Bigger & Harman - September 2021

Bigger & Harman - September 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

SEPTEMBER 2021

WE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION — HERE’S WHY

Sept. 5 is the International Day of Charity. So, this month I’d love to talk a little bit about an important charity we support at Bigger & Harman: International Justice Mission (IJM). International Justice Mission is a global organization that protects impoverished people from violence. They partner with local authorities in 24 program offices in 14 countries to combat trafficking and slavery, violence against women and children, and governmental abuse of power. There are three main parts to IJM’s methods of fighting these particular threats internationally. First, they rescue and restore people (often children and families) who are victims of violence, forced labor, or sex trafficking. Then, they support local police in rescue operations and help meet the victims’ urgent needs, such as offering safe housing, food, medical care, counseling, and education. The organization stays beside the survivors up until the moment they’re healthy and fully restored.

International Justice Mission volunteer work at University of Virginia. Photo: Smash the Iron Cage

One reason why these criminals can thrive in impoverished countries is because officials aren’t equipped to enforce the laws — this is why, lastly, IJM strengthens justice systems. They do this by providing expert training, mentoring, and support to local law enforcement and other community leaders to slow down and stop the cycle of violence. By ensuring that police, judges, and other officials have the knowledge and resources they need, it’s much easier to ensure that change is long-lasting in communities. In 2020, despite the pandemic, the IJM rescued nearly 8,671 victims of violence and oppression, restrained 927 suspected criminals, restored 526 survivors to safety and stability, and helped get 437 perpetrators convicted in local courts. “2020 reinforced for me a truth we have always known: We are in the right fight. Despite the unprecedented challenges and loss of this year, justice endured,” writes Philip Langford, the President of IJM. At Bigger & Harman, we’re very proud to sponsor IJM and the amazing work they do. You can help us do our part by referring us to your friends; we give $20 to IJM for every new client who was referred to us. Thanks so much for your support!

In 2020, despite the pandemic, the IJM rescued nearly 8,671 victims of violence and oppression, restrained 927 suspected criminals, restored 526 survivors to safety and stability, and helped get 437 perpetrators convicted in local courts.”

Second, IJM will ensure that criminals are brought to justice. They work with local law enforcement through the process of investigating, arresting, and charging slave owners and traffickers with crimes. Then, IJM’s lawyers and partners fight in courtrooms so perpetrators are put behind bars.

–Paul Harman

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Willie the Parrot: The Ultimate Danger Alarm

Willie the Quaker parrot was a pretty remarkable bird. Like many parrots, he had a knack for mimicking certain sounds and words, including barking dog noises, human kissing noises, and a fair share of swear words. However, what made Willie a hero one day was not just what he said, but also when he said it. Meagan Howard, Willie’s owner, brought him over to her friend Samantha Kuusk’s house while she babysat Kuusk’s little daughter, Hannah. Hannah and Willie were both in the kitchen while Meagan prepared a Pop-Tart for Hannah’s breakfast. After placing the Pop-Tart on the table, Meagan stepped away to use the bathroom. While she was away, however, Hannah got her hands on the Pop- Tart and began to scarf it down, lodging a piece in her windpipe. She started choking and was unable to signal to Meagan that something was wrong. Luckily, Willie came to the rescue. Willie began squawking and shrieking, saying the words “Mama! Baby!” over and over again. In a matter of moments, Meagan knew something was wrong. She rushed to the kitchen to find a very frantic Willie and a very blue Hannah. Meagan jumped

into action. She grabbed Hannah and performed the Heimlich maneuver until the Pop-Tart piece dislodged itself and shot out of her mouth.

Meagan may have been the one to stop Hannah from choking, but she insists that Willie was the real hero of the story. If he hadn’t

used his unique mimicking skills to get Meagan’s attention, she doesn’t know what would have happened. It’s worth noting that before that incident, Willie had never used the phrase “Mama! Baby!” before. He knew something was wrong, and he knew how to get help.

Shortly after the incident, Willie received the local Red Cross chapter’s Animal Lifesaver Award for his heroic actions.

Clear Your Name After Getting a Traffic Ticket!

Clearing your name after getting a traffic ticket can be tricky without hiring a traffic ticket attorney. Many people think it is too expensive to hire a lawyer for a simple traffic ticket. However, that is far from true when compared to California’s traffic ticket fines and the risk of increased insurance premiums. Most traffic attorneys charge a flat rate so that you know

upfront what the cost of fighting your ticket will be. That helps when deciding whether or not it makes sense to get legal representation for a ticket. You might ask — what kinds of traffic tickets can a traffic attorney help resolve? The answer to that depends on the attorney. Some attorneys only want to handle criminal or DUI traffic issues. Here at Bigger & Harman, we handle almost all non-DUI traffic cases. That includes everything from running a red light, driving out-of-lane in a commercial vehicle, driving over 100 mph, and even reckless driving or racing. Of course, the best way to find out if we can help fight your traffic ticket is to ask us. We always offer free consultations over the phone or in person. We’ll explain the process, what we can do to help, and give our opinion as to the strengths and weaknesses of your case. We will also explain our fees and what fines you can expect the court to impose.

Rather than hiring an attorney and contesting a ticket, some people wonder if they should just pay the fine and attend traffic violator’s school (TVS). That’s a difficult question because every traffic ticket is different. You should allow a traffic attorney to examine your situation and recommend a course of action because not all tickets will get dismissed. Sometimes, the best thing is to take advantage of TVS. However, TVS does not forgive or erase your ticket. Drivers must still pay the fine, plus an administrative fee of approximately $60–$70 depending on the county. For Class C drivers, the conviction is treated as confidential and no DMV points are assessed. For Class A drivers, the conviction isn’t confidential, but (similar to Class C) no DMV points will be assessed on the driver’s record. Before making a decision after getting a traffic ticket, give us a call to potentially save a lot of time and money in the future!

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The thing to always keep in mind about compliance, safety, and accountability (CSA) points is that they lead to more roadside inspections for you and your fleet. Keep CSA points to a minimum to make your fleet more profitable by applying these tips and suggestions. 3 TIPS TO MAKE YOUR FLEET AS PROFITABLE AS POSSIBLE NO. 1: ALWAYS PERFORM YOUR DAILY VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT (DVIR). The DVIR is the driver’s daily inspection report, and it is a mandatory inspectable item at roadside inspection stops. The driver should conduct a systematic inspection of their vehicle before each trip or after each rest period during a trip. Every inspection shortcoming noted during a weigh station vehicle inspection is subject to citations, warnings, and CSA points. Using the DVIR will minimize the number of issues. Although the inspection should include the entire vehicle, the primary areas to inspect are lights and reflectors, tires, brakes, and glass. Be sure to check all running lights, high and low beam lights, brake lights, and turn signals. Ensure that reflectors are clean and free of debris. Check tire air pressure (with a digital tire gauge) and tread depths. Make sure you know the minimum tread depth limits (change tires before they get close to the limits) and what the states you will travel through require for mud flaps and splash guards. Tires kept at the manufacturer’s suggested air pressure last longer and save you money. Check the windshield and windows for cracks or “stars” that might widen. NO. 2: DON’T FORGET ABOUT PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE. Preventive maintenance is a system of scheduled maintenance that ensures minor issues are caught before they become major “unexpected” repairs that are typically expensive. When tires are rotated and tuneups are completed during regular maintenance, it boosts fuel efficiency and saves you money.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION Thanks to your referrals, we were able to give $960 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.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. DEUTERONOMY 31:8

NO. 3: AVOID TRAFFIC TICKETS AND KEEP CSA POINTS TO A MINIMUM.

Another serious problem for drivers and fleets alike is traffic ticket convictions and CSA severity points. These cost the driver and fleet because both affect the fleet’s SMS percentile. Fleets with a percentile above 50 are flagged for more roadside inspections. When your fleet’s Department of Transportation (DOT) number is above 75, your trucks are identified for inspection at every open weigh station. Therefore, you should challenge every traffic ticket or roadside inspection violation that leads to more CSA severity points. If you use the DVIR, schedule regular preventive maintenance, avoid overweight trucks, and dispute traffic tickets and CSA points, you can make your fleet or owner- operated trucks more profitable.

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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

This Organization Is Helping Stop Slavery for Good. ............................................. PAGE 1

Willie the Parrot: The Ultimate Danger Alarm.................................................... PAGE 2

Clear Your Name After Getting a Traffic Ticket!................................................. PAGE 2

Tips to Make Your Fleet as Profitable as Possible......................................................... PAGE 3

Get a Jump on Winter Blues With Fall Exercise....................................................... 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!

Get a Jump on Winter Blues And Exercise Through the Fall

Less sunlight can have a negative impact on your mental well-being, and as you head into the darker, chillier months, worsening weather and shorter days can make staying in shape more of a chore than a joy. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. With a few tricks, you can thrive through the cold season. Finding ways to stay active while cooped up inside has never been easier. Thanks to the pandemic, online exercise courses, at-home workouts, and remote Zumba classes grew in popularity and are still going strong. If you embraced these for your summer workouts to avoid the heat, you can continue that routine this fall and winter and keep up your exercise, mixing it up if one course gets stale.

building muscle in an indoor facility or taking martial arts classes at the gym. It doesn’t matter what you do; what matters is that you do it. Stay active! While it’s a bummer that you can’t go trail running or biking, any exercise is better than none. And don’t wait to get started: Add that “winter workout” into your weekly routine now. Not only will it help make the transition a little easier when you can’t go for your morning run, but also, if you’re trying a new sport, activity, or exercise, it gives you a buffer in case you decide it’s not for you after all. Don’t let bad weather or fewer daylight hours be an excuse for less exercise. Your brain will thank you, and who knows? You might actually have fun too!

Similarly, winter provides a great time to focus on a new type of fitness goal, like

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