It’s National Library Week, and the Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library is celebrating! This year’s theme is “Connect with Your Library.” In recognition of the many organizations in Harris County that are committed to improving access to justice, we are spotlighting the community partners with whom we share a common goal – connecting with low income individuals and families in need of legal assistance, information, and resources. We, the Law Library, connect with them, the vital community partners, so that all of us can can connect with you, the many visitors we see every day!
Read moreOn March 18, 1963, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Gideon v . Wainwright that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of counsel in criminal cases is a fundamental right, essential to a fair trial, as provided by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The court battle leading up to this ruling was truly a case of David v. Goliath. In recent years, there has been a push to advocate for a “Civil Gideon” – the right to legal counsel in civil cases. If Civil Gideon should ever come to pass as a universal Constitutional right, the legacy of Clarence Earl Gideon, whose own case was decided on this day 59 years ago, would be fulfilled for all so that “justice should be the same, in substance and availability, without regard to economic status” and irrespective of the type of offense.
Read moreMarch is Women’s History Month, and to kick off this month of recognition of women’s achievements and contributions, but also of the barriers that women continue to face, we would like to highlight the latest information on the gender wage gap.
Read moreAll of the major cellphone carriers — AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile — are planning to shut-down their older 3G networks this year. Millions of people in the United States who use 3G phones and other 3G devices will be unable to text, make calls, or even reach 911. If you are currently relying on a 3G network for your devices – phones, home security systems, vehicle navigation services, personal medical alert devices, or some e-readers – you will be affected by this change. To encourage the transition to newer devices, some service providers are offering substantial discounts and/or trade-in options on new smartphones. However, even discounted phones may be financially out-of-reach for many users. Marginalized or low-income users and the elderly, as well as rural and prepaid mobile customers, will feel the impact of this change.
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