Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC - April/May 2021

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Apr/May 2021

READING FOR FREEDOM 3 BOOKS THAT HELPED ME UNDERSTAND THE PRISON SYSTEM

There’s an old saying that goes, “You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” No one knows who said it first, but I like to believe it was a lawyer. You see, in order to do my job well, I have to put myself in my client’s shoes and communicate their efforts, pains, and trials to a jury. How can I win the necessary compensation for a client injured in a car wreck if I don’t understand the scope of their back pain? How can I give my all to defending a client charged with drug possession if I don’t know about the good deeds they’ve done and the spouse and child they’re fighting for? The answer is that I can’t, so I do my best to find each client’s shoes, step inside, and walk a while. Talking to my clients helps, of course, but books can also be excellent teachers. Reading, for example, has helped me understand the prison system that some of my clients with records find hard to talk about. I think these books should be required reading for everyone. They’re extremely eye-opening and will give you a window into the criminal justice system (and recovering after it) that I’ve spent 40 years in law unearthing. ‘AMERICAN PRISON: A REPORTER’S UNDERCOVER JOURNEY INTO THE BUSINESS OF PUNISHMENT’ This book came to me highly recommended by The Marshall Project, and it’s a real James

Bond-type story! In it, reporter Shawn Bauer goes undercover as a guard in a private prison in Louisiana. He takes along a “spy pen” and a “spy watch” to record his interactions with other staff and discovers they’re treating the prisoners terribly. As NPR puts it, “The stories he tells are deeply sad and consistently infuriating ... An enraging, necessary look at the private prison system and a convincing clarion call for prison reform.”

‘BEYOND BARS: REJOINING SOCIETY AFTER PRISON’

If you know someone who is or has been incarcerated, or if you’ve been in prison yourself, this book is a must-read. “Beyond Bars” is a frank look at the challenges people face when they leave prison and begin their new lives. It’s also full of advice for overcoming those challenges. “Beyond Bars’’ was co- written by two criminal justice professors, one of whom served a prison sentence, so it’s definitely credible. The book doesn’t pull any punches, but it provides a lot of useful insight into the prison system and society at large.

I’d highly recommend both. “Just Mercy” is a memoir written by a criminal defense attorney who represents clients on death row, and I related to it right away. Stevenson’s uphill battle is gripping, and he shines a light on police misconduct and racism in the South and beyond. In particular, I couldn’t get the stories of child prisoners (detained as young as 13 or 14) out of my head. I’m sure they’ll stick with you, too. Books like these inspire me to fight even harder for my clients. If you pick them up, I hope they inspire you to push for what you deserve, too.

‘JUST MERCY: A STORY OF JUSTICE AND REDEMPTION’

No list of this kind would be complete without a mention of “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson. This book was a popular read last year during the summer’s Black Lives Matter protests, and the year before that, it became a movie. If you haven’t seen the movie or read the book,

Wishing you an enlightening spring,

-Elliott Kanter

The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | (619) 231-1883

Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com

THAT DOES WHAT ? 5 THINGS TO KEEP AWAY FROM YOUR DRAIN

STARCHES Foods like pasta, potatoes, and rice are heavy and absorb water. Because of this, they can become a thick mess inside your drainage system, much like fat. They can settle and accumulate, leading to, you guessed it, a clogged drain. PAPER Paper towels, tissues, and napkins cause problems due to their fibrous makeup. The only type of paper that can safely be put down the drain (or flushed, in this case) is toilet paper. It’s specifically designed to disintegrate in water. And those popular “flushable” wipes should never be put down a drain; despite their advertising, they are not flushable and can do serious damage as they accumulate.

When it comes to your kitchen or bathroom sink, the only thing that should be flowing down the drain is water. Of course, in the average household, you can call that a pipe dream (literally). So much gets rinsed down our drains, it’s no wonder plumbers are in such high demand! However, there are a few things you should never want to wash down the drain, even if you have a garbage disposal. Not only can you end up with clogged or damaged pipes, but you’ll also have to deal with unpleasant, lingering odors. FATS This is one of the worst substances you can send into your home’s plumbing system. Once fat — such as bacon grease — hits the cold pipes under and around your house, it starts to congeal, becoming hard and waxy.

Over time, fat will build up in the pipes, resulting in major blockage.

HIGH-FIBER FOODS Certain foods like asparagus, carrots, celery, corn husks, and potato peels can spell trouble for your drain and disposal. Fibrous strands can get caught in the grinding plate of the disposal, which then build up and cause clogs. Additionally, high-fiber foods don’t wash away well, as fibrous strands can tangle and clump together in pipes. SEEDS Seeds can cause serious problems. Large seeds (peach pits) aren’t going to go anywhere and may end up damaging your disposal or getting caught in your pipes. Smaller seeds aren’t much better and can be a challenge for the disposal if they become lodged in the grinding plate and pipe bends.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO REPORT CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE DON’T GIVE UP ON JUSTICE! Three years ago, if you were a childhood sexual assault survivor over the age of 26 living in California, you wouldn’t have been able to file a lawsuit against the person who abused you. Even if you had just found the courage after years of coping with trauma, it would have been too late. But that’s NOT the case today. In 2020, California Assembly Bill No. 218 changed the rules. Under Bill No. 218, survivors can file lawsuits against their abusers if they are 40 years old or younger OR if they recognized their memories of abuse within the last five years . Those changes significantly increased the old window, which was only open for people 26 and younger or those who’d realized their abuse within the last three years.

2. It created a law that allows courts to triple the damages awarded to victims who made allegations that an organization or public entity attempted to cover up. Here at The Law Office of Elliott Kanter, our team was practically dancing on our desks when this bill passed. It provides a host of new opportunities for victims of childhood abuse to take action, and we’ve been helping our clients explore every one of them! If you are a victim of childhood sexual abuse but haven’t come forward because the law wasn’t on your side, hopefully this article found you at the right time. If you’re 40 or younger, or if you recently realized that your experiences as a child were abusive, it’s not too late for you to report your experience. We can help you win the justice and financial compensation you deserve. Call our office today at (619) 231-1883 to schedule a consultation and figure out your next steps.

The bill also did two other important things for sexual abuse survivors:

1. It kicked off a three-year period from January 2020–January 2023 during which abuse claims that already passed the old statute of limitations can be reactivated as lawsuits.

The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | www.enkanter.com

Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com

BIKING DURING COVID-19?

How many cyclists have passed by your window this morning? Five? 10? 20? Odds are if you could time travel back to 2019, that number would be significantly smaller. Far fewer people in San Diego are choosing public transportation these days because of COVID-19. Instead, they’re getting around by bike. Cycling is a smart way to travel when it comes to virus protection. You’re alone and outdoors when you’re behind the handlebars. However, with a glut of bikers on the road, that protection diminishes. Until the whole of San Diego is vaccinated, keep up these precautions to stay safe. 1. Wear an athletic face mask or gaiter. To maximize comfort, look for a snug, breathable mask made from lightweight, moisture-wicking material. The Under Armour Sportsmask is one good option. 2. If you use a bike-share, wear gloves or wipe the handlebars. Keep wipes or hand sanitizer with you for this purpose. 3. Pedal at least 6 feet from other cyclists and pedestrians. It’s easy to forget about social distancing when you’re on two wheels. If you stay aware, you’ll stay safe. Taking those three steps can help protect you from illness, but they won’t shield you from the other hazard of having more bikes on the road: accidents. According to Outside Magazine, from 2014 to 2018, 18% of the entire country’s cycling deaths happened here in California, and total deaths are still rising. To make sure you don’t become a 2021 statistic, wear a helmet, follow the rules of the road, and put on brightly colored clothing while you bike. If you’re injured in an accident, call the police immediately, then get the insurance information of any drivers involved and seek medical care right away. After you’re on the mend, reach out to a personal injury attorney for help with your case. Lawyers like us can assist you with filing a claim and ensure you get the compensation you deserve either in or out of court.

RHUBARB OAT BARS

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

INGREDIENTS

• • • • •

1 1/2 cups fresh rhubarb, chopped 1 cup packed brown sugar, divided

• • •

1 cup old-fashioned oats 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

4 tbsp water, divided

• •

1/2 tsp salt

4 tsp cornstarch

1/3 cup butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. 2. In a medium saucepan, bring rhubarb, 1/2 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and 3 tbsp water to a boil. 3. Reduce heat to medium and cook until rhubarb is tender (about 5 minutes). 4. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and remaining water, stirring until smooth. 5. Gradually add to the rhubarb mixture, return to a boil, and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside. 6. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, coconut, salt, and remaining brown sugar. Stir in butter until mixture is crumbly. 7. Press half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spread rhubarb mixture on top, then sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. 8. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before enjoying!

The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | (619) 231-1883

Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com

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The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC 2445 Fifth Ave., #350 San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 231-1883

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

3 BOOKS THAT HELPED ELLIOTT UNDERSTAND THE PRISON SYSTEM

NEVER PUT THESE DOWN THE DRAIN!

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO REPORT CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE

RHUBARB OAT BARS

3 WAYS TO LOWER YOUR COVID-19 RISK WHILE YOU BIKE

WHAT IS INTUITIVE EATING?

HOW INTUITIVE EATING CAN HELP YOU QUIT DIET CULTURE

The concept of mindfulness has fully saturated mainstream culture at this point. Though it’s more likely to conjure up an image of someone sitting cross-legged with closed eyes than sitting at a table looking wide- eyed at mealtime, it’ll serve you just as well on your dinner plate as it will on your yoga mat.

counting has raised doubts in recent years due to inaccuracies in calorie calculations for the nutrition labels and research on how calorie restriction can backfire by changing your hormone levels and even slowing down your metabolism. Kristen Smith, a registered dietitian and the spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says it’s also linked to disordered eating habits. Intuitive eating may just be the antidote. Singer Demi Lovato, who has been open about her struggles with an eating disorder and body-image issues, credits a more mindful approach to eating with helping her overcome harmful eating patterns.

WHAT IS INTUITIVE EATING?

Eating mindfully, also known as intuitive eating, is trending in the health and wellness world. But it couldn’t be more different from fad diets or other trends like fasting and cleanses, which have restrictive lists of rules and foods to eat or avoid. Intuitive eating starts by simply tuning in to your body’s needs and cues, but it goes further than that. As a Harvard Medical School article put it, “In essence, mindful eating means being fully attentive to your food — as you buy, prepare, serve, and consume it.” And that includes focusing on how different foods and eating habits make you feel, both physically and mentally. While this may feel … intuitive ... it’s easier said than done in a culture with consistent and often confusing messaging around what constitutes healthy eating. Even the tried-and-true method of calorie

HOW DOES IT LEAD TO BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES?

Having a regular exercise routine and eating well have long been known as the two pillars of physical health. When it comes to the latter, intuitive eating helps you create healthy and sustainable eating habits. The upshot is that when you eat better, you’ll feel better. Being attuned to that connection is the foundation of mindful eating. Most of us know that we should eat whole foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables, but feeling the outcome of increased consumption of these foods will help you stick with and build the habit.