Holland & Usry June 2018

Take a look at our newsletter this month!

The Freedom of Summer SHOULDN’T COME AT THE EXPENSE OF SAFETY

If you’re anything like me, summertime probably fills you with memories from childhood. It’s not hard to be excited when you’re a kid, but there’s no anticipation that compares to the kind you feel on the last day of school. In an instant, you go from a life of waking up early to catch the bus and staying up late to do homework to the apex of freedom. My summers were spent outside. I remember days spent swimming, nights at barbecues, and ample time to do whatever I wanted — within reason, of course. But most of all, I remember that feeling of freedom. Months went by without any thoughts of fractions or the periodic table. I wished those days would last forever. Before I knew it, though, I’d be back at school, pining again for the days of summer. Most adults don’t have the luxury of a two-month-plus vacation every summer, but I think this time of year still feels special. Even when you’re working regular hours, you still have plenty of sunlight to enjoy in the evenings. There’s so much to do when the weather’s nice, especially in South Carolina. Whether your ideal summer activity is hiking, going to the beach, or sitting on the patio at your favorite restaurant, I encourage you to make the most of it. Adopt that mentality you had as a youngster and relish every nice day you can. That said, remember that summer freedom doesn’t give you license to behave foolishly or without regard for the safety of yourself and others. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people speeding on their way to the beach from Spartanburg. While I understand the impetus to get your toes in the sand as quickly as possible, it’s just not a smart decision. The difference between speeding to the coast from Spartanburg and driving the speed limit is, at most, 15 minutes. Is that really worth risking the possibility of being pulled over and your safety?

Sun and water, as essential to summer as they are, also require you to be vigilant. If you’re going to be out in the sun for an extended amount of time, do yourself a favor and apply some sunscreen. Sunglasses and hats are also good tools to prevent excessive UV exposure. Getting a sunburn stinks and kills your enthusiasm to be outside in a hurry. If you have kids, make sure that they are supervised when they go swimming, whether at a beach, pool, or other swimming hole. Kids should take swimming lessons before getting in the water without flotation. Even if you have a mini Michael Phelps in your family, it’s important to keep an eye on little ones in the water. You don’t want to experience the panic that sets in when you aren’t sure where your child is. If that does happen, though, always check the water first. Most beaches and pools will have lifeguards on duty, but you shouldn’t rely on them alone to make sure your loved ones are safe. I don’t want to sound like a stickler or a taskmaster telling you how to enjoy your summer. After all, summer is a time when nobody should be worried about a ruler smacking on their desk. But it is important to be safe and smart while you’re having fun.

But most of all, I remember that feeling of freedom. Months went by without any thoughts of fractions or the periodic table.

Enjoy the summer. As we know all too well, it won’t last forever.

–John Holland 864.582.0416

POOL AND BEACH SAFETY TIPS

FOR KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS

They should never enter a pool without professional supervision unless they can swim. Even then, young children should not be left alone in the water. The risk is too great to leave things to chance. Teaching proper pool behavior is another important step in keeping kids safe in the water. Children should stay away from drain covers, currents, or any other tide that could cause them to get pulled away or stuck. They should also not engage in any horseplay while in the water, such as dunking others. Running near or around the pool may not present a risk of drowning, but a slip and fall could lead to a nasty injury, including serious head trauma. Therefore, it should also be avoided. It’s not just kids who need to be mindful of water safety; parents must remain vigilant as well. Having your kids swim in areas supervised with lifeguards is great, but you cannot rely on them alone for protection. Similarly, you shouldn’t drink alcohol or be glued to your phone while your child is swimming. Keep your eyes on them at all times, eliminate distractions, and never leave the area without your child. In the event that your child does escape your sight, always check the water first. These tips aren’t meant to deter you from enjoying the water this summer; they are designed to give you the tools you need to let your kids enjoy swimming while limiting the risk of a tragedy.

In this month’s cover article, John Holland spoke a little bit about the joys of swimming and the importance of staying safe during your summertime adventures. To expound upon that topic in a little more detail, we wanted to provide an article specifically devoted to water safety tips for children. The youngest swimmers are at the greatest risk for a mishap, so it’s important to keep these tips in mind as you head to your favorite swimming spot this summer. The most important safety training is providing your child with swimming lessons before they have free reign in a pool or other body of water. That’s true even if your child wears flotation devices or if your pool has a cordoned shallow end. Testimonials SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US

“Sitting at the detention center after being arrested for DUI, I was convinced that one terrible lapse in judgment was going to completely upend my life. That all changed when a friend told me to call Holland & Usry, and I met Rob Usry. “From my point of view, it was an open-and-shut case with no room to maneuver, but Rob was confident that he could help me achieve a better outcome. He provided me with several simple steps I could take to strengthen our case in advance of the trial, and he respectfully answered all of my questions and concerns. His confidence and professionalism gave me great peace of mind and allowed me the opportunity to focus on making changes in my life to ensure this would be a one-time incident.

the administrative license suspension dismissed. If you put your confidence in Rob, you will not be disappointed. I am exceedingly grateful for all of his help.”

–DUI Client (Spartanburg)

“On a really bad night, I was charged with a DUI — my second one — and failure to stop for a blue light. Rob Usry got my case resolved quickly and in my favor. He convinced the officer to reduce the DUI to reckless driving and got me into pretrial intervention for the failure to stop. He was responsive to my questions and allowed me to close the door on a dark period in my life. I’m thankful for his assistance and look forward to a happy, healthy life.”

–Beth W. (Greer)

“He was exceptional in court and was able to negotiate with the officer to reduce the charge to reckless driving. Later, he got

www.bhollandlawfirm.com

DUI/DUAC Arrest

ISN’T THE END OF THE ROAD

Folks charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and driving with unlawful alcohol concentration (DUAC) often have many questions. But their queries all boil down to one major concern: “Do I have any hope of fighting my charge?” The answer to that question might surprise you. Most people charged with these crimes have more defenses than they realize. Despite what law enforcement would have you think, DUI is often a crime of opinion.

handed down. If you are convicted, your insurance premiums will skyrocket under SR-22 auto policies. You’ll have to pay to attend the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program at a cost of up to $2,500. Unless you want your license to be suspended for six months, you’ll have to install a costly and burdensome ignition- interlock system. This device forces you to submit to a Breathalyzer test before you are able to start your car. In addition to these measures, students can lose scholarships and professionals can face a murky employment future as the result of a DUI or DUAC conviction. With so much at stake, you owe it to yourself to fight these charges with every resource available to you. At Holland & Usry, we firmly believe that a DUI or DUAC arrest is not the same thing as a conviction. Due process, after all, is one of the fundamental pillars of our justice system. Officers, through no ill intention, often regard DUI charges as open-and-shut affairs when they are actually complicated and nuanced cases. Sometimes, an officer can have all the facts right but end up coming to the wrong conclusion. Holland & Usry has years of experience defending those charged with DUI and DUAC. We can help get your charges reduced, your case dismissed, or prove your innocence at trial. Rob Usry has even written a free book, “The Terrible Price of a DUI/DUAC Conviction, and Defenses You Might Not Know About,” which can be accessed through our website or by calling our office.

A DUI or DUAC case comes with a huge number of consequences, even for a first offense. Your license can be immediately suspended before any conviction is

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Good News

FATHER’S DAY CHILI LIME CHICKEN WINGS

This Father’s Day, spice up your wings with this zesty recipe that’s sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

1/4 cup soy sauce

4 pounds chicken wings

1 lime, halved

1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 1/4 tablespoons Thai red curry paste

Extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup honey

Chopped cilantro for garnish

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse wings under cold water and pat dry. Season liberally with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast on a baking sheet for 25 minutes or until skin becomes crisp and brown. 3. Blend butter, red curry paste, honey, and soy sauce in a large mixing bowl. 4. Toss wings in butter mixture. Squeeze lime juice on top, transfer to serving plate, and garnish with cilantro. inspired by foodnetwork.com

864.582.0416

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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.

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INSIDE this issue

1

Summer Memories, Summer Concerns

2

Water Safety Tips Testimonials

3

How to Challenge a DUI/DUAC Arrest Father’s Day Chili Lime Chicken Wings

4

3 Fathers Who Risked It All for Their Kids

If you no longer want to receive this newsletter, call Pam at 864.582.0416 or email rob@bhollandlawfirm.com

3 AWESOME DADS

Fathers Who Put Their Lives on the Line for Their Kids

This Father’s Day, thousands of dads will receive a “No. 1 Dad” mug to sip coffee out of at the office. But the following dads took that “No. 1” to a new level.

BRIAN MUNN GAVE HIS SON A LIVER TRANSPLANT. When doctors discovered that baby Caleb Munn had a rare disease called biliary atresia, they told his parents that he was unlikely to survive past age 2 without a liver transplant. Luckily, his father was a perfect match, and he eagerly donated part of his liver in March of 2015 to save his son’s life. GREG ALEXANDER BATTLED A BEAR FOR HIS SON’S LIFE. While camping in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Greg Alexander was startled awake at dawn by the screams of his 16-year-old son, Gabriel. He rushed out of his hammock to see a black bear dragging his son away by the head. Without hesitation, he kicked the beast in the side, and when that didn’t work, he leapt onto its back and started punching it in the face. When the bear finally released Gabriel, Greg threw rocks until it fled. His son was hurt but made a full recovery in the hospital over the coming weeks. ARTUR MAGOMEDOV SAVED HIS DAUGHTERS FROM ISIS. Artur Magomedov was devastated to discover that his wife had taken his 3- and 10-year-old daughters from their home in Dagestan under the cover of night, flown to Turkey, and crossed into Syria to join ISIS. But he resolved to get his kids back. After a long, hazardous journey, he arrived in Tabqa to embrace his

two daughters. To leave the caliphate — under penalty of death — they hitched a ride to the border one night and crawled along a railway line until they were within 70 meters of the border. Then they ran under fire from Turkish border guards until they could scramble into tall grasses. After some help from the Russian consulate in Istanbul, they made it back home, together again and safe.

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