Bigger & Harman, APC - December 2021

Bigger & Harman, APC - December 2021

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 Hope for the World – The True Meaning Of Christmas REFLECTIONS ON THE CHRISTMAS SEASON This Christmas will be the first that my family gets to share with our newest member, James Albert Harman. He was born on May 29 and has brought lots of joy to me, my wife, and his sister Talia, who is now 2 years old. She loves giving him kisses before bed and is always concerned when he starts to cry. Perhaps her care for him is the reason he’s the happiest baby I’ve known. As I look forward to celebrating Christmas with my son, I reflect on the first Christmas so long ago when the Son of God was born in a manger in dire conditions in a much more difficult time. His birth brought hope to the world through the message of the angels who proclaimed to the shepherds nearby, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” The good news wasn’t that political turmoil would cease or that pandemics would be eradicated. Rather, as the angel said to Joseph, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” He accomplished this through his death, burial, and resurrection. As is stated in the Bible, “At the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. … There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” “My prayer for my son James is that he’ll grow to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.”

DECEMBER 2021

My prayer for my son James is that he’ll grow to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Not giving gifts and decorating with colorful lights, but rather that despite the turmoil of this life, Jesus brought hope to the world through the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God.

Merry Christmas!

–Paul

Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King Peace on earth, and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled Joyful, all ye nations, rise Join the triumph of the skies With th’ angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem Hark, the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King

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During the holiday season, you might be tempted to rush out the house for last-minute gifts or groceries — but don’t be too hasty. Driving without a license is known as a “wobbler” or “wobblette” offense in California. A wobbler offense usually describes a crime that can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony, and a wobblette is a misdemeanor or infraction. Depending on the circumstances, a conviction for driving without a license could possibly lead to jail time. According to CA Vehicle Code (CVC) 12500, driving without a valid driver’s license is a misdemeanor offense, but it can also be filed as an infraction. The difference between a misdemeanor and an infraction is that a misdemeanor can be punished with jail time and a fine, while an infraction can only result in a fine. Don’t Worry — We’ll Cover Several Scenarios Drive Without Your License? Will You Go to Jail if You

court will only impose a fine, especially for a first offense. A judge will often show leniency by reducing the charge to an infraction if you obtain a license while your case is pending. SCENARIO NO. 3: YOU HAVE A CANCELED, REVOKED, OR SUSPENDED LICENSE. If your driver’s license was canceled, revoked, or suspended by the DMV or a judge, an officer will probably charge you with driving on a suspended license under CVC 14601 rather than driving without a license under CVC 12500. The difference is significant because CVC 14601 carries mandatory jail time if your license was suspended because of a DUI or if you have prior convictions for the offense. Additionally, CVC 14601 carries two DMV points, while CVC 12500 carries zero points.

SCENARIO NO. 4: YOU ARE AN OUT-OF-STATE OR FOREIGN DRIVER.

Now that you know the basic consequences of driving without a license, let’s go through several scenarios.

Anyone with a valid license in their home state, territory, or country over the age of 18 can drive in CA while visiting. However, once you establish residency in CA, you have 10 days to apply for a CA license. You establish residency in CA when you apply for or accept in-state tuition, file for a homeowner’s property tax exemption, register to vote in CA, or accept benefits normally extended to CA residents. (These provisions may not apply to out-of-state military personnel and their spouses temporarily stationed here and receiving state-sponsored benefits.) If you wait too long to get a California license after relocating here, an officer will probably only charge you with CVC 12500 as an infraction and advise you to get an in-state license.

SCENARIO NO. 1: YOU FORGOT YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT HOME. If you rushed to work and left your wallet at home, lost your driver’s license, or simply forgot it, you probably don’t have to worry about an officer charging you with CVC 12500. Rather, an officer will probably charge you with violating CVC 12951, which requires that “the licensee shall have the valid driver’s license issued to him or her in his or her immediate possession at all times when driving …” Although the charge will get dismissed once you prove you have a valid license by presenting it to a judge, you might still have to pay a $25 dismissal fee. SCENARIO NO. 2: YOU NEVER APPLIED FOR A LICENSE. If you never had a license, an officer will probably charge you with violating CVC 12500 as a misdemeanor. Although the maximum penalty is six months in jail and a large fine, most of the time a

If you have any questions, don’t be shy to contact our firm at (661) 349-9300 or email us at [email protected]!

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No Monkeying Around

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION Thanks to your referrals, we were able to give $980 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.

Helping Hands

Monkey Helpers for the Win

You’ve heard of service dogs, but what about service monkeys? For many years now, capuchin monkeys have been lending helping hands to people with disabilities! Helping Hands Monkey Helpers, located at Monkey College in Boston, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit organization designed to help people with disabilities and mobility issues, such as quadriplegia, by pairing them with a monkey service animal. These simian helpers are specifically trained to help with daily tasks while providing companionship, happiness, and a renewed sense of purpose that many struggle with when navigating an injury or disability. When monkeys graduate, they will have developed the ability to navigate major household appliances and electronics as well as basic items within the home. They can even retrieve a canned beverage from the refrigerator, open it, and put a straw in it! A service monkey can also assist with retrieving things that are dropped or out of reach, turning pages in a book, scratching an itch, pushing buttons on electronic devices, and performing other menial tasks within the home. Each human applicant and the capuchin monkeys undergo a pairing process to find the best fit for placement! A social worker and placement specialist work together to sift through applications and determine which monkeys will be the right choice for the applicants based on lifestyle preferences and the tasks that will be most helpful to the person with disabilities. Plus, Helping Hands Monkey Helpers ensures that the monkeys are completely free of charge to the recipients! The human-animal bond created along the journey after placement is absolutely beautiful. Helping Hands Monkey Helpers brings love, companionship, and laughter to many who are fortunate enough to work with the organization. These monkeys are the best, hands down. And, monkeys, thank you for going to monkey college, and thank you for your service!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” –ISAIAH 9:6

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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

Hope for the World.......................................... PAGE 1

Learn the Consequences of Driving Without a License............................................ PAGE 2

Helping Hands Monkey Helpers for the Win......................................................... PAGE 3

Get the Most Out of Your Sleep.................... 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 Type of Sleep You Get Matters! How to Wake Up Refreshed

Are you getting enough shut-eye but still feeling groggy when you wake up? The type of sleep you get matters, and a sleep schedule can help ensure you’re cycling through the stages of sleep your body needs. Sleep is broken up into four different stages. During the first stage, which only lasts about 5–10 minutes, your body is softly drifting off, and as your brain slows down, your breathing and heartbeat slow as well. When you transition to the second stage, you become less aware of your surroundings, your eye movements cease, and your body temperature drops. Moving into the third stage, your body will drift into a deep sleep, where you will not be awakened by small noises and your muscles are completely relaxed. In the fourth stage,

your body is in a deep, restful state. In stages three and four, you’re getting REM sleep, which is when your body is in its deepest sleep, and your breathing, heart rate, and temperature all reach the lowest level. In these stages, your body is able to fight sickness, begin repairing itself, and commit information to memory. During REM sleep, which occurs about 90 minutes after your head hits the pillow, your body is completely relaxed, and you begin to dream. Throughout the night, you will progress through these stages of sleep multiple times, but usually not in a perfect sequence. You will likely be in each stage of sleep about 4–5 times per night, and one cycle typically lasts about 90–110 minutes. Too much or too little REM or non-REM sleep can affect the quality of your sleep and how refreshed you feel.

Quality sleep is important to make sure you are recharging your body, strengthening your mind and immune system, and prioritizing your health. If you never achieve deep sleep throughout the night, sleep deprivation sets in, and you won’t get the proper rest you need to recover. By setting a sleep schedule, you can make sure you are hitting the hay each night at a reasonable hour and allowing yourself to properly cycle through the different stages of sleep. Be sure to clear your mind before tucking yourself into bed and make sure your bed is comfortable to promote the best possible sleep — your body counts on it!

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