KEYTLaw's Blog

Too Many Federal Criminal Statutes To Count

ABA Journal: Federal criminal statutes have multiplied to such an extent that it has become increasingly difficult to count them.

As a result of the increase, federal prisons now house more than 200,000 inmates, eight times the number 30 years ago, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports. And more people are in criminal jeopardy, often unwittingly, since increasingly the new laws do not have an intent requirement.

A U.S. Justice Department spokeswoman tells the Wall Street Journal that the number of federal criminal laws can’t be quantified. Studies have put the number at more than 3,000 and at 4,500.

Despite Privacy Concerns Law Enforcement to Use iPhone Iris Scanner

Reuters: Dozens of police departments nationwide are gearing up to use a tech company’s already controversial iris- and facial-scanning device that slides over an iPhone and helps identify a person or track criminal suspects.

The so-called “biometric” technology, which seems to take a page from TV shows like “MI-5” or “CSI,” could improve speed and accuracy in some routine police work in the field. However, its use has set off alarms with some who are concerned about possible civil liberties and privacy issues.

Feds Apparently Unaware of Economic Crisis – Continued Hiring, Never Firing

The Washington Examiner: A new analysis of federal workforce data shows that even in this time of retrenchment and downsizing, the federal government almost never fires or lays off workers. In fact, in many corners of the federal government, it is virtually impossible for an employee to be fired. “Federal employees’ job security is so great that workers in many agencies are more likely to die of natural causes than get laid off or fired,” writes USA Today, which conducted the survey.

The paper reports the federal government “fired 0.55% of its workers in the budget year that ended September 30.” For the private sector, the figure is about 3%. And for some parts of the federal workforce, the firing rate was even lower. For example, USA Today found that federal workers in the Washington, DC area have 99.74% job security. Some agencies, like the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission, did not fire or lay off anyone in the last year.

The Advantage of a Roth IRA

Free Money Finance.com: In looking at Wikipedia’s 401(k) IRA matrix that compares the benefits of a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, a 401k and a Roth 401k, the following stands out as a BIG advantage of the Roth IRA:

Forced Distributions: None. This is a huge advantage for Roth IRAs within estate planning.

They’re right — this is a gigantic advantage for a Roth IRA over all the other options. FYI, the others force distributions at 70½. But with a Roth you can let the money sit and grow forever — like until you die. Then the money can be used to pay your estate taxes (if you have any — hopefully you’ve planned to minimize those as well.)

The Economics of Law School

New York Times: WITH apologies to show business, there’s no business like the business of law school.

The basic rules of a market economy — even golden oldies, like a link between supply and demand — just don’t apply.

Legal diplomas have such allure that law schools have been able to jack up tuition four times faster than the soaring cost of college. And many law schools have added students to their incoming classes — a step that, for them, means almost pure profits — even during the worst recession in the legal profession’s history…

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