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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
APRIL 2025
Why Lying to the Police Always Backfires Fatal Fibs
We always mount the most vigorous possible defense on behalf of clients who come to us for help with speeding tickets. Our job is much harder when clients shoot themselves in the foot first. In recognition of National Honesty Day on April 30, it’s worth reflecting on one of the most common self-defeating behaviors we see in drivers: They lie about how fast they were driving. When law enforcement officers asked how fast they think they were going, all too often, drivers instantly destroy their credibility by stating a speed much, much lower than the truth. Like a deer in the headlights, they freeze and destroy their credibility by falsely claiming they were traveling at the exact speed limit.
The officer is going to see right through that claim. They already know you were likely speeding, at least a little, and have evidence to prove it. Whatever happens next, that driver is definitely getting a ticket. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not advising you to incriminate yourself by admitting you were speeding, but an absurd lie doesn’t help. I’m just recommending you come up with a plausible but less precise response to the officer’s question that won’t start an argument or reflect poorly on your character. A vague answer — such as, “with the flow of traffic,” or perhaps, “I’m not 100% sure” — is a whole lot better than a flat-out fib. Even if the officer seems open and invites you to expand on your answer, don’t ramble on or admit to anything. Just remain calm and polite, and keep your answers brief. If you decide to contest the ticket, this noncommittal approach will make it easier later to defend yourself. The time to raise objections is in court. If you engage an experienced traffic ticket attorney, they will find any holes in the officer’s evidence against you, look for procedural errors, negotiate to reduce penalties, and use their expert knowledge of traffic laws and regulations to ensure you get the strongest defense possible. A good rule of thumb in these sticky situations is found in Dr. Jordan Peterson’s 2018 book, “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos.” Among them, says the Canadian psychologist and bestselling author: “Tell the truth — or at least, don’t lie.”
As National Honesty Day rolls around this month, that is good advice for drivers everywhere.
–Paul Harman
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How Harley Became a Real-Life Hero Rescue, Comfort, and Reunion
Everyone likes to believe their canine companions would jump into action if they noticed someone or something in danger. However, most dogs will never be in a position to save a life or avert a catastrophe. That’s probably a good thing, as watching one of your best friends risk their life for others would be incredibly stressful. In 2021, a Virginia family experienced precisely that as they witnessed their goldendoodle attempt a heroic rescue with a heartwarming aftermath. During an early summer evening, Ralph Dorn’s dog, Harley, was gone. He started surveying the lake behind his Culpepper, Virginia, home when he spotted the goldendoodle about 200 feet from shore. At first, he wondered what his dog was doing in the water, but he soon realized his trusty pup was not alone. Harley was swimming alongside a tiny baby deer.
the deer’s mother, Dorn escorted his heroic canine indoors. The fawn and mother walked away, seemingly never to be seen again. That was, until the next morning.
Harley appeared restless that morning, running from
window to window. Dorn opened the front door to see what was happening when he heard the fawn bleating. The deer had returned, eager to thank its rescuer! The two ran toward each other, touching noses and sniffing one another before Harley returned indoors. The brief reunion was enough to calm the fawn and Harley down, and Dorn has not seen either deer since that day. But that’s not Harley’s only heroic feat. The proud pup has also spent time as a certified therapy dog, providing comfort and companionship to seniors in care facilities and children reading at the local library. We can all hope our dogs would take the same actions as Harley if presented with a similar opportunity!
“Not sure how the fawn got out there, but Harley obviously didn’t ask why. He just jumped into action,” Dorn, 62, wrote in a Facebook post.
Professional truck drivers work around the clock to deliver more than 70% of the nation’s total freight shipments, working at all hours and often spending weeks away from their homes and loved ones to serve customers in distant destinations. But commercial drivers are still saddled with a downbeat image among some people who regard them as reckless or too exhausted to drive safely. On a popular subreddit, r/Truckers, some drivers complain that others look down on their profession. The 37,000-member American Trucking Association (ATA) is conducting a multiyear media, digital, and grassroots campaign to polish truck drivers’ professional image and inform consumers and legislators about the critical role they play in the economy. The ATA’s “Nothing Without Trucking” campaign, launched in 2024, is the industry group’s most assertive promotion yet. Revving Up Respect MEDIA CAMPAIGN PROMOTES TRUCKERS’ IMAGE Harley helped the fawn to shore, where Dorn greeted the animals and helped them climb back onto dry land. Once the deer was out of the water, Harley immediately started licking the fawn to comfort and calm it down. Harley didn’t want to leave the fawn, but after spotting
It invites viewers to imagine the nation without truck drivers — grocery stores with empty
shelves and health care facilities where life-saving drugs arrive too late or not at all. “Everything you need and want is delivered by a truck,” a spokesman says. And 80% of communities rely solely on trucking to receive supplies and products. The industry “instills a quiet confidence in every American that we can effortlessly get the products and goods we need precisely when we need them,” the spokesman says. The campaign also promotes in-person events for truckers to meet elected officials, legislators, and consumers. Among the best parts of the campaign are dozens of videos submitted by working truck drivers telling their stories. One describes how drivers in Alaska sometimes navigate 130 inches of snow, adding that it takes “a certain bravado to be an Alaskan driver.” Another, a 36-year veteran, describes “falling in love” with the work, including “the great degree of independence, the freedom, the road — it’s a lifestyle, not a job.” Emily Plummer, a Missouri driver with 25 years and 3.5 million miles of experience, says in her video that she quit her small-town factory job at age 21 and never looked back. The campaign website is NothingWithoutTrucking.com . The ATA’s efforts will continue later this year with its annual celebration of the profession during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. The event, an annual recognition since 1988, is set for Sept. 14–20.
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NEVER PAY WITHOUT A FIGHT
Your Referrals Make a Difference! Thanks to your 137 referrals in March, we were able to donate $2,240 to help fight human trafficking and lead medical missions. INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION To learn more about International Justice Mission and their mission to protect half a billion vulnerable people from exploitation, please go to IJM.org . MEDICAL MISSIONS OUTREACH To learn more about showing God’s love by providing quality medical treatment to some of the poorest people in the world, visit the Medical Missions Outreach home page at Medical-Outreach.com .
Why Traffic Tickets Require a Professional Defense
Some commercial drivers hit with a traffic citation are tempted to take the easy way out. Perhaps they’re too busy to appear in court, and it seems easier just to pay the fine. Or maybe they want to fight the ticket on their own. The consequences of either decision can be dire. Paying the fine is essentially admitting you are guilty. And trying to represent yourself can prove far more complicated and difficult than you might expect. Either strategy risks getting hit with steep fines, points on your license, and a sharp rise in your insurance premiums. We recommend disputing all traffic citations and retaining an attorney to assist in your defense. Here’s why. REDUCE THE CHARGES A knowledgeable attorney will sharply increase your chances of getting charges reduced or dismissed. They are familiar with common reasons judges and prosecutors are willing to accept a lesser penalty or to throw out charges altogether. They can spot these opportunities in your case and move quickly to gain an advantage. This can result in reduced points and fines or no penalties at all. Your attorney may also be able to have a citation downgraded to a non-moving violation to avoid points on your commercial license. NAVIGATE COMPLEX CASES The complexities of traffic court make it hard for a non-lawyer to follow all the rules, make the necessary filings, and avoid annoying prosecutors and judges. A skilled attorney has the expertise to apply the traffic code to your maximum potential advantage. Your attorney can make court appearances for you, arguing your case skillfully while you remain focused on your job. In some cases, engaging an attorney can
“In the world you will have tribulation.
sway judges to a more sympathetic view, showing you are a professional serious about protecting your livelihood. COLLECT EVIDENCE Experienced attorneys can gather evidence to support your case. They may subpoena calibration records for speed measurement devices or secure video evidence to protect you against illegal lane change violation charges. Your attorney can also spot procedural weaknesses in the state’s evidence
But take heart; I have overcome
the world.” JOHN 16:33
that could get a faulty accident report thrown out, reduce points on your license, and avoid suspension of your license.
If you are facing a citation, call our office today. We will be glad to help you mount the strongest possible defense and challenge your ticket effectively.
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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
When Traffic Stops Land Drivers in Hot Water............................................................... PAGE 1
Heroic Goldendoodle Saves Baby Deer in Heartwarming Rescue......................................... PAGE 2
Truck Drivers’ Pivotal Role in the Nation’s Economy................................................................. PAGE 2
Why Disputing All Traffic Citations Is Important .............................................................. PAGE 3
Breaking Down the Sports Earnings Gap....... 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!
Breaking Barriers, Bridging the Gap The Fight for Equity in Sports
The world’s top female athletes are amazing; no one can deny that. They’re reaching new heights on and off the field and making a lot of money in the process. Forbes reports that the 20 highest-paid female athletes brought in a combined $258 million in 2024. At the top of the list of highest earners is tennis star Coco Gauff, who took in an estimated $34.4 million and joined the ranks of the all-time highest-paid female athletes. While these figures sound impressive, they also highlight a significant earnings gap between male and female athletes. For perspective, the top 20 highest-paid male athletes on the Forbes 2024 list earned a combined $2.23 billion, nearly nine times their female counterparts. Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo alone made $285 million in 2024, surpassing the combined income of the top 20 women. Even as women’s sports become more popular, the earnings gap continues. But why is there such a disparity? One of the main reasons is sponsorship. Female athletes typically get less money for endorsements than male athletes, who dominate the ad campaigns of major companies. Media coverage is also an issue. Women’s
sports still lag in this area, making it difficult for female athletes to gain visibility and marketability.
Old-fashioned ideas about women in sports also contribute to this pay gap, but things have recently begun to evolve. Athletes like Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka are proving just how marketable and influential female athletes can be. Additionally, movements pushing for equal pay and increased media coverage are gaining
momentum, and fans are starting to fill arenas to support women’s sports.
We still have a long way to go to close the pay gap, but things are moving in the right direction. Today’s highest-paid female athletes show that women can thrive in sports while paving the way for future generations. With more investment and continued fan support, women’s sports are poised to see greater financial equity in the future.
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