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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
AUGUST 2023
The Striking Similarities Between Hikers and Lawyers From Mountain Climbing to Entering the Courtroom
With a very young family, I don’t get many opportunities to hike California’s national parks anymore. I look forward to the day when my kids are old enough to enjoy a long hike. It was one of my favorite family activities when I was young, and I hope they’ll say the same someday. There’s no feeling quite like reaching the summit after a long, strenuous hike. The view and cool breezes make for a perfect combination. One trick that I learned too late in life is to invest in a pair of trekking poles. They really help when you don’t have enough time (or are just too lazy) to work out your legs before a hike. Unfortunately, there aren’t legal “trekking poles” to make up for lack of preparation. To get the best outcome possible in court, one must put in the leg work before showing up. That’s what makes us at Bigger & Harman different.
the law while doing research before the case. The officer didn’t know about it, and neither did the judge. However, in my closing arguments, I was able to show the judge how the legal exception applied to my client’s situation. He agreed and found my client “not guilty.” That little bit of extra work resulted in my client not getting points on his commercial license and avoiding the fines and other expenses associated with getting convicted of a vehicle code violation. If you need help with a ticket, give us a call and we’ll make sure your case gets the same type of treatment.
–Paul Harman
We do everything we can before a client’s trial date to set us up for a good result. We won a trial a week or two ago because I noticed an exception to
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HOW WILLOW SAVED HER OWNER’S LIFE We all wish our pets would be there for us in an emergency. Dogs, cats, and other animals can accomplish amazing feats when provided with enough love and care, and a cat from Liverpool named Willow recently A CAT’S NOSE KNOWS
Willow went to the living room, where Amanda’s husband had fallen asleep watching television. Willow proceeded to bite his leg and jump on him until he woke up around 4 a.m. He could tell something was wrong, as this was abnormal behavior for Willow, so he followed her to the bedroom, where he spotted his wife. She was slumped over and unresponsive, and he immediately called her an ambulance. Doctors informed Amanda’s husband that she was moments away from slipping into a diabetic coma, but Willow had smelled something off and gotten help before it was too late. Most pets would get a few extra treats for their heroism, but Willow’s feats earned her a more prestigious award. The National Cat Awards named Willow as a finalist for their “Moggy Marvels” category. If Willow wins, she’ll receive a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher, and a year subscription to Cats Protection’s “The Cat” magazine. Although Willow likely doesn’t care about the trophy or the subscription, she’ll be happy enough with £200 worth of goodies and her owner safely by her side.
proved that many times over. A cat’s sense of smell is incredibly effective at detecting when something is abnormal, and Willow used her nose to save her owner in the nick of time.
For many with diabetes, falling into a diabetic coma is a constant concern, and they regularly check their blood sugar levels and take insulin shots to avoid that scenario. Amanda Jameson, a 51-year-old woman from Liverpool, received a diabetes diagnosis years ago but had always stayed on top of it. In April 2023, she fell asleep while her blood sugar was dangerously low. Thankfully, her cat, Willow, noticed something was wrong and sprang into action.
Fight Back Against Speeding Tickets! 3 DEFENSE STRATEGIES THAT WORK IN COURT
Seeing the flashing lights of a police car fill your rearview mirror is never fun — especially when you think you were driving safely and not breaking any laws! Speed violations are the most commonly cited traffic offense, and it can be frustrating to challenge such a ticket. But with the help of a seasoned traffic attorney, you can navigate the legal system and contest the ticket. Here are three defense strategies we can use in your case that have worked in dismissing speeding tickets in court. DISPUTE THE OFFICER’S PERSONAL OPINION. Sometimes a law enforcement officer will cite you for violating the Basic Speed Law found in VC 22350, which states: “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or
prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” The officer needs to demonstrate not only that your speed was above the posted speed limit, but also that it was dangerous under the circumstances. If you’re able to convince the judge that your driving was safe (despite the speed) the judge must find you “not guilty.” DISPUTE THE OFFICER’S EVIDENCE. Sometimes cops will use a radar gun to track your speed. If this happens, you can argue the device wasn’t calibrated recently, or the officer didn’t use the equipment correctly to determine your speed. Radar guns should be tested with a tuning fork before and after each use. Many officers
will turn a switch on the device on and off to “test” it. But if they didn’t use a tuning fork, they didn’t correctly test the device. YOUR SPEED WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE YOU WERE IN DANGER. If another driver exhibited road rage or drove aggressively, or you were in a dangerous situation, then speeding may be necessary to prevent harm to you and your passengers. You can argue that your speed was justified because you were trying to protect yourself and others from a life- threatening circumstance. This is rarely an effective argument, but if true, it can work! When handling a speeding ticket, don’t pay the fine and deal with the consequences! Instead, ask Bigger & Harman to assist you. Please give us a call today so we can start creating your defense strategy.
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INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
Thanks to your 61 referrals in July, we were able to donate $1,220 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.
When we work with clients, we want to know every detail about their situation. As we discover more about the events leading up to the traffic citation, we also learn about myths many people believe about the law. We’ve heard a handful of misconceptions about traffic tickets over the years, many of which have caused confusion and unnecessary legal trouble.
Let’s shed some light on the top four traffic ticket misconceptions that could be causing unwanted stress.
MYTH NO. 1: SIGNING A TICKET IS AN ADMISSION OF GUILT. Many believe you’re admitting guilt if you sign a traffic ticket — but it’s not true! By signing your citation, you promise to appear in court to resolve your ticket. It’s a legally binding agreement with serious consequences if you fail to appear in court to settle your case. MYTH NO. 2: A RADAR DEVICE MALFUNCTION WILL LEAD TO AN AUTOMATIC DISMISSAL. In our article about fighting speeding tickets, we mention a strategy we use, arguing the radar gun wasn’t calibrated correctly or didn’t work properly. While this method can work in some cases , it doesn’t mean it works for all cases . The strength of this argument depends on the other evidence surrounding your circumstance. Furthermore, you also don’t want to argue this point alone — it’s best to have a traffic attorney use this defense because we understand how to use the records in your favor and address the court. MYTH NO. 3: IT’S YOUR WORD WILL NEVER PREVAIL AGAINST THE POLICE OFFICER’S. While it may be uncomfortable to challenge what law enforcement says, you have a right to challenge their version of events in court. With the help of an attorney, they can usually find flaws in the officer’s testimony or evidence that can help your case. Although the judge may consider the officer’s statements more credible than yours, your attorney may still be able to create reasonable doubt regarding your guilt. MYTH NO. 4: HIRING AN ATTORNEY IS TOO EXPENSIVE. If you calculate how much you will spend if you pay the fine, cover court fees, and the amount your insurance will go up, you’re better off hiring an attorney!
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
–PHILIPPIANS 4:13
When you use Bigger & Harman, we can help you save time and money. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for all your traffic court needs.
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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
What Do Hikers and Lawyers Have in Common?........................................................... PAGE 1
A Guardian Angel Covered in Fur..................... PAGE 2
This Law Makes Speeding Legal!...................... PAGE 2
Don’t Fall for These Traffic Ticket Myths!....... PAGE 3
When Life Gives You Lemons............................ 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!
SQUEEZE THE DAY Juicy Uses for Lemons
FRESHEN YOUR BREATH Lemon juice is an excellent tool for combating bad breath. Drinking lemon water can help fight odor- causing bacteria in your mouth. Because lemon juice can erode the enamel on your teeth, follow it up with some plain water!
Lemons — they’re sour, aromatic, and juicy. Contrary to popular belief, though, these little citrus fruits can be utilized in more ways than making lemonade or as a kitchen staple. There are many unusual and resourceful applications that may surprise you! Here are some fun and creative uses for lemons around the house and for your health and wellness! FIGHT OFF BUGS Pests like ants, mosquitoes, and spiders enjoy summertime, but insects can make humans miserable. Citrus oil found in lemon peels is a natural bug repellent. In fact, the scent alone keeps them away. Place lemon peels on your counters, windowsills, and the nooks and crannies of your house to keep bugs out! STICK-NO-MORE How often have you cooked rice in a pot on the stove, only to have it stick to the bottom of the pan? So frustrating! Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to your rice’s boiling water to prevent this grain from sticking! REMOVE BLEMISHES Did you know that lemon juice is a natural astringent? Applying just a tiny amount after cleaning and drying your skin clears pores and removes oil and dirt that can lead to acne and zits.
CLEAN YOUR MICROWAVE Try this hack if you have food buildup in your microwave. In a bowl, combine water, lemon
juice, and slices of lemon. Heat the mixture in your microwave on high for three minutes, remove the bowl, and wipe the microwave’s interior clean! You’ll be surprised just how easily the residue cleans up!
BREATHE EASIER When you’re sick, one of the most frustrating things is congestion. Drink lemon juice and hot water to reduce phlegm, soothe the throat, and relieve other cold symptoms.
Who would have thought the lowly lemon had so many practical applications?
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