In Legal Terms

We can think of ethics as the principles that guide our behavior toward making the best choices that contribute to the common good of all. Who decides what’s ethical or not? Let’s find out from our guest Tom Hood, Executive Director, Mississippi Ethics Commission.What do they do?    The Mississippi Ethics Commission has four main areas of authority under four separate laws:The Ethics in Government Law – prohibits public officials and employees from having economic conflicts of interest.The Open Meetings Act – requires governmental boards and commissions to meet in public, unless they enter executive session by following a specific procedure for limited reasons.The Public Records Act – ensures the public can inspect and copy most government documents.The Campaign Finance Law – authorizes the Ethics Commission to issue advisory opinions to candidates about the use of campaign funds.What do they Don't DoUnethical Personal Conduct Criminal Activity ElectionsJudgesGeneral Questions of Government LawLawyer EthicsU.S. House Ethics Committee Chairperson is our own Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., The Ethics Committees are unique among all House and Senate committees in that they are bipartisan committees. On February 3, 1993, the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, issued by the Office of Government Ethics for codification at 5 C.F.R. Part 2635, replaced the many individual agency standard of conduct regulations with a uniform set of standards applicable to all employees of the executive branch.Because they are intended to answer questions about the ethical conduct of more than a million individuals employed by more than 100 different Federal agencies, the Standards of Ethical Conduct are detailed.

What does Mississippi have to do with getting to the Moon? What are the laws concerning the Moon? We’ll find out with the help of our guest Michelle L.D. Hanlon, Executive Director, Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law and Co-Founder, President & CEO of For All Moonkind In 1971, Apollo 14 was the third Moon mission of the U.S. Apollo space program, but the flight was unique in one way: tree seeds were taken on the flight to later germinate “Moon Trees”! When selected for the Apollo 14 mission, Astronaut Stuart Roosa was allowed to carry approximately 500 tree seeds with him into space. The species selected were sycamore, loblolly pine, sweetgum, redwood, and Douglas fir, taken from lots of seeds collected at two U.S.F.S. Institute of Forest Genetics (I.F.G.) stations, the southern station in Gulfport, Mississippi, and the western station in Placerville, California. Mississippi State University proudly displays its Sycamore Moon Tree on campus near the Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, the home playing venue for the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team. A Sycamore was planted at Camp Iti Kana, a Girl Scout camp near Wiggins, Mississippi. There’s is located near the camp flagpole.A “Moon Tree” was planted on the grounds of Bayou Academy in Cleveland, Mississippi in late May 2024. As a seed, the Sweetgum traveled 270,000 miles around the moon aboard the Orion spacecraft in 2022.NASA Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi is contributing directly to the agency’s effort to land the first woman, the first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon – for the benefit of all humanity. Work at the nation’s largest – and premier – propulsion test site will help power SLS (Space Launch System) rockets on future Artemis missions to enable long-term lunar exploration and prepare for the next giant leap of sending the first astronauts to Mars.Michelle's inspiration: Star TrekLiz's thoughts about items left on the moon: Salvage OneAdam remembered The Expanse (tv show and book series)

This time of year, some folks start to celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving. That’s up for debate. What isn’t up for debate is hunting seasons. It depends on where you are, what you’re hunting, and what you’re using to hunt. Learn with us about Mississippi’s rules and regulations with Lt. Ricky Barry from the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.Folks can hunt White Tailed deer and squirrel, rabbit, possum, racoon, bobcat just now. But it’s not quail season yet. Check our podcast information for the link to the 2024-2024 hunting seasons schedule found on the Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks website to know where and how and who can hunt just now.There’s a terrific website that’s easy to follow and find what you’re looking for – in my opinion. For the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and parks: mdwfp.comThe Tuesday before Thanksgiving: November 26th GENERAL and SPECIAL RUNOFF ELECTION DAY: Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. On this Saturday, November 16th Absentee Voting: Circuit Clerks’ Office must be open from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. What will be voted on? The Mississippi Supreme Court Central District and the contested Mississippi Court of Appeals race.

Our guests are Nathan Blevins, the Deputy Commissioner of Community Corrections.Terri Maranoci, Community Corrections DirectorCecil Lott, Community Corrections Associate Director with the MS Board of Parole 239 North Lamar Street, Suite 501, Jackson, MS 39201 (601) 576-3520(601) 576-3528Information about parole in Mississippi, including the current Parole Board Members, Parolee Search, and Victim Parole Notification.MS Department of CorrectionsThe Community Corrections division is responsible for the following agency functions:​​Community Work CentersRestitution CentersTechnical Violation Centers​Interstate CompactProbationParoleIntensive Supervision ProgramEarned Released SupervisionTransitional Housing ServicesDo you need a ride to the polls today?WLOX reports that Lyft and Uber are offering 50% off rides to polling stations on Election Day as part of its voting access program. Lyft users can take advantage of the discount by preloading the code VOTE24 into their app until November 5.BlackNatchez.org is offering rides to the polls on Tuesday to anyone who lives in Adams County and needs one. For more information or to arrange a ride in Adams County, call Chakatria Fitzgerald at 318-719-0801; Adams County Supervisor Angela Hutchins at 601-807-0790; and the Rev. Maurice Irving at 601-807-6324.University of Mississippi Voting Engagement Ambassadors, is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5 to help students travel to polling locations in Lafayette County. Any student who is registered to vote in Lafayette County can use the shuttles for free.The Mississippi Secretary of State’s office has a complaint form online if you need to report a violation. I’ll have that link on our podcast information. Should you have any questions, please contact the Elections Division at (800) 829-6786.To report a violation of your voting rights, intimidation, or suppression of your voting rights you can report it by: filing a report online with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Voting Section or calling 1-800-253-3931According to usa.gov: You have the right to cast your vote in private. There is no law against asking someone who they are voting for. But you do not have to share that information with anyone if you do not want to.MPBonline.org will have election results as the come in. MPB Think Radio will begin national election coverage at 6pm tonight. At 7pm, when our Mississippi polls close, we’ll add our local election results as they come in to the National Election Coverage. MPB News Director Teresa Collier will report our results.  

It’s two weeks before our election but we’re not talking about voting today – don’t forget you can vote early if you’re 65 or over or have a reason you'll be away from your home county on Election Day. Get more information at the Secretary of State's voting information website.We’re very proud to have members of the Mississippi Special Education Coalition as our guests today to discuss the education rights for your student and the report the Coalition published. Joining us are Julian Miller from the Southern Poverty Law Center, Cassie Tolliver from Disability Rights Mississippi, and Ayanna Hill from American Civil Liberties of Mississippi.The SPLC has created a guide for parents of children with disabilities titled “Helping Your Child With a Disability Get a Good Education,” including state-specific guidance for parents in Louisiana and Mississippi.Article: Coalition trains advocates of children with disabilities in MississippiThe Office of Special Education website is designated to provide important information to families of students with disabilities. Links to a variety of resources are provided related to child developmental milestones and ways to help your child succeed in school. If you are unable to find answers to your questions on their site they suggest you contact their office at 601-359-3498.On the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Special Education website, you can access the Access for All Guide which was developed by the MDE in collaboration with educators across the state to help teachers address issues that impact learners with a wide variety of needs. I would hope that having access to this information might help families better understand the classroom environment.In Legal Terms has had 3 shows dealing with education this fall – on October 15th we learned about Special needs law and Able accounts. We talked generally about student rights on August 27th. August 6th was MPB Think Radio’s Education Week. Our broadcast /podcast was about Mississippi’s law schools. 

Is your home yours to do with as you please? Maybe not if your property is within a Homeowner’s Association. What are your rights if you buy a home with an HOA? We’ll learn with the help of attorney Reed Martz from Freeland Martz.Are you a fan of CCR – Creedence Clearwater Revival? What do you know about C, C & Rs? Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions are, in essence, the rules of a community. They describe the HOA’s obligations and rights to its members and vice versa. An association’s CC&Rs are recorded and filed officially with the state.Two weeks from today, Mississippians will go to the polls to elect our president and vice president, our four representatives to Congress and one of our senate seats. I’m also voting for a Supreme Court Justice and an Election commissioner. What’s on your ballot? You can find out by going to yallvote.ms or you could go to your County Circuit Clerk and vote early if you’ll be away from your home county on election day or you have another qualifying event - like you’re 65 or over.If you are intrigued or vigilant about HOAs, we’ve got some podcasts for you. Today’s guest Reed Martz from Freeland Martz has also talked about gun rights.HOAs podcasts 05/21/2022 , 05/26/2020 , 06/18/2019   Gun rights 04/04/2023 , 11/24/2020

In Legal Terms has been so grateful that Richard Courtney has been a guest on our show to discuss Estate Planning, Elder Law, Special Needs Law and other topics. You’ll find links to all his broadcasts on the information for this recording. In Legal Terms is heard live Tuesdays at 10am Central on MPB Think Radio and at mpb online / radio https://www.mpbonline.org/radio/10/15/2024 Special Needs Law Month http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-special-needs-law-month 04/23/2024 Medicaid http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-medicaid08/16/2023 Marriage & Estates http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-marriage-estate-planning05/02/2023 National Elder Law Month http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-national-elder-law-month11/20/2022 Trustees http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-trustees03/08/2022 Wills http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-wills-with-richard-courtney10/12/2021Elder Abuse http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-elder-abuse04/13/2021 Executors http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-executor10/27/2020 Special Needs Law http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-special-needs-law07/02/2019 Gap Act http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-gap-act05/14/2019 Wills and Probate http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-wills-and-probate-and-executors08/08/2017 Estate Planning http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/5cd2d695f9e59c996625766b10/28/2016 Special Needs Law Month http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/5cd2d695f9e59c996625768b8/23/2022 In Legal Terms: Estate Planning http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-estate-planning

We’ll discuss Special Needs Law – what are the laws around estate planning and protecting vulnerable adults. Rick is the first attorney in Mississippi designated a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the American Bar Association-accredited National Elder Law Foundation. Rick is a former Director of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) where he serves on the Trusts and Special Needs Law Sections Steering Committees.I love our shows but sometimes you needs a hand out or information you can refer back to when you want additional information. Our guest: Rick Courtney has a wonderful website with blog articles, Frequently Asked Questions section, and even a book: A Lawyer's Guide to Working with Special Needs Clients.Our show is about you and your rights. Rights that are derived through laws made by lawmakers. Our next election is in 3 weeks. November 5th. If you think you’ll be away from your home county on that day you can vote absentee right now. The Mississippi Secretary of State’s website y’allvote.ms has so much information or call your County Circuit Clerk for the information you need.If elder law is interesting to you, you’ll find our Monday Talks podcasts of value. Just last week, a representative of the Social Security Administration was the guest. You can listen to that podcast now. Or you can send them an email with a question for the next time the topic is discussed (money@mpbonline.org) – or use the Talk To Us feature on the MPB Public Media App.  

Family Law can vary from state to state. What are some of the Mississippi specific issues you might need to know? For instance, our state doesn’t have no fault divorce. Do you know what constitutes irreconcilable differences? Our guest, attorney Matthew Thompson from Thompson Addison, will help us learn.https://mscenterforlegalservices.org/ (800) 773-1737I love that you’re listening to our show. But, if you want some quick information about divorce, The Mississippi Bar's website has a one page that you can read.We’ve passed the date to register to vote for our next general election on Nov 5th. But you can vote early. If you know you’ll be out of your county on Nov. 5th head over to your circuit clerk’s office and go ahead and vote or get an absentee ballot and put it in the mail and make sure it’s postmarked Nov 5th or earlier. https://www.sos.ms.gov/absentee-voting-informationWe love talking about the laws surrounding our families. We’ve done it quite a lot in the past year.http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-adoption-2024 http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-youth-family-defense-program http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-estate-planning-2024 http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-wills-2024 http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/gifts-and-estate-planninghttp://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-wills-2023http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-child-support http://inlegalterms.mpbonline.org/episodes/in-legal-terms-marriage-estate-planning