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September 2023
Representing Accident Victims Throughout Florida For Over Four Decades
Traveling is one of the most fascinating experiences we have during our lives. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting the other side of the state, country, or world; there’s always something new to see. Traveling allows us to interact with new cultures, try foreign cuisines, and speak with people who have lived in ways unlike anything we can see at home. It’s no secret that I love to travel, and in September, I get an excuse to start planning another trip as we celebrate World Tourism Day on the 27th. In April 2022, I had the opportunity to climb to the base camp at Mount Everest. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget. One of my favorite parts of that trip was meeting the Nepalese people. They were incredibly kind and caring toward us. Meeting them, eating their food, and learning about their culture was a wonderful experience. It was also amazing to see how hard they worked. From the town of Lukla, Napal, climbing to base camp, there were no roads. So, everything that made it to the little villages along the way was transported on the back of a yak, horse, or Sherpa. Occasionally, they may fly plywood or building materials by helicopter, but that costs money, so the other options were utilized much more. I watched the Nepalese people make bricks from granite with only hand tools, then use them to build homes. Their buildings appeared well- constructed, so their construction methods worked for their needs! While I’ve always enjoyed traveling, that trip to Everest ignited my interest to take more trips requiring physical and emotional effort. I gained a lot from visiting Everest and had to fight through various physical and mental challenges, but it was well worth it to Unforgettable Adventures Celebrate the Joys of Cultural Immersion Through Travel
experience the Himalayas firsthand and see the breathtaking beauty of the mountains. I’ve since added a few new locations to my bucket list that require athletic ability to appreciate the full experience. I am looking forward to trekking along Hadrian’s Wall in England. The wall dates back to the first centuries A.D. when the Romans attempted to conquer Britain. Hadrian, the Roman emperor at the time, ordered the construction of the wall to protect Romans from “the northern barbarians.” Hadrian’s Wall is 73 miles long, stretching from the North Sea on the east, to the Irish Sea on the west. Hadrian’s Wall Path is an 84-mile trek with beautiful views along the Wall. Walking the entire distance can take anywhere from six to eight days, but I’m sure it’s well worth the effort with some preparation …and the nightly breaks at a pub in the little towns along the way will be brilliant. Another trek I want to experience is the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in northwestern Spain. I am interested in walking along the sea by starting in Porto, Portugal, and making my way to the Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica. The path is abundant with history, Spanish and Portuguese culture, religious landmarks, and great art. It is also a wonderful opportunity for self-reflection as you trek for many, many miles. The final destination on my bucket list is a visit to Machu Picchu in Peru. I would like to do a 4–5-day trek along the Andes, where I can meet the people and experience their culture, before finding myself in Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world. Like Everest, it’s truly one of a kind and someplace I desire to see with my own eyes. Travel is a great way to escape the stressors of daily life while broadening your horizons. I hope you all can plan a trip soon in honor of World Tourism Day!
-Rich Slinkman
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Silence Is Golden: A Guide to Understanding the Fifth Amendment
Almost everyone knows what it means to “plead the Fifth.” We hear it often in the news, crime TV series, and all of the best mobster movies. When you plead the Fifth, you’re exercising your right granted by the Fifth Amendment to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. While this is your constitutional right, there are actually times when you are obligated to speak. Before you zip your mouth shut, you’ll need to learn when you should and shouldn’t plead the Fifth. What do you need to share with authorities? While you have the right to remain silent, there are a few questions you are legally required to answer. In most states, it’s the law that when a cop pulls you over and asks you to identify yourself, you have to answer. Even if the law doesn’t apply to the state you live in, it’s safe to simply provide your name, address, and date of birth. Another piece of information required when authorities pull you over is your license and registration. If you were pulled over by officers for a valid reason, you have to hand over your documents to them. Other than these two scenarios, you don’t have to answer any further questions. Anything you say to the authorities can be used against you, and the last thing you need is for a few poorly thought-out answers to land you in court. When is it best to stay silent? Because your words can be used against you, it’s in your best interest to stay silent until you are able to speak to your attorney. Once you have them by your side, they can speak for you and ensure that whatever they say protects you from incrimination. This
is part of your Sixth Amendment right: You can remain silent and refuse to give any statements until you receive counsel.
Will pleading the Fifth make you look guilty? Some people worry that pleading the Fifth will make the police and others who may hear about their case believe that they are guilty and have something to hide. This conception likely comes from the media, which tends to only mention the Fifth Amendment in extreme cases.
“Anything you say to the authorities can be used against you, and the last thing you need is for a few poorly thought-out answers to land you in court.”
For example, you might remember reading about Michaele and Tareq Salahi, a couple who snuck past the United States Secret Service and crashed a state dinner at the White House in late 2009. They famously plead the Fifth more than 30 times during questioning by a House committee. At the time, ABC News wrote an unflattering article on the topic called “White House Crashers Remain Silent.” Though stories like the Salahi’s may make it seem otherwise, pleading the Fifth is not an admission of guilt. While many may think those who invoke this right are guilty, in legal matters, they can’t be assumed guilty just because they refuse to answer. There have been countless cases where innocent people implicated themselves in an investigation simply because they said the wrong thing or didn’t choose their words wisely enough. No matter how many “Law & Order” episodes you’ve seen, you’re not a legal expert, and you should always err on the side of caution. The best way to remain innocent is to keep your rambles to yourself and leave it to your attorney to speak on your behalf. Silence is golden!
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TAKE A BREAK
Born around 1412 in Domrémy, a village in northeastern France, Jeanne d’Arc was raised by her farmer father and devout Catholic mother. During this time, England had control over much of northern France, and she witnessed countless families forced out of their homes due to British invasions. At 13, she began to hear voices she believed were sent from God. These voices told her that she would be the one to remove the British from France, return the crown to Prince Charles of Valois, and save her people from continual war. She took a vow of chastity and trekked across dangerous British territory at the age of 17 to reach the prince’s palace in Chinon. Once she arrived, she spoke of her destiny and how she could guarantee the prince his crown and France’s success. She asked for a small army to fight in the conquered Orléans. While their conversation is unknown, Charles insists she said words only a messenger of God would know. With that confirmation, he agreed, and she was off to battle. Fearless atop a white horse in men’s armor and short hair, not only did her army win the battle, but she made a name for herself as the prophesied virgin who would finally save France. Not even an arrow to the neck could stop her mid- battle. She and her army escorted Charles to his coronation, THE UNTOLD STORY OF JOAN OF ARC A Journey of Bravery and Betrayal
SPICED PECAN PIE BARS
Inspired by SouthernLiving.com
Ingredients
which took place in July 1429, and named him king. Sadly, in 1430, British forces captured Joan and charged her with witchcraft, heresy, cross-dressing, and more. To create distance between himself and the accused heretic, King Charles made no attempts to rescue her or negotiate her release. She was on her own.
• 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar • 1/2 cup honey • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup melted butter • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp ground ginger • 3 cups chopped pecans
Crust • 3 cups all-purpose flour • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed • 3/4 cup powdered sugar • 1 tsp salt Filling • 4 eggs • 1 cup corn syrup
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Use baking spray to grease a 13x9-inch pan before lining with parchment paper. 2. In a food processor, blend crust ingredients until a crumble forms. Press mixture into pan. Bake until light golden brown, about 20 minutes (crust will have cracks). 3. In a bowl, whisk all filling ingredients (except pecans) together until smooth. Stir in pecans and pour over crust. Bake until set, around 30 minutes, then let cool completely in pan.
After a year of imprisonment, a 19-year-old Jeanne d’Arc was burned at the stake. Celebrated worldwide for her courage and passion, Joan of Arc is now the patron saint of France, the country she died for.
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(561) 686-3400 www.SSWlawfl.com 1015 W. Indiantown Rd. Suite 101A Jupiter, FL 33458
Representing Accident Victims Throughout Florida For Over Four Decades
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Embrace the Call of Adventure and Explore New Horizons Unveiling the Right to Remain Silent: Your Guide to the Fifth Amendment
2
Spiced Pecan Pie Bars
3
Joan of Arc: A Teenager’s Journey to Deliver France From British Rule
Thief Caught Red-Handed Thanks to Facebook?!
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They Seem Too Dumb to Be True! HILARIOUS REAL-LIFE CRIMES
Today, we have tons of podcasts, YouTube videos, TikToks, and documentaries about true crime. It seems like we can’t get enough of learning about the person behind heinous crimes and their motives. But what about the crimes you can’t help but laugh at because they’re almost too funny to be true? Here are two crimes you won’t believe happened because of how silly and, for the lack of a better term, dumb they are! Don’t forget to log out of Facebook! Nicholas Wig broke into James Wood’s house one night and stole his credit cards, cash, watches, and more. However, the 26-year-old thief left his Nike shoes, jeans, and a belt at the scene of the crime … but that’s not all. When James got home, he was stunned to see his house had been broken into. But after realizing the thief had accessed Facebook on his computer, he decided to post on Nicholas’ account that he (Nicholas) had broken into his (James’) home. James also shared his phone number in case anyone had any additional information. Nicholas contacted James over text, and the two agreed to meet in person. The thief thought if he went to James’ home and returned
the stolen items, everything would be fine — but that’s not how things played out. As soon as James spotted Nicholas walking toward his home, he called the police. When law enforcement arrived, they arrested the thief on the spot. Monopoly money doesn’t work in the real world. Michael Fuller stopped by Walmart to purchase a vacuum cleaner and microwave for $476. But instead of paying with real money, he decided to pay using a million- dollar note from the game Monopoly. The gentleman then demanded that he receive
$999,524 from the cashier since he would need cash back for his “purchases.” The cashier called the police, and Michael was charged with attempting to obtain property by false pretenses. Can you believe these hilarious crimes?! Do you know of any we should highlight next time? We would love to hear from you!
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