law
New York now requires those convicted of hate crimes to undergo hate crime prevention training
- Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced the signing of two new bills, Assembly Bill A1202 and Assembly Bill A5913A, to address the “rising tide of hate” in New York City on Tuesday.
- The first bill will require New Yorkers convicted of hate crimes to undergo mandatory training and counseling on top of their additional penalties.
- The second bill aims to establish a statewide campaign to promote acceptance, inclusion, tolerance and understanding of diversity undertaken by New York’s Division of Human Rights.
- “No Asian woman of any age coming home from work should ever worry about where they stand on a subway platform,” Hochul said at a press conference. “No young Jewish boy should ever have to look over his shoulder as he is walking into a yeshiva. No trans man or woman should ever have to fear for their safety or their life.”
- Besides the two new bills, Hochul also announced a deadline extension for community-based organizations to apply for New York City’s $50 million Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Program. The new deadline will be on Feb. 23, 2023.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) signed two new bills on Tuesday, including one that requires those convicted of hate crime charges in New York City to undergo hate crime prevention training and counseling.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Hochul’s office explained that the first bill, Assembly Bill A1202, would require New Yorkers convicted of hate crime charges to undergo mandatory training and counseling on top of their sentences.
Trans woman in Japan denied status as parent of her own daughter
- A Japanese court has ruled that a trans woman in her 40s cannot be recognized as the legal parent of her second daughter due to her transition.
- The court legally recognized the woman as the parent of her first daughter but not her second child as she was born following the woman’s transition.
- The woman’s original request was denied in February, and after appealing against the ruling, the Tokyo high court denied her request once again on Friday.
A trans woman in Japan was denied parental rights and recognition as the legal parent of her second daughter by the Tokyo high court due to her transition.
It was ruled on Friday that the trans woman in her 40s was only recognized as the legal parent of her first daughter. Since her second daughter was born after her transition, the court denied the woman’s rights as the girl’s legal parent.
Japan to change age of adulthood for the first time since the Meiji Era of the late 1800s
- Starting April 1, Japan will lower its legal adult age from 20 to 18.
- The change will upend over 140 years of civil code, soon giving 18- and 19-year-olds the rights and responsibilities that come with legal adulthood.
- Those 18 years and older will no longer need parental consent to sign up for credit cards, loans and apartment leases. They will also be able to make important life decisions on their own, including those of work, place of living and marriage.
- Stricter punishments will also be applied to 18- and 19-year-olds for criminal offenses, as they will no longer be considered minors. News and media outlets will also be able to report their names publicly.
- The motive behind the change in civil code lies in the notion that people should participate in society sooner, against the backdrop of Japan’s low birth rates.
On April 1, Japan will change its legal definition of an adult from those who are at least 20 years old to those who are 18 years old and older.
The change will upend over 140 years of civil code dating back to the Imperial Meiji period of the late 1800s.
Former US Prosecutors and Over 70 Firms Are Uniting to Offer Free Legal Help to Fight Asian Hate
A collective of over 70 law firms and large company law departments in the U.S. has launched a national pro bono initiative to help victims of anti-Asian hate and prevent further incidents of violence.
The Alliance for Asian American Justice, or simply the Alliance, will coordinate and use pro bono resources to support victims in obtaining legal remedies — from providing legal counsel to working with police in keeping perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Andrew Yang Lasted Only 5 Months Working at an Elite Law Firm Because It Wasn’t Worth It
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang has openly talked about his aborted career as a corporate attorney in which he “spent five unhappy months of” soon after getting a law degree.
Before joining Davis Polk & Wardwell in 2000, he had scored 178 out of 180 on the LSAT and attended Columbia Law School. Once he was in, however, he did not feel quite at home.
Student Dies in Massive Protest Against Law Making Sex Before Marriage Illegal in Indonesia
On Thursday, the massive protest against a controversial proposed bill in Indonesia that has become increasingly violent in the last few days has claimed its first life.
A 21-year-old student died as thousands of Indonesians hit the streets nationwide to oppose a bill that changes dozens of laws, including amendments that make it illegal to insult the president and criminalize pre-marital sex.
Gemma Chan Reveals How She’s Used Her Oxford Law Degree Since Becoming an Actress
Actress Gemma Chan recently shared how her law degree from Oxford University somehow became quite useful in her acting career.
The “Crazy Rich Asians” star was featured on the cover of Modern Luxury magazine’s March issue where she gave a fascinating interview about her blossoming career in Hollywood.
Macau’s Billionaire ‘King of Gambling’ Gets Sued By His Nephew For $255 Million
Macau’s “King of Gambling,” Stanley Ho Hung-sun, is facing a lawsuit filed by his own nephew for alleged unpaid shares dividends.
Based on court documents, plaintiff Michael Hotung, aka Mak Shun Ming, is suing the renowned casino tycoon for 2 billion Hong Kong dollars ($255 million).
Thailand Wants to Legalize Medical Marijuana in 2018 as a ‘New Year Gift’ for Citizens
Thai officials are now planning to swiftly approve the legalization of marijuana in the country, and they are aiming to make it available before the year ends as a gift to its citizens.
Florida Expected to Repeal a Racist Law That Prevents Asian Farmers From Owning Land
In November, voters in Florida will attempt to repeal a 1926 law that prevents Asian farmers from owning and leasing land in the state.
The decision to repeal what is essentially an archaic and racist legislature was set in April after Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) voted 36 -1 in favor.
Singaporean Influencer Pushes Driver to Go 120 MPH, Says Men Who Can’t Do It are ‘Not Worthy’
A social media influencer in Singapore shared clips of a ride that hit the road with speeds of up to 192 kilometers per hour (119 miles per hour), way beyond the state’s general limit of 50 kph (31 mph).
The influencer, reportedly identified as Chloe Teo, not only filmed the ride but also egged the driver on.
Boba Tea Shops Scramble as San Francisco Moves to Ban Plastic Straws
Owners of bubble tea shops in San Francisco have been forced to search for new kinds of straws as the city’s Board of Supervisors decides to ban those made from plastic.
The ordinance, introduced by Supervisors Katy Tang and Ahsha Safaí, forbids establishments from offering plastic items such as straws, stirrers, toothpicks, beverage plugs and cocktail sticks.
