Current Events Archives - Riverside County Law Library

In Clients We Trust

Written on September 7, 2023.

America’s political sphere is characterized today by a unique combination of an all-time high in civic participation by the populace, and an all-time high in distrust for those same institutions. During the 2020 election, an unprecedented 66.9% of eligible voters participated in the election [1]. However, In 2022, it was reported that only 25% of the population have a great deal of confidence in the Supreme Court [2]. Perhaps, these trends mark a healthy direction in our democracy towards an awareness...

The State of Pride (by the numbers)

Written on June 28, 2023.

This year’s Pride month has faced an increased number of controversies and backlash including boycotts of Target and Anheuser-Bush, protesting pride celebrations in public schools, and the controversy involving the Los Angeles Dodgers and the LGBTQ+ charity organization, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. There’s no doubt this year’s pride season has felt very different than past seasons. For the first time ever, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) issued a statement, “LGBTQ+ Americans under attack:...

The Decline of Political Civility and What We Can All Do to Combat This Trend

Written on June 5, 2023.

The 2023 National Law Day theme of Cornerstones of Democracy; Civics, Civility, and Collaboration is a strong reminder of a new state of American politics and law. This year’s theme invoked a concerned message in support of rebuilding trust in our nation’s institutions and leaders, as well as regaining respect and willingness to collaborate with opposing views from one’s own [2]. In an era of growing political divide in the United States and worldwide, the underlying sentiment between opposing...

LGBTQIA+ Folx: Why you (and everyone you know) should have an Advance Health Care Directive

Written on May 19, 2023.

In honor of PRIDE MONTH, Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS), a nonprofit legal services organization serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, is offering free legal programming for the LGBTQIA+ community, including an Advance Health Care Clinic on June 8, 2023, connecting eligible people with an attorney to receive info and help with preparing an Advanced Health Care Directive (AHCD)—a legal document recording your wishes about medical treatment in case you become ill or unable to make...

The Grand Reopening of the Victor Miceli Law Library: A Recap

Written on May 5, 2023.

After months of planning, preparation, and coordination, the Victor Miceli Law Library (VMLL) celebrated its grand reopening in downtown Riverside! On April 21st, 2023, California state dignitaries, Riverside County legal professionals, and members of the public gathered in downtown Riverside to celebrate a new milestone in the eight-decade history of the Riverside County Law Library (RCLL) organization. What started in 1941 with the first official board meeting minutes has now culminated with...

The Cost of Free Speech

Written on April 19, 2023.

As Americans we have been given the right to say many things without legal consequence. However, as journalist Chris Lamb made the following comment about the circumstances involved in the statements made by Dilbert creator Scott Adams, he “failed to grasp that being a social critic means your freedom of expression only goes as far as your audience is willing to accept it. Adams could say whatever he wanted to his YouTube audience because his listeners may have agreed with what he said.” [1] In...

Law Library to Celebrate Grand Reopening with Guest Speaker Patricia Guerrero, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court

Written on April 3, 2023.

Riverside, CA, March 30, 2023 – The Riverside County Law Library (RCLL) is excited to announce that after being closed to the public for several months, the Victor Miceli Law Library will hold a Grand Reopening event on Friday, April 21, 2023, located at 3989 Lemon Street in Riverside. The Victor Miceli Law Library has been closed since Fall 2021 and has undergone major replacement and upgrade of the building’s HVAC, electrical and fire alarm monitoring systems. RCLL took advantage of the closure...

SCALL 2023

Written on March 3, 2023.

This year, the 51st SCALL (Southern California Association of Law Librarians) institute took place here at the Downtown Riverside Convention Center. The staff here at the Riverside County Law Library was very excited to share all the new changes the downtown branch has experienced with our colleagues. Externally, many new restaurants, museums, and infrastructural adjustments have sprung up over the years in the urban landscape of Downtown Riverside. Internally, the downtown branch completed the...

New Year, New Climate Change Laws 2023

Written on January 20, 2023.

It is no secret that climate change, ecology, and the catastrophes they present are some of the most concerning issues facing Californians as we lurch towards an uncertain future. The popularity of a star-studded film such as Don’t Look Up and the frequent and sensational debates concerning the validity of the science behind climate change bear witness to this. In a speech delivered in July of 2022, even President Joe Biden declared that “Climate change is an existential threat.” At this time,...