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Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS , APC BIGGER
THE DAILY DRIVER Attorneys Defending Your Right to the Road
OCTOBER 2023
Innovation Knows No Bounds HOW WE APPLY THE ASSEMBLY LINE TO OUR PRACTICE
The world changed forever when Henry Ford implemented the idea of using an assembly line while creating automobiles. After other industries saw the invention’s impact and benefits, corporations began incorporating the method into their business routine. Millions of businesses use some version of the assembly line today. Before the Model T, no gasoline-powered automobiles existed in the U.S. Many people commuted to different cities or states by horse and carriage, train, or on foot. It could take weeks or even months to reach your destination. Could you imagine going to the grocery store and, instead of arriving at the supermarket in a few minutes, it took a few hours? You would have to carve an entire day just to purchase food! But all that changed in 1908 when the Model T was introduced to the world. It’s mind- blowing how one invention can change the course of history. As I think about the assembly line and its influence, I can’t help but think of the process my team and I use when handling cases. When you think of an assembly line, the first thought that comes to mind may be a series of workers and machines in a factory where a stream of similar items is constantly assembled. You probably weren’t thinking about a law firm, and for good reason. No two cases are similar because of the unique factors in each situation. How we handle speeding tickets vastly differs from how we defend a ticket for an overweight truck, an unsafe lane change, or for using a cellphone while driving. But, while we don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach like an assembly line, we do have something similar — we have processes that provides consistency in the way we handle cases.
Once a trucker reaches out to us regarding his or her traffic citation, our intake team conducts an initial consultation and opens the file. A case specialist then makes sure the court dates are set on time. Our trial by written declaration specialist makes sure the court documents are prepared and filed on time. Our attorneys call everyone once a case is complete to inform the client of the results. While the overall process may resemble an assembly line, each case is individually reviewed by an attorney and given special care to make sure that the unique circumstances of each case and client are taken into consideration when crafting a case strategy. By combining a systemized approach and a customized strategy for you, we can assure the best possible results on your case. –Paul Harman
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A CAT’S NOSE KNOWS
The Incredible Story of Lucca, the Explosive-Detecting Dog Who Saved Lives Sometimes, dogs are more than just a
the Marines were restationing him at the Marine Security Guard School. But before he had to leave, he was allowed to choose a new handler for Lucca. Willingham chose Corporal Juan Rodriguez, whom he sensed was the perfect match for Lucca. And he was right. Lucca and Rodriguez picked up where she and Willingham left off until one day in 2012. The pair were four hours into their patrol in southern Afghanistan when Lucca located her second IED of the day. However, when she moved closer to the device to lie down — it exploded. Rodriguez quickly ran to Lucca, where he discovered she had lost one of her front paws in the explosion. He applied first aid, a tourniquet, and called for a medevac, never leaving her side. She had suffered burns to her neck and torso, and doctors had to amputate her front left leg.
man’s best friend — they are heroes. When the Israel Defense Forces brought Chris Willingham, a Marine specializing in training military dogs, a small German shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix puppy in 2006, he knew she was special. Willingham named her Lucca, and in 2008, the pair deployed for their first tour in Iraq, where they spent countless hours together searching for improvised explosive devices or IEDs. When Lucca smelled a bomb, she’d lie down and wait for Willingham, an action they repeated so many times that the pair seemed to read each other’s minds. In fact, the duo became so successful that when platoons suspected they were heading into especially dangerous territory, they requested the team by name.
However, in less than a month, Lucca was back to running around with the same spirit as before her injury but was now retired from her day job. She was reunited with Willingham and lived the rest of her days with him and his family peacefully until her passing in 2018. Lucca led more than 400 patrols during three combat tours in her career. She found 40 confirmed insurgents and countless explosives, and she never had a single human casualty during her six years of service.
After returning from their second tour in Iraq, Willingham received orders that
How Tailgating Can Lead to Serious Consequences STAY BACK AND STAY SAFE
As college and professional football is underway, people are coming together to tailgate before cheering on their favorite sports team. On top of hanging out with friends and family, you get to eat great food, listen to music, play games, and connect with other sports fans. But while tailgating for games is fun, tailgating drivers on the road is another thing entirely — and a serious offense. Here’s what you need to know. Because of California’s busy and fast-paced roadways, commercial drivers are held to a higher safety standard to protect themselves and other road users. An essential part of a truck driver’s role includes maintaining a safe following distance when driving behind other vehicles. If a law enforcement officer sees you following too closely behind an automobile, they could issue a traffic citation, heavy penalties, and driver disqualification under federal regulations. WHAT IS CONSIDERED A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE? Because you’re in charge of a massive vehicle that weighs up to 80,000 pounds, tractor-trailers require significantly more distance than other motorized vehicles. According to DOT FMCSA, if the vehicle in front of you is driving 40 mph or less, the minimum following distance is one second for every 10
feet of vehicle length. For truckers, this results in four seconds between you and the car in front of you.
If a vehicle is traveling faster than 40 mph, you should apply an additional second. This means you should have a 6–7-second following distance under normal road and traffic conditions. WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR TAILGATING? California Vehicle Code Section 21703 says, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.” If you’re caught tailgating, you will get a traffic infraction, fines, and 1.5 NOTS points on your driving record. Tailgating is considered a serious offense, and if you receive a second serious offense charge within three years of the first citation, you can receive a 60-day driver disqualification. Tailgating in a commercial vehicle is a serious issue, resulting in significant state and federal penalties. To protect yourself and your livelihood, always maintain a safe following distance, and seek expert legal counsel if you are charged with this offense.
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Caught by the Lens
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
Thanks to your 66 referrals in September, we were able to donate $1,320 to fight human trafficking. To learn more about International Justice Mission, please go to IJM.org. MISSION: To protect the poor from violence by rescuing victims, bringing the criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts. Our long-term vision is to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice for the poor unstoppable.
It seems like the number of red-light cameras is always increasing. In Bakersfield, CA, alone, they pop up at intersections consistently. If you receive a red-light violation in the mail, then it’s crucial to understand the penalties and possible defenses you could use to dispute the ticket. Luckily, we’re here to lay out all the necessary information you need if this ever happens to you! THE FINES GO FROM “HIGH” TO “HIGHER” A first-time red-light camera ticket will cost you close to $500. However, a second ticket within a few years will cost almost $900! Additionally, you’ll be assessed a point on your license for violations in a personal vehicle and 1.5 points if you were in a commercial vehicle. IS THERE A WAY TO DISPUTE A CAMERA-ENFORCED RED-LIGHT TICKET? Contrary to what you might think, these tickets are not indefensible! Here are a few potential defenses that could help. • Unclear driver identity: Did you know the vehicle owner doesn’t have to prove they were not driving at the time of the violation? The burden of proof is on the state to prove who was behind the wheel! Additionally, you don’t have to reveal who was driving. • Equipment malfunction: If there is a reason to believe the red-light camera was faulty at the time of the violation, it can be used to resolve your case. • Premature light change: While the CA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices declares the duration of yellow lights depending on the speed limit of the street, you could still argue the light changed to red too quickly. • No warning signs posted: CA law requires a sign notifying you of the red-light camera before the intersection. If a sign wasn’t posted, you can use this information as part of your defense. 4 Strategies to Fight Red-Light Camera Violations
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Dealing with a camera-enforced red-light ticket doesn’t have to be an intimidating experience.
ROMANS 8:31
Understanding your rights, exploring potential defenses, and enlisting the help of a skilled traffic attorney can provide a strategic approach to mitigate the impact of such a ticket on your driving record and family budget. Please call us today if you have any questions!
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, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER
Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1701 Westwind Drive Suite 203 Bakersfield, CA 93301
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Our Own Version of the Assembly Line.......... PAGE 1
Lucca, the Explosive-Sniffing Dog................... PAGE 2
This Dangerous Habit Could Affect Your CMV License! ........................................................ PAGE 2
Smile! You’re on Camera! ................................. PAGE 3
Are These Bad Habits Hurting Your Brain?.... PAGE 4
Have a ticket in California? Give us a call, and we’ll help you out! Regardless of the location, we can point you in the right direction free of charge!
Surprising Habits Hurting Your Brain Health
miss crucial stages in the natural waking process. The dopamine we get from checking messages and likes also primes our brains for more, creating further distractions throughout the day. Experts suggest waiting an hour to check your phone, but if you can’t last that long, every minute you delay counts. Engaging in Negative Thinking Did you know poor mental health impairs our ability to think clearly? The same is true with patterns of negative thinking. Neuroplasticity means the input we give our brains shapes and changes how they function, and negative thinkers have more difficulty reasoning and forming memories. Fortunately, neuroplasticity also means we can choose to change. Mindfulness, stress relief, purposeful positive thinking, and
therapy can all help us learn to turn negative thoughts around. It will improve brain health, and we’ll likely feel happier, too. Spending Too Much Time Alone Humans are social creatures. So, while our brains need new challenges and information to stay sharp, they also crave social interaction. Spending time with others improves our mental health and ability to form memories. Socializing also keeps our brains active, which neuroscientists believe might fight dementia. Specifically, older adults can have trouble switching between active and daydream states, but social interaction will help sharpen that skill. Alone time is crucial, but too much of a good thing can be dangerous. Make sure to interact with friends and family often or find ways to meet new people whose company you enjoy.
Everything we think, feel, and do involves our brains, so keeping them healthy is worth our time. But doing so might require more from us than a nutritional diet, exercise, and occasional sudoku. Everyday habits can profoundly affect our neurological health, and some will likely surprise you. Checking Our Phones After Waking Up Many people have their phones in hand before they even get out of bed, but this morning routine could be doing significant damage. Immediately inputting so much sensory information causes our brains to
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