There are other types of officers who are not necessarily officers of the court, but will be authorized to detain individuals until the official police arrive. It is important to pay attention to the arresting officer and attempt to recall the officer’s name or badge number. Always remember that in states like New Jersey it is not legal for an officer to stop a motorist unless they commit a driving infraction first. Routine traffic stops are constitutional violations.

Recognizing a Flawed Arrest

Arrest reports do not always reflect what may have actually transpired, so the defendant’s version of an arrest and the officer’s version of an arrest may not be the same. It is important for the defendant to remain calm during the investigation, which is usually a field sobriety test. Field sobriety tests are not admissible court evidence, but can give an officer reasonable suspicion to proceed in an attempt to find probable cause. The initial appearance in court is a show cause hearing.

An experienced New Jersey drunk driving lawyer or litigator in the state of arrest can possibly get a case dismissed on a bad arrest report, or at least have a bargaining chip for a charge reduction. These types of cases always require an experienced and effective criminal defense attorney who can recognize a bad arrest report. Courts tend to protect the officer to maintain the conviction instead of implementing the defendant’s rights. Always remember that the court is not entitled to a conviction. It must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in an open court hearing.

Questioning During the Arrest

It is never a good idea to answer any questions asked by the officer. A suspect can respectfully refuse to answer any questions, especially if an arrest is eminent. This right of refusal can also include a field sobriety test. The officer has two hours to get the suspect to a precinct for administrating an official breathalyzer, which can also be refused. Sometimes this is actually an effective strategy for many offenders. The case becomes an argument between legal counsels as to what actually transpired. An officer can trick anyone into answering a question and they actually mean it when they say “anything you say can and will be used against you.” The Fifth Amendment protects the defendant from testifying against themselves.

Suspect versus Defendant

During the investigation an officer can ask anything they wish in regards to finding probable cause. This is still the reasonable suspicion component of arrest protocol and a lawyer is not necessary for questioning. Once the cuffs are applied, the suspect is officially a defendant and must be Mirandized. From this point, the defendant has the right to refuse cooperation in an investigation without an attorney present, who will always say stay quiet. Statements to the police can always get transposed incorrectly to the benefit of the officer and the court.

Complete refusal to comply with investigating officers will generate an automatic license suspension, but this is often less punishment than the DWI suspect may receive from the actual charge. Currently, the United States Supreme Court does not allow mandatory blood evaluation without a search warrant and many officers will not go through the trouble. Always pay attention to the officer’s arrest procedure. Plus, refusal to comply can provide an opportunity for a lawyer to bargain the case down and possibly keep it out of the DWI class. Reckless driving is not a driving under the influence conviction and does not count on subsequent enhanced charges in the event of another DWI case.  

Ann Bailey is an artist and freelance writer and posts this research for anyone facing DUI charges that may not have been warranted. Levow & Associates, a New Jersey drunk driving lawyer firm, have listed on their website a list of police mistakes that may help your case. One of the mistakes made by an officer is in handling an anonymous phone call regarding a driver who could possibly be intoxicated. The one making the claim must give detailed information about the automobile and the alleged offense. The officer must be careful to match up the information and the vehicle that is stopped. In any case that involves being stopped by the police, there must be probable cause or else it constitutes a violation and the case can be dismissed.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/4426610518/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ocarchives/3128752362/

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London, England

For Harry Potter fans, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is a must see. Warner Bros. Studio Leavesden was the production home for the Harry Potter film series for over ten years. This past summer, Warner Bros. opened the studio to the public, allowing fans to visit the studios and view sets, costumes, and props from the films.

The three-hour tour begins in the famed Hogwarts Great Hall, the 4,800-sq ft. room that was featured heavily in the films, beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone back in 2001. Uniforms from each Hogwarts house and the professors’ outfits are on display in the hall. Visitors see other noteworthy Hogwarts sets including Dumbledore’s office, the Gryffindor common room, the boys’ dormitory as well as the Potions classroom.

Aside from Hogwarts, tour participants get to step onto Diagon Alley and see famous storefronts such as Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Ollivanders Wand Shop, and Gringotts Wizarding Bank. In addition to sets, the tour showcases props from the films and takes visitors through the makeup studio where they can see the different prosthetics that were applied to actors.

Matamata, New Zealand

Peter Jackson famously filmed the entirety of his Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies in his home country of New Zealand, and visitors can actually take a Hobbiton Movie Set tour and visit the shire. One of the most recognizable locations in Middle Earth, the shire was home to Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, the protagonists of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit respectively.

Hobbiton Movie Set is located on a 1250 acre sheep farm and features many iconic landmarks from the films. The Green Dragon, an inn visited by prominent series’ characters, is fully operational and a stop on the tour. Bag End, Bilbo’s hobbit hole, which isn’t open to the public; and the Party Tree, a huge tree under which Bilbo made his farewell speech are also also featured.

There are 44 hobbit holes on the property, and the holes have decorative accents like clotheslines and miniaturized lawn furniture. However, visitors can only enter one hole, which only has a bare wood interior. The tour lasts for 105 minutes and ends with refreshments at the Green Dragon.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Steven Spielberg’s film Jaws is a seminal work of American film. Released in June 1975, the film was the first summer blockbuster and is one of the highest grossing films of all time. Jaws takes place in a quaint New England seaside town called Amity Island, but in reality, the movie was shot on Martha’s Vineyard.

Edgartown is the Martha’s Vineyard town where Jaws took place and hasn’t changed much since filming. Fans may recognize featured spots such as Quint’s dock. The town, which lacks chains and fast food restaurants, still feels the same as it did nearly forty years ago.

According to Reuters, before Jaws was released, the summer population of Martha’s Vineyard was around 5,000 people. After the film, that number grew to 15,000. Now, Martha’s Vineyard gets around 75,000 summer visitors, a number which can swell to 130,000 during its busiest time.

This post was co-authored by my colleague, Joshua John: Joshua is the Digital Strategist at MBA@UNC, the online MBA program at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, and MPA@UNC, the MPA program online at the University of North Carolina’s School of Government. Follow him on Twitter at @joshuavjohn.

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Erica Moss is the community manager for Georgetown University’s online masters degrees in nursing, which partner with Nursing License Map to offer nursing career resources. She enjoys blogging, TV, pop culture and tweeting @ericajmoss.

They say that it’s about the journey, not the destination, and that’s mostly true — except when it comes to travel headaches. Sometimes you just can’t wait to get to you destination and have a little less “journey” to deal with.

But travel doesn’t have to be a headache. There are a few simple tricks you can use to maximize your travel efficiency, thereby decreasing stress and making the journey a little more enjoyable. Here are a few tips:

Pack Efficiently

It can be easy to get into the habit of just jamming fistfuls of clothing into a duffel bag or backpack if you’re taking a short trip, but spending a few extra minutes to flatten, fold and tightly pack things can make your journey much more pleasant. If you’re flying, for example, and you have a big, lumpy bag, you can encounter boarding delays as you’re trying to jam it into a tiny overhead bin. You can avoid having the annoyance just by making sure your luggage is packed neatly and tightly. When you arrive, it’s easier to unpack as well. Bonus!

Preload Your Devices with Destination Information

This is especially important for foreign travelers: You’re not guaranteed an Internet connection or wi-fi when you get to your destination country, so make sure you have some basic informational things preloaded onto your smartphone or tablet. Popular mapping applications allow you to store some things locally, meaning you’ll be able to get a map even while you’re offline. Make sure you have basic information saved as easily-accessible text documents; the name (and pronunciation) of your hotel can go a long way. Just knowing how to say the name of your hotel in the local language could be the difference between a simple journey from the airport and an expensive nightmare.

ABC: Always Be Charging

Make sure to bring your chargers! You can also consolidate them with several aftermarket universal chargers that have different adapters to fit a variety of devices. Having an external battery pack can be a huge lifesaver as well, and they’re not too expensive.

Also: See that spare outlet in the airport terminal? Plug in for five minutes. Plug in to the hotel lobby. Don’t be afraid to plug in while you’re at a cafe or restaurant. Additionally, make sure you have a proper adapter for the local electrical outlets.

Footwear

Unless you’re planning on having a club night at your destination, it’s alright to leave the five-inch heels home. You’ll want to make sure you have footwear that is comfortable. Nobody wants to be hauling through an airport or boarding a train with luggage wearing uncomfortable shoes. Always assume you will be walking more than you might think, and don’t bring any shoes that even remotely have the chance of hurting your feet. You can’t predict what kind of situations or weather you might encounter, and shoes can make a big difference to your peace of mind.

Remember the TSA

If you’re flying, you do not want to be one of the hapless, clueless folks in line who have to keep being told by TSA agents what to do and what not to do. Make sure you understand the rules before you get onto the security line. Take your belt, shoes and jacket off. Make sure nothing is in your pockets, not even change or papers. Take your laptop out of the bag — and make sure it’s easy to remove and replace before you even get to the airport! With proper preparation, you can breeze through security even while other people are struggling with their bags or emptying their pockets. You’ll look like a pro.

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Travel does not have to be stressful, and being prepared can go a long way towards making your trip a breeze so that you can enjoy the destination and the journey.

Photo credit: jetalone on Flickr

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Stunning City

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Public Transport Accessibility

A Houston City Pass obviously allows visitors to see some of the top sites in the city for a fraction of the cost that they’d usually pay, but the attractions are also easily accessible by public transit. Since those who use public transportation are much less likely to be involved in an accident than those who drive, having the City Pass with the specific destinations that are included makes the chances of experiencing a traffic hazard much less likely.

Attractions provided in the City Pass include Downtown Aquarium, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Houston Space Center. The pass also includes two option tickets that allow visitors to choose between certain attractions. Tourists can either visit the Houston Zoo or Health Museum, and they also are able to choose between the Children’s Museum and Museum of Fine Arts.

All of these attractions are easily accessed by public transit, and the zoo, fine arts museum and natural science museum are literally within walking distance of each other. This makes it simple to enjoy them all without having to drive anywhere.

No Need to Rush

The purchase of the Pass also allows tourists to simply enjoy their trip without having to rush around the city. Anyone who purchases tickets separately will have time constraints that they have to follow. A tourist who gets day tickets to the Houston Zoo and the Houston Space Center, for instance, may encounter traffic and then have to rush from one destination to another just to ensure that they don’t waste their tickets for the day. This isn’t the case for City Pass holders.

A Houston all-attractions ticket of this sort is good for nine days from its first use. This means that if the Houston Space Center takes up most of a family’s day, they can simply put their zoo visit off until the next day. This greatly reduces the need to drive quickly, and thus will reduce a person’s chances of being in an auto crash. It’s important to note, however, that if someone is involved in a crash, they need to find a Houston accident lawyer before they leave the city after their vacation. Non-local attorneys usually aren’t prepared to act on an accident victim’s behalf in Houston.

The City Pass also helps tourists slow down and take a breath due to the fact that they likely don’t have to wait in lines. The attractions provided for are amongst the most popular in Houston. Unfortunately, this leads to long lines which can cause people to speed in an attempt to get to an attraction early. With the Pass, however, there’s absolutely no point in hurrying to get in a ticket line since the pass itself is the ticket.

Visitors to Texas are in for a treat whenever they come through the city of Houston. It’s a beautiful place with a rich history behind it, and the numerous transportation options combined with three airports make it ideal for travelers looking for a weekend or longer getaway. The City Pass literally makes enjoying the city of Houston simple for everyone, and luckily, it can help people stay safer on Houston’s bustling streets as well.

Ann Bailey is a journalist who loves to travel, and provides these tips for travelers to Houston.  The Houston accident lawyer group at houston-accidentattorney(dot)com works to protect the rights of clients who are involved in any auto accidents while touring the Texas city’s major attractions by car.

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Bucket List Favorites…Top Ten Places to Travel in 2013:

1. “The Land of the Thunder Dragon,” also known as the Buddhist colony of Bhutan.
2. Machu Picchu located in the Cusco Region of Peru, South America.
3. The tropical fantasy of Bali, Indonesia.
4. One of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, Iguacu Falls, South America.
5. The Sabi Sand Safari in South Africa.
6. The Ruins in Easter Island, Chile.
7. The Palace Tombs of Petra in Ma’an Governorate, Jordan.
8. The Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
9. The Roman Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
10. The Burj Khalifa and many other places in the cosmopolitan metropolis of Dubai.

Now that you know where to go, if you have never traveled to different country before, you will need to acquire a passport and in some cases also a visa.  Learn how to acquire your passport below and also read some tips that will save you money and keep you safe as you venture through that bucket list!

The first step in preparing to leave the country these days is to obtain a passport. The days of driving to Mexico for the day and only needing your I.D. are over. Once upon a time you could travel to Canada and Mexico by vehicle and did not need a passport. For safety and security reasons that has changed. You now need a passport book or card. All first time applicants must apply in person at a Passport Agency, Acceptance Facility, U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Steps to apply for a passport:

1. Decide what type of passport or visa that you want/need to determine how much it will cost.
2. Fill out the DS-11 form called the “Application For A U.S. Passport” online or by hand (do not sign yet).
3. Submit a Completed Form DS-11 In Person
4. Submit Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (like a birth certificate)
5. Present Identification (also bring a photo copy of the front and back)
6. Submit a Photocopy of the Identification Document(s) Presented (copy of your birth certificate mentioned above)
7. Pay the Applicable Fee
8. Provide One Passport Photo (See passport photo requirements here, http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html)

You can find the “Application For A U.S. Passport” at http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html Prices for one adult passport range. To obtain a passport book and card the total cost is $165. For just a book is $135. For just a card is $55.

Your passport will then be sent to you along with any documents that you submitted with your application. Over the years you will need to renew it and hopefully add pages to it! Fortunately, you don’t need to do it in person. If you need a passport faster, you can pay expedited fees. Applicants can request expedited service for $60 and, once an application is accepted, the processing can be tracked online at the travel.state.gov website. The processing time is usually four to six weeks for regular delivery and about two to three weeks for expedited service.

Visa costs range greatly for every country. The U.S. State Department has developed an International Travel Information section on their website that lists visa requirements for U.S. travelers.

Be a Savvy Traveler & Save Money!

Tip #1 is to always start early. When you plan ahead a whole world of money saving opportunities opens up!

Many hotels will offer special low rates for rooms booked in advance, depending on just how early you book it, these rates can be up to 40% off the regular rate!

You can also find a great low rate on hotel rooms by actually calling the travel sites instead of using their app or website because these this rate will often be anywhere from 15-30% cheaper that what you see online!

Schedule your flight early as in early morning because a 5 or 6 a.m. flights are often hundreds of dollars cheaper than even a late morning flight.  When you book your flight keep in mind what some airlines charge for extra luggage and some don’t…always make sure.

Now that you know where to go, what you need to get there, and how to do it intelligibly make sure to have fun!

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1. Blow Some Cash in the North Laine

The real retail heart of Brighton is not the generic chain stores of Churchill Square, but the quirky, individualistic boutiques of the North Laine. Contrary to popular belief, this bohemian district’s name is not ‘the North Lanes’ but ‘North Laine’ after the olde Sussex word for an area of land. Here you’ll find everything from vintage clothes to second-hand books, New Age paraphernalia and more. One North Laine institution is the eccentric flea market Snoopers Paradise, which has existed for as long as anyone can remember. Snoopers is a mish-mash of many smaller stalls specialising in ancient cameras, retro toys and other esoteric collector’s items. It’s not all gold – I’m sure some items have been there for the ten years I’ve been visiting and will be there for another ten – but there are some gems to be had.

2. Get high on caffeine at Marwood Coffee Shop

Ship Street is only a short walk from the North Laine and home to one of Brighton’s best cafes, Marwood Coffee Shop. Decorated with a criminally eclectic selection of kitsch toys and knick-knacks from the 1980s, Marwood is probably the hippest place this side of Shoreditch to grab a frothy latte or genuine Breville sandwich toastie made with cheap white bread. Their ‘life-changing’ cake and seriously mismatched furniture is the perfect backdrop for penning your latest novel or utilising their wi-fi.

3. Amble to Rottingdean

If the hustle and bustle of the city is getting you down, head for a stroll along the seafront from the Marina to the historical village of Rottingdean. This refreshing route runs below the chalk and flint cliffs, following the sea wall which prevents the cliff-side from collapsing into the English Channel. Rottingdean village is only a couple of miles away and boasts an improbable number of tearooms in which to refuel after your journey. The town was once a haven for artists and writers, and you can still experience Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling’s Secret Garden, which is free for visitors.

4. Refuel at Pompoko

Named after the racoon in a cult Japanese anime film, Pompoko is rapidly establishing itself as the place to get cheap, tasty Japanese eats in Brighton. It’s a pretty low-key affair and not an ideal place to bring a date, but if you’re after hearty portions of donburi (rice bowl dishes) or yakisoba (noodle dishes) at under £5.00 each, Pompoko is the place to be. They also do a takeaway service and let you Bring Your Own Booze, which earns them six out of five stars in my book.

5. Relax with a film at the Duke of York’s cinema

Why not end your day in Brighton with an arty film at the UK’s oldest continuously running cinema? Located in a beautiful Grade II listed building, the Duke of York’s makes a marvellous change from the generic Odeons of Brighton Marina or West Street. Its single screen shows a carefully chosen selection of art house, foreign language and independent films, while you can relax in style in vintage velveteen seats with plenty of leg room. It’s no wonder Aussie songwriting legend turned Brighton local, Nick Cave, calls it home. If you like films, but sometimes in a foreign language and with fewer explosions, then the Duke of York is the place for you.

Accommodation

As you might expect from a popular weekend holiday destination like Brighton, there are plenty of accommodation options ranging from value for money (Best Western Princes Marine Hotel) to the quirkily boutique. One boutique hotel worth checking out is the rather rock ‘n’ roll Hotel Pelirocco, where all the rooms have a unique character and the beach is only a Stone’s throw away. Alternatively, accommodation provider HotelClub offer around twenty different Brighton hotels, which can be booked on their website at reduced rates.

Photo credits: North Laine: garyknight on Flickr, Marwood: official Marwood website, Rottingdean tearoom: Alex Gunningham on Flickr, Pompoko: Guide2Brighton website, Duke of York’s: Wikipedia

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