Take a look at our newsletter this month.
www.enkanter.com
December/January 2020
A STEP FORWARD FOR JUSTICE GOOD NEWS FOR SURVIVIORS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ASSAULT
The state of California has taken a major step forward to defend survivors of childhood sexual assault. Last summer, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 218 into law, significantly extending the time limit survivors have to bring lawsuits against their abusers. We at the Law Office of Elliott Kanter couldn’t be happier with this move to extend justice, and we want to make sure our readers know exactly what AB 218 will do when it’s implemented on Jan. 1, 2020. The most critical point of this new law is that it creates a three-year period for childhood sexual assault survivors of all ages to file claims — regardless of how long ago the event(s) took place. This means between Jan. 1, 2020, to the end of 2023, anyone who suffered through such a traumatic experience as a child has a chance to hold their abuser(s) accountable, regardless of existing statutes of limitations. This allows many people who are now adults to finally seek justice for the harm done to them. A 3-YEAR WINDOW
until they either reach the age of 40 or within five years of the discovery of the abuse. This is a major extension compared to the previous limitations, which was until 26 years of age or three years from the date of discovery. Considering the emotional weight these cases carry, this extension better allows survivors to process their pain before taking the difficult step of filing a claim. It’s not just the legal time limits that have been extended on these important cases. The new law also broadens the list of actions for which predators can be held liable. In the past, California civil code used the phrase “childhood sexual abuse” to refer to these kinds of cases. AB 218 has changed this to “childhood sexual assault,” which covers a far broader spectrum of predatory acts. Many experiences that didn’t fall under the state’s definition of “abuse” are nonetheless traumatizing and life-altering. This change better encompasses the kinds of damages childhood victims should be compensated for. A BROADENED DEFINITION
evidence surfaces that they acted to suppress evidence or otherwise keep the assault from coming to light. In fact, AB 218 establishes that if such a cover-up is proven, the court can award three times the damages. Hopefully, this costly penalty will dissuade institutions from protecting predators in the future. As a firm well-versed in these kinds of traumatic cases, we know it can be hard to confront an event from your childhood like this. But if you were assaulted, know that what happened to you isn’t your fault and you deserve to move forward with your life. The only people who should bear the burden of such an event are the abuser and any third parties who worked to cover up their crime. We understand how hard this step can be, but, if you want to seek compensation for the harm done to you, please know you can reach out to us. Our number is 619-231-1883.
AN EXTENDED STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
HOLDING INSTITUTIONS ACCOUNTABLE
Beyond creating this three-year window for all survivors, AB 218 also vastly extended the statute of limitations for such lawsuits moving forward. Even after 2023, people can file lawsuits for childhood sexual abuse cases
Importantly, the law also addresses the disturbing tendency for third-party institutions to cover up instances of the sexual assault of children. Churches, schools, sports leagues, and the like will all be held accountable if
-Elliott Kanter
1
The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | (619) 231-1883
Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com
THE JOY OF A GINGERBREAD HOUSE EVERYTHING YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THIS HOLIDAY TRADITION
BUILD YOUR OWN!
Of the many seasonal traditions that sweep our nation, few are as creative, delicious, and satisfying as building your very own gingerbread house. Whether you’re looking to create a simple table decoration or bake a tasty treat to nibble on, everyone can enjoy this holiday activity! Ginger was first cultivated in ancient China, then traded into medieval Europe. There, Europeans incorporated it into culinary traditions and used it to bake cookies into elaborate shapes and works of art, including figures of animals and people. The gingerbread house first appeared in the early 19th century in Germany. Although historians don’t know an exact date, it’s THE ORIGINS OF GINGERBREAD
speculated that it gained popularity around the same time that “Hansel and Gretel,” the popular fairy tale recorded by the Brothers Grimm, was published.
While you don’t have to challenge yourself to beat the Guinness World Record, you can still have fun creating your very own gingerbread village. Starting your gingerbread house from scratch can be a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy. Give the kids a chance to mix the ingredients, roll out the dough, and set out plenty of candies and frostings to use, and remember to have fun! If you’re looking for unique gingerbread house ideas, take a look at 20 gingerbread house ideas at TasteofHome.com/collection/ gingerbread-houses.
THE LARGEST GINGERBREAD HOUSE
In 2013, the world record for the largest gingerbread house in the world was broken. The house, topping out at 21 feet and covering 2,520 square feet, was built by Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Texas, to raise money for a local Level II trauma center. To construct the house, builders created a recipe that required 1,800 pounds of butter, 2,925 pounds of brown sugar, 7,200 eggs, 7,200 pounds of flour, 1,080 ounces of ground ginger, and a few additional ingredients.
MAKE THE ROADS A LITTLE SAFER DRIVE RESPONSIBLY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON The holidays are here, making it a great time to celebrate with family and friends. However, all these gatherings pose a risk: Every year, people make the mistake of getting behind the wheel after one too many celebratory drinks. This often results in many tragic accidents between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. But these devastating incidents can be avoided if we all do our part. IT STARTS WITH YOU The best way to guarantee one less intoxicated driver on the roads this holiday season is to not be one yourself. With the hectic nature of the holidays, it can be hard to plan ahead. But having a way home from a party that doesn’t involve drinking and driving is paramount. Consider going with a designated driver, or using a rideshare service like Lyft or Uber. Any alternative is better than risking your life and the lives of others. LOOK OUT FOR LOVED ONES If it’s your turn to host the celebrations this year, you can do a lot to keep your guests safe. Simply providing plenty of nonalcoholic beverages, even if there are no minors at the party, can be a great way to keep guests from overindulging. Most people want to have a drink
in their hands while socializing, but, if there are only alcoholic options that’s what they are going to default to. Soda, water, nonalcoholic eggnog — these can all be great alternatives to help guests pace themselves. Just in case someone does get too intoxicated and has no way of getting home, keep a guest room open, or at least a couch. They can safely sleep it off and drive home in the morning. DRIVE SAFE Of course, keeping yourself and loved ones safe is just half the equation. Just because you are responsible, doesn’t mean everyone on the road this season will be. The best you can do while behind the wheel is drive defensively. If a drunk driver crashes into you, call the police and seek medical attention. Then, call an experienced personal injury lawyer. They can walk you through your legal options when seeking compensation for your injuries.
2
The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | www.enkanter.com
Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com
A FRESH START AFTER CONVICTION
With 2020 on the horizon, there’s a lot of emphasis put on “getting a fresh start” and the idea of “new year, new you.” But this may be more difficult for some than others. Those who live in the shadow of a prior criminal conviction can find every step forward incredibly hard to make. If you or a loved one is going through this struggle, here’s some advice. BUILD A SUPPORT GROUP Sometimes, a conviction can alienate you from friends and family. In these moments, it’s important to reach out to those who are willing and able to help you get back on your feet. It can be embarrassing, but put yourself in their shoes. If someone you cared about needed your help, you’d want to know, right? This network of support can prove invaluable to help you find a job, create stability, and rebuild your social life. proactive in making sure you don’t slide back onto the wrong side of the law. If friends or family try to encourage you toward the same behavior that got you in trouble in the first place, set boundaries. If they continue to pressure you toward committing a crime, then distance yourself from these bad influences. VOLUNTEER In her blog “The Friendly Felon,” author Aza Enigma lists volunteer work as a great tool for anyone looking to restart their life. She writes of her own experience: “I didn’t just find something to do with my time; I met people with positive attitudes and huge networks of people.” These networks can also lead to further job opportunities, hobbies, and friends. CONSIDER EXPUNGEMENT For those that have been living with a criminal record for some time, expungement may be an option. Depending on the charge and the circumstances of your case, you may have the opportunity to clear your record and begin life anew. This can open up new opportunities for work and education and take the weight of the past off your shoulders. CUT OUT NEGATIVE INFLUENCES On the other side of the coin, you need to be
POTATO LATKES
Inspired by The New York Times
INGREDIENTS
• •
2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed 1 large onion, peeled and cut into quarters
• • • •
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp black pepper
• •
2 large eggs
Safflower or vegetable oil, for frying
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
DIRECTIONS
1. Using either a food processor with a coarse grating disc or the coarse side of a box grater, grate potatoes and onion. (If using a food processor, halve or quarter potatoes.) Once grated, wrap in a clean dish towel or cheesecloth to wring out as much moisture as possible. 2. Transfer to a mixing bowl and mix in eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and pepper. 3. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan containing 1/4-inch of oil over medium-high heat. Use a heaping tablespoon to drop batter into the hot pan, working in batches. Use a spatula or spoon to form them into discs. Fry about 5 minutes per side, until deeply browned. 4. Transfer to a paper towel-lined wire rack to drain, and serve alongside applesauce and sour cream.
3
The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | (619) 231-1883
Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC 2445 Fifth Ave., #350 San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 231-1883
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2
NEW LAW HOLDS PREDATORS ACCOUNTABLE
BUILDING YOUR OWN GINGERBREAD HOUSE
HOLIDAY ROAD SAFETY
3
POTATO LATKES
A FRESH START AFTER CONVICTION
4
THE HISTORY BEHIND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
The first string of twinkling lights illuminating your neighbor’s house is always a telltale sign of the upcoming seasonal festivities. Christmas lights are a holiday staple, but have you ever wondered where this beloved tradition started? The tradition of hanging lights on the tree originally started with candles. Because this posed an immense fire hazard, Edward Hibberd Johnson, a close friend of Thomas Edison and vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company, vowed to find a better way to decorate Christmas trees with light. In December 1882, three years after Edison’s invention of the lightbulb in November 1879, Johnson hand-wired 80 red, white, and blue lightbulbs together and wound them around a Christmas tree in his parlor window. A passing reporter saw the spectacle and declared in
the Detroit Post and Tribune, “One can hardly imagine anything prettier.”
1930s, families everywhere were buying boxes of bulbs by the dozen. Today, an estimated 150 million Christmas lights are sold in America each year, decorating 80 million homes and consuming 6% of the nation’s electricity every December. Whether you’ll be putting up your own lights or appreciating the most impressive light displays in your neighborhood or town, let the glow fill you with joy this season. Just don’t leave them up until February!
Johnson continued this tradition, increasing the number of lights each year and eventually putting them up outside. But because electricity was still a new concept, many years passed before the fad took off for regular Americans. In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge began the tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree, which spurred the idea of selling stringed lights commercially. By the
4
The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | www.enkanter.com
Published by The Newsletter Pro | www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online