Category Archives: Law and law-related matters

How To Fight A Traffic Ticket Without Going To Court!

Traffic tickets can be expensive. In addition to the associated fines, you may also receive points on your license and your insurance premiums may go up. So, if you’ve been pulled over, you probably want to know how to contest speeding ticket and other traffic tickets. The good news is that you may be able to do so without ever having to appear in court.

After Getting Pulled Over

The best time to fight a traffic ticket is before it has been issued. Police officers have some discretion in who they issue tickets to. So, following a few guidelines can help you drive away without one.

  • Be Calm and Respectful: Good manners go a long way toward avoiding a ticket. Fighting with the police officer will only make things worse. Instead, be polite, compliant and friendly.
  • Get the Details: Note down details such as radar readings, the time and date, your current insurance and registration details, the weather and even the clothes everyone was wearing. These details may help you call into question the official report.
  • Please Your Case: If you are able to strike up a rapport with the officer, try pleading your case. Be sincere and make it clear that it is a big deal for you. If you have been friendly and accommodating, simply asking to avoid the ticket may be enough to convince the police officer.

After Receiving a Ticket

Even if you drive away with a ticket, you may still be able to fight it without appearing in court. In some states, you can file for a trial by written declaration. Explain in detail why you think your ticket should be dismissed. Use the details you recorded when you were pulled over. Photographs and diagrams can also go a long way. There are a few strategies you can use.

  • Challenge the officer’s observations.
  • Show that your conduct was legally justified.
  • Prove that markings or signs were obstructed or missing.

For the best results, consider hiring a traffic lawyer. An experienced team will help you help you avoid paying fines, getting points or having increased insurance premiums.

TBT: Unforgettable coverage

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She (young girl from left) should have been enjoying her life as a teenager but got separated from her family because of a problem too heavy for her to bear. I had a chance of meeting this girl at a half-way center for abused kids. At first, I had qualms asking her too many questions for fear that it might trigger sad memories. But this girl was brave enough to share more than what I was looking for. She shared details of what she went through in the hands of the very people who should be providing love and care inside the home.

I’ve heard a lot of heartbreaking stories from people I have interviewed in the past but nothing compares to the story of this girl. I was deeply moved and cried with her as she recalls her harrowing experience.

The center where she was placed after she was rescued has helped her slowly heal from psychological and emotional trauma.

This was part of a series of feature articles I wrote for People’s Tonight.

Teach kids to protect themselves: Say No!, Run, Tell

Be alert to sexual abuse. If you’re a mom you’ll do anything to protect your kids from harm. Here are some things that kids need to know about tricks offenders do before the abuse begins. And if in case your child spotted a potential abuser teach them to say No! Instruct them to Run as quickly as possible away from the would-be abuser. And be able to Tell parents, guardians or someone who could be trusted about their experience until someone helps them.

  1. Offender says you are special, different or the only one who really understands him.
  2. Treats you differently  from other kids. Gives you special privileges. Treats you like an adult while he acts like a kid.
  3. Wants to take you pictures.
  4. Says he is teaching you sex education by showing you pornographic pictures or movies. He shows his body or touches yours.
  5. Puts lotion or ointment on you when your mother or others are not around (even when you don’t need the ointment).
  6. Offender hangs around school, yard or park where children play. Tells you “not to tell”. Asks you to keep a “secret”.
  7. Does not let you have friends or does not let you do things that other kids your age do.
  8. Comes into your bedroom for no reason.
  9. Asks  you to do things that involve physical contact or touching of private parts.
  10. Offenders wants to spend time alone with you. Makes excuses  for you to go places with him.
  11. Asks questions or make accusations about sex between you and your boyfriends.
  12. “Accidentally” comes into the bathroom when you are taking a bath. Not respecting your privacy.
  13. May fool your parents into allowing you to be “friends” through bribes and other tricks.

Some tell tale signs here could give you a cue and save a kid you know from the trap of an abuser. Please listen to every story your kids are telling you.

Profile of abuser

The sexual offender can be of any age, gender, and from any race, culture, religion, income level, or profession. Most abusers are men (80-85%), are well known to the child and frequently have a position of responsibility and trust for the care of the child. Studies indicate that only about 10% of the offenders are strangers to the abused child. 20% of the offenders are pedophiles (who tend to have a large number of victims).

Help line
Philippine National Police (PNP)
Hotline 117
Or call your local PNP Office
 
Rescue
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Call your local DSWD office
 
Bantay Bata
Hotline : 163