policies that outline rules and obligations nations must follow when conducting themselves beyond our clouds.
For example, treaties negotiated by space lawyers were instrumental in getting the Soviet Union to spend millions to clean up radioactive debris deposited over northern Canada by its Cosmos 954 satellite in the late 1970s. Utilizing Article 7 of the Outer Space Treaty (via the 1972 Space Liability Convention), the Canadian government argued that the Soviet Union was on the hook to cover the majority of the cost of Operation Morning Light, an extensive cleanup operation by the U.S. and Canada to remove nearly 50,000 square miles of hazardous material dropped from space. Thanks to space lawyers, no nation can claim ownership of Earth (or any other planet), the moon, or any other entity discovered in the galaxy. However, recent debates have raised an intriguing question: Who would own the resources derived from the moon or another planet? If Russia were to one day discover a life-saving nutrient on the moon’s surface, would it have the right to claim exclusive ownership of this medical marvel? Would this discovery need to be shared with other nations involved in space-related treaties? While it may take years (or the invention of a good time-traveling warp drive) for us to resolve these questions, it’s clear we need space lawyers to tackle these and other questions in a legal frontier that no Earth- bound lawyer has pondered before!
COSMIC COUNSEL WHO MAKES THE RULES IN SPACE?
The phrase “space lawyer” may conjure images of an intergalactic courtroom setting in a “Star Trek” film, but the term and profession are rooted in reality here on Earth. Simply put, space lawyers are legal professionals specializing in international law and drafting agreements between countries regarding their activities throughout our galaxy. Instead of brokering peace treaties between humans and Klingons, these attorneys work to establish
ONE FLASHING LIGHT AWAY
WHEN A MINOR TRAFFIC STOP TURNS INTO MAJOR TROUBLE
Most drivers get pulled over at some point for a traffic violation, from speeding to rolling through a stop sign.
months and a $300 fine. Your auto insurance premiums will rise by at least $1,000 a year for the ensuing three years. And after your license is restored, you’ll be required to install an ignition interlock device for at least six more months! An ordinary traffic stop can actually pose greater risks than being pulled over for a possible DUI. An officer who suspects you’re guilty of DUI will usually tip their hand by asking such questions as, “Have you been drinking this evening?” But if the officer is just making a routine traffic stop for another reason, you might chat openly with them in hopes of leniency. In the process, you may give the officer enough evidence to hit you with a DUI. The minute you suspect an officer is looking for evidence of impaired driving, the best strategy is to stop talking. Ask to consult with a lawyer. As an experienced DUI defense attorney, I would be glad to consult with you and mount the strongest possible defense on your behalf. Don’t hesitate to contact us today!
From the moment you roll down your car window, however, any evidence an officer notices that suggests you’ve been drinking or drugging can land you in handcuffs. Once an officer has grounds for pulling you over, any additional evidence they notice can send the encounter spiraling out of control, leading to DUI charges and more. Police might smell drugs or alcohol in your car or on your breath. They may notice your slurred speech or bloodshot eyes. And they’ll look inside your car for drug apparatus or open alcohol containers. Any of these telltale signs can trigger a Breathalyzer or field sobriety test. The officer may also charge you with driving with an open container. And depending on your behavior during this encounter, you could be hit by more serious criminal charges. While you may refuse a breath test, doing so won’t necessarily prevent DUI charges against you. And a refusal in New Jersey brings harsh penalties, including a license suspension of at least seven
2 | StevenEllmanLaw.com
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