Family Justice Center

Posts Tagged ‘Avoid’

When a police officer pulls you over in your car for speeding or any other moving violation, you have very few opportunities to avoid getting a ticket. In some cases, such as when you are exceeding the speed limit by an exorbitant amount, you might not be able to convince the officer you don’t deserve a ticket. For minor infractions, however, you’ve got some leeway.

Don’t Acknowledge the Violation

The first rule to avoid getting a ticket is never admit you did something wrong. A traffic violation is not a serious crime, but the same rules apply to speeders as to murderers. Acknowledging your crime serves as a confession, and you’ll almost always receive a citation.

For example, when the police officer approaches your car, you don’t want to say, “Was I speeding a bit?” This tells him that you knew you were breaking the law but disregarded it anyway, and he’ll be able to use it later if you go to court to fight it.

No Sudden Moves

You might be the most law-abiding citizen in the world. Perhaps you were speeding across town to get to your volunteer job on time, or maybe your best friend’s grandmother has been rushed to the hospital. Nevertheless, the police officer doesn’t know you are a boy scout who always tips at least 25 percent and never leaves the toilet seat up.

To avoid getting a ticket, make sure you do everything within your power to put the police officer at ease. Keep your hands on the wheel at all times unless you tell the officer you are reaching for something, and try to stay as calm and collected as possible.

Give a Reason

The only time you should break rule number one (never acknowledge the violation) is when you actually have a valid reason for breaking the law. This is usually the most effective way to avoid getting a ticket, but only if your reason is plausible and easily proved.

Perhaps you were informed of an emergency at work or maybe you are worried about your elderly mother, who you’ve just discovered is home alone. Whatever the case, a solid reason might convince the officer that you don’t deserve a ticket. The last thing you want to do, however, is make something up.

Be Original

Police officers spend all day driving the streets, watching for citizens to break the law. Their work lives are often monotonous and boring, despite the heroic and exciting visions you might have of a police officer’s job. To avoid getting a ticket, you might consider making the officer laugh.

This is only appropriate if you think the officer will find your joke or comment amusing, so don’t try this tip unless you’re sure you can pull it off. If the officer is stone-faced and grim, now might not be the time for jokes. However, if he seems like an amiable fellow, give original humor a try.

Treat Her Equally

You might be pulled over by a female police officer, and if you want to avoid getting a ticket, you won’t treat her any differently than you would a male officer. Derogatory or sexist comments will simply anger her, and jokes about her gender are likely to bring down her wrath.

Make a Donation

In most cities, police departments accept donations from the public and will give you a sticker to put on the back of your vehicle as a reward. This is a great way to avoid getting a ticket because police officers will know you support their work.

You can also join anti-crime organizations in your city and display the decals on your car. For example, the Texas Department of Public Safety offers the H.E.A.T. program, which stands for “Help End Auto Theft.” When you join, you are giving officers the right to pull your vehicle over between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. to combat automobile theft. However, it also shows you support law enforcement and might help your case.

Related Law Abiding Citizen Articles

Whether an entrepreneur is in charge of a seasoned business venture, or is starting a new business, the disclosure statement is an important part of the business deal. This document is a declaration on the part of the promoter, stating his or her exact financial situation and the other entrepreneur’s part in the deal.

Disclosure Statement: Federal Laws to Protect the Licensee
There have been many cases of unscrupulous business opportunity providers swindling unsuspecting franchisees. They lure them by promises of huge dividends. The Federal Trade Commission has proposed several statutes for protecting a person who has become part of a business venture. Several of these proposed laws relate to disclosure statements.

Section 437.2: Showing Proper Documents
As a franchisee, you have a right to ask for a disclosure statement from the business venture firm. Moreover, the statement should be provided to you a minimum of seven days before you enter into a formal agreement, or sign any documents with the seller.

At the present time many states have laws that require franchising companies to furnish a complete disclosure statement before the parties enter into any legally binding contract. Some states have also made it mandatory for firms to show the disclosure statement to the franchisee at least seven days in advance. However, these laws are not uniformly binding across the US. Only 26 states have such statutes to protect the franchisees.

Disclosure Statement: Points to Keep in Mind
When going through a disclosure statement, there are a few things you must keep in mind.

1 Antecedents of the Licensor: Find out all you can about the firm in question, its affiliates, its marketing strategies, any past or pending litigation, and any reports of financial irregularities.

2 Franchisee Requirements: If you are a franchisee, or are going to fund a business venture, then you need to know what is expected from you, in terms of finances, training, and infrastructure. The document should state exactly what you are expected to do as part of the business venture. This can be whether you are just supposed to lend your name to the business, whether you are to run the venture, or whether you can run the business through a third party.

3 Financial Statement: The firm is obliged to give you a detailed report of its finances, after being audited by a CPA.

4 Licensee Equipment: You need to know what the company will provide you with so you can run your business venture successfully. Infrastructure, equipment, training, books, as well as the use of registered names and logos must be carefully discussed.

Don’t be taken in by clever marketing gimmicks. If the business firm proposes to make you rich overnight, then go through the disclosure statement very carefully. Make sure there are no hidden costs. Whatever you have to pay should be stated plainly on paper. Following these precautions, you can avoid being cheated by unethical business firms, and start your own successful business venture. Experienced consultants can help you get your business off the ground, and turn it into a lucrative franchisee arrangement.