Archive for category Traffic Law

Dealing With Traffic Stops and Law Enforcement Officers While Carrying A Concealed Firearm

Posted by in Traffic Law on August 7, 2011

By Jorge L Caro

When being stopped by law enforcement for a traffic stop and you are carrying a firearm, it’s always wise to stand in the officers shoes and view the situation from the officers perspective. The following steps on how to deal with law enforcement during a traffic stop isn’t in the Florida 790 statutes, in fact the statute is pretty fuzzy on how an individual is expected to interact with law enforcement. Here’s where we’re going to apply a little common sense to make our lives easier.

When we see the flashing lights and hear the siren of a police car signaling us to pull over…

1. We should pull over as much as possible to the right of the roadway, giving the officer the courtesy of maintaining his/her personal safety. The officer getting out of his vehicle stands the possibility of being injured by passing vehicles, allow the officer as much space as possible, he will appreciate the fact you considered his personal safety.

2. Roll down all your windows, especially if they are tinted. If being stopped at night, turn on your interior light. This will allow the officer to clearly see in your vehicle. By doing this, you’re in essence demonstrating to the officer that you’re being polite, are ready to deal with him and have nothing to hide in your vehicle.

3. Turn off your vehicle and leave the keys on the dashboard. This will demonstrate to the officer you are not planning to flee the traffic stop.

4. Place your hands on the steering wheel at the 10 O’clock and 2 O’clock positions. This is a natural relaxed position that will demonstrate to the officer you’re not going to try to reach for something that may injure or kill him.

5. When the officer walks up to your window, “if you have a concealed weapons permit”, maintain both hands on the steering wheel and immediately inform the officer that you indeed have a concealed weapons permit and where your firearm is located on your person.

6. When the officer asks to see your, drivers license, insurance, registration and concealed weapons permit, have all the documents in one location, within easy reach and ready to hand the officer.

7. The officer may ask to inspect your firearm, he has every right to do so. Do not attempt to handle or reach for your firearm. Maintain both hands on the steering wheel and ask the officer how he/she would like to proceed and follow all orders.

Implementing the aforementioned 7 steps when being pulled over while carrying a firearm will calm the officers fear of the individual he just pulled over being a possible threat to his life.

This is something rarely discussed as part of a concealed weapons permit class but it’s an important topic never the less. I hope this article enlightens everyone on how to better deal with traffic stops while carrying a concealed firearm

 

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5 Reasons You Should Hire A Traffic Ticket Lawyer To Defend You

Posted by in Traffic Law on August 7, 2011

By Guillermo J Ortiz

So you got a traffic ticket and you are scared about what could happen. Depending on the offense, the results could be a suspended or revoked license or even jail time in extreme cases. The courtroom is no place to wing it and throw caution to the wind. This is why you should hire a traffic ticket lawyer and here are the top five reasons why.

1. Peace of mind. Usually, you have about a month or so before you have to appear in court for a traffic citation. During that time, your mind races and you come up with every bad outcome that can happen. Will I go to jail? Will I get a big fine? Will I be able to keep my license? All of this may keep you awake and affect your health. All of this can be taken care of by hiring an attorney. He/she will know the most likely outcome and the maximum punishment you may incur. Your chances of getting a lesser punishment are greater when you hire a lawyer.

2. Better chance of winning your case. This is probably the single most important reason you should hire a lawyer. When you show up to court with representation, the judge sees that you really BELIEVE you are innocent. The lawyer knows the court’s language and can probably win your case quick.

3. If you DO happen to lose the case, getting your appeal is more likely when presented by a lawyer. Judges are funny creatures. They have all the power and they know it. Having a traffic ticket lawyer by your side makes all the difference to that judge. Cases are still lost and there is no guarantee of victory. You can still appeal and a traffic ticket lawyer has a better chance to win that appeal and have the offense expunged from your record.

4. Cost is lower. In many cases, the cost of hiring a traffic ticket lawyer is much less than the fines you may be liable for, should you lose. In either case, attorney’s fees do not go into the public record like fines and penalties do. In other words, your record stays clean.

5. A traffic ticket lawyer handles arbitration and litigation more effectively. In cases where you may need to argue the charges, it is ALWAYS better to have an experienced lawyer doing the talking. His can shield you from inadvertently saying something that constitutes contempt. You should hire a traffic ticket lawyer for this reason alone. He or she may be able to persuade the prosecutor and judge to give a lesser decision, lower fines or toss the case altogether.

All of these are great reasons to hire a lawyer. We, as ordinary citizens, do not know the inside of the legal system like an attorney does. If positive results are what you need, you need to hire that lawyer immediately. It could literally mean the difference between keeping your license and not being able to drive at all. It may even keep you out of jail.

Guillermo Ortiz is a marketer for trafficticketsa.com. Justin Coquat of the Coquat Law Firm, is an experienced San Antonio traffic ticket lawyer providing legal services for families in the San Antonio area. The Coquat Law Firm specializes in traffic ticket defense and is often able to reduces fines and probation

 

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Differentiate Custom Traffic Signs From Standard Signs

Posted by in Traffic Law on August 7, 2011

By Jeni Brown

For description sake, a custom traffic sign is a traffic sign which is non-standard one. Standard signs include signs that are like Stop signs, School Zone signs, or Speed Limit signs.

Now, for those who assume that traffic signs are ugly and almost never a need, you have a correct point as you go around, lost, in a country you intend without the need of signs. However, for the rest of us who prefer to discover where the heck we are, signs are the best inventions just for uncovering your way possibly created!

Of course, anyone will still get lost, perhaps even with a plethora of signs showing you where to turn, this is the reason why there are actually gas stations. You may have considered they were for refueling up your rig, although it’s a bit true, still, the primary justification for gasoline stations is to have a spot to stop and ask directions (in case you are a woman) or a place to move past (in case you are a male) ’cause you know fully wherever you may be going!

On any rate, luckily, many of us men are now kinder and gentler, with thanks to George Bush the first, and are actually taught to stop and question directions (or at least that’s what our life partners believe we’re doing!).

The measures for reflective road signs that are set across the country by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), or by local states conforming to the USDOT’s Handbook on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This handbook presents all the regulations for various aluminum traffic signs, but does not address non-standard or custom traffic signs.

And so, when you’re driving down the interstate, and you observe a sign for the next exit that states there’s a Shell Station, a Conoco Station, and a McDonalds diner, who places the benchmarks for all those signs?

Good, if you suspected your state DOT, you would be correct… very nearly. Some states let only replica on the signs, whereas others make it possible for full color logos for the enterprise being advertised. Business owners pay off a 12-monthly fee to have their company logo or name on these signs, and commonly mainly gas stations, eateries, and hotels/motels are eligible to be listed. Evidently, those that allow corporation logos such as a McDonalds logo on the sign allow design specifications that they don’t establish, just size and material standards.

You’ll find various other kinds of custom traffic signs though. The United States Postal Service has its own features for its facilities, just like army bases. Private developments are confident enough to customize traffic signs to their own requirements as long as it is recognized by some profit-sucking inspector by the region or state. HDU or wood custom traffic signs are used in some high-end developments.

Material-wise, reproducing standards from the MUTCD, for interstate custom traffic signs the ranging thicknesses of aluminum traffic signs made use of are. 080″ thickness,. 100″ thickness, and. 125″ thickness aluminum. The dimension of the sign and area environmental conditions can establish the thickness of sign materials to be put to use, and some states need to have extruded aluminum for signs greater than a specific square footage.

The MUTCD specifies what types of aluminum to apply on whatever custom traffic sign. One of the most used grades of aluminum is group 5052-H38. The number refers to the purity and toughness of the material. All aluminum, furthermore, need to be alodized or anodized to steer clear of deterioration. Corrosion is to aluminum while rust is to steel, solely faster.

Whenever you are a military or governing buying agent, it is commonly the case which you are recommended to purchase signs coming from a disadvantaged business such as an EDWOSB sign enterprise (Economically Disadvantaged Woman-owned Small Business). There are actually various suppliers that continue to keep this group, for that reason, if you get in touch with a company, ask whether or not they are enlisted in the CCR as a disadvantaged supplier. This will probably enable you to obtain your quota.

 

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