Izquierdo Law Firm - March 2018

IzLegal Illustrated How to Handle a Stop and Other Safety Tips

around people who’ve been drinking, and maybe you’ve had beer spilled on you and smell like you’ve been drinking. If an officer has the slightest suspicion you’re driving under the influence, they will begin an investigation. The best way to avoid a situation like this would be to avoid driving altogether. Easier said than done, I know. If you find yourself in this type of situation, it’s important to be completely cooperative but avoid incriminating yourself. Remember you have the right to remain silent. It’s important to stay polite and respectful throughout the interaction. You don’t want to give the officer any more information than you absolutely have to. I’m not saying to lie, but simply respectfully decline to answer any questions that might incriminate you. Say you don’t feel comfortable answering without an attorney present. It is certainly easier to just start talking when you’ve been pulled over, but it isn’t always in your best interest. Sadly, the only time you have the right to an attorney is when you take the breathalyzer test. Even so, you don’t want to give the person who stopped you any condemning information. Continue to politely decline their questions by saying you feel uncomfortable answering without an attorney present. If you are arrested, the less you said during the interaction can increase your chances in court.

While you’re out celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, it’s important to take some precautions.

Drinking and driving is never a good idea. If you choose to go out and have a couple of drinks, stay off the road. Even only having one or two beers doesn’t mean that you’re okay to drive. So, before you head out, make sure you know how you’ll get home. For instance, plan to take an Uber, or have a designated driver. If you do find yourself on the road this holiday — or any day after you’ve been drinking — and are pulled over, here are some things to keep in mind.

“Drinking and driving is never a good idea. If you choose to go out and have a couple of drinks, stay off the road.”

Drink green beer, stay off the roads, and have a great St. Patrick’s day.

Most people are too focused on the legal alcohol limit, rather than recognizing when they might be impaired. In some instances, someone may not be impaired, but can still give an officer reason to suspect they are. Let’s say you’re a designated driver and are in perfect condition to drive. But you’ve been

It’s good to have a fun time, but be sure to take the necessary measures to avoid trouble with the law.

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The Importance of Spring Cleaning Your Utility Room DON’T FORGET TO CLEAN THE HEART OF YOUR HOME

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR AIR FILTER?

appliances themselves and any connecting ducts. Dust, dander, and mold can accumulate in the ducts and spread throughout the home, which can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems. A routine inspection will identify potential problems in your HVAC system. On top of that, you can get these systems professionally cleaned and maintained. These are simple steps that will keep your home’s air systems running smoothly for years to come. Plus, you’ll be ready for the summer months ahead!

The start of spring brings everyone’s favorite seasonal chore — spring cleaning! As you dust, vacuum, organize, and declutter, don’t forget about the one room that often gets neglected. This year, give special attention to the utility closet. The utility closet houses your furnace, boiler, water heater, A/C junction, and other similar large appliances. Homeowners often forget about these appliances because they are out of sight and out of mind, and this can cost a lot in the long run. Like all the other rooms in your home, this space needs to be kept clean. Dust, for instance, can be hard on HVAC systems. Over time, it accumulates in the HVAC intake and clogs the air filter, reducing its effectiveness and efficiency. This results in a short lifespan for your system, higher power bills, and a poorly heated or cooled home. CASE STUDY

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Homes with minimal foot traffic (single or double occupancy) and no pets or allergies: 6–12 months.

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Family homes (three or more occupants) with no pets or allergies: 3–6 months.

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Family homes with at least one pet or minor allergies: 2–3 months.

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Family homes with multiple pets or allergies: 1–2 months.

In addition to changing the air filter, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your home’s HVAC system. This includes an inspection of the

REFERRAL TO THE BACK ON TRACK PROGRAM AFTER BEING INITIALLY DENIED FOR DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE

Result: The State Dropped the DUI.

she did not perform to standards. The defendant provided a breath sample that was two times the legal limit of .08, and she was arrested. After retaining the firm, the client was in for quite the fight. An elementary school teacher at the time, the client could not afford to have a conviction on her record. Making matters worse, she had previously been cited with the criminal traffic violation of “driving while license suspended with knowledge.” As a result, the state attorney’s office was seeking jail time and would not allow her to enroll in the DUI diversion program. We were ultimately able to negotiate a resolution where she was allowed to receive a referral to the program, and the state dropped the DUI.

Facts: The officer observed the defendant failing to maintain a single lane. The defendant would speed up to 80 mph then break hard and reduce velocity to 45–50 mph. Fearing that the defendant was an impaired driver, the officer stopped the defendant at NW 87 Ave and the 836 Expressway. Upon making contact with the defendant, the officer observed that the defendant had a flushed face; bloodshot, watery eyes; slurred speech; and a strong odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage coming from the defendant’s breath. Fearing the defendant was an impaired driver, the officer requested that she take DUI tests, but

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IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, IT’S A RISING STAR!

be voted forward depending not only on information found by those at Super Lawyers, but also by details gained from fellow attorneys along the way. There’s even an age cap and a restriction on the time a candidate has spent at their current practice, which minimizes an attorney’s chance of being included in Rising Star. You have to be 40 years old or younger or have been with your practice for a maximum of 10. Only 5 percent of lawyers are included in Super Lawyers in the state, but only 2.5 percent are placed on the Rising Stars list. I am beyond honored and humbled to have been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for a second year in a row. The best part of this recognition is that it stems from review and nomination by my peers. Needless to say, it means the world to me to be nominated for such a distinction and honor by my fellow attorneys.

This year, I was selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for the second time in a row. Being nominated is a huge honor and privilege. I feel so grateful for all the lawyers who put my name in the running! Once you’ve been nominated, which can be a challenge in itself, it is still no easy feat to be selected. The only way to be nominated is by another attorney submitting your name to superlawyer.com. This attorney can work in your firm, but their vote won’t count unless someone outside your firm votes for you, as well. As I’m a solo practitioner, it is even more meaningful that so many attorneys decided to vote for me. The selection processes for being included in Super Lawyers and Rising Star lists are pretty long. The outcome depends mainly on attorneys voting for you and fitting the criteria. To be included in Super Lawyers, you need to have a good background for reference. This information includes transactions, experience, any honors or awards you have received, your position within a law firm, your education, and how you represent clients, just to name a few. You’ll

Laugh Out Loud

Zesty Zucchini Enchiladas For a lighter take on enchiladas, go carb-free by swapping tortillas for zucchini! Ingredients

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2 teaspoons cumin

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4 large zucchini

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2 teaspoons chili powder

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1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee

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3 cups cooked, shredded chicken

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1 large onion, chopped

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2 cups shredded cheese

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2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

and spoon chicken mixture on top. Roll the zucchini “tortilla” and place on baking sheet. Repeat until all zucchini and chicken is used. 3. Cover the enchiladas with remaining sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 20 minutes, and enjoy!

1. Heat oven to 350 F. For enchilada sauce, heat oil in a large skillet. Add onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt to taste. Stir to combine. Add chicken and 1 cup prepared enchilada sauce. 2. Use vegetable peeler to thinly slice zucchini. Lay out three slices, slightly overlapping,

Adapted from delish.com.

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We’ve moved! Come see us at the new office!

2655 Le Jeune Road Suite 805 Coral Gables, FL 33134

INSIDE this issue

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Feeling Lucky on St. Patrick’s Day?

2

Spring Clean Your Utility Room Case Study

3

Super Lawyers’ Rising Star List! Go Carb-Free for Dinner

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Amelia Earhart’s Legacy

UP IN THE AIR

The Legacy of Amelia Earhart

Cold water was poured on this theory shortly after. A copy of the same photograph was found in the Japanese National Archives with the date 1935, which was two years too early for the photo’s subjects to be Earhart and Noonan. People’s enthusiasm to solve the mystery of Earhart’s disappearance will persist for years to come. But this month, as we celebrate the accomplishments of women throughout history, it’s important that we set aside the mystery of Earhart’s death to honor her vibrant life. She blazed a trail for women in science, aviation, and beyond, leaving a legacy as boundless as the sky.

Since her twin-engine Lockheed Electra disappeared over the Pacific Ocean during the last leg of her historic 1937 flight around the world, the Earhart legacy has been defined by mystery. For decades, historians and enthusiasts have batted around theories about the fate of the intrepid pilot. Just last summer, on the 80th anniversary of her disappearance, a History Channel documentary claimed to have found the truth. The TV documentary “Amelia Earhart:The Lost Evidence” made a media splash when investigators claimed to have uncovered a photograph of Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, alive in the Marshall Islands. According to their narrative, Earhart and Noonan survived an emergency landing in the Japanese-occupied islands, only to languish as prisoners of war.

There are plenty of figures worthy of remembrance during Women’s History Month. From literary pioneers like Mary Shelley and Emily Dickinson to civil rights heroes like Rosa Parks and Daisy Bates, inspiring legacies abound. But few of those women’s stories end with a question mark. To this day, the story of famed pilot and women’s rights advocate Amelia Earhart remains shrouded in the clouds. Her life was defined by a rare combination of curiosity, conviction, and courage. Earhart became a nurse during the Great War, taught aeronautical engineering at Purdue, and was an avid feminist in the post-suffrage era. On top of these accomplishments, Earhart became the famous aviator we remember today.

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