IzLegal Illustrated
TEACHER’S DAY What Teachers Taught Me
to you, know that you grew from that moment. It pushed you to improve yourself and helped you become the better person you are today. Whether you’re simply living your life or in a formal setting like a classroom, you learn lessons. I consider myself a forever learner. Even though I don’t go to school anymore, I am constantly searching for ways to educate myself in all aspects of my life: business, entrepreneurship, how to be the best parent for Joseph, and even how to be better at golf. Learning is central to living a productive and eventful life, and it’s not something I take for granted. It’s because of my teachers that I value education so much. In fact, this appreciation is why I became a teacher myself. I wanted to make a difference in students’ lives and show them that education is not only essential but also fun. The instance that made me switch professions actually happened in a classroom. I was teaching my 10th grade English class, and we were re-enacting “12 Angry Men.” I had set up my whole classroom to look like a courtroom and had the kids acting up front at the conference table in a jury room. Through acting certain scenes out, I would explain to them the legal process, and it was then that it hit me how passionate I was about the legal field. As a result, I left teaching to become a lawyer. There’s a part of me that misses being in the fray, engaging students, and making a difference in their lives. I would probably still be teaching without a problem if I hadn’t found a love for law. But after
There’s one holiday this month that hits close to home for me. Teacher’s Day is a wonderful holiday when students can thank their teachers for everything they’ve done for them. Being a teacher myself for many years, I can’t help but think about what led me to that profession and how much fun I had teaching. As I’ve mentioned before, I always wanted to be a lawyer, but I was also drawn to education. I looked up to my teachers throughout my childhood, as well as in college. It’s actually difficult to say if I had a favorite teacher or coach in school because I was influenced by every teacher I had. My teachers taught me that education is the foundation of life. We don’t have a choice when it comes to gaining knowledge; everyone is learning something new every single day. If you think back to a mistake you made or something good that happened
my two passions intersected in that lesson, I got that last push to follow the path that led me to where I am today.
“It’s actually difficult to say if I had a favorite
P.S.
teacher or coach in school because I was influenced by every teacher I had.”
To celebrate Teacher’s Day, our office is throwing a small contest for the next couple months! We want to offer our readers a chance to tell us about their favorite teacher and why. Then, from the stories we receive, we’ll select one. The winner will receive a pair of movie tickets from us, and their teacher will be sent a thank-you gift. If you’re interested in participating, contact our offices today to learn more!
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PROM SAFETY 4 Tips to Keep Your Child Safe
DRESS SAFETY Make sure your teen is dressed comfortably and appropriately to ensure they have a fun night without any accidents. Encourage them to wear comfortable shoes that they can walk and dance in without pain. High heels are fashionable, but they shouldn’t wear heels so high that they may fall and hurt themselves. Whatever your teen decides to wear should be comfortable and hemmed to the appropriate length based on their height.
Seeing gorgeous dresses, fancy suits, corsages, and boutonnieres pop up in advertisements can only mean one thing: Prom season is here! This time of year, teens are busy choosing the perfect dress or suit to wear, finding a date, making dinner reservations, and preparing for an evening of fun and dance. During this exciting time, give your teens a little encouragement and guidance to ensure they have a safe and memorable evening.
CREATE A PLAN Create a plan for prom night, and make sure everyone knows what it is. Your teen should know and communicate with you what time the dance starts, what time it ends, if they’re going anywhere after, and when they’ll be coming home. PHONES Make sure your teen’s phone is completely charged in case they need to reach out to you sometime during the night. Encourage your teen to check in
once every few hours, and establish an emergency code to use if they find themselves in trouble.
DRIVING You and your teen should also have a plan about the modes of transportation, who’s driving, and how many people your teen is going with. Trusting the driver is important. If you’re hesitant about letting your child be driven to prom, find another way. If your teen is driving the family car, confirm that they will be the only person driving the vehicle.
By keeping these safety measures in mind, your teen will have a wonderful and safe evening!
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STEAL A PROTECTED ANIMAL ANIMAL THEFT AND TRESPASSING DON’T GO UNNOTICED
post recounting their misdeeds made its rounds, police traced the crime back to the two Welshmen. They were charged with trespassing, stealing, and keeping a protected animal, and there was no shortage of public shaming as their crime circulated the internet. Taking note of their letter of apology and admissions of guilt and regret, the judge enforced a heavy fine for the crime in lieu of jail time. Charges for kidnapping a protected animal vary from state to state, but the Endangered Species Act ensures perpetrators face harsh penalties, including fines and maximum sentences. The Animal Legal Defense Fund also provides free legal assistance and training to help protect animals from harm.
spotted the penguin enclosure. “Look at them!” one said. Distracted from their original plan, they made their way to the penguins, grabbed one, and left. Dirk, the 7-year-old fairy penguin, the smallest species of penguin, was bred in captivity and had never left his enclosure. The next morning, realizing what they’d done, the three young men panicked and released Dirk into a nearby canal. But Dirk’s misfortunes weren’t quite over. He was chased out of the canal by what onlookers believe was a shark, only to be chased back in by a surprised dog. Fortunately, concerned passers-by called authorities, and SeaWorld workers came to rescue Dirk and bring him back to his family.
You wake up slowly, still groggy from a raucous night out with your friends. As you look around, taking stock of your surroundings, you see the other inhabitants: a desk, your shoes, a penguin … a penguin?! While footage confirms that two young Welshmen stole Dirk the penguin from his SeaWorld Australia home, the men had little memory of the night’s misadventures the next morning — until they saw Dirk waddling around their rented apartment. The night before, after imbibing a hefty amount during their vacation in Australia, the men got the harebrained idea to break into SeaWorld and swim with the dolphins. After getting inside, video footage captured them stripping down to their skivvies and running around the facility until they
Be careful on your next night out, and please, enjoy wildlife without stealing it!
Dirk returned unharmed to his partner, Peaches, but his kidnappers weren’t so lucky. Once a Facebook
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FACING A DUI CHARGE
Florida Statutes, the driver of a vehicle must operate it as feasibly as possible within one lane and not move from that lane until the driver determines that the vehicle can do so safely. In the case of Jordan v. State, 831 So.2d 1241 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002), the court held that the applicable statute recognizes it’s “not practicable, perhaps not even possible, for a motorist to maintain a single lane at all times and that the crucial concern is safety rather than precision.” CHANGING LANES WITHOUT SIGNALING Failing to signal while you’re changing lanes or turning doesn’t mean you committed a traffic infraction. Many lawyers fail to see this problem and believe the basis for the stop is valid, when in reality, it isn’t. To violate the relevant state statute, a motorist is only required to use a turn signal when another vehicle is affected by a turn from the highway. When you’re looking for representation, do some research and ask around to make sure you find a lawyer who can recognize these problems. It could make all the difference in your case.
DUI law is extremely complex. DUI law changes often, and trusting someone else with your freedom once you’ve been accused of a DUI can be extremely difficult. However, there’s one certainty in DUI defense: You cannot challenge and prevail on any issue your lawyer doesn’t recognize. Below are a few potential problems that could lead to evidence being suppressed and your charges being dismissed during your DUI case. A VALID STOP When a police officer makes a valid stop, they need to swear and testify they had a reasonable suspicion to pull you over. They need to prove, without a doubt, that the criminal traffic violation you’re being accused of is the reason they needed to get you off the road. There are plenty of times when an officer pulls you over on a hunch, which is not enough to hold over in court. WEAVING ‘WITHIN THE LANE’ This is one of the most common problems in a DUI case and something that officers love citing as a basis for a stop. Sadly, it’s also something that many lawyers fail to recognize. For a driver to be accused of 316.089 (1) in the
Laugh Out Loud
Shrimp Sausage Skewers Ingredients
Creole Seasoning Ingredients • 2 tablespoons paprika • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder •
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1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
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1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
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2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder
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Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
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1/4 tablespoon dried oregano
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1/4 tablespoon dried thyme
Instructions
4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes).
1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil.
Inspired by PaleoLeap.com
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2655 Le Jeune Road Suite 805 Coral Gables, FL 33134
INSIDE this issue
1
A Teacher’s Education
2
Prom Safety Tips
The Price You Pay for Stealing a Penguin
3
Facing a DUI Charge Shrimp Sausage Skewers
4
The Golden Era of Athletes on Social Media
The Golden Era of Athletes on Social Media OUT OF THE DARK AND ONTO THE WEB
Heisman Trophy winner was notorious for posting embarrassing images of himself partying when he should have been practicing, and he often blasted his private issues in public, seemingly with no filter. He’s out of a job now, most recently having been banned from the Canadian Football League. For every bad apple, though, there is a bushel of athletes who use their platforms for the greater good. Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, five-time Pro Bowler and NFL star, has used his social media “juice” to spread the word about his charity, raising over $4.6 million for youth athletic programs and organizations. Philanthropy aside, part of the beauty of celebrity social media is that the people who seem so much larger than life become accessible because of it. In decades past, you might have written a letter that, if you were fortunate, got a response from some unpaid intern. Today, fans can reach out directly to their favorite athletes. It is a personal connection unparalleled in history. What a time to be alive.
It’s not an overstatement to say that social media has revolutionized the way we live our lives today. But with that massively powerful platform comes a massive responsibility, especially if you’re already in the spotlight. Athletes have taken the opportunity social media affords them to build their personal brands and engage in community outreach with the fans who look to them as role models, but there’s a downside to cataloging years of unfiltered thoughts on the internet. For better or worse, social media is here to stay, and we have full access to all the drama that unfolds for our entertainment. Despite the web’s potential for good, some pros can’t seem to get the message that every post falls under the scrutiny of the public. PR firms representing players have now made it a top priority to keep their clients’ images in line by scrubbing old posts that could be offensive and land them in hot water. Still, though, it seems like there’s a new controversy every week.
One of the best examples comes courtesy of former football star “Johnny Football” Manziel. The former
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