In a court of law, ignorance is not a valid defense. In other words, just because you didn’t know something was illegal doesn’t give you a free pass if you go ahead and do it. Citizens are responsible for taking the time to learn the laws that affect what they can and cannot do in their daily lives.

Fortunately, most laws are straightforward, sensible, and familiar. Then there are the laws that are somewhat convoluted, borderline nonsensical, and completely unfamiliar to most people. For example, a Florida law prohibits keeping a hippo on the roof; you should, therefore, ensure that your hippo is safely stored elsewhere. Here are some other quirky roofing laws from across the United States.

Pigeons in Mobile, Alabama, are forbidden by law to eat pebbles from composite roofs. It’s not clear how this law is enforced, or how many pigeons have been forced to stand trial for committing the offense.

Residents of West Palm Beach, Florida, need to ensure that the roofs of their outhouses are fireproof. So the next time you find yourself in an outhouse there, rest assured the roof is a safe place.

Keep your used tissues off the roof in Manteno, Illinois — it’s illegal to toss them there.

Until recently, it was illegal for people in Colorado to collect the rainwater — the stuff that falls from the sky — from their roofs. Do you think changing the law required negotiating with the heavens?

If you’re in a public building in New York City, don’t plan to hang out on the roof — you could be arrested for doing so. It is, however, legal to be on a privately owned rooftop, if that’s any consolation. On all rooftops in New York City, however, there are laws governing the proper use of barbecues, and many areas are restricted to using electric grills (instead of gas) on rooftops. No law addresses the crime of cooking perfectly good meat on an electric heating element.

It’s not the roof of your house, but New Hampshire does have a law that requires residents to clean the snow from the roofs of their cars. Sleep in just twice during the winter, and you could pay $1000.

One more car roof law — many US states have laws that make it illegal for your dog to ride on the roof of your car. So let him in the backseat — but you should probably double check whether seat belt laws apply to Rover.

Virginia lawmakers are only now working to repeal an old law that made it illegal for unmarried couples to live — wait for it — under the same roof.

In addition to these roofing laws, which may give you a chuckle, you can find many other seemingly ridiculous laws still on the books in many states across the nation. It’s true that most of these laws aren’t enforced, but it’s in interesting sociological experiment to look into their histories. What prompted the hippo law in Florida, for example? And did Virginia ever really go after people for shacking up? At any rate, now that you’ve been warned, you don’t even have ignorance to claim as an excuse for your behavior — so use your roof wisely, and legally.

This article was written by Robert Tritter, a contributor at  US Blawg. He writes this on behalf of Remedy Roofing, the number one choice for roofing projects in Pittsburgh. As a company that understands the various roofing laws in Pittsburgh, you’re sure to get the best service possible. Check out their website today to see how they can make your home look even better.

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Robert Tritter

Robert Tritter is an aspiring lawyer who looks forward to using his knowledge and expertise to make the world a better place.

When clients ask how to avoid getting arrested for a DUI, I always tell them there is one sure way to prevent an arrest.  The only sure way to prevent an arrest is to avoid drinking to the point of being unable to safely operate a vehicle.  Barring this, there are ten dos and don’ts when stopped for DUI.

1) When you are stopped, go ahead and have your driver’s license and proof of insurance ready to give to the officer.  Be mindful of your actions when retrieving your license and proof of insurance.  If at all possible maintain a steady hand when handing both items over.

2) Speak to the officer respectfully and be mindful of the tone you use when speaking with the officer.  You should also remember that you are most likely being recorded by a video camera.  Not all patrol units have video cameras but you should assume the unit that pulled you over does.

3) Do not blow into a portable breath testing device, also known as a PBT.  There is a reason these devices are not used in court.  They are extremely inaccurate but they can still be used as a means to establish probable cause.

4) Fight against the urge to tell the officer you only had “two beers, a couple drinks, or any other variation.”  When asked a question politely refuse to answer anything about how many drinks you have consumed.

5) In the same regard as number four, politely refuse to answer any questions about where you are coming from.  Do not tell the officer you were at a bar, restaurant, or any other establishment that serves alcohol.  KEEP QUIET.

6) Remember that anything you say can and WILL be used against you.  No matter how nice the officer seems to be, he/she is not your friend.  They do not want to help you out.  Their job is to make arrests.  Do not volunteer any information and avoid making incriminating statements.  KEEP QUIET.

7) Remember if you are arrested for DUI, you have the right to refuse the breath test at the jail.  This can result in the suspension of your license but it is your right to refuse.

8) If you decide to take a breath or blood test, request that you be taken to a hospital of your choosing, at your own expense to have an independent blood test taken.

9) While in the jail, note the names of the jail staff you interact with.  Also note whether there are any recording devices in the booking area and in the breath testing area.

10) When you are released from the jail, immediately call Parkman & White, LLC to discuss your DUI defense.

If you find yourself facing DWI or DUI charges, it is important to find an experienced DUI attorney who can analyze all the facts of your case.  The attorneys of Parkman & White, LLC have a history of success in the court room and are ready to represent clients nationwide.

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When you are stopped by the police for a suspected DUI (Driving Under the Influence), you will be required to appear before the Court. Soon after your release from the initial arrest, you will receive a notification in the mail from the local magistrate providing you a date for your Preliminary Hearing. A Preliminary Hearing is the first step in the legal process concerning a criminal charge such as a DUI.

Included in your letter from the magistrate, you will also receive the details of your arrest, the official Complaint that was sworn against you, and a date and time to get fingerprinted. You must comply with the fingerprinting requirement before your Preliminary Hearing. A Preliminary Hearing is mandatory and failure to appear will result in an arrest warrant beng issued in your name.

What Happens At A Preliminary Hearing

When you arrive for your Preliminary Hearing, there will be three things that can occur:

1. You can plead guilty to this charge or a lesser charge if offered. If this is selected, the judge has the option to sentence you at that time or request you to come back at a future date for sentencing.
2. You can enter a Probable Cause plea. This will require the Prosecutor to prove to the Court that they have sufficient evidence against you to take the case to trial.
3. You can waive your right to a Preliminary Hearing and take the case to trial.

How To Improve Your Chances Of Success

There are a few things that you should consider when you are attending a Preliminary Hearing that may help to improve the outcome.

• Dress Code. Dress appropriately to attend the Court. Do not wear outlandish clothes, instead, stick to your “Sunday Best.” Also, refrain from wearing hats. Wearing a hat in a courtroom is a sign of disrespect.
• Hygiene. Do not wear too much cologne or perfume. The courtroom will most likely be crowded and this can be overbearing. Over use of cologne or perfume also often leads the judge to believe you are trying to hide the smell of alcohol on your person.
• Remain Polite. Whatever you do, do not get angry, raise your voice or use curse words in the court.
• Have Representation. Having a Bucks County DUI attorney, or one local to your district, represent you before the Court improves your chances significantly of receiving a reduced charge or of having the charges dropped altogether.

If convicted of this charge, you face large penalties, community service, possible loss of driving privileges, and a possible jail sentence. Additionally, your car insurance premiums will significantly increase and you may find it harder to get a job or a promotion with this on your record.

DUI charges are vey serious and can have long-lasting effects on your life. Make sure that you comply with all the requirements set forth by the Court to attend your Preliminary Hearing. Hire an attorney to represent you, and do whatever is asked of you to make a good appearance before the Judge.

Former news writer Ann Bailey includes these points for anyone approaching a hearing for a DUI charge in Pennsylvania. The Bucks County DUI attorney group at the Law Offices of Steven E. Kellis works aggressively for clients to protect their rights at hearing, and their future livelihoods, after the charges have been made.

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annbailey

Ann Bailey is a former TV journalist and contributes articles for the arts, health, and U.S. legal fields.

A man suffered major injuries in an Anaheim car accident after he was struck by two vehicles, one of which fled the scene of the crash. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury collision occurred on Katella Avenue west of Euclid Street. Police say the man was crossing Katella Avenue outside a crosswalk when a small white car struck him.

The driver drove away leaving the man injured and on the street after the hit and run accident. The victim was struck again by a pickup truck and pinned underneath it. The driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and was not cited or arrested. The victim was transported to a local trauma center with serious injuries including broken bones and abrasions. He is expected to survive. Officials are looking for the hit-and-run driver.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

There were six fatalities and 92 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Anaheim, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2010 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 32 people died and 770 were injured as the result of pedestrian collisions during the same year.

Leaving the Scene of a Crash

Based on this news report, officials say the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk at the time of the collision. California Vehicle Code Section 21954 states that pedestrians should cross only in areas where there are crosswalks. However, the driver is also required to exercise due care keeping in mind the safety of any pedestrian on the roadway.

In this case, the driver of the vehicle that first hit the pedestrian left the scene leaving the victim lying on the roadway. Outrageous! Leaving the scene of an injury collision is not only inhumane and irresponsible, but it is also illegal. Drivers are required to stop and remain at the scene of the crash regardless of whose fault it was.

Compensation for Injured Victims

I certainly hope officials are able to apprehend the driver in this case and bring him or her to justice. If you have any information about this incident and can offer a tip, please visit our dedicated hit-and-run web site at www.hitandrunreward.com. We offer a $1,000 reward for any tip that leads to the arrest and felony conviction of a hit-and-run suspect.

Injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Anaheim personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise victims about how their own auto insurance might apply to an incident where the hit-and-run driver is never found or in a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

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Those who use bicycles as their main method of transportation don’t usually see it as a hobby. In all honesty, it’s more of a lifestyle, and this lifestyle doesn’t change just because we go on holiday. There are few throughout the world who wouldn’t want to visit America at least once, and in states like Florida and California, some of the best tourist areas, cyclists can enjoy the warm weather while continuing their usual biking regimen. There are a few things, however, that everyone should know before becoming a “touring” cyclist in the States.

Cycling Etiquette in America

While there are laws regarding cycling in America, many of the normal cycling practices are common etiquette. For instance, U.S. riders tend to stay as far right in the street as they can. This allows for easy passing by motorists and other cyclists. It’s also important for a cyclist to hold a consistent line and avoid any sudden movements to either side. This will make it safer for another cyclist to pass and will increase a rider’s own safety.

For those who are passing other cyclists, it’s important to move to the left and allow plenty of space for the maneuver. It’s also imperative to know exactly where the other rider is before pulling back to the right to ensure that no one gets cut off. In these situations, for safety purposes, it’s imperative for a cyclist to check all around them before attempting a pass.

Rights of Cyclists in America

Cycling has become huge in America, and larger cities have actually installed bicycle lanes along their main throughways. This is because cyclists have several rights in the country. For instance, cyclists have the right to share the road with other motorists. They can ride right in the streets with others, but they also have to obey all traffic laws. This, of course, doesn’t seem like much of an inconvenience.

The American judicial system also protects the well being of cyclists, and this is true regardless of where they originate. If a rider is injured or killed by a negligent motorist, that rider or their family will usually be eligible for compensation to cover medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and, in some cases, even necessary travel accommodations. For legal protection, a cyclist, or their family if they are deceased, should look into getting good representation. Whether from a wrongful death lawyer West Palm Beach, Florida or a personal injury attorney in Westwood, CA, they’ll need strong legal backing if they hope to secure a fair amount of compensation.

American Cycling Safety

There are a few tips that international or domestic riders should follow that don’t necessarily fall under the areas of etiquette or law. These are simply methods of staying safe on the road. For instance, a cyclist should safely move to the left, slow down and get the attention, maybe by waving, of any motorist who is coming in from a cross street. These simple steps could prevent a huge percentage of cycling injuries.

Cyclists also sometimes make the mistake of stopping in a motorist’s blind spot, to the right, when they stop at a light or sign. This may seem like not too big of a deal, but many drivers wait at these stops before making a right turn. If that motorist doesn’t see the cyclist to their right, serious injuries may occur.

Riding bicycles is a great way to stay in shape and get around without having a negative impact on the environment. After all, for tourists visiting America, they’ll need a bit of cycling to make up for the impact their plane flight had on the environment. Regardless of why a person chooses to enjoy cycling, the aforementioned methods will ensure that they can enjoy it safely and frequently.

An avid fan of bicycling, Ann Bailey presents these tips for anyone visiting the U.S. and planning to do some city street bike riding. The Steinger, Iscoe & Green wrongful death lawyer West Palm Beach based group strongly protects all clients of personal injury, including families of any bike riders involved in fatal wrecks while touring Florida by pedal.

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annbailey

Ann Bailey is a former TV journalist and contributes articles for the arts, health, and U.S. legal fields.

Injury cases are becoming a regular legal issue across the globe and Canada isn’t far from this fact. When you’re badly wounded in a crash as a consequence of another person’s recklessness, it is very important that you contact a skilled Toronto injury attorney to be certain that the individual guilty for the crash does not escape from the consequences he should experience. You’ve got no logic for suffering for someone else’s wrong doing, no one has the right to put your life in danger in any case. That’s why it’s advisable to employ a reliable personal injury attorney.

It’s a fact that the trauma or even the physical pain you have to endure in a collision can’t be remunerated nonetheless the economic relief will assist the affected person and his family on medical and other expenses. A respected personal injury attorney would assist you to secure decent settlement which provides the expense for all the damages. A number of individuals expect that their family attorney might handle all sorts of legal issues and thus they call their family attorney for assistance. Keep in mind: a family lawyer wouldn’t maintain all the details and experience necessary to take care of an injury claim.

You should do a meticulous research to select the suitable individual to tackle your legal proceeding. Having a reliable lawyer on your side, you could handle the majority of the personal injury claims. A knowledgeable lawyer might not only make sure that the guilty person is penalized but even help you to earn the highest remuneration. Recruiting a personal injury lawyer is often important whenever you do not wish your insurance company to scam you by any means. A reliable lawyer understands the best way to contact your insurance firm and could manage case suitably. He knows insurance rules and the strategies on how to utilize it to your case.

In general, the insurance firms will try to assure their users that their case is not workable for having payment. And as you do not know the facts of insurance statutes, your insurance provider would at once take advantage of your inadequate awareness. The attorneys do not in fact hesitate to misunderstand the guidelines to have their customers think that they aren’t eligible to a settlement. Even though they’re keen to offer you pay out, they would not show you most of the facts to you if you’re entitled for a higher compensation deal. The attorney is familiar with how much settlement you might receive and he could assure that nobody should prohibit you from having that exact sum of cash.

It is advisable to use car accident lawyers with excellent skills and experience to alter the claim in your favor. They will tackle hardships and put together the best strategies. Additionally, make sure that you work with a lawyer which specializes in your kind of claim. When you are a victim of a car collision or medical malpractice, you should choose injury lawyers who’re expert in working on similar kind of claims if you want to be successful in the matter. Take note, I am not an attorney, this isn’t a lawful advice, it’s my individual viewpoint, but for real lawful advice, consider visiting gluckstein website instantly.

About the Author:Mary has been freelancing as a guest writer for a few years. “I like to share my opinions and connect with like minded individuals online about various topics.” She enjoys doing research on a certain Toronto injury lawyer and follows their blog religiously. Marie is also passionate about finance, real estate, writing and home and garden.

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Although all of the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States have been lawyers, many of them did not go to law school. In the early history of the United States, people became lawyers by reading law or apprenticing to established attorneys. In fact, some of this country’s most famous Chief Justices did not have a law degree.

Chief Justices without a Law Degree

There have been eight Chief Justices of the Supreme Court who did not attend law school. This list does not include Chief Justice John Rutledge, President Washington’s recess appointment whose formal nomination was ultimately rejected by the Senate:

1. John Jay (1789-1795)
2. Oliver Ellsworth (1796-1800)
3. John Marshall (1801-1835)
4. Roger B. Taney (1836-1864)
5. Salmon P. Chase (1864-1873)
6. Morrison R. Waite (1874-1888)
7. Melville W. Fuller (1888-1910)
8. Edward D. White (1910-1921)

Chief Justice John Marshall

Probably the most famous Chief Justice in the early history of the United States is John Marshall. Not only is Marshall the longest serving of the Chief Justices, he reigns as the most influential figure in constitutional law. The cases decided by his Court formed the basic relationship between the Judicial and the Executive Branches of the Federal Government.

Some of the most important cases decided by the Marshall Court were Marbury v. Madison, 5 U. S. 137 (1803); Fletcher v. Peck, 10 U. S. 87 (1810); and McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U. S. 316 (1819). In Marbury, the Marshall Court established the principal of judicial review of acts of Congress and found a federal law to be unconstitutional. In Fletcher, the Court determined that it had the power to strike down state laws as unconstitutional. In McCulloch, the Court established the principle that federal law had supremacy over state law. If those cases been decided the other way, this country would have been very different from what it is today. Chief Justice Marshall favored strong federal government involvement in economic regulation.

Chief Justice Roger B. Taney

In contrast, the next Chief Justice, Roger B. Taney, was a Jacksonian Democrat who tended to favor the power of the states in matters of economic regulation. The Taney Court also decided several controversial cases involving the issue of slavery. Probably the most famous or infamous case was Dred Scott v. Sanford, 60 U. S. 393 (1857), also known as the Dred Scott Decision

The Taney Court issued two main rulings. First, it held that African-Americans were not allowed to file suit in federal court because they were not United States citizens. Second, the Court held that the federal government lacked the power to govern and control slavery in any territory that the United States government acquired after the formation of the United States. The Dred Scott Decision seriously injured the Supreme Court as an institution. Some argue that the case was one of the contributing factors that led to the Civil War.

Without a formal law degree, Chief Justices John Marshall and Robert B. Taney were able to analyze and decide the tough cases that came before them. Of course, whether the cases were rightly decided is another topic entirely.

Byline

This piece was composed by Reggie Smith, a freelancer based in the greater metropolitan area of Louisville, Kentucky. Reggie concentrates on Criminal Defense, Property Law, Criminal Procedure, Legal History, Constitutional Law and others as well.

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JRO

While the world’s economy seems to be slow to recover, there are some American states that are managing to maintain healthy budgets. Below is a list of the states that are the most fiscally healthy.

1. Wyoming is claiming the number one spot the second year in a row. The state gained major points for high graduation rates, and low crime and unemployment rates. The state debt per capita, or per person is only $2,452. It’s percentage of medically uninsured is 14.92% and it’s percentage of poverty is a low 10.3%. While none of these statistics were rated in the top of their category, their combined value made Wyoming the best overall.

2. Nebraska also ranks low in poverty and unemployment and high in graduation rates. In addition, it has a low foreclosure rate. What makes this state really stand out is it’s AAA credit rating and very low debt per capita ($1,407). Nebraska’s medically uninsured make up 11.5% of its population. The stunner for this state is that they had the 21st lowest income per capita, but ranked in the top ten for spending.

3. North Dakota ranked in the middle of the pack for state debt per capita ($2,721) and poverty percentage (12.3%). It’s rate of medically uninsured gave it points in the ranking at 9.8% and it’s unemployment rate (3.5%) didn’t hurt. The clincher was North Dakota’s 1 billion dollar surplus thanks to its booming oil business.

4. Minnesota continues the successful trend of little-town, big-states. It ranks very high (2nd) in graduation rates and is showing considerable improvements across the fiscal board. It ranked 8th lowest in debt per capita, 4th lowest in the percentage of medically uninsured, tenth lowest in below poverty line citizens, and 14th lowest in unemployment rate.

5. Iowa staked its claim by educating and medically insuring its residents. In addition, it has low unemployment rates and a perfect credit score. The debt per capita in this state is $2,117 and it is tied for 14th lowest in poverty rate.

6. Utah gets it’s points in the area of low crime rates and high graduation rates. But it loses points for having high foreclosure and medically uninsured rates. It ranks in the top third for low rates of debt per capita, poverty, and unemployment.

7. Vermont ends the big-state streak and rings in at $5,514 debt per capita. But the state redeems itself with impressive statistics in other categories. It ranks in the top five for low rates of uninsured and unemployed citizens. It ranks 13th lowest in citizens below poverty level, has highly educated residents, and very low crime rates.

8. Virginia is the most successful of America’s southern states. It has a high per capita income, and low poverty and crime rates. The debt per capita and uninsured rates hover just below average and its unemployment rate is the 10th lowest in the country.

9. Kansas is barely holding on to the ninth spot. It’s low state debt helped earned it this spot, but it’s increasing borrowing tendencies are putting it in danger. All other rankings, except unemployment which is a healthy 6.7%, are average.

10. South Dakota’s low foreclosure rate helped the state make this list. The income and poverty rates are slightly worse than the nation’s average, but it ranks in the top third for all other categories.

Byline

Terrence Love is a freelance writer based in the greater metropolitan region of Denver, CO. Terrence primarily concentrates on legal and economic topics, such as personal injury, financial regulation, credit help, banking, intellectual property and others as well.

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JRO

Any initial venture into the world of real estate can be daunting, especially if you are a first time homeowner or first time real estate investor. For this reason, it is usually a smart decision to hire a real estate attorney who can help you through the process. This is especially true when faced with the following scenarios:

• Buying a Home for the First Time – Whether you are twenty or sixty, purchasing a home for the first time can feel like a complex process, one that can quickly become overwhelming if any complications are encountered along the way. A qualified real estate lawyer thoroughly understands the process of buying a home. Because they understand what is required to complete a property transaction successfully, they can help mitigate the difficulty and stress that often comes with filling out paperwork, understanding contracts, and dealing with deadlines.
• Fraudulent Liens and Spurious Documents – When dealing with any type of fraud, you definitely need legal counsel. If you are a victim of a fraudulent document or a bogus lien has been filed against you, it is in your best interest to call an experienced real estate lawyer to help you get a lien removed. Experienced counsel can better understand your situation and achieve a timely resolution.
• Improper Property Sale – This occasionally occurs when a home or another property or is sold by someone who is not its rightful owner, or when a property is sold to two different parties. Whether you are the victim of an improper property sale or have been accused of selling a property improperly, it would be to your advantage to hire the right legal counsel to help you through the process.
• Court Based Transactions – Even if your transaction is not particularly difficult, or under special circumstances, some part of the process may still take place in court or in front of an official. Even if the process seems straightforward, it is in your best interest to have legal representation in these cases, ensuring you are fully aware of any implications and to protect your interests if any problems arise.

There can be a seemingly endless array of complicated rules and procedures involved in even simple transactions. Complex legal jargon makes it even more difficult for someone outside the legal field to decipher the right path to take. Although some projects can be handled by the average person successfully, retaining a qualified real estate lawyer ensures nothing is left to chance.

This post was contributed by Instant Answering Service, a Florida based provider of virtual office support for law firms across the country.

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A. Legrand

Marketing Coordinator at Instant Answering Service

Alexander Legrand is the marketing coordinator for Instant Answering Service, which provides professional administrative support to law firms across the country.

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Why it’s Important to Act Quickly in the Event of DUI Charge

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Molly P.

Born with a Passion for art, music, fun, fashion, adventure, blogging, and life lived to the fiercest! A great variety of educational, professional, and personal experience has gifted me an open mind, strong heart, and a wealth of stories to tell. Concerned with human rights and the state of the natural world. Thriving on the fresh, thoughtful, healthy, and hilarious.

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