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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 Behind-the-Scene Heroes Nothing Is Possible Without the Help of Our Team When Mr. Harman or I get a point dismissed in court, we get most of the credit. But just because our name is on the firm’s door doesn’t mean attorneys are the only ones responsible for a good result. Nothing would be possible without the help of our extraordinary team. There are many moving parts behind the scenes that many people don’t see. From answering phones to scheduling appointments, collecting documents, sending requests for radar records, and everything in between, it’s all a team effort. Bigger & Harman, APC wouldn’t be the same without an incredible team. One of the great things about our team is that we hang together and work harder when things get tough. No matter what is thrown their way, they rise to the occasion. Our team has gone through turbulence over the years and still finds ways to serve our trucker clients. When I started practicing traffic law in Kern County, we could still get tickets reduced to violations that wouldn’t affect our clients’ records. Within a few months of Paul coming on board, the county had decided that there would be no more plea deals. We changed the way we practiced in court to fight tickets every step of the way. Our team started serving notices on CHP for their records, paperwork, and video recordings. We oftentimes did trial in writing and would challenge the ticket at the first appearance if the officer made a mistake on the ticket. All of these things take time, diligence, and effort. Our team would go to the extra effort of finding any potential loophole in the case and still be cheerful and helpful when clients need updates or information. I’ll never forget the day Governor Newsom said all non-essential businesses were shutting down. I remember the rush of worry and concern that flooded our office — would we be coming to work? What does that mean for our truckers? Amid uncertainty, we hung together and did our best to cheer up our truckers as they stayed at their jobs delivering goods even as the rest of the world fell apart. As an essential business, coming into work was a relief. It felt like normal to come into work and see the other team members and discuss our families and the news. But the phones stopped ringing. We hardly received any cases since tickets weren’t being issued as much.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Usually, when work is slow, people enjoy the additional breathing room that comes along with it. But not our team — they wanted to take action! During the pandemic, we developed ideas and promotions we could use to continue to help our truckers. Although the world around us appeared to come to a screeching halt, it was like any other day for truck drivers. They ensured we received all our goods so we could continue supporting those around us. And for that, we wanted to ensure they were recognized for their hard work. My favorite creation from the pandemic was the T-shirt we created for our truckers. The shirts had a picture of a truck on the front saying, “Stay out of my way, I’m essential.” It was a huge hit! If you have any pictures of your shirt, we would love to see them! We can’t thank our team enough for their dedication and time. While experiencing the pandemic was difficult for us all, we got through it together. I recently had a surgery and once again everyone came together to ensure things ran smoothly while I was away. This Labor Day, I want to salute the folks at Bigger & Harman who work behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. Imelda, Haily, Karina, Kristina, Kyle, Brendan, Evan, and Sydney care about our firm and our clients. Paul and I are grateful to have them here as we work to keep drivers on the road. Happy Labor Day!
–Mark Bigger
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A CAT’S NOSE KNOWS
HOW A WWII CAT SURVIVED 3 SHIP SINKINGS: THE STORY OF UNSINKABLE SAM
You’ve heard the saying, “Cats have nine lives,” and while there are countless tales of cats falling from trees or high-above windows, one cat put this theory to the test, earning himself the name “Unsinkable Sam.”
139 members aboard. Except for Sam. Once again, Sam clung to a wooden plank and floated safely to the nearby shore of Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory. British service members who found him ashore put two and two together and realized the cat — the very one their fellow servicemen saved in 1939 — was the only survivor of HMS Cossack, earning him the nickname “Unsinkable Sam.” The group in Gibraltar was from the HMS Ark Royal crew, and of course, they loaded Sam aboard when it was time to launch. But as Sam’s luck would have it, a torpedo struck the HMS Ark Royal just a month later, leaving him once again clinging to a floating plank near a boat launch back in Gibraltar. Luckily, Sam’s boating days were over, and he was honorably transferred to the position of “mouse hunter” in the building of the governor-general in Gibraltar. Eventually, the British restationed their favorite floating feline to a “home for sailors” in Belfast, where he lived for the rest of his days until his peaceful passing in 1955.
Sam’s original name was “Oscar,” and his legacy began aboard the Bismarck, one of the two first-class Nazi battleships in World War II. The Bismarck (with Sam) was launched on Feb. 14, 1939, and soon after engaged in battle with The Prince of Wales, an Allied battleship. The Nazi ship was severely damaged in this battle and ultimately sunk. Only 118 of the 2,200 crew members survived, plus Sam. The British destroyer HMS Cossack found Sam floating on a board hours later, and they promptly scooped him up and welcomed him aboard. Sam had officially switched sides to the Allied forces. Now on the right side of history, Sam lived with the British crew for the next few months as they performed convoy escort duties — until a torpedo struck the HMS Cossack in October 1941, killing all
Sam’s story may not officially prove cats have nine lives, but it makes at least three seem likely!
Debunking 3 CMV Speeding Ticket Myths LET’S CLEAR THE AIR
2. THE FINES AND PENALTIES FOR A CMV TICKET ARE THE SAME AS THOSE FOR PERSONAL VEHICLES. Although some fines are the same, many are not. Some can even carry additional penalties from the DOT FMCSA! For example, if you receive a second cellphone violation, your fine will be around $260. Additionally, the DMV will add 1.5 points for a commercial driver, whereas a personal vehicle will only be assessed one point. 3. BECAUSE I RECEIVED MY CMV SPEEDING TICKET IN ANOTHER STATE, I DON’T HAVE TO TELL MY EMPLOYER. According to DOT FMCSA regulations, you must notify your employer within 30 days of any moving violation you receive in your commercial or personal vehicle. The Driver’s License Compact will also notify your state of your offense if you fail to appear in court or pay the fee. Furthermore, the Employer Pull Notice will notify your employer regardless. These misconceptions can be costly and lead to severe consequences. That’s why consulting with a traffic attorney regarding your legal matters is critical. Your friends at Bigger & Harman will be happy to help you in any way we can. Please call us today to get started!
One of our goals here at the firm is to provide you with beneficial information to help you navigate your traffic citation and ensure you have all the resources you need to make a decision that works best for you. In last month’s installment, we discussed four truck-driving myths many truckers tend to believe. Today, we wanted to bust more misconceptions some truckers believe: 1. YOU CAN TAKE TRAFFIC SCHOOL TO KEEP YOUR TICKET CONFIDENTIAL. While this may be true for those who receive a speeding ticket in their personal vehicles (and those who don’t have their CDLs), the same isn’t true for truckers. California doesn’t allow you to plead guilty to a traffic ticket and attend traffic violator’s school to keep your ticket confidential from your employer — this violates the DOT FMCSA standards! Additionally, if you’re not in your truck and you receive a speeding ticket in your personal vehicle, you still have to notify your employer of the citation.
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Driving is a privilege many people enjoy — it helps you get from point A to point B more quickly and efficiently. However, a lot of responsibility comes with driving and having your license. Because of that, it’s imperative to have a clean driving record, especially for truckers! Your livelihood and financial stability depend on it. Having a clean driving record has many benefits that can help you as you navigate the roads. Here are a few advantages you can reap if you avoid traffic violations, accidents, and other incidents on your driving record. LOWER INSURANCE PREMIUMS Insurance companies use a driver’s record to measure risk and determine premiums based on the likelihood of accidents or claims. Why a Clean Driving Record Matters for Truckers Fewer Hassles Mean More Opportunities
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
Thanks to your 61 referrals, 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.
For a truck driver, this can be hundreds, even more than a thousand dollars, a month in increased insurance premiums.
BETTER PAY AND BENEFITS It’s tough to get a job driving an 80,000-pound truck. You want to demonstrate to your employers that you’re a safe and responsible driver because trucking fleets will review your driving record to help them narrow their search for potential hires. Drivers with no history of tickets, accidents, or other traffic violations are more desirable to employers. They will often negotiate better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
“So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly.”
LESS SCRUTINY FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT When we review a trucker’s ticket, we see many citations written by the same handful of police officers. You may have seen the same officers on patrol or sitting on the side of the highway during your travels. Sometimes, law enforcement will pull over the same people and issue them tickets, which can lead to more scrutiny. Or if another officer pulls you over, they look at your record to see if you have other current or past offenses. If you do, they could scrutinize you more carefully when issuing citations. Sometimes, even safe and responsible drivers receive tickets or are involved in accidents that weren’t their fault. If you or someone you know is currently dealing with this issue, allow us to assist you. We can also provide you with information on the steps you can take to ensure your driving record remains squeaky clean! Please don’t hesitate to call us with questions or concerns.
EPHESIANS 5:15
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, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER
Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
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1701 Westwind Drive Suite 203 Bakersfield, CA 93301
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Our Team Is the Backbone of the Firm!.......... PAGE 1
Unsinkable Sam: The Feline Hero of WWII.... PAGE 2
Don’t Fall for These Misconceptions!.............. PAGE 2
How a Clean Driving Record Leads to Better Benefits ..................................................... PAGE 3
Joan of Arc: A Teenager’s Journey to Deliver France From British Rule..................... 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!
The Untold Story of Joan of Arc
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, 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. 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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