Have you ever received multiple calls from an unknown source and wondered as to the origin of those calls? Or perhaps you have the cell phone number of a business associate or online contact, but wish to dig a little deeper? In this information age, the ability to easily find this information is at your disposal, if you know where to look.
Posted by Perry James - EzineArticles Expert on May 7th, 2008 with no comments.
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Unlike land lines which are usually listed in a phone book or phone directory, or be accessed by dialing Information, tracing cell phone numbers can prove to be a much trickier task. Various companies offer the service to trace cell phone numbers, for a cost. Recently however, with the evolution of the internet, it is not only possible to trace cell phone numbers online, but it is also free to do so.
Posted by Perry James - EzineArticles Expert on May 7th, 2008 with no comments.
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If you drive in Michigan, you may be aware of a few of the state’s penalties for driving violations. But, did you know that Michigan has some of the toughest drunk driving laws in the country? Would you know how to prevent a simple speeding ticket from turning into a serious blot on your driving record?
While your best defense is to carefully follow all driving regulations, sometimes accidents happen and even the most conscientious driver can run afoul of the law. Knowing the facts about driving violations can help you protect your rights and avoid further penalties. Some of the most common areas of concern for drivers are speeding, drunk driving and license suspension. Before you get behind the wheel, review the following information about these key driving laws - it may just save your right to drive.
Speeding / Minor traffic violations
Even small infractions of the law can result in points on your license:
- Careless driving has a penalty of 3 points
- Most speeding tickets incur 4 points.
- Reckless driving wreaks even more damage, with 6 points and possible jail time.
And if you think you’re safe as an out-of-state driver - think again! While many drivers think they can get away with speeding tickets when they are away from home, the Michigan Secretary of State shares any conviction records with the driver’s home state.
Driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor offense, but it still carries with it a penalty of jail time. In fact, many Michigan courts require jail as part of a sentence for drivers with prior convictions. Add that to 6 points and an even longer suspension period for your license, and the penalties can be harsh.
What you may not know is that many of these offenses can be handled in court - without your presence. If you give an attorney permission to negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf, you may never have to appear in court. However, in order to have this option, you must respond IMMEDIATELY when you receive a traffic ticket. Typically the period of time in which you have to initially respond is 10 days - after which, you lose your right to fight the charges.
Drunk Driving
Alcohol offenses are known by several different terms in Michigan:
- OWI — Operating While Intoxicated (Blood Alcohol Content above .08)
- UBAL or UBAC — driving with an unlawful bodily alcohol level/content
- OWI — operating while impaired, which though it shares the acronym, carries lesser penalties than operating while intoxicated.
Penalties can vary - the court is allowed their own discretion in determining the price you will have to pay for your alcohol-related offense.
- First offense — the court can assign you up to 93 days of jail time, plus license suspension involving either a 30-day suspension with a 150-day restricted license for Operating While Intoxicated OR a 90-day restricted license for Operating While Impaired. Probation is usually included after you have served your jail time, along with any additional conditions the judge decides to incorporate.
- Second offense - if you are charged with Operating While Intoxicated within 7 years of your first violation, the court can sentence you up to one year in jail, plus probation and a mandatory one year suspension of your license. You can’t even apply for a restricted license during this period - and there’s no guarantee you will get it back after the one year period ends.
- Third offense - if you are charged with a third drunk driving offense, you will be charged with a felony, and the court can sentence you to prison for up to 5 years. The key difference with a third offense is that it doesn’t matter how long ago your prior offenses occurred. This is a relatively new law; previously the requirement was that you have three offenses in ten years, but as of 2007, the newer and harsher penalties apply.
Note that in addition to all of these more serious penalities, Operating While Intoxicated adds 6 points to your license and a driver’s responsibility fee of $1000 per year for two years. Operating While Impaired adds 4 points to your license and a driver’s responsibility fee of $500 per year for two years. These fees are in addition to the court costs and fees.
License Suspension
Losing your license can seriously compromise your mobility and personal freedoms. Yet many people who have had their license suspended simply assume there are no more options and don’t think to contest this penalty. But there are actually two different ways in which a person can try to recover their right to drive:
- You can file an action in the circuit court. The circuit court judge then has three options - he or she can deny your request, fully restore your license, or restore your license with restricted driving privileges.
- You can petition the Secretary of State drivers’ license appeal division (DLAD) and appear before an administrative law judge to present your case for why your license should be restored. The Secretary of State has strict guidelines for determining whether someone is eligible to appeal a license suspension - often in drunk driving cases, you cannot file an appeal for at least one to five years.
In either case, effective legal representation is vital - if your case isn’t adequately prepared, your hearing will not result in restored driving privileges. And, you must then wait an entire year before attempting to file another action or applying for another appeal. A successful legal strategy will often include witnesses to establish your credibility, as well as documentation of any substance abuse counseling (if your suspension was related to a drunk driving charge). Judges are busy people, and they do not look kindly on anyone wasting their time with a poorly prepared case. Don’t make the mistake that could cost you the right to drive; contact an experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney.
This article was submitted by Deirdre Reedy on behalf of Paul J. Trafelski, P.C.
Paul J. Trafelski, P.C.
Paul J. Trafelski has practiced law in Michigan since 1995, representing clients in all areas of criminal defense from traffic violations to serious felony offenses. For more information, visit the website at http://www.michigandefenselaw.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deirdre_Reedy http://EzineArticles.com/?Understanding-Michigan-Driving-Violations&id=1114953
Posted by Gary P. Thompson on May 7th, 2008 with no comments.
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