New Jersey’s Failed Bail Replacement

At the start of this year, the state of New Jersey eliminated its bail system in favor of a system where judges determine whether or not it is safe to release the defendant. The idea of this new system was to be fairer to people who would not be able to generate the funds needed to pay for bail. This is the very same system that lawmakers want to implement in California.

It is easy to see how this system sounds like a good idea. You remove the need for people to pay to get out of jail, thus allowing even the poorest person to get out of jail. Unfortunately for many people, this new system is a problem. This system does little to protect victims, or deter criminals.

Many officers refer to this new setup as a revolving door system...

What Counts As Drug Possession?

With the passing of prop 64, the topic of drug possession has become more prominent in recent months. While it is now legal for people 21 and older to possess some small amount of marijuana, this is the only drug that has been legalized. Even still, there are rules and restrictions to its use.

Even though the recreational use of marijuana was legalized, many other drugs and substances remain illegal to use and possess. Some of these illegal substances are:

• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Meth
• Ecstasy
• LSD

Possessing any of these drugs can get a person in trouble with the law. Now you might be wondering what constitutes as possession in California?

Possession of a drug could be:

• Having it on your person
• Having it in your glove-box or anywhere else in your vehicle
• Having it in your house

Is Driving While Hungover Ok?

Everyone knows that driving while drunk is a bad idea. While drunk you have poor motor control, and lack a sense of adequate risk assessment. Basically, you can’t control your actions well, and you do things that you wouldn’t normally do while sober. It is easy to see why people should not be driving in this state of inebriation.

However, what many people do not realize, is that driving while hungover can be just as bad. When a person is hungover, they may not have any more alcohol in their system, but they are experiencing other symptoms. People who are hungover are usually experiencing sleep deprivation, dehydration, and short-term alcohol withdrawal. The symptoms of all of these can make driving difficult and dangerous for the person.

A study conducted by researchers at Utrecht Uni...

Tips for Avoiding the Heat

Summer is rapidly approaching in California, and temperatures are on the rise. Summer is a season for exploring and adventure. However, it is also a season of unbearable heat. It is why many people will find themselves hiding out in the shelter of their home, waiting for cooler temperatures.

If you are looking for ways to keep cool this summer, here are a few tips:

• Wear light colored, loose fitting, cotton clothing. Cotton stay cooler than synthetic materials.
• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and sports drinks with plenty of electrolytes.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine since these cause dehydration.
• Avoid going outdoors during the middle of the day. Instead, go out during the morning or evening when it is cooler.
• Use fans to circulate the air in your house and make it feel ...

How To Answer: Have You Been Drinking?

If you have never been pulled over for a DUI before, you may wonder how you should answer when asked if you have been drinking after having a drink or 2. As a United States citizen, you have the right against self-incrimination. This means that you do not have to answer that question.

However, that does not mean you have the right to lie to the officer, or ignore his or her requests. If the officer asks for your license and registration, you should provide it. Lying, will only make things worse for you. The officer will be able to tell if you have had too much alcohol. If you admit to having a two drinks, when you really had 6, you will still be asked to take a field sobriety and a breathalyzer test...

What is Petty Theft?

Everyone understands the concept of theft, and how bad it is. However, once law enforcement gets involved, it can get confusing for many people not familiar with their terminology. Law enforcement officers have many different phrases and terms for different crimes. These terms help the officers identify the severity of crime, and many other factors. For civilians, these terms can be confusing.

One such term would be petty theft. Most people understand it means something was stolen, but we do not know the specifics. We do not even know the severity of the punishment for petty theft.

In the state of California, petty theft is defined as the unlawful taking of property that is valued at $950 or less...

Did You Know Owning a Pet Is Good for You?

Any pet owner will tell you that owning a pet makes their life better. However, what most people do not realize is that owning a pet can actually improve their health. There have been several studies that show owning a pet can be extremely beneficial for a person’s health, both physically and psychologically.

Improves Mood – Owners and pets share a special bond. Pets loves there owners, and get excited when they come home. It is a big deal for them. They make their owners feel wanted and needed, which is a great self-esteem boost.

Decrease Stress – Research has shown that people experience less stress when they have a pet with them, then when they have a spouse or family member with them. This may be due to the fact that pets love their owners unconditionally.

Lower Blood Pressure –...

Do You Know The Rules of the Sky?

Drones have quickly grown in popularity over the last few years, and for good reason. Drones allow us to take to the skies with ease, and can even give us a bird’s eye view of the world we know. Due to their steady increase in popularity, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released several rules for drone owners

Some of these rules are:

• Register your drone with the FAA.
• Take a lesson before flying your drone.
• Never fly your drone above 400 feet.
• Always inspect your drone before flying it.
• Never fly your drone where you cannot see it.
• Never fly your drone near airports or manned aircraft, this includes flying near wildfires.
• Do not fly your drone where it can hurt people.
• Do not fly anything over 55 pounds.

By following these rules, you reduce the risk of get...

Who Does Your Auto Insurance Cover?

Have you ever lent your car to a friend who needed to run an errand? If so, did you ever stop to consider whether or not your friend was insured while driving your car? If he or she was not insured and got into an accident, you could be liable for the accident.

It is important to know who your auto insurance covers when it comes to your vehicle. Some insurance covers the driver, and follows him or her from vehicle to vehicle. Other insurance covers the vehicle itself, no matter who is driving it. There are some forms of insurance that will not cover any other driver than the person who is paying for the insurance.

Liability coverage, which all Californian drivers are required to have, follows the driver...

What Car Modifications are and are Not Legal

Car enthusiasts value their vehicles more than many other things in their lives; it is a prized possession. These people will not hesitate to keep spending money on their car(s) to upgrade, modify, and personalize it to their liking. These modifications can include tinted windows, car wraps, and new exhaust pipes. However, they can only legally do so much, according to the California DMV laws. Here are a handful of those laws.

Sound
There are laws that dictate how loud a vehicle may be. Exhaust systems cannot increase or amplify the amount of sound beyond what is produced by factory equipment. Vehicles that weigh less than 6,000 pounds cannot be louder than 95 decibels; motorcycles are excluded from this...