Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller - July 2022

Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller - July 2022

IN YOUR DEFENSE

JULY 2022

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Working for the Experience

MEMORIES FROM MY FIRST SUMMER JOB

For many teens across the country, few things are more exciting than starting your first summer job. School is out for a few months and you want to make sure you have enough money to hang out with your friends, so you apply around town trying to find a fun part-time job. For kids, some get their first experience mowing lawns in their neighborhood or opening up a lemonade stand, while teens get jobs at restaurants, retail shops, and grocery stores. That first summer job often teaches us many lessons we utilize throughout our lives. The first job I ever held came during the summer when I was 15 years old. I was hired to be a busboy and dishwasher at a small Greek restaurant in Suffolk. Of course, my main responsibility was to clear the tables and clean them so they were ready for the next group of customers. I also washed dishes, refilled drinks, and stocked supplies.

One thing I really enjoyed about working at the restaurant was how they treated their employees. Sure, I didn’t make a lot of money. I think I was only making about $2.25 an hour, but they always made sure to feed us well. If I went in for a four- or five-hour shift, they would always provide me with a meal. Everyone on that staff treated me with respect and kindness.

The restaurant I worked at was not necessarily a high-end establishment. We used to serve bread to every table but not

everyone would eat all of the bread we provided. Whenever I bussed a table and brought back a bread tray that wasn’t completely empty, one of the waitresses would pick out the pieces she could reuse and add them to a new basket. It was possible that the bread had been sitting there for a while by the end of the night. I can vividly remember one customer who came in for dinner and received a tray of bread that had a cigarette butt in it. Needless to say, he wasn’t too pleased.

I have one piece of valuable advice for those who are going out to experience their very first job this summer. Don’t take your first job solely because of the money. Instead, find a job you think you will actually love to do. Many people put money as the most important thing, but we should be more focused on gaining experience and knowledge in those early years. The money will eventually follow.

“Don’t take your first job solely because of the money. Instead, find a job that you think you will actually love to do.”

Starting a summer job is an exciting experience for any kid or teen. In many ways, it’s the beginning of their journey toward maturity and adulthood. If you have kids entering the workforce for the first time, I wish them all the luck in finding a rewarding job they enjoy. They’ll learn many lessons that can put them on the path to success. –Daniel J. Miller

That experience actually taught me an incredibly valuable lesson. I learned never to cut corners. It’s certainly possible that this customer never returned to the restaurant after that dining experience. It’s even more likely he told others about what happened. There’s no telling how much business that restaurant lost because they continually cut corners to save time and resources at the expense of the customer.

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U nderstanding H ow the L aw V iews T hreats

threats are said in person, over the phone, or through written messages. If you find yourself in this situation or your ex is claiming that you are sending them threatening messages, you need to understand the laws that apply to threats. Under Virginia law, any person who knowingly threatens to kill or do bodily harm to an individual through written or electronic messaging can be found guilty of a Class 6 felony if the individual threatened feels afraid the threat

or harass their ex, the offending party could be found guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Oftentimes, this situation will depend on what was said or how often one party is reaching out to the other. Multiple phone calls or text messages could be considered harassment even if there is no threat involved. If found guilty, the offending party could face up to one year in jail. If the person is using a computer or computer network with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass their ex, they could be found guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. While this is often much easier to prove than an in-person or telephone threat, it also comes with a jail sentence of up to one year if the offending party is found guilty. Threats should never be taken lightly. If you are being threatened by an ex or are accused of threatening your ex, you need to hire an experienced lawyer.

Relationships are often difficult and complicated, especially when they’re ending. They don’t always end amicably and the parties can often feel jilted, upset, and sometimes even afraid. Many wonder what they should do if they start to receive threatening messages from their ex. Depending on the circumstances, your ex may be breaking the law — whether the

will be carried out. This could happen if an ex-spouse threatens to kill or harm their former spouse or a member of their family through a text message or written letter. If they are found guilty, they could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

If the threat is said over the phone or the radio with the intent to coerce, intimidate,

O ceanside A ctivities the E ntire F amily C an E njoy

The summer season is officially underway and many Americans are planning to take a trip to the beach to celebrate the occasion. If you’re going on a family vacation to the ocean for an extended period of time, you may be worried about keeping everyone entertained. That’s why we put together a list of some of our favorite oceanside activities to try this summer. Your summer vacation will be filled with fun and excitement after trying some of these great activities!

the water or on the beach. You can buy a net and set up a game of beach volleyball to get everyone involved, or you can try one of the many new beachside sports hitting the market like TidalBall, pickleball, and Spikeball. TidalBall is the beach version of cornhole so if you haven’t played it yet, you definitely want to check it out. Experience nature. The wildlife and environment of the beach are most likely drastically different from what you can experience back home, so make an effort to see all you can. At many beaches, you’ll be able to see dolphins, whales, and sea rays from the shore. You can also look in the sand for crabs and small crustaceans. By simply standing still and taking in all of the sights and sounds of the ocean, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the surroundings. Ride the waves. You don’t need to be an experienced surfer to venture into the water on a board. Of course, you can take surfing lessons at many beaches, but you can also get in the water on a bodyboard for a thrilling experience. Additionally, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards if you want to be on the water, but not necessarily in it.

Get active. There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting on the beach and listening to the calm repetition of the waves, but maybe you want a little more excitement by the ocean. If that’s the case, there are plenty of sports to try. You can bring a football and throw it around in

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THE REPERCUSSIONS ARE SEVERE Getting a DUI as a Minor

There’s never an excuse for drinking and driving, especially now that rideshare programs are so prevalent in our society. However, people still choose to get in their vehicles after having too many. If you’re pulled over and issued a DUI, the repercussions will most likely follow you for the rest of your life. This is a worrisome thought for everyone but is even more severe for minors. The state of Virginia takes a zero-tolerance approach to underage drinking and driving. Those under the age of 21 who test with a blood alcohol concentration of .02 to .08 can face an administrative license suspension even if they are never convicted. They can also be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.

If the underage driver’s BAC is higher than .08, they will face the same penalties as any other

they get a DUI, those rates will increase even more. A DUI stays on your record for 11 years in Virginia, so that high rate could continue for years after the incident. If the minor is enrolled in school, they could see punishment there as well. Many universities will discipline students who get DUIs. They may pull scholarships, remove them from athletic programs, suspend them, or in some cases, expel them from the school. If your child was charged with a DUI, it’s essential you hire an experienced attorney to handle their case.

driver. For first-time offenders, this can include fines up to $2,500, up to a year of jail time, a yearlong driver’s license suspension, and the completion of a Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) class. In many cases, an ignition interlock will be required for six months, which is essentially a Breathalyzer that connects to the vehicle’s ignition. They’ll have to prove they’re sober every time they drive or else the car won’t start. The punishments don’t end with legal troubles, either. Younger drivers already have higher insurance rates than most, but if

SUMMER CRAB AND LEMON CARBONARA

SUDOKU

Inspired by FoodAndWine.com

Fresh crab and lemon make this crowd-pleasing pasta dish perfect for summer.

INGREDIENTS

• 12 oz bucatini pasta • 1/2 cup olive oil • 2 tbsp garlic, finely chopped • 1/4 cup drained and rinsed capers, chopped • 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper • 6 large egg yolks, beaten

• 3 oz Pecorino Romano cheese, grated • 1/2 cup fresh chives, thinly sliced • 8 oz fresh crabmeat • 1 tbsp grated lemon zest • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • Sea salt or kosher salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a pot of boiling water, cook pasta until not yet al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup cooking liquid. 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook oil and garlic until lightly toasted. Add capers and black pepper, then stir for 2 minutes. 3. Add reserved cooking liquid to skillet and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in pasta and cook until al dente. Remove from heat. 4. Stirring constantly, pour egg yolks quickly into the mixture. Add cheese and chives, stirring well until sauce is creamy. Add crab, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss together and season with salt.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

REFLECTING ON MY FIRST SUMMER JOB PAGE 1 HOW THREATS ARE HANDLED UNDER VIRGINIA LAW OCEANSIDE ACTIVITIES TO TRY THIS SUMMER PAGE 2 WHAT HAPPENS IF A MINOR GETS A DUI? SUMMER CRAB AND LEMON CARBONARA PAGE 3 REMOVE THE SMELL OF CAMPFIRE SMOKE PAGE 4

REMOVE THE SMELL OF CAMPFIRE SMOKE KEEP THE SMOKE AT BAY

There’s only one way to make the great outdoors even greater — the campfire. But if your campfire smell lingers on your clothes for days after you enjoy the fire, it can be anything but “great.” Kill the smell with this go-to guide. But first — why does this happen? Fabrics cling to whatever it comes in contact with, and some fabrics, like cotton, tend to cling harder than others. Smoke is light and small, so it can easily penetrate fibers of your fabric, and wood may contain chemicals and compounds that can be very damaging to clothing. Thus, not removing the smoke smell could permanently alter your clothes. Go bitter or go home! Lemon juice and white vinegar are strong enough to cut through stains and smelly particles, but they’re gentle enough to keep your clothing in good condition. There are

a few ways you can do this. You can soak your clothes in vinegar and cold water prior to washing. Alternatively, add a splash of lemon juice to your washing machine before washing any smoky clothes. Try adding a little H 2 O. Water is actually a very harsh compound. In a heated form, it has the power to kill bacteria and eliminate gnarly smells. So, if you have strong, lingering campfire smoke smells, try washing your clothes in very hot water. This will pull the smoke from your fabric. However, don’t use this method all the time. As mentioned, water can be harsh — even to the very item you’re cleaning. It’s time to keep it organic. Rather than relying on solutions or water to clean your garments, hang your smoky clothes outside. This is a useful solution for those who have items that cannot

be washed at home, but it may not be completely effective. If that’s the case, try rubbing your clothes with dryer sheets to lift the smell, too! Try It: Don’t trust a home remedy with your favorite clothing item. Instead, place a few T-shirts you don’t care about near your next campfire. The following day, try a remedy on that shirt! If you run into any difficulties, consult with a trusted dry-cleaning expert.

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