As an incarcerated individual, it is important to be aware of your civil rights to ensure fair treatment and protection of your basic human rights. Incarceration involves restrictions on personal freedom. However, people still have certain civil rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and federal law. Knowing these rights empowers people to advocate for themselves. It also gives them a way to seek recourse in cases of infringement or abuse. Right to adequate medical care A fundamental civil right of incarcerated people is the right to receive adequate medical care. The Eighth Amendment proh ..read more

Discrimination in schools is an unfortunate reality that some children may face. Identifying signs of discrimination early on is crucial for addressing and rectifying the situation. Recognizing these signs can be easier said than done, though, even for the most involved of parents. Knowing what to look for can be a huge first step toward ensuring that your child is having a safe and comfortable experience. Academic disparities One of the first signs of discrimination can manifest in academic performance. If your child is consistently receiving lower grades despite putting in effort, it may be ..read more

The police serve to protect and uphold the law, ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals. They have the authority to enforce laws, but they must also abide by them. It is important to understand your civil rights and be aware of instances where these rights might be at risk of violation. Being informed and vigilant can help ensure fair treatment by those in positions of authority. Searches without proper justification The Fourth Amendment protects you against unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that the police cannot search you, your vehicle or your home without a valid rea ..read more

Rhode Island is no stranger to cannabis legalization. In 2006, a bill legalizing medical marijuana became the law of the land. Nearly one year ago, lawmakers joined a growing number of states that legalized recreational marijuana. The Ocean State joined the collective when Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed the Rhode Island Cannabis Act into law. Rhode Island legislators also extended employment protections for staff who “partake” in marijuana during non-working hours. While exceptions exist, businesses can still drug-test employees. However, limitations exist when it comes to taking ad ..read more

Whether your child attends a public or private school, chances are the school’s policies include some form of dress code. Schools implement dress codes for a variety of reasons, including keeping students safe and avoiding distractions in the classroom. Sometimes, however, clothing policies unfairly target certain demographics. Racial and religious discrimination Often, dress codes include rules about hairstyles. Such policies might prohibit certain styles, such as locs, hair extensions or braids, deeming them a distraction. School officials might claim that the dress code policy applies to al ..read more

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 70 percent of businesses with employees will make it through their first two years of business. Regardless of how long a business has been around, maintaining a margin of profitability is always hard. Unfortunately, any business is likely to come across a client that does not pay on time. Many fall into three categories, and it is prudent to develop different strategies to deal with each type. Customers facing financial trouble Forbes discusses ways to handle customers who do not pay on time. First, know which category a customer ..read more

If you are transgender, you may always have some concern for your personal safety. After all, while attitudes are slowly changing, transgender people are still more than four times more likely to become victims of violent crime than their cisgender counterparts. Regrettably, you may not receive the help you need from the police. Officers often receive precious little training on interacting with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Personal prejudices may cause officers to treat you differently or even to mock or disparage you. If you find yourself in custody, though, you may fall victim to abuse ..read more

Organizations such as the EEOC and anti-discrimination laws have made workplace discrimination in general illegal. As a result, it has become the focus of much litigation. One type of discrimination that can be difficult to identify and even harder to prove is ageism. This may be because ageism can impact people of all races, genders, religions and political affiliations. Protections In 1967, the government passed the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), making it illegal to discriminate against employees over 40 years old based solely on their age and not in tandem with other factors ..read more

As a Rhode Island business owner, you know that sometimes client accounts go unpaid. While you have the right to collect on these debts, you must do so under the terms of the state’s Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Review the basics of this state law so you can avoid sanctions while exercising your right to seek restitution for unpaid business debts. Methods of contact You can call a debtor for collections purposes only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. The law prohibits harassment of debtors, which includes not only threats and profanity but also repeated phone calls and texts. You may not publis ..read more

Most Americans probably take it for granted that they have the right to walk into a financial institution such as a bank and receive the same services that any other customer would receive. Unfortunately, however, there have been recent instances in which such institutions have denied access to people of color, and racial profiling seems to be behind it.  It would certainly seem that such treatment violates the spirit of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, due to a loophole in the law, financial institutions sometimes get away with the discriminatory practice.  What does ..read more