by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

The New York City Board of Corrections is calling for the immediate release of prisoners at high risk to contract the Coronavirus, including those from Rikers Island.  Although reportedly the virus has not been detected inside a New York City jail, the Board has promulgated that we must "drastically reduce the number of people in jail right now" to stop the spread of the virus.  Proponents of the mass release believe that the only way to keep incarcerated people safe is to release them and that the incarcerated and their families deserve better.

Opponents believe the virus is just being used as an excuse to fulfill a liberal agenda and that the issuance of "get out of jail free cards" is not in the best interest of New York's law abiding residents.  Further, that this is nothing more than a misplaced attempt to politicize the virus, as many proponents are simultaneously demanding legislative reform to allow prisoners to vote. 

If New York City was to allow the release of the prisoners at issue, they would be following the lead of Los Angeles County which has already started releasing prisoners under the guise of the Coronavirus.  If New York politicians cannot abstain from partisanship during a crisis such as that currently affecting us with the Coronavirus, then perhaps the only thing to really fear is that there is no hope left for the good people of New York.

Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
​www.liattorney.com

by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

New York State's attack on parental rights continues with proposed Bills S4424C and A6564C.  These proposed Bills would allow minor children ages 14 years and up, to be vaccinated with any vaccine without parental consent.  The continued attempts in New York State to pass laws attempting to seize parental rights are both alarming and tantamount to an assault on our Constitution.

The proposed Bills would effectively eliminate the right of parents to make decisions on behalf of their minor children without undue governmental interference.  The right to parent is an unenumerated constitutional right, protected from governmental interference by the Due Process clauses in the 5th and 14th Amendments.  In fact, there are multiple U.S. Supreme Court decisions that support, protect and uphold parental rights, while cautioning against State attempts to usurp these rights.  

The proposed Bills not only appear to disregard and steal away parental rights, but also would allow children as young as 14 years old to make "informed decisions" they are not capable of making.  Even many adults aren't fully aware of all the complicated scientific details related to the pros and cons for every type of vaccine and are hard pressed to reach the requisite level of informed consent.  To expect a 14 year old to suddenly gain the required maturity, knowledge and intellect to grant informed consent, is nothing more than a futile exercise in absurdity.  

Unfortunately, none of this seems to matter to the controlling political party in the New York State legislature, who no longer appears to serve the people of New York.  We as a people are entitled to, among other things, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Thomas Jefferson said it best by stating, "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.  That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,... it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."  Election Day is coming, choose wisely.

Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
​www.liattorney.com