Suspended License?
Getting Behind the Wheel Will Cost You
Few situations are more inconvenient than having your license suspended. Texas, known for its wide open spaces (and subpar public transit), is a particularly tough state to live in when you aren’t able to drive. But no matter how badly you may need to drive somewhere, driving while your license is invalid (DWLI) is illegal. THE SHORTEST TRIPS Many of those who are charged with a DWLI mistakenly believe that nothing could go wrong on a short drive. All it takes is a quick trip to the supermarket with a broken tail light, and suddenly you are facing criminal charges. It doesn’t matter how sympathetic your story is — even if you are taking your kids to school because they missed the bus, an invalid license is an invalid license. CONSEQUENCES Texas is notoriously tough on driving offenses, especially when it comes to enforcing license suspensions. At the very least, your suspension period may be significantly extended. Beyond this increased inconvenience, if you present an officer with an invalid license at a traffic stop, you can be arrested on the spot. You could even face up to a year behind bars. You may also face up to $4,000 in fines, and be expected to perform community service cleaning up roadways. These are all consequences for first-time offenses. If you were found to be intoxicated, uninsured, or have a history of driving-related offenses, these penalties will be much harsher. Defect Dangers When Products Betray Our Trust We put our faith in products every day, even when we don’t realize it. We trust our car’s air bags to work, our toys to be safe for our kids, and our home to be built from high-quality materials. But when the designers or manufacturers of these products cut corners, they betray that trust, often with disastrous consequences. HOLDING THE POWERFUL ACCOUNTABLE Product liability law exists to give consumers a voice to stand up to major corporations when they make defective or dangerous products. Often, companies are tempted to take shortcuts, using unsafe materials or forgoing rigorous safety tests just to cut costs. As we’ve learned from famous cases like the widespread use of asbestos by homebuilders or the exploding lithium batteries in hoverboards, this callous decision causes serious harm. Thanks to consumers and their legal representatives taking action through product liability claims, the injured in these cases were compensated for the negligent acts. THE MYTH OF THE FRIVOLOUS LAWSUIT Some media pundits like to suggest a culture of needless or ridiculous lawsuits exists in the U.S. This dangerous talking point silences victims and protects powerful companies. The case most often referenced is the infamous McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit.
Have you heard the story of Terrence Dickson? Even if you don’t know the name, you might have heard his strange tale. Dickson was a burglar in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. One day, after breaking into a house and helping himself to some valuables, Dickson decided to leave through the garage. After discovering the automatic garage door was stuck closed, Dickson turned around and was horrified to realize he’d locked himself inside. To make matters worse, the family he was stealing from had just left for an extended vacation, so Dickson lived off of soda and dried dog food for eight days. When the family returned and found the unlucky burglar, a lawsuit was filed — by Dickson! He sued for mental anguish, and the jury awarded him $500,000. There’s nothing that shakes our faith in the justice system quite like injustice being served. When Dickson’s story first gained notoriety in 2001, thanks to an email circulated by the now-defunct Stella Awards newsletter, which highlighted “outrageous lawsuits,” people were rightfully enraged. There was just one problem: Terrence Dickson never existed. In 2002, a reporter from Pennsylvania contacted the Bucks County prothonotary’s office, where all records for civil cases in the county are kept. He discovered there was no record of any cases involving such a burglar. It’s worth noting the original email where this story first appeared ended with a call for tort reform from a made-up law firm in Ohio. Likely, this hoax was an attempt to manipulate the public perception of the justice system. Despite being debunked 17 years ago, this tall tale still makes the rounds and often appears on lists of “outrageous lawsuits,” many of which are featured on the websites of legitimate law firms! There are plenty of wacky legal cases, but when a story is too ridiculous, there’s a good chance a few important details are being left out or the readers are being lied to. Don’t believe everything you read online! GONE TO THE DOGS How Can aThief Sue the Family He Robbed?
2 | www.alexhernandeztriallaw.com
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