DUI - Driving Under the Influence

By Michael SanfordDUI, or driving under the influence, is a very common problem among teenagers today. Too often we hear about several people meeting their deaths on the road because of this. Most of the time, they weren't even the ones driving. That's why it's necessary to arm yourself with the necessary information about DUI, to tell other people about it, and hopefully, with your knowledge, prevent more accidents on the road. People who know about DUI usually just think that the influence is alcohol. That DUI is synonymous with drunk driving. Maybe so. The actual thing is, over-the-counter decongestants can also affect your driving skills. Not only that, illegal drugs also obviously fit the bill of DUI. The worst thing about DUI is, it's not only the drunk driver that's affected. Remember, the intoxicated driver is on the open road. He may bump into other cars, he may affect pedestrians on the road, and most of all, he may affect his very own passengers. That's why for your own safety you should never, ever get into a car if the driver has been drinking. Statistics show that the kind of people most charged with DUI are males within the age bracket of sixteen to twenty-four. They are heavy drinkers and have an average performance academically. Although most drunk drivers fall under these characteristics, it's just as easy for anyone else to be driving drunk. Yet, armed with all this knowledge, and aware of all the dangers, DUI is still rampant up to today. Why? Well, there are several reasons. First, Alcohol-induced loss of judgement. This could be the biggest reason DUI is still at large today. After three or four drinks, a person's judgement is undermined by alcohol. A second reason for DUI could be lack of planning. To avoid DUI, you must figure out how to get back if you plan on drinking. The most common solution is to have a designated driver who doesn't drink and can take those who have been drinking home. Thirdly, rationalization leads to DUI. How many times have you heard the excuses, "I've made it home drunk before, I can sure as hell do it again," or, "My home is only a few minutes away. What could happen?" These thoughts have only crossed drunk drivers one too many times. Another reason DUI is so common, is sadly, lack of education; although due to its alarming rate more information has been spread about it. Too much emphasis has been put on alcohol as a main reason for DUI, all the while disregarding other drugs such as cough syrup or marijuana. Lastly, pressure is a huge factor that leads to many DUI cases. Considering that it is most teenagers who drink and drive, the last thing they would want to do is inform their parents that they need a ride home from drinking too much, or staying over at a friend's house for the night for the same reason. This is stirred by fear but of course, anyone would rather bear these inconveniences compared to staying over at the morgue or being picked up off the road... dead, unfortunately. At the very least, DUI charge can lead to license suspension. At the very worst, DUI can take away several lives. It's important to take your precautions. DUI is reason enough not to trust anyone on the road. About the author:For more info please check out http://www.lawyer-and-attorney.com/

Boating Accident Lawyers Know Best

By Mart Gil AbaretaIf you or someone you know has been a victim of a boating accident, you need an individual who basically understands what you’re going through especially when you are considering to file a lawsuit against the person who is at fault of the incident. I am referring here to a boating accident lawyer who knows the legal implications of your trial and who will be your greatest support along the process. Basically, you need an experienced and competent boating accident lawyer to back you up in your case. Who would want a lousy lawyer? No one. And so, if you’re in this situation, you’ll want an attorney who has all the important set of skills and a winning professional background. What you’re going through isn’t easy so you really need somebody to support you, aside from your family and friends, in the persona of your boating accident attorney. He’ll be the one to evaluate your possibility of having a case and the amount of compensation that you deserve. There are lots of boating accident lawyers who can be found wither online or locally. You can ask your friends and co-workers for recommendations. Also, have a lawyer recommend a boating accident attorney whom he knows too. Remember that a lawyer only recommends lawyers whom they trust and whom they believe in. You can also try online referral services where previously-screened lawyers will be matched to your lawyer requirements. This is the most efficient way to locate a proficient legal specialist. Boating accidents bring pain and suffering to its victims especially to those people who have lost their loved ones from such incidents. Therefore, it is really important to have outstanding legal care to depend on so that you can recover faster. And as expected, your lawyer will guide you all throughout the legal process and towards a successful lawsuit. In addition, an experienced lawyer will always prioritize your case above anything else. When a boating accident lawyer has already been practicing this area of law for quite some time, you can expect him to become a better establisher of truth and justice. He can already view every angle of the situation and say what legal actions to be given consideration. And as a victim, you also need to be knowledgeable and confident on your lawyer that your case will soon end up successfully. This is indeed a benefit on the part of the victims of the accident as you work together in your case. About the author:For more related articles, you may visit http://www.askaccidentlawyers.com

Lawyer Search

By RenardWhen the need for a lawyer arises, it is important to be able to find a good lawyer who is knowledgeable in the area that is required and has a good reputation. Many people would prefer to find a local lawyer whether it is a Maryland lawyer, a New York lawyer or a Kentucky lawyer. A lawyer search can be an overwhelming and often frightening task for anyone who has never needed a lawyer before. Personal, business and criminal problems can arise for almost anyone at any time. From finding a Maryland lawyer to finding a Californian lawyer, there are some different ways a person can find a lawyer that will best suit their needs. When looking for a lawyer in any state, it is necessary to determine what kind of lawyer will be needed. There are a number of different types of law that lawyers specialize in including family law, real estate law, estate law, family law, criminal law and many other types of law. Sometimes it might be difficult to begin a lawyer search when the issue doesn’t clearly fall into a particular category. It is a good idea to make a few calls to see what type of attorney would handle that specific case before continuing with a lawyer search. Once the type of lawyer that is needed is clear, it is time to make a list of the lawyers that are in the area who deal with a particular matter from a local phone book. Once the list is compiled, ask friends, family and professionals if they have had any experience with a particular lawyer and if it was a favorable one. If that particular attorney is on the lawyer search list, he or she might be one of the first ones that are contacted. Next, if the local search is not going very well, there are a number of search web sites on the Internet that a person can use to find an attorney that will suit his or her needs. Sometimes individual states have their own lawyer search web sites. Maryland, for instance, has a web site available for anyone who needs the services of a Maryland lawyer. The Maryland lawyer search is much like the kind of searches available for other states. A Maryland lawyer can be found when searching by city name, county name, zip code, a particular lawyer’s name, by law school and by legal specialty. If all else fails, a person can find a Maryland lawyer or a lawyer in another state by contacting the Bar Association. Once a lawyer search has narrowed down choices to just a few names, it is a good idea to schedule either a phone or personal interview with the attorney. Important questions that can be posed during an interview should include how much experience a lawyer has in the particular area that is needed, how long they have been in practice, what are the fees and what do they include and how successful they feel that they could tackle any particular issue. Once these questions have been answered, it is up to each individual to assess their choices and hire the attorney they feel that will represent them the best. About The Author Renard is the webmaster and owner of " lawyers-that-win.com" and has been researching and reporting on Lawyer Searching for years. Click Here ==> http://www.lawyers-that-win.com/ About the author:About The Author Renard is the webmaster and owner of " lawyers-that-win.com" and has been researching and reporting on Lawyer Searching for years. Click Here ==> http://www.lawyers-that-win.com/

Legal Debt Collection Tricks

By Steve AustinIf a customer owes your local business money, it's hard not to feel angry, like you want to do anything possible to get your money back. But the days of going all out to collect on a debt over. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, designed to protect consumers from harassment or intimidation, sets firm limits on what you can do to collect a debt from a consumer. The federal debt collections law even prohibits practices that were once standard, and that you might not consider harassment at all. Besides, as a local business, you have an even more powerful reason to be especially careful about legal debt collection issues. You have something much more valuable at stake than a lawsuit: your business's reputation in the community. Legal Debt Collection Best Practices: There are plenty of articles on the web that lay out in plain English what the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act says you can and cannot do. Just to give you some idea of the law's requirements, here are some of the biggest: - No telling any third party about the debt (except collection bureaus, collection agencies, or the debtor's attorney). - No calling on the telephone 9 pm - 8 am, or calling repeatedly in a way that is annoying. - No postcards or envelopes that mention the debt. - No threats to take actions you cannot or will not really take, such as seizing property, in the case of an unsecured debt. - No misrepresenting yourself (e.g., "Hi! This is the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. May I speak to John?"). - No paying down the debt with payments the customer has directed be applied to other debts Tips and Tricks for Legal Debt Collections: With all these limits on what you can do to collect a debt, what can you do legally? - Speak with the debtor personally on the telephone; most likely he or she wants to pay but is in over his or her head. Begin by asking what circumstance has kept him or her from paying. Offer to set up a repayment plan. - You should both send letters and make telephone calls. Many people will only respond to one or the other. - Document every part of the collections process. Take notes for each call and keep a copy of each letter. If the debt does ever go to court, you will have proof you acted legally. - Look into reporting the debt to credit bureaus. If you can, and are willing to do it, you can tell the debtor that not paying will impact his credit rating. - Best tip of all: hand over the job to a dedicated collection agency. Small business debt collection services start at as little as $20 per debt. The fight to get paid is a fight no business should have to involve itself in. Unfortunately, debt collections are a part of business. Just make sure that for your local business debt collection law is followed to the letter, or legal proceedings may become part of your business, too. About the author:Free debt collection laws information at http://www.debt-collection-laws.com/

Personal Injury Lawyers at your service

By Karen NodaloAccidents and personal injuries can never be prevented. It can happen anytime and anywhere without even knowing it. You are unaware with the things that are going to happen with your surroundings. Since this is unstoppable, there are certain rules to compensate with your losses and injuries. In doing so, consulting a lawyer will ease the burden and you can fight for your rights just the way it should be. Some people and victims decline to consult a lawyer with the thought that seeking one will only make them spend a lot of money without winning anything and make it even worse. Sometimes they fear of making their case get too complicated so they remain silent and still. Everyone has the right to be defended and reserves to fight for their rights. It is true that cases and hearings are too stressful and nerve-racking but if you caught a good lawyer to handle your case, it is never a problem at all. You just leave it to your lawyer and you will be left worry-free. If by chance you get involved in a personal injury case, you should claim for your compensation with no second thoughts. It will never be difficult in dealing with it as long as you find the right lawyer to guide you with the proceedings. Filing a case will never be a hassle if you have a lawyer because they all do the steps for you and all you have to do is state your claims. This is never a problem anymore because there are so many lawyers to consult. One good thing is you will never think that your lawyers will not exert their efforts because they will be paid if your case gets successfully resolved. So you will never have to pay for nothing and waste a big amount of money. Plus, you get fully compensated with all your claims and make sure you are left with nothing. Your compensation will cover repairs, medical treatment, doctor fee, damages on your vehicle and other evident physical injuries. So if you experienced all these, it is very necessary for you to consult a lawyer. They are designed to keep your case on the right track. So when you feel that your rights are violated, do not have doubts to consult a lawyer before you miss it all! For more related articles, you may visit http://www.mesrianilaw.com About the author:Karen Nodalo came across writing when she was about 11. The whole craze for writing started when she first wrote her diary during elementary years. After school, she would write in it first before doing homework. She finds it cool and until now she still keeps one.

Licensing Your Copyrighted Material

By Richard A. ChapoIf you’ve taken the necessary steps to register your copyrighted works, you inevitably will have an opportunity to royalties off of them. To take advantage of the opportunity, you will need to be familiar with copyright license agreements. Copyright License Agreement A copyright license agreement sets for the terms under which a third party can use your content. In legal language, you will the “licensor” with the other party being the “licensee.” The purpose of the agreement is to set forth the terms under which you, the licensor, will grant the third party, licensee, the right to use, publish or reuse your copyrighted work in exchange for a royalty. Let’s take a closer look at key components of the licensing agreement. Specific Rights Granted This may sound obvious, but the agreement needs to detail exactly what copyrighted material can be used. If you have copyrighted articles, are you granting a right to use all of the articles or only certain ones? It is highly recommended that the agreement contain a detailed description of the exact materials being covered. Once you agree upon the exact materials, you need to determine any restrictions on how the material can be used. Can the material be used on the Internet or will it be restricted to a certain niche’ such as manuals or collections of materials? An extremely important issue is whether the agreement grants exclusive or non-exclusive rights. In English, this simply defines whether the licensor can grant similar rights to other parties. The grant of exclusive licenses should require a much larger royalty rate since you are essentially betting the third party will be successful. Licensing Royalties In exchange for your copyrighted work, the third party is going to make royalty payments to you. The particular amount of the royalty is dependent upon the nature of your work. Issues to consider include: 1) Will you be paid a flat amount or percentage of sales? 2) If a percentage, will it be figured from gross revenues or something less? 3) How often will you be paid? 4) What rights will you have to audit the books of the third party to determine you are getting the full royalty? In some situations, you may decide to forgo a royalty payment. This usually occurs when the third party will use the materials in manner that produces massive publicity for you. For example, many professionals seek to right columns for publications as a marketing tool. Often, they will not charge the publication for the material because the resulting publicity carries enough of a benefit. In Closing If you are considering licensing copyrighted content, keep the above in mind. Since such agreements are difficult to break, hiring an attorney is worth the expense. About the author:Richard Chapo is with SanDiegoBusinessLawFirm.com - providing San Diego businesses with legal services. This article is for general education purposes. Nothing in this article creates an attorney-client relationship.

The New Bankruptcy Law -- How Will It Affect Debt Negotiation?

By Charles PhelanIn April 2005, Congress made sweeping changes in U.S. bankruptcy law that will go into effect on October 17, 2005. It's called the "Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005," and it means big trouble for Americans struggling with debt problems. What effect will the new bankruptcy law have on the practice of Debt Settlement (also called Debt Negotiation)? Will creditors still be willing to negotiate with consumers seeking to avoid bankruptcy? Will lump-sum settlements for 30À40À50 till be possible now that this tough new law has been passed? The short answer is "YES." It will be "business as usual" in the collection industry. People that choose to file bankruptcy will definitely be affected for the worse, as I'll outline below, but those who choose to privately negotiate their way out of debt will notice very little difference. Creditors will still negotiate. Deals will still be made. And nothing much will change in the world of collections. In fact, a viable alternative to bankruptcy will be needed more than ever. The credit card banks lobbied with millions of dollars to get this law passed. They've been working at it for about a decade. Now they are celebrating. These are the folks who think the bankruptcy system has been abused by wealthy individuals, who have defrauded creditors when they could have repaid their debts. The facts tell a different story: 1. During the period from 1995 to 2004, bankruptcy filings doubled, while in that same period, credit card industry profits TRIPLED. 2. Credit card companies have not been held accountable for their targeting of "easy credit" to individuals who could not afford such loans, which in turn has contributed to the wave of bankruptcies over the past decade. 3. For people 60 or older, 85f bankruptcies are caused by medical bills or job loss. 4. A divorced woman is 300ore likely to file bankruptcy than a married woman. 5. African-American and Hispanic homeowners are 500ore likely to file bankruptcy than white, non-Hispanic homeowners. 6. Approximately half of all bankruptcies are filed because of medical expenses due to lack of health insurance, or lack of adequate coverage leading to uncovered expenses. 7. The median income of bankruptcy filers is $25,000. (So much for the "rich" abusing the system.) The new law was a GIFT to the credit card banks, pure and simple. Some estimates show that it will add another $5 billion to the industry's bottom line. In other words, the bill is about profits and not much else. Since my whole approach is about avoiding bankruptcy, I won't go into a detailed analysis of the provisions of the new law. But just to summarize, the net effect is that many (if not most) people seeking relief under Chapter 7 bankruptcy will be forced to file under the Chapter 13 version instead. In plain English, that means that most filers will be forced to pay back a portion of the debt over a 5-year schedule set by the court. One of the worst aspects of the new bill is the use of IRS "allowable" expense schedules for determining your monthly budget. In other words, your actual living expense are thrown out the window in favor of the IRS standards (and we all know how generous the IRS can be!). So if your actual rent is $1,300 per month, and the IRS says it should be $1,045 for your county and state, that's TOUGH! The court will only allow the $1,045, period. In short, people attempting to file bankruptcy after October 17, 2005 are in for an extremely rude awakening! Goodbye cell phones, cable TV, high-speed Internet access, movies, meals with the family, and anything else beyond the minimum allowable expenses as determined by the IRS and the courts. So what makes me so certain that the banks will be as eager as ever to settle with consumers for 50 cents on the dollar or less? Simple. Two words: Stealth Bankruptcy. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are going to discover the new reality of this tough law, and they are going to forgo the court system of filing bankruptcy in lieu of what I call "stealth bankruptcy." A stealth bankruptcy is when you move (with no forwarding address), change your phone number, and drop off the radar screen to live on an all-cash, no-credit basis. Many people already choose this path rather than deal with the invasion of privacy that comes with formal bankruptcy. After the new law goes into effect, more people than ever will take this approach. Besides the problem of stealth bankruptcy, there are other good reasons the banks will settle as they always have. Consider these points: A. The creditor doesn't know whether or not you'll still qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. They still face the risk that you will qualify for Chapter 7 and end up discharging your debt in full, which means they get NOTHING. B. Even if you file Chapter 13 under the new guidelines, the creditor will still only receive 30-50f the debt on average (much less in some cases). C. Under Chapter 13, it will still take the creditors 3-5 YEARS to recover that 30-50íD. A lump-sum of 30-50 ODAY is far better than the same amount collected over 3-5 years. Of course, I certainly expect debt collectors to use the new law to harass and intimidate people who don’t know and understand their rights. You can expect them to say things like, "You can’t file bankruptcy under the new law, so you’d better pay up today!" They will bully and threaten as always, but at the end of the day, they will still accept reasonable settlements. After October 17, 2005, it will still be "business as usual" in the world of debt collections. About the author:Charles J. Phelan has been helping consumers become debt-free without bankruptcy since 1997. A former executive in the debt settlement industry, he teaches the do-it-yourself method of debt negotiation. Audio-CD material plus expert personal coaching helps consumers achieve professional results at a fraction of the cost. http://www.zipdebt.com

Will Supreme Court Confirmation Keep Church/State Separate?

By Tim Gordinier, Ph.DThe drums are beating along the banks of the Potomac. Interest groups on the left and right are positioning themselves for the ugly Senate confirmation fight that will surely follow once President George W. Bush gets done choosing a nominee to fill the vacancy left by retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Who knows? Perhaps the Chief Justice will retire and give us a doubleheader. It should be quite a spectacle, even a raucous circus, despite Bush having made conciliatory noises that he only wants to choose someone that will interpret the Constitution and not legislate from the bench. The president even says he won't make the nominee's position on abortion a litmus test. But don't get all giddy just yet. This enticing language is simply coded message to his true-believers: since "abortion" is not in the Constitution, no right-minded judge would interpret the document to identify that right in the first place. Ergo: he will choose an anti-abortion nominee and rightwing ideologue. But Bush, becoming more concerned now with legacy than during his administration's first-term macho strut, will at least try to select someone who will "seem" to be of the mainstream. Appeals Court Judge Michael W. McConnell would be a perfect choice if one wanted a Trojan horse. McConnell is a bright, soft-spoken former academic. Well-liked by his liberal colleagues, he even has some unconventional views that might irk the far right. But he is also someone who would take us a huge step backwards as far as church/state separation is concerned. He would bring back graduation prayers and creationism in the schools and push vouchers and more government involvement in religion. McConnell claims the whole doctrine of separation is, historically-speaking, flawed. I will risk the wrath of fellow freethinkers and take the unpopular view that he is about half right. Let's give the other side its due. Despite the intent of men like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, separation of church and state was not a slam-dunk at the founding of our republic. Even after the passage of the First Amendment a few of the 13 independent states continued to tax citizens to support the dominant Protestant denomination. Many states had blasphemy laws; a few had blue laws prohibiting working and dancing on the Sabbath; some even prohibited Catholics and Jews (not to mention non-believers!) from holding office well into the nineteenth century. And all these laws were perfectly constitutional! Like the rest of the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment had no legal bearing on the 13 newly-independent states, at least not initially. The states could do as they liked. Nonetheless, some, like Virginia and Pennsylvania, chose right from the very beginning to hew very closely to our present-day understanding of church/state separation. Now, even most of those who oppose the doctrine of separation acknowledge that the generation that ratified the Constitution wanted the federal government out of the business of religion. From there the natural development of separation doctrine shifted to the states, whose politicians and populaces began to realize, over time, that religion and government do not mix. Most began to eliminate religiously-infused statutes from their law books. The High Court accelerated this trend by holding that the Fourteenth Amendment made the protections of the Bill of Rights -- including the Establishment Clause -- applicable to all levels of government. Not only is this "incorporation doctrine" accepted by most jurists, but it made sense to go this route because the nation was steadily becoming more religiously diverse in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. But McConnell and justices like Clarence Thomas have a point if you believe the Constitution doesn't grow. The larger question is this: Is the above snapshot of our nation's distant past something we want to go back to? Perhaps the far right might want to, but I have a sneaking suspicion that even most conservatives would recoil at Justice Thomas's radical view that the Establishment Clause resists "incorporation" and that states are free to create state-sponsored churches should they choose to do so. I can see it now: Instead of red and blue states, we would have all sorts of colored states to recognize fundamentalist, Catholic and Mormon ascendancy in different regions of the country. That is why all this talk about nominating someone who will interpret the Constitution and not legislate from the bench is particularly grating. At first glance, original intent and strict constructivism arguments seem to be common sense approaches to deciphering the Constitution. The original intent approach says we should, when trying to understanding some provision, seek to discover the initial purpose(s) of the person(s) who drafted that provision. Sounds straightforward enough. Strict constructivism means that judges should construe the language of the Constitution to mean what the words say. Again, what's wrong with that? The only problem with "originalism" is that it is often difficult to divine what the drafters intended. Or, even more problematic: since there were many drafters, there may be many intents. This allows an unscrupulous judge to choose the purpose that best aligns with his or her political agenda, all along claiming that he/she is neutral and simply applying the law. So why not interpret this venerable document in the context of modern understanding, instead of the past, which favors conservative politics? In fact, it happens all the time. As far as I know all nine justices have no problem with the government providing lawyers to indigent defendants, even though that was not the original intent of the Sixth Amendment guarantee. Chief Justice Rehnquist's interpretation of the Equal Protection Clause to prohibit sex discrimination departs from the original purpose which was to provide legal equality for African-Americans. And Justice Scalia has defended flag burning as free speech, even though one wonders whether such a notion even entered the thoughts of the founders. Which brings us to strict constructivism. Strictly construing words is fine when we have such self-defining phrases as the requirement that the president must be at least 35 years old. But what do we do with vague generalities like government shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion? Does that mean that you should be able to mainline heroin or sacrifice your firstborn if that is part of your religion? Obviously, some reading between the lines has to take place here. As a secularist I happen to take the unorthodox approach that the doctrine of separation of church and state was not fully-formed at the beginning, but naturally evolved with time from the seeds planted by our most prominent and thoughtful founders. In a largely Protestant nation, solicitude for Muslims and Wiccans was probably not an important consideration. But in a nation as religiously diverse as ours is today -- with several million unbelievers to boot -- strict separation is the best course of action, or else we're in for some rocky times ahead. So don't be fooled when you hear these pious utterances from the far right about how a judge is supposed to do her job. The U.S Supreme Court is a legal institution. But it is also a political one -- always has been, always will be. And while we're at it, we better stop listening to these cynical eighth-grade civic lessons that nominees should be judged on their qualifications alone -- not their political convictions. You can be sure that the right would not play by the same Marquis of Queensbury rules if they were in the same weakened condition as progressives are now. About the author:Tim Gordinier, Ph.D., is the director of public policy of the Institute for Humanist Studies. The Institute for Humanist Studies is a nonprofit advocacy organization, based in Albany, N.Y., that promotes the rights of the nonreligious (http://www.HumanistStudies.org). A registered lobbyist for humanism, Gordinier earned his doctorate in public law with a concentration on the religion clauses of the First Amendment. He is a board member of the New York Civil Liberties Union - Capital Region Chapter. He is the author of the online course "Religion and the Constitution", offered through the Institute's Continuum of Humanist Education (http://www.HumanistEducation.com). Gordinier's commentary appears regularly in the Institute's weekly e-zine, Humanist Network News (http://www.HumanistNetworkNews.org). To contact Gordinier, visit: http://humaniststudies.org/feedback.html

Young Motor Vehicle Operators in The Lone Star State Face a Rougher Time Dismissing Traffic Fines

By Joe GerstlA new law going into effect Sept. 1st 2005 will likely increase the require for defensive driving online(http://www.officialdefensivedriving.com) classes as well as onsite courses and defensive driving video rentings and will grow the number of road tests doled out by the Lone Star State Dept. of Public Safety. Starting 9/1/2005, a drivers safety course will be involved for every operators under age twenty-five that obtain a ticket for a moving violation such as speeding if they want to keep it off their record. This isn't new in that many metropolises and parishes already have this requirement. However, many judges in these counties dismiss the class requirement typically in exchange for probationary period of time in which, if the driver stays clean of any another Fines, the original ticket is disregarded. Typically this understanding typically also carries a fee to the municipality in addition to the probationary period of time. Authored by Dallas Republican John Carona and delivered as Senate Bill 1005, this new law is even more rigorous for those under eighteen. Automobile operators through the age of Seventeen will be needed to take a road end line text with the Texas Department of Public Safety in addition to the fine and probation if they want to keep their records clean. Those with a great deal of personal experience with encountering citations will not be delighted with this law as it ends a loophole. Before this law judges were allowed to exempt drivers under the age of twenty-five who received a traffic ticket from a Defensive Driving Online Course(http://www.officialdefensivedriving.com). Some lawmakers were concerned about teens, particularly those who were instructed to drive by their parents versus tX licensed instructors. To handle this concern, they amended the road line 2 text requirement for those under 18. Prior to 1-Sep-05, there were two divisions that touch on to deferred adjudication of infringements. This only means that if a driver pleaded "no contest" to the traffic segments & then did not break any extra traffic laws for a period of time set by the court, the ticket would be wiped off from the driver's record. One division of the law specifically addresses traffic covers indicating that a traffic violator must take an online defensive driving course(http://www.officialdefensivedriving.com) or attend an alternative defensive driving school or class in order to have a violation removed from their record. Misdemeanors are covered in the other section of law allowing judges to define the standard to be reached for "deferred adjudication". Deferred adjudication means: the driver is placed on probation for a length of time & if driver stays violation free during this period, the original traffic fine is erased from their record. Deferred adjudication, in addition to the probationary period, usually incurs a fine to the district in which the ticket occurred. In many jurisdictions, this second section of the lay has allowed violation to simply fine motor vehicle operators as long as they didn't get an additional citation for some time period of time like 6 months. For operators under the age of 25, Texas law SB 1005 eliminates that flexibility and in fact requires those who receive traffic citations & are under 25 to a take defensive driving online(http://www.officialdefensivedriving.com) or in classroom setting. The Texas Department of Public Safety indicated that an estimated 21,000 teens will take the road test each year. All state driver's license offices are gearing up to have officers available to conduct more of these screenings. DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange stated that these offices already conduct road screenings now however as this road test has not been required to obtain a driver's license for more than decade, most teens don't take it so more officers will need to be available at every Dept. of Public Safety faciltiy. Those that do are usually at the request of their parents. Fortunately for the usually cash strapped young operators, the road line 1 text will only tack on another $10 to their already costly traffic citation experience. This new law will likely grow the demand for defensive driving online(http://www.officialdefensivedriving.com) courses as well as onsite courses and defensive driving(http://www.officialdefensivedriving.com) video rentals. About the author:Cindy Cashman operates Official Defensive Driving and provides online defensive driving courses. Save the time, money and hassle of attending defensive driving classes. Go to http://www.OfficialDefensiveDriving.comto sign up for an online defensive driving course.

4 Tips to Help You Find a Reputable Mesothelioma Lawyer

By Robert LinebaughMesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining around the heart (the pericardium), or the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). Studies have shown that people, who suffer from the disease mesothelioma, were exposed to an abundance of asbestos at one time or another in their life. Unfortunately, many people become exposed to asbestos unknowingly, usually as part of a job. Because of this, someone who has mesothelioma is often entitled to compensation. There are many mesothelioma lawyers, but the following easy tips can make it easier to find a mesothelioma lawyer. 1. Research all you can concerning mesothelioma. The more you understand the disease affecting you or a loved one, the better you will be able to judge a lawyer’s expertise. A lawyer who understands many aspects about the disease is the ideal lawyer. If your lawyer understands your or your loved one’s symptoms, and complications stemming from the disease, he or she will be better able to defend you. Unfortunately, some lawyers do not “do their homework” in regards to medical cases. This often leads to losing cases. A reputable lawyer will certainly know the ins and outs of the disease, so be sure to ask as many questions as you can think of. 2. Use phone books and Internet search engines to find lawyers. This may seem simple, but some people don’t bother taking the time to look through many lawyers. Accepting the first lawyer that calls, or that one sees on TV is not a good idea. Searching in Google for the keyword “mesothelioma lawyer” will yield better results in the end than simply accepting whatever lawyer comes along. Giving yourself a variety of lawyers to consider will give you the best idea of who will be willing to work hardest for you, who is sincere, and who will most likely help you win your claim. 3. Read the fine print, and know your lawyer’s case history. Once you are nearing your decision and narrowing down potential candidates, take your research to a new level. It is always a good idea to find out about a lawyer’s case history. Additionally, it is advisable to know exactly what kind of deal the lawyer is seeking with you. Lawyers dealing with medical-related lawsuits usually do not get paid unless they win the settlement. Some lawyers request different percentages. Compare these requests and choose the lawyer that you would feel most comfortable with. Unfortunately, some lawyers might try to take advantage of an unknowing client. In order to protect your interests, and make sure you acquire the top-notch lawyer you deserve, do background research on lawyers before signing up. 4. Finally, don’t be afraid to take advice. If a friend, or colleague suggests a lawyer, don’t hesitate to check it out. If a friend refers you, he or she obviously has your best interests at heart, and so the lawyer is probably well qualified to take on your case. There are many groups out there for mesothelioma patients. If you or a loved one is in one of these groups, don’t hesitate to ask for advice from others who have mesothelioma. Advice is often taken for granted, but it is one of the most valuable things a friend can give. Mesothelioma is an awful disease, but there is compensation. This compensation can either be sought in a wrongful death suit, or while the patient is still living. It is advisable to find a lawyer as quickly as possible because there is often a statute of limitations on filing a lawsuit. The basic idea when searching for a mesothelioma lawyer is to be as educated as possible. Know what you want, and find a lawyer that is willing to help you in any way possible. Being well informed about your disease and potential lawyers will put you on the path to compensation. About the author:Robert Linebaugh writes about a variety of health topics, but focuses on mesothelioma. Learn more at http://www.justmeso.com.

Mesothelioma Settlement

By Peter Lenkefican help ease the burden of having Mesothelioma Cancer. Mesothelioma settlements are to help Mesothelioma Cancer sufferers with their treatment and ongoing support, as most sufferers will be adversely affected by the Mesothelioma. Often a Mesothelioma sufferer may require a caregiver to help them following their Chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy treatment. This may be a family member, or in some cases, may need to be an independent caregiver. A Mesothelioma settlement will take all of these requirements into consideration. In many cases Mesothelioma Settlement is reached outside of court, once a Mesothelioma Law suit has been imposed. Often, Mesothelioma Settlements are made with the manufacturers of the Asbestos related substances that are involved in the Mesothelioma Law suit. Mesothelioma Settlement is usually aimed at those responsible for non-disclosure of the dangers of asbestos related substances, which leads to injury, or death. Sadly, in many cases of Mesothelioma Cancer, a sufferer’s life is drastically shortened. Therefore, it is important that Mesothelioma Cancer sufferers receive adequate compensation, through filing a Mesothelioma Law suit and receive an adequate Mesothelioma settlement. In order to receive an adequate Mesothelioma settlement, it is important to obtain a good Mesothelioma Attorney, or Lawyer, from a reputable Mesothelioma Law Firm. This will ensure that your Mesothelioma Law suit is handled in a professional manner and that you receive an appropriate Mesothelioma settlement. Mesothelioma Attorneys and Lawyers should have knowledge of the laws pertaining to Workers Compensation, injury and death. These areas of the law are pertinent in any Mesothelioma Law suit and will be the laws in which Mesothelioma Settlement will be based upon. Mesothelioma Cancer contracted due to exposure to an Asbestos related substance is also considered to cause sever disability to the sufferer and often results in the sufferer being unable to continue to function, or to work, to their full abilities. Mesothelioma Settlements will also take into consideration a Mesothelioma sufferer’s inability to continue a normal life. Usually, Mesothelioma Settlements are generous and provide Mesothelioma sufferer’s with comfort and security, knowing that they will be able to receive the best medical treatment and support. If you, or someone you know, have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma Cancer you should consider seeking legal advice from a Mesothelioma Attorney, or Lawyer, who will be capable of obtaining a generous Mesothelioma Settlement for you, or the person that you know. Remember, it is your right to seek a Mesothelioma Settlement and to receive the best medical treatment and support, as Mesothelioma Cancer is a tragic disease, which is usually only contracted through wrongful exposure to an Asbestos related substance About the author:Learn more about mesothelioma treatment and asbestos litigation go here: http://www.mesothelioma-treatment-center.com/mesothelioma-settlement.htm

Microsoft v. Google – Kai-Fu Lee’s Non-Compete Agreement

By Richard A. ChapoUnless you’ve been on vacation all summer, the brawl between Google and Microsoft should be old news. New developments, however, have occurred with publication of the non-compete agreement signed by Kai-Fu Lee. Google v. Microsoft Earlier this year, Kai-Fu Lee quit Microsoft to go work for Google. In doing so, Lee allegedly violated a non-compete agreement he had signed with Microsoft. Predictably, Microsoft sued Lee to prevent the move and the brawl began. Microsoft landed the first punch by getting a temporary restraining order preventing Lee from working for Google until the case is resolved. Non-Compete Language As matters have moved forward, the language in the non-compete agreement has become public knowledge. Generally, Lee agreed not to work for a major competitor of Microsoft if he left the company for a period of one year. The specifics of the language, however, are grossly entertaining In signing the non-compete agreement, Lee agreed: 1. “…not to accept employment or engage in activities competitive with products, services or projects…of Microsoft…I worked on or …learned confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets while employed.” 2. All litigation arising from the non-compete agreement would occur in the State of Washington. Mr. Lee and Google have a serious problem. California courts rarely enforce non-compete agreements, while Washington courts do. Since Microsoft sued first and Lee specifically agreed to Washington jurisdiction, this case should remain in Washington. Google is trying to move jurisdiction to California, but Microsoft beat it to the punch. Google’s attorneys simply blew it. Prediction Predictions in legal disputes are iffy at best, but Mr. Lee and Google have really fallen on their face in this one. Why they didn’t sue Microsoft in California court before Microsoft could react is mind boggling. The deck is now stacked heavily in favor of Microsoft and you can expect an outright victory for Microsoft or a settlement on terms set by the company. About the author:Richard A. Chapo is a San Diego business lawyer with San Diego Business Law Firm. Read more business law articles.