have taken a dramatic turn away from their previous status as law enforcement positions, and have become more about prosecuting international terrorists and developing a plan as to their trials. 

The difficulties in trying international terrorists has become a dilemma across the Western world.  We are all unsure how to proceed and many high ranking officials in the criminal justice system have been forced to make decisions that can vastly affect our international standing as well as the true justice of the criminals we are prosecuting.  As a result, careers in criminal justice need to ensure even further that justice is upheld than they had to in past years.  This has grown increasingly difficult in a global society in which we are fighting a war without boundaries.  It is difficult to determine who is dangerous and who should be let go, and due to the longevity of most detainee’s imprisonment, the issue is in immediate danger of growing out of control.  Criminal justice jobs now revolve around this debacle and developing new plans for justice in the international sphere. 

Even more difficult has become the task of combining various international justice systems to prosecute dangerous war criminals around the world.  Because each nation has their own self-interests at heart, it is hard to administer what we consider to be justice, as compared to what they consider justice.  Criminal justice careers have never before had so many intricacies to deal with in past years, and therefore the jobs have become wider and farther set apart, allowing much more experience into the justice system than ever before.  While this may seem like a difficult task to take on, many criminal justice employees love their position and love the ability to participate in an atmosphere that is “uncharted territory” to say the least.