Bigger & Harman - February 2022

Bigger & Harman - February 2022

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

FEBRUARY 2022

Why an Experienced Traffic Attorney Matters Hire the Right Perspective for the Case

Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day, when we turn our attention to an odd tradition while hoping for an early spring. Perhaps equally famous as the day itself is the movie by the same name. If you aren’t familiar with the movie, a cynical TV weatherman (Bill Murray) goes to the small, “boring” town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to observe the old tradition: whether a groundhog will predict an early spring or six more weeks of winter. He’s disgusted by the town and is desperate to leave. However, he’s forced to spend the night there due to a snowstorm. When he wakes up, he realizes it’s the same day all over again rather than the next day, and he’s caught in a time loop. Some people may think that every traffic case is the same and that traffic attorneys live in a Groundhog Day-type time loop. In fact, some attorneys do treat traffic court that way. However, each county in California has a unique way of processing traffic cases. Even within each county, sometimes you’ll find small differences between the various court locations. Of course, each ticket also has unique facts. All these factors play into crafting the best strategy to defend a driver. However, the most unique part of a ticket is the driver. Therefore, cases are as unique as the drivers themselves. Everyone has different life circumstances that may affect the best choice when deciding whether to contest a ticket or how to contest a ticket. Don’t give it to an attorney who will treat it like another day in Bill Murray’s Punxsutawney. If you hire an attorney, be sure you pick someone who will take the time to learn not only the specific facts of your case but will also learn a little about you so they know what’s best for your unique situation. At Bigger & Harman, you know we will.

–Paul

Here’s to an early spring!

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HUMPBACK WHALE SAVES SCIENTIST The Heroes of the Sea

In the movie “Cast Away,” we see a whale notifying Chuck Noland of a nearby ship. The whale continuously sprays him with water to get his attention. Although this is a fictional story, what happened in “Cast Away” isn’t just movie magic. There are real-life stories about whales helping people in need. In 2018, a marine biologist, Nan Hauser, was swimming in the waters off the Cook Islands when she noticed a 50,000-pound humpback whale near her. For 10 minutes, Hauser swam around the whale while it nudged her with its head, bumped her with its belly, and

on putting me on his head, belly, or back, and most of all, trying to tuck me under his huge pectoral fin … I was sure that it was most likely going to be a deadly encounter.” Hauser didn’t know the whale wanted to protect her until she returned to her team’s research vessel. This is when she noticed the tiger shark creeping nearby. This isn’t the first time a humpback whale has intervened to help another creature. In fact, the humpback’s altruism has been well- documented over the years to show how they benefit other species at their own cost. In 2009, Robert Pitman took a photo of a humpback cradling a seal while rolling out of the water. The whale had protected the seal from a group of killer whales. Pitman, a marine biologist, has analyzed 115 interactions with humpback whales and concluded that they will travel long distances in order to prevent killer whales from attacking, regardless of what type of animal the killer whale is pursuing. Whether this behavior is out of instinct, accident, or altruism, they have saved the lives of many aquatic animals and people. They are the heroes of the sea!

swiped at her with its fins. At first, Hauser thought the whale was trying to attack her. But actually, it protected her from a 15-foot-long tiger shark on the other side of the whale.

Hauser told the Daily Mirror, “I’ve spent 28 years underwater with whales and have never had a whale so tactile and so insistent

Here’s How to Avoid a Red-Light Ticket

Did you know there are at least eight camera-enforced red lights set up in Bakersfield? You could be traveling along at 55 mph on Truxton Avenue, but when you come up to Coffee Road, you’d better watch the light, because at that intersection, you could get a camera-enforced red-light ticket if you’re not paying attention. According to Caltrans and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, commonly referred to as the Traffic Signal Operations Manual, the transition from yellow to red or the “yellow change interval” on a road where the speed limit is 55 mph is 5.5 seconds from yellow to red. If you are in the intersection when the light turns red, the camera will flash, and you will be photographed. There will also be a video that captures your actions so a law enforcement officer can verify any violations before sending the ticket to you. There are several reasons red-light tickets sometimes get dismissed. The government has the burden to prove that you were the one driving. To do so, the officer will compare the

photo taken by the enforcement camera and compare it to your driver’s license photo on record with the state. Or, they can compare it to you in court. If you aren’t proven to be the driver, the case will be dismissed. As in every case, you are “innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” Just because it is only a traffic violation does not change your constitutional rights. You should always consult at attorney before you decide to pay the fine and essentially admit guilt. Whether you decided to hire an attorney or handle the matter yourself, remember that it is never a good idea to ignore a traffic ticket. If you don’t resolve the ticket in time, the court will put a hold on your license, and the DMV will ultimately suspend your license for ignoring the ticket.

If you aren’t sure what to do, give us a call at (661) 859-1177 for a free consultation.

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Watch Out While Driving on California’s Grapevine YOU JUST MIGHT GET A SPEEDING TICKET

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION Thanks to your referrals, we were able to give $1,060 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.

Out-of-state commercial drivers frequently get ticketed on the Grapevine in California. The Los Angeles Times once said, “The Grapevine is the heart of California’s freeway system. It’s also vulnerable.” They further stated, the Grapevine “featured 697 curves, which caused drivers to make the equivalent of 110 complete circles as they crossed the mountains.” Driving the Grapevine can be tricky even for local truckers. There are quick dips in the speed limit to match the grade of the road’s slope on both sides of the mountain range. On the north

side, the speed limit drops from 55 to 35 mph in a flash. On the south side, it drops from 55 mph to 45 mph.

The Grapevine is a 40-mile stretch of highway with the northern slope in Kern County and the southern slope in Los Angeles County. Drivers ticketed for speeding need to carefully check their

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.”

citation to see which county will be processing the ticket.

UNDERSTANDING DOWNHILL SPEED LIMITS California Vehicle Code § 22407 governs downhill speed limits for truckers on the Grapevine when the speed is reduced from 55 mph. If the speed limit is reduced to 35 or 40 mph, then the speed limit legally must have been set after a traffic survey was conducted that justified the lower speed limit. If the officer does not properly introduce the traffic survey into the record at trial, then the ticket must be dismissed. If you want to contest your ticket, you must appear in court unless you hire an attorney to do so for you. A local attorney will know the best way to contest your ticket and whether there are any defenses or a plea deal available. When you get a speeding ticket on the Grapevine, call Bigger & Harman, (661) 859-1177. Se habla español (661) 349-9755! Whether your speeding ticket will be resolved in LA County or Kern County, we can resolve it for you without your having to attend the court proceedings.

ROMANS 15:5

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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

Hire an Experienced Traffic Attorney.......... PAGE 1

Humpback Whales: The Heroes of the Sea.......................................................... PAGE 2

Will I Be Photographed at Stop Lights in Bakersfield?.................................................. PAGE 2

PSA: The State’s Most ‘Vulnerable’ Freeway............................................................. PAGE 3

Celebrate Chinese New Year........................ 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!

Celebrate Chinese New Year! HONOR THE YEAR OF THE TIGER

Happy Chinese New Year! Often referred to as Lunar New Year, due to the holiday’s connection to the moon cycle, Chinese New Year is a 16- day holiday steeped in tradition. Don’t let it pass without marking the momentous occasion that’s celebrated across the globe.

intended to induce good luck in the new year. Learn the art of calligraphy as you master Chinese symbols to create your own piece of good luck in the Year of the Tiger!

To commemorate the Year of the Tiger, try these fun and easy activities.

READ ABOUT LEGENDS. After centuries of celebrations, there are bound to be a few legends worth learning about! Why not make it into a bedtime story or an anecdote for your next family gathering? For example, you could “wow” your children with the story of Nian, a monster who would attack at the start of every new year but was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. To ward off Nian each year, people would dress in red and shoot fireworks, celebrating a new year and keeping Nian safely at bay. Pair this story with a red meal to really sell the impact! LEARN CALLIGRAPHY. This is the perfect activity for little crafters! Calligraphy is a major component of Chinese New Year decor. Those who celebrate often hang hand-painted, square red banners that feature certain words

ENJOY A TASTY MEAL. This has to be the best option, right? Create a feast to ring in the new year. Everyone will love the classics, like dumplings, noodles, or spring rolls, but don’t be afraid to try something new. Fish and chicken are common on Chinese New Year festivities, and many families will cook these items whole. Doing so is considered a strong sign for the family, and fish is meant to symbolize wealth, while chicken represents togetherness. In addition to this, nian gao is a sweet rice dish that can be the perfect way to end your meal.

If this is your first Chinese New Year celebration, ChineseNewYear.net has all the basics covered for you.

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