| Volume 142 Number 91 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Holidays often mean time with family and friends. If you’re looking for conversation starters that avoid tricky topics – like who should’ve won the World Series – why not chat about scams? Click here for more.
Uber to start recording audio of rides
Uber plans to start creating audio recordings of rides in the U.S. as part of its mission to increase passenger safety, The Washington Post reported Wednesday. In recent years, numerous incidents have happened in Uber vehicles. The ride-hailing firm has been hit with several lawsuits filed by passengers who say they were sexually assaulted during rides. The new feature is intended to make passengers and drivers feel mutually at ease during rides. Users would have to opt into having their trips recorded, and all recordings would be encrypted for privacy purposes. Click here for more.
Your Money
Individuals working for state and local governments, as well as some tax-exempt organizations, may be eligible for a 457(b) plan. This type of account is designed to help government and nonprofit workers save for retirement. If you invest in a 457(b) plan, you’ll have access to certain advantages like tax-deferred growth and the opportunity to choose how to invest funds. There are also potential disadvantages to keep in mind, including fees that may be higher than other types of investments and no employer match. Before contributing to a 457(b) plan, it can be helpful to understand the fine print associated with this type of retirement savings vehicle. Here's how 457(b) plans work and what factors to keep in mind when managing this type of account. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Practice of jailing indigent debtors for non-payment of court debts violates 14th Amendment. The Fifth Circuit recently affirmed a grant of summary judgment to a class of plaintiffs alleging that Louisiana's Judicial Expense Fund, which essentially allows judges to jail indigent debtors for the non-payment of court debts, violates the 14th Amendment. The district court granted summary judgment, certified a class, and issued a declaratory judgment. A panel of the Fifth Circuit affirmed. The District Court summarized the Plaintiff's claim as follows: Defendants' policy of jailing indigent debtors for nonpayment of court debts without any inquiry into their ability to pay is unconstitutional under the Due Process clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Judge's authority over both fines and fees revenue and ability-to-pay determinations violates the Due Process Clause. Click here for more.