Best of the Web: Government & Law

Pro Bono programs listed by state.

The American Planning Association's New York Metro Chapter addresses planning issues that concern the physical, social, and economic environment in the metropolitan region encompassing New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley. The Chapter represents some 800 practicing planners and other people involved in the planning and design of the region's communities.

Section 161.01 of the New York City Health Code lists the animals that may not be kept as pets in New York City.

Guides to pro bono service opportunities in New York City and throughout New York State.

Provides online lawyer referrals within the New York metropolitan area.

A collection of hypertexted primary documents relevant to law, history, economics, politics, diplomacy, and government.

Yale University's Project Avalon makes available in digital format full text documents in the fields of Law, History, Economics, Politics, Diplomacy and Government. This phenomenal resource includes documents as varied as the ancient Code of Hammurabi, the Communist Manifesto, and the Treaty of Versailles.

Check out a business or charity, file a complaint online, and access publications offering guidance on a variety of consumer issues.

Biographies of each of the more than 13,000 individuals who have served in the Congress of the United States since 1789 and in the Continental Congress between 1774 and 1789.

Find catalogs of worldwide legal resources on the Internet by topic, region, or special category.

Working to promote democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age

This site provides access to the records and acts of Congress from the Continental Congress through the 43rd Congress.

Full-text, historical documents dating back to pre-colonial times.

A non-partisan group, Citizens Union publishes a Voter Directory which lists and describes candidates in local and citywide races. (Citizens Union does indicate "preferred" candidates.)

The regulations provided by this site oversee standards and methods of instruction, equipment and housing, catalogs, records, school advertisement, issuing certificates, teaching qualifications and a lot more.

A database of House and Senate Documents, Senate Executive Documents, and Senate Treaty Documents beginning with the 104th Congress (1995-1996).

CSG national and regional offices provide research analysis of:agriculture and rural policy, education,public safety and justice, health,the environment,fiscal conditions,infrastructure and state trends.

Contains basic contact information, as well as answers to frequently asked questions and a glossary of terms.

Provides concise address listings of major criminal justice agencies in New York State, including NYC courts, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, parole offices, youth agencies, and prosecution and defense associations.

Nonprofit group dedicated to protecting free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights in the digital realm.

Links to Western European (mainly primary) historical documents that are transcribed, reproduced in facsimile, or translated. They shed light on key historical happenings within the respective countries (and within the broadest sense of political, economic, social and cultural history). The order of documents is chronological wherever possible.

Complete text of the Fair Credit Reporting Act provided by the staff of the Federal Trade Commission.

The Act specifies who a debt collector is and how they may acquire information. It also delimits the kinds of activities that constitute harassment or are abusive.

The Federal Election Commission regulates political spending. This site includes a database of campaign spending reports filed by House and Presidential campaigns, Parties, and PACs. Access to State campaign finance laws, legal documents, and historical voting data is also available.

Information about identity theft from the Federal Trade Commission. Includes what to do if you suspect you have been a victim of identity theft.

Search the West Legal Directory for lawyers and law firms by name, location, or practice area.

The official U.S. gateway to government information.

The official Websites of governmentsaround the world, often with direct linksto presidents and prime ministers, parliaments, ministriesand departments.

A compilation of online primaryresources regarding Iraq which concentrates on government documents and information. The bulk of the resources are from the United States, but there are international entries as well.

Find a wealth of information on a nonprofit's operations, programs, finances, and personnel on this indispensable site.

This is the Federal Trade Commissions Website for information about identity theft. It includes steps to take, ways to place fraud alerts, and more. Additional useful links include access to federal and state laws [New York is NOT included], cases and scams.

A legal education portal designed for people learning, teaching, or researching law. Includes law guides, legal news, and legal scholarship resources.

Find links to information on domestic legal topics as well as on international law.

A portal to full-text, free and premium content from top legal publications, including the latest headlines searchable by state as well as lists and rankings related to the legal profession.

Helps low- and moderate-income New Yorkers find legal help and information.

A non-partisan organization whose purpose is to promote informed and active citizen participation in government. Find out who your elected officials are and how to contact them.

A comprehensive index to constitutions and codes, court opinions, and law arranged by topic, source, and jurisdiction.

A step-by-step tutorial on how to compile the legislative history of a New York State law.

This site will give you an opportunity to see if the school you are attending or plan to attend has any actions against it by the State Department of Education. It also provides you with a live link to The Directory of Schools which lists the most current and comprehensive roster of institutions licensed and registered by the Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision and their approved location(s) to conduct instruction.

Search the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory for lawyers by name, firm, area of practice, location, or law school attended.

A gateway to United States and international online legal resources featuring law topic pages, federal law, state law, local court rules, legal forms, lawyer information, and more.

State, local, and municipal court links.

This database contains information from the Websites of the fifty state legislatures, the District of Columbia and the Territories. You can select to view specific Website content, such as bills, constitutions, press rooms, and statutes, from all states, one state or a selected list of states.

Discusses ways to find a lawyer, including using legal referral services and agencies providing legal help to people of limited income.

The Website of the New York State Legislature provides links to the online versions of the New York City Charter and Administrative Code. Click on the link "Laws of New York," and then scroll down to the bottom of the list to the "Miscellaneous Section." There you will find links to both the New York City Charter and Administrative Code.

Detailed answers to questions about arraignments in New York City. Includes an alphabetical list of crimes that gives an idea of their seriousness by providing the offense level. Also helps find the penal law section number by the name of the crime.

Enter an address, borough block and lot, or street in order to view information such as Administrative and Political Districts, Zip Code, Block & Lot Number, Police Precinct, Cross Streets and more.

Find contact information and links to downloadable Family Court forms.

New York City's housing maintenance code from the Website of the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB).