If you’ve somehow acquired a stolen vehicle and are wondering if you can sell it in California, the easy answer is no. Knowingly selling a stolen vehicle in California could result in legal charges being filed against you.

It is possible to be driving around in a stolen car and not know that the car was stolen. If you honestly don’t know that the car was stolen, it’s possible that you could sell it, however, if a case develops around that car and the police find out you were involved, it’s going to be up to you to prove that you didn’t know the car’s history when you sold it. 

The best way to make sure you’re not charged with selling a stolen vehicle is carefully researching the vehicle before you purchase it. You should save all of your research steps. 

First, create screenshots of the vehicle’s advertisement and save them in a secure location. This proves that when you went to look at the car, you honestly had no reason to suspect that it was stolen. 

It’s not enough to simply ask the owner about the vehicle’s history. If they’re selling a stolen car, they will lie. Look a the vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You’ll often find it near the windshield washer fluid container, on the driver’s door frame, or under the spare tire. Make sure it doesn’t look like the sticker was tampered with. Next, make sure the VIN that’s on the car matches the one that is posted on both the registration and vehicle title.

The final step is running the VIN through the National Insurance Crime Bureau website and making sure it doesn’t ping.

If you’ve done all of that, and the vehicle checked out, you can be reasonably sure that the vehicle wasn’t stolen. If you later learn that the seller had tinkered with the VIN making the vehicle look legit, don’t try to eliminate yourself from the equation by selling the vehicle. It’s in your best interest to take the car and your story to the police and let them decide how to handle the situation.

It’s up to you to take the vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Have you ever been in a position where you think you might be in trouble, but you do not know for sure? You want to find out for sure, but do not want to ask for fear of making the situation worse. Did you know this very situation can happen with warrants?

It is entirely possible for a warrant for somebody’s arrest to be issued without the person knowing. Then, this person hears through the grapevine that there may be a warrant for his or her arrest. Now they want to find out for sure, but they do not want to get arrested just for trying to figure it out.

This is where Cal Bail Bonds in Los Angeles comes in to help. We provide free warrant checks for anyone who needs one. All you need to do is talk to one of our bail agents, and provide him or her with your name, birthday, and the county where you think the warrant was issued. If it is in a county where we can look for our clients, we will. If we cannot check in that county, we will let you know how to find out for yourself.

Here is a list of counties where we can check for warrants:

 
And sometimes, we can do warrant checks in:

 
If you need to check for a warrant in any of these counties, we will be more than happy to help you. Unfortunately, we are not able to check for warrants in all counties due to each county having different rules when it comes to warrants. This is why we can check for warrants in one county, but not another.

No matter what your situation, Cal Bail Bonds in Los Angeles will help you to the best of our abilities. If you need to check to see if you have a warrant, we will do what we can to help you.

To talk to a professional agent right now, all you have to do is click Chat With Us or call 877-793-2254.

We have a tendency of thinking about Halloween as a holiday that is full of good-natured fun. It’s a holiday that allows us to wear crazy costumes, abandon our diets, and really cut loose. The only real risk we usually associate with the holiday is the need to drive carefully during the time frame that trick-or-treaters roam the streets.

What many of us don’t know is that Halloween is a holiday when many drivers overindulge and are legally drunk when they slide behind the wheel. Most of these drunk drivers are leaving Halloween parties.

College students in particular are prone to overdrinking on Halloween. One research project revealed that the average college student usually drinks about 6.3 alcoholic beverages at Halloween parties. That’s about 1.4 more drinks than they would normally consume.

And it isn’t just college kids who drink too much at Halloween functions. According to the American Addiction Centers, Halloween is the fourth booziest holiday of the year. Americans consume less alcohol on Halloween than they do on the Fourth of July but more than they drink during Cinco de Mayo.

If you’re going to a Halloween party and plan on drinking alcohol, you still need to be smart. Assume that you’ll drink too much to safely drive home and create a plan. This plan could involve a designated driver, getting an Uber home, or simply staying at the host’s home until you’ve sobered up.

California patrol officers know how dangerous the streets are on Halloween night. They will be out, and they will be keeping an eagle eye open for any tell-tale signs that you’re driving drunk. It’s even possible that you’ll encounter a sobriety checkpoint on your way home.

If you are arrested and convicted of drunk driving on Halloween, the consequences will have an immediate impact on your life. 

If this is your first DUI conviction, you could be sentenced to as much as six months in jail, fined up to $1,000, have your driver’s license suspended for six months, and have a vehicle ignition lock installed on your vehicle for up to a year while your driving privileges are restricted.

The third time you’re convicted of drunk driving in California, you could be sentenced to 120 days through 1 year in jail, pay a fine of $1,800, lose your drivers license for up to 3 years, plus have an ignition lock installed on your vehicle for as long as two years.

If your drunk driving results in property damage, someone getting hurt, or the death of another person, you will face even more serious charges that could include vehicular manslaughter. 

All things considered, finding a different way to get home after you’ve been drinking at a Halloween party is a really good idea.

One of the things many domestic abuse victims say is that they never thought that it could happen to them. Another comment is that they simply didn’t recognize the early warning signs.

The truth of the matter is that many people don’t know that most relationships have red flags that could serve as important signs that it’s time to get out of the relationship before your partner becomes dangerous. Heeding these early red flags and removing yourself from the relationship early is the best way to preserve your mental and physical health.

Frequent Bursts of Aggressive Behavior

If your partner frequently succumbs to bursts of aggression, particularly if it’s aimed towards you, a pet, or others, treat it as a red flag. Yes, everyone has bad days. Yes, everyone does get angry from time to time, but when that aggression causes a person to punch holes in a wall, kick a dog, make a threat, or grab you, your partner hasn’t learned how to properly manage their anger.

Heed these frequent bouts of aggression and put some distance between yourself and your partner. Explain that until they’ve take a few anger management classes and learned healthy methods for dealing with their anger, you can’t be around them.

Possessiveness

Sure, the fact that your significant other gets jealous when others are around you might seem cute at first. It might even make you feel more loved, but possessiveness can go to far. Signs that your significant other’s jealousy is becoming dangerously possessive include that they think you’re deliberately trying to make them jealous, that the jealously leads to physical and verbal aggression, that they are actively trying to cut you off from your friends and family.

Many abusers demonstrate possessive behavior early in the relationship. In many cases, it’s the first red flag that the relationship will take a dangerous turn. Take the early signs of a possessive nature as an early indicator that you should end the relationship sooner rather than later.

Manipulation

One of the hardest red flags to catch is manipulation. Many abusers are geniuses when it comes to manipulation. They are so good that it can be difficult to realize that you’re being manipulated. If you frequently find yourself doing things you wouldn’t normally want to do, or if you notice that your partner constantly uses emotions, particularly guilt, to change your mind about situations, people you like, and attending events, they’re a manipulator and you should proceed with care.

Pay Attention to How Friends and Family Feel About Your Partner

The odds are good that the people who truly love you the most will be the first to notice that something simply isn’t right about your significant other. If they say that you’re changing, or that they have a bad feeling about your partner, ask them to clarify. While it’s okay for one or two friends to simply not like your new partner, if everyone mentions the same red flags, or if it’s someone who is usually an excellent judge of character, give yourself some time and space to evaluate your relationship and determine if your friends and family are right and that your partner isn’t actually as perfect as you think.

Most people automatically assume that domestic abuse situations always involve an abusive male and a female victim. The truth is that women can be as abusive as men, which is why everyone needs to be mindful of red flags when they are involved in a relationship.

Finally! Halloween is here. Not only does that mean cooler weather, pumpkin spice coffee, and an excuse to snuggle up with a good book rather than going out, kid will tell you that it’s time for free candy.

While kids love trick-or-treating, parents often have mixed feelings about the popular activity. Yes, it’s great to see how excited your kids get each year. The problem is that each year, parents worry how they will keep their child safe while they go from one house to another.

The good news is that there are things you can do to insure trick-or-treat safety while also allowing your children free rein to enjoy the holiday.

Make sure your children are visible, even if they’re out after dark. This isn’t complicated. Simply arm your child with a flashlight, and incorporate some flashing lights and reflective strips into their costume.

Remind your child about the rules of the road. Kids are so excited about being dressed up and obtaining as much free candy as possible, that they can easily forget things like watching for traffic. Before they head out to trick-or-treat it’s really important to remind them that they have to be respectful of motorist who are driving along the streets.

Trick-or-treat as either a family or friend unit. Instead of sending your child out on their own to trick-or-treat, make this an opportunity to make some excellent family memories and go out with your children. If work or life makes it impossible for you to join in the trick-or-treating fun, arrange for your child to go out with friends or other family members. Your child is far safer in a group than they are by themselves. Make sure a responsible adult will be watching over your children the entire time they are trick-or-treating.

Your children will want to eat their candy right away, but encourage them to wait until you get home. Waiting gives you an opportunity to inspect their candy and make sure it hasn’t been tampered with, plus it means your child isn’t potentially stopping in the middle of intersections in order to snatch a sugary treat.

Covid-19 is still a concern so make sure you keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on you and frequently apply it to your child’s hands. Remind them not to touch their face until they’re home and able to thoroughly wash their hands

What steps are you taking to keep your child safe while trick-or-treating this holiday season?

Walking to work means you don’t have to worry about getting caught in a traffic jam. It’s a great way to build some stamina while also burning a few calories. It also provides you with the means to start slowing down and develop a connection with the world you live in.

Just don’t think that walking to work is safer than driving yourself. A surprising number of California pedestrians are killed annually. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 972 pedestrian deaths in 2019. Approximately 22% of fatal traffic episodes in California involve a pedestrian. These alarming statistics prompted California lawmakers to pass the “Right-of-Way at Crosswalks” law.

The Right-of-Way law is written up in Code, Section 21950(a). When you read through the formal law, you’ll learn that drivers are legally required to yield to a pedestrian who is strolling through a crosswalk. The law requires that drivers yield to the pedestrian in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. The implementation of the law also requires that drivers use a little additional care when approaching a crosswalk and be on the lookout for pedestrians who may be about to step onto the street. If a pedestrian is stepping onto the street, the driver will have to stop to allow the pedestrian to safely cross the road.

Another issue that’s dealt with in the Right-of-Way law is passing while driving through a crosswalk. Passing while driving through a crosswalk is dangerous for several reasons, including that the passing driver may not see a pedestrian until it’s too late. 

The interesting thing about California’s Right-of-Way law is that it’s designed to protect the rights of both pedestrians and drivers. Drivers do have the right away at crosswalks that are controlled with signals, provided the signal indicates that the driver can go. In this situation, the pedestrians are supposed to yield for drivers. However, drivers do have to wait for slow-moving pedestrians who may be struggling to reach the opposite side in a timely fashion, and the driver must be prepared to take safe and evasive action if a distracted pedestrian fails to notice the sign.

Drivers who are caught failing to adhere to California’s Right-of-Way law will likely receive a traffic citation which will involve a steep fine, points, and the possibility of having the state consider revoking their driving privileges. 

Mistakes happen.

The problem is that when a member of the medical profession makes a mistake, there is a good chance that a person’s health and/or overall quality of life could be impacted. In some cases, a mistake could result in someone losing their life.

According to the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA,) Medical malpractice, “occurs when a hospital, doctor or other health care professional, through a negligent act or omission, causes an injury to a patient. The negligence might be the result of errors in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare or health management.”

Many of us assume that medical malpractice involves a major medical misdiagnosis or a mistake that happens during surgery. The truth is that many things can be considered medical malpractice, including:

 
One of the challenges the general population encounters daily is that it’s difficult to know if you’re an actual victim of medical malpractice or if your health simply took an unexpected turn that medical professionals handled to the best of their ability.

Most people find that learning they are the victim of medical malpractice requires two things. The first is careful and accurate records of everything that happens whenever they seek medical care. Keep a log of every single member of personnel you encounter and everything that is said to you. You should also keep a list of tests that are run, medications that are administered, and what your expected response to medications/treatments/surgeries is.

If you suspect that you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, your next step is getting a second opinion. Make sure you go to a doctor/medical facility that isn’t affiliated with your original provider. If the professionals who provide a second opinion indicate that something seems off with your recovery/treatment/diagnosis, it’s time to contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney who will look at your records and listen to your story before providing you with a plan of action.

A medical malpractice case can take a long time to prove. It will take an even longer time to receive your settlement. To preserve your health, you need to leave the legal stuff in your lawyer’s hands and find a doctor you trust who will accurately and compassionately oversee your health.

Everyone knows what side of the road you’re supposed to drive on. We also know that there are a few times, such as when we’re passing a slower moving vehicle, that we’re allowed to temporarily move to the other side but that we’re supposed to return to the correct lane as quickly and safely as possible.

What you might not know is that you can get a ticket for driving on the wrong side of the road for making an illegal U-turn, passing in a no-passing zone, or for simply failing to pay attention and drifting into the other lane. Don’t assume that just because the road is divided by solid yellow lines painted on the asphalt rather than a concrete barrier that you can’t be ticketed for driving on the wrong side of the road, you can be.

The issue of driving on the wrong side of the road is addressed in California Vehicle Code Section 21651.

California lawmakers take driving on the wrong side of California roads very seriously. It’s not just a traffic ticket, it’s a misdemeanor. At best you’ll be charged a fine and have 2 points added to your driving record. At worse, you could be charged up to a $10,000 fine and have to spend a year in jail.

If someone is injured or killed because you were driving on the wrong side things can quickly go from bad to worse. In this situation, you could face felony charges. If convicted, your sentence could include up to three years in prison. In cases of death and injury, additional charges such as vehicular manslaughter and reckless endangerment can be added to the original charge. You’ll also likely find yourself named as the defendant in a civil case.

Considering the very serious consequences connected to driving on the wrong side of the road in California, it’s in your best interest to make sure you always keep your vehicle between the yellow lines and the road’s shoulder.

Many of the kids who are returning to school this fall haven’t attended an actual school since March 2020. While this return is good in terms of reconnecting on a social level and regaining some normalcy, it also means that once again, parents are worried about bullies. 

A single bully can do an enormous amount of damage to a child. They hit the child’s self-confidence takes can haunt your child for the rest of their life. In addition to psychological trauma, parents also worry about bullying and physical abuse.

Most kids don’t report bullying problems to their parents. Catching the early warning signs and putting together a plan of action takes a great deal of diligence, observation, and communication.

Pay Attention to Your Child’s Appearance Both Before and After School

The first sign that a child is being bullied is often changes to their clothing and overall appearance at the start of the school day versus the end. Yes, kids trade clothing and jewelry. Yes, kids rip, tear, and stain their clothing via innocent actions. However, if your child is consistently coming home looking bedraggled, or is hiding torn clothing, or constantly has items of clothing missing, it could indicate that your child has attracted a bully.

Look for Bruises, Cuts, and Scrapes

Active kids do get banged up while playing, but kids who are being bullied will often also be covered in cuts and bruises which is why you should ask how your child was injured. Not only should you pay attention to how they received the injury, but also to how they tell you about it. If the bruise was sustained while playing sports, your child will likely have an entire adventure regarding the wound. However, if they are quiet about the injury or try to hide it, it could indicate a bullying problem.

Changes in Personality

Kids’ personalities are in a constant state of flux. They go through stages of intense joy, irritation, and resistance. Sometimes these changes happen at a rapid-fire pace. What isn’t normal is for a happy, bubbly kid who likes school to go through a prolonged period of depression where they no longer want to socialize. It’s also unusual for your child to suddenly lose all interest in activities and friends that they have always loved in the past. 

Sudden and long-term changes often indicate a bullying problem.

If you notice signs that your child’s return to school has resulted in them being bullied, you’ll want to take a proactive stance before the situation leaves your child emotionally or physically scarred.

Even though everyone should know that the individuals who work in airport security don’t appreciate a sense of humor, we’re still being bombarded by news stories about people who simply couldn’t behave themselves either at the airport or on the plane and found themselves on the wrong side of airport security. 

You don’t want your name attached to any of these stories so if you’re future plans include flying, it’s a good idea to take some time and review the things that could get you into trouble with airport security.

Joking With Airport Security

Oddly enough, the thing that seems to land the most people in hot water with airport security is joking around. Some people simply can’t stop themselves from saying things that might be funny to most people. The problem is that while the security person you’re talking to might have a sense of humor, their training makes it impossible to play along. Saying the wrong thing, such as commenting about a bomb or having weapons, will result in you getting detained.

It’s in your best interest to keep your jokes to yourself until you’re far from the airport.

Failing to Double Check the Protocols for Flying with Liquids

One of the biggest headaches most people run into is forgetting the rules regarding liquids and tucking something such as mouthwash or a bottle of water into their carry-on bag that doesn’t meet airport regulations. 

The good news is that the airport isn’t telling you that you have to leave all of your liquids behind. You can still bring them with you, but if there are in a container that’s bigger than 3.4 ounces and in a resealable bag, they can’t be in your carry-on luggage. It’s important to note, that the size of the container is important. It doesn’t matter if you’re only transporting an ounce of liquid, if it’s in a full-size container, you must stow it in your checked luggage.

If you do forget and tuck something in your carry-on that doesn’t meet the airport’s requirements for liquid on flights, pay careful attention to how the security team tells you to dispose of the container and follow their instructions to the letter. Don’t get belligerent or obnoxious, simply do what you’re told.

Carrying a Large Amount of Cash

Perhaps one of the strangest things that can get you in trouble with airport security is having a large quantity of cash on you when you enter the airport. The good news is that airport security won’t stop you from flying simply because you have a lot of cash tucked into your pockets, but you should be prepared to answer questions about why you’re using so much cash rather than relying on debit/credit cards while you travel. The existence of the cash will also usually get you flagged for additional security tests so be prepared for the check-in process to take longer than it would if you didn’t have a large amount of cash on you.

Being Obnoxious

Honestly, the biggest thing that gets people into trouble with airport security is their own attitude. The problem is that traveling is already a stressful process and it doesn’t take much to bring out the worst aspects of our personalities. As a result, we can get short-tempered when the airport staff asks us questions that seem too personal or irrelevant. The problem is that the worse your temper gets, the more likely it becomes that airport security will get involved and detain you. 

When you’re flying, it’s in your best interest to take several deep breaths and remain as calm as possible.

The good news is that provided you follow the rules, give yourself plenty of time, and are on your best behavior, you shouldn’t have any trouble with airport security the next time you fly.