Spring 2011 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum

The Spring 2011 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum features articles on Anchorage residents' perceptions of Anchorage Police Department, Internet crime in the U.S. and Alaska, and Internet crimes against children. The 8-page issue includes the following articles:

"Anchorage Residents' Perceptions of Police" by Brad A. Myrstol

This article presents Anchorage resident perceptions from the 2009 Anchorage Community Survey on Anchorage Police Department response time, helpfulness, fairness, use of excessive force, crime investigation, and crime prevention.

"Internet Crime in the U.S. and Alaska"

In 1997, the Internet was used in 18 percent of U.S. households, but by 2009, the percentage of U.S. households using the Internet had climbed to 69 percent — an increase accompanied by a whole new nexus for crime and fraud in the U.S. and globally. This article provides an overview of the response to Internet crime in Alaska and of data from the 2010 “Internet Crime Report” issues by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

"Internet Crimes Against Children"

As children’s access to and use of the Internet continues to grow, so does the potential for victimization of children. This article details effort to combat child exploitation in Alaska and the U.S., with an emphasis on Intenet crimes against children. Includes a timeline and a resource listing on child explitation and Internet crime.

"Justice Center Changes"

Cory LePage has joined the Justice Center faculty. Marie Brunner, Justice Center office manager for 9 years, has retired; and Rhoda Brown, formerly Senior Grant Accountant at Grants and Contracts, has joined the Justice Center as office manager.

Justice Center publications soon available on EBSCO criminal justice database

The Justice Center quarterly research publication, Alaska Justice Forum, will be available later this year on the EBSCO Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text database. The Justice Center recently signed an agreement with EBSCOhost of EBSCO Publishing, the leading search platform for full-text online research databases in institutions worldwide.  Issues of the Justice Research Overview will eventually also be added to the database.

Criminal Justice Abstracts includes bibliographic records covering essential areas related to criminal justice and criminology and contains more than 200,000 records selected from the most important sources within the discipline.

Criminal Justice Abstracts is available on the Consortium Library website.

Research Overview: Gangs and the Fairbanks Gang Assessment

"A Brief Look at Gangs and the Fairbanks Gang Assessment" is the topic of the most recent Justice Center Research Overview.  Khristy Parker gives a short summary of national and Alaska gang data related to gang member demographics, motivation for gang membership, and problems caused by gangs.

A more detailed look at this subject is in the Alaska Justice Forum, Winter 2011 issue : "National Data and the Fairbanks Gang Assessment" by Khristy Parker and Shea Daniels, "Legal Definitions of Gang and Gang Crime,"  "Gang Units in Local Law Enforcement Agencies," and "Further Reading: Gangs."

ACLU Director Anthony Romero "Struggle for equal rights" presentation available as podcast

Anthony Romero, ACLU National
Executive Director

The July 14, 2011 presentation by Anthony Romero, ACLU National Executive Director, on "Disparate Opportunity in America: The Ongoing Struggle for Equal Rights," is now available as a podcast on the UAA website.  The podcast includes introductions, Mr. Romero's remarks, and the question and answer segment.

The program was presented by the Justice Center and ACLU of Alaska at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium and was supported by a number of community co-sponsors.  Prof. Deb Periman, Justice Center faculty, and Jeffrey Mittman, ACLU of Alaska Executive Director coordinated the event.

Video of the presentation by the UAA Journalism and Public Communications Department is available on their website.  (NOTE: This version does not include the question and answer segment. Video of the presentation including the question and answer segment will be available shortly on the Justice Center website.)

UAA volunteers at Project Homeless Connect

Members of the UAA community volunteered at the 9th annual Anchorage Project Homeless Connect (PHC) held at the Egan Center on Tuesday, July 19, 2011.  The Anchorage Coalition on Homelessness presents this day-long program twice each year (January and July) with the help of community sponsors and volunteers. The goal is to move our community closer to ending homelessness.

Some of the UAA community volunteers:  l to r, Heather MacAlpine,
Justice major and Justice Center Research Aide; Kristi Powell,
UAA/APU Consortium Library Student Worker Supervisor/Reserves
Manager; and Barbara Armstrong, Justice Center,
Editor/Alaska Justice Forum and Research Associate.

This event brings together service providers and government agencies under one roof to assist homeless persons in identifying their top 3 issues of concern and then linking individuals with the appropriate provider.  Hospitality is an important part of the day and a lunch is offered to attendees, as well canned food items to take with them.  Similar programs are presented in cities across the United States.

The initial interview with each attendee also presents an opportunity for collecting information about who is homeless and why.  This data is aggregated and provides a tool to assist service providers and government agencies in policy making and structuring services. In  2010 Anchorage Project Homeless Connect assisted 769 clients in January and 578 in July.  A total of 847 clients received help at the January 2011 PHC; the July 2011 PCH count will be released shortly.

The article "A Look at Homelessness in Alaska" in Alaska Justice Forum 26(2) Summer 2009 looked at data for the homeless in Alaska for the years 2007–2009.

Anthony Romero addresses over 200 at Justice Center/ACLU event

Anthony Romero, ACLU National Director

Anthony Romero, National Executive Director of the ACLU spoke to a crowd of over 200 people about "Disparate Opportunity in America: The Ongoing Struggle for Equal Rights" on July 14, 2011 at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on the UAA campus.  
 
The Justice Center and the ACLU of Alaska presented this free program for the public, followed by a reception.  Twenty-one UAA and community partners were also co-sponsors and staffed information tables at the event. Prof. Deb Periman, Justice faculty, and Jeffrey Mittman, Alaska ACLU Director, coordinated this program. 

The focus of the program was recent developments in the continuing challenges faced by minority and underprivileged communities, and the work of the ACLU in fighting for equal rights.  During the lively q & a segment, Mr. Romero addressed a number of specific cases and topics.

The program was live streamed on the UAA Journalism and Public Communications website

http://jpc.uaa.alaska.edu/ and has been archived for viewing after the event.  The presentation was also recorded as a podcast and will be available next week on the UAA website.

(l to r:) Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Director; Walt Monegan, President/CEO, Alaska Native Justice Center; Dean Cheryl Easley, UAA College of Health and Social Welfare; Anthony Romero, ACLU National Executive Director; and Jeffrey Mittman, ACLU of Alaska Executive Director.

Below is a slideshow from the event.

ACLU Director Anthony Romero program live streamed tonight

Anthony Romero, National Executive Director of the ACLU speaks tonight at 7:00 p.m. about "Disparate Opportunity in America: The Ongoing Struggle for Equal Rights" at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium on the UAA campus.   

The Justice Center and the ACLU of Alaska are presenting this free program for the public, with a reception following at 8:30 p.m.  A number of UAA and community partners are also co-sponsors. Prof. Deb Periman, Justice faculty, and Jeffrey Mittman, Alaska ACLU Director, coordinated this program. 

The focus of the program will be recent developments in the continuing challenges faced by minority and underprivileged communities, and the work of the ACLU in fighting for equal rights. 

This program will be live streamed on the UAA Journalism and Public Communications website

http://jpc.uaa.alaska.edu/ and will be archived for viewing after the event.  The presentation will also be recorded as a podcast and will be available next week on the UAA website.

UAA and Seattle University School of Law co-sponsor ethics program with Alaska Bar Association

UAA and the Seattle University School of Law co-sponsored with the Alaska Bar Association a continuing legal education program on ethics titled, "Creating Collegiality Among Adversaries" on June 20, 2011 at the Dena'ina Convention Center. Dean Mark Niles of Seattle University School of Law was the speaker, and a reception followed.  Alaska Governor Sean Parnell, an alum of the Seattle U School of Law, made brief remarks as part of the reception program.

Seattle University School of Law offers a summer Study Law in Alaska Program which includes law topics related to the state, and is open to students enrolled in American Bar Association accredited law schools. The program is facilitated by the UAA Office of the Provost and the UAA Justice Center.  Professor Stephanie Nichols of Seattle U School of Law is the director.

Pictured after the program (l to r): University of Alaska Board of Regents member Kirk Wickersham, UAA Provost Michael Driscoll, Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Walter Carpeneti, Seattle University School of Law Professor Stephanie Nichols, Seattle University School of Law Dean Mark Niles, UAA Assistant Provost Monica Kane, UAA Justice Center Director André Rosay.

Prof. Periman interviewed by KTVA Channel 11 News about need for lawyers in Alaska

Prof. Periman

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Justice Center faculty, was interviewed by Lauren Maxwell of KTVA Channel 11 News on Thursday, June 23, 2011 during events at the annual 2011 "Color of Justice" program sponsored by the National Association of Women Judges, the Alaska Court System, the University of Alaska Anchorage, law schools from the Northwest, and other organizations. The program is designed to encourage girls and minority high school students to consider a career in the law and judiciary.

Prof. Periman responded to questions from KTVA about the need for lawyers in Alaska.  Click on video below.

Profs. Periman and Brandeis present at Color of Justice events

Prof. Periman (l) and Susan Lee (r) outline for students how to plan for their college education.

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Paralegal Studies Program Coordinator, and Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Justice faculty, presented on several topics at the "Color of Justice:  Fostering Diversity in the Legal Profession and Judiciary ...One Student at a Time" held June 22-24, 2011 at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus and the Alaska Court System Boney Courthouse.

The program is designed to encourage girls and minority high school students to consider careers in the law and judiciary, and is sponsored by the National Association of Women Judges, the Alaska Court System, the University of Alaska Anchorage, law schools from the Northwest, and other organizations.  Two workshop tracks were available: College/Career Track and High School Track. The Alaska program was taught by Alaska judges and attorneys and Northwest law school professors.

Prof. Periman (l); Susan Lee, Gonzaga U School of Law (r).

Prof. Periman presented at several sessions as part of this multi-day event.  During the College/Career Track — Law School Admission Process and Pre-Law Support Services on June 22, Prof. Periman talked to students about "Preparing for the LSAT" and outlined "UAA Resources for Post-Baccalaureate Education."  For the High School Track, she was a panel member for the welcoming lunch program on June 23 on campus and facilitated an interactive presentation on "What Makes a Good Judge." For the June 24 session for high school students, Prof. Periman team taught "Follow Your Dream: Think Now About Your Future" with Susan Lee, Gonzaga University School of Law Admissions Director.

Prof. Brandeis explains students' rights at school and the issue of free speech under the Constitution.

Prof. Brandeis facilitated a session for the High School Track titled "So What Do Lawyers and Judges Do? A Case Study Exploring Student Free Speech." His interactive presentation of a hypothetical case study looked at the constitutional right of a high school student to wear a T-shirt with a controversial slogan.  A team of student judges listened to arguments by students representing the student's viewpoint and the school administration's viewpoint and ruled on the issue.

The National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) developed this highly effective annual program to encourage girls and minority high school students to consider pursuing careers in the law and judiciary.  Experienced judges and lawyers discuss law school and the requirements for admission, share their experiences including reasons why they chose their careers, and answer questions in groups. Students, judges and lawyers have praised the project, and it has been reproduced successfully nationwide.