Law Offices of Laurel A. Buchanan

When you spend 2 weeks of your life creating 8 jam packed 4 inch trial binders and opposing counsel says: I have 12 exhibits can I just email them to you and you can print them?…

CAALA convention with the crew. Never stop learning.

For everyone who liked the post on the laws about the new boater card requirements../

In order to have a fun and safe summer, know your role. 😎

New Boating Laws FYI!!
Summer finally arrived and so I thought I would share what I learned recently in case your summer includes boating adventures:
California implemented a progressive law that requires boat operators to have a California Boater Card. Under California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 678.11(b) there is a phase in schedule based on age. As of this year (January 1, 2023,) all persons age 50 and younger have to have a boater card in order to operate a motorized boat on state waterways.
By January 1, 2025 all persons regardless of age will be required to have the boater card. The card itself is only $10.00 currently and it is a lifetime card so that is a plus but you do have to take a NASBLA state approved boater class in order to apply for the card.
For more information you can check out the state website below and as always if you have questions please feel free to give us a call. We can help clean up messes after the fact but we offer free preventative services too...know the law before you go!

https://californiaboatercard.com/about-the-card/

Criminal Law Update, New, Stronger Penalties For Street Racing are being enacted across California.

Pico Rivera, a suburb in LA, recently voted to pass a new local ordinance which will allow police to seize vehicles involved in illegal street racing or takeovers. The vehicles can be kept permanently by law enforcement and spectators within 500 feet of the event can be fined $2,000 for watching the events. The ordinance is just one of many recent attempts by local governments and the state to stop the street take overs.

AB 2000, also aimed at street racing, went into effect January 1 of this year expanding street racing prohibitions to include parking lots and structures, not just highways and streets.

Senate Bill 1472 also recently came into effect, allowing district attorneys to charge drivers in street takeovers or races with felony manslaughter if anyone dies as a result of their actions.
There has also been recent legislation increasing the fines and penalties for street racing passed in various cities throughout the state.

The new laws are designed to discourage street racing and takeovers which have increasing become an issue in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. As the penalties grow police are hoping to deter participants and minimize injuries and deaths associated with the events. If the events continue it is likely the penalties will increase as well.

Thanks for reading. Please feel free to send comments or questions to us below!

Law Offices of Laurel A. Buchanan

We, here at the Law Offices of Laurel A. Buchanan, would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July!! Our office will be closed on Tuesday.

Remember, stay safe and most importantly be responsible. And if you can't be responsible, we'll be open on Wednesday, July 5th at 8:00 am. 😁

More Education! Family Law Specialization classes every
other year to make sure we have the latest law on custody, divorce, support etc.

For our K-9 friends!

If the horn is beeping it means our heat alarm is going off. The windows roll down and a fan goes on. Sometimes our officer has to leave his K9 in the car to handle a call. Even with climate settings mechanical failures can still happen. If you hear the alarm, call 911. This could save our partners life!

A thank you to everyone who works for and with us! You all stepped up so we could increase our collective knowledge and be better than ever before and now we get the opportunity to shine!

Avoid Boating DUI's, Accidents and Tickets This Memorial Day

Memorial Day is just around the corner and the weather is warming up. It is perfect time to take a trip to the lake or the ocean. But for those operating a boat, jet ski or any type of recreational vehicle it is important to know that boating DUI's are similar to regular DUI's. Police, Sheriff's and Coast Guard Officials can pull boaters over for speeding, registration, erratic driving, drunk driving and driving the wrong way where boating lanes are prescribed by law.
Law enforcement can administer field sobriety tests, breathalyzers and chemical tests to people driving boats, Jet Ski's or other water craft. Driver's under the influence can be arrested for DUI/BUI (boating under the influence) and their boat/jet ski impounded and towed. BUI fines and penalties are similar to DUI penalties and BUI's are treated as a DUI when it comes to prior offenses.

BUI or boating under the influence leads to serious accidents and death and is taken seriously by law enforcement. Be safe this holiday and avoid the fines, penalties and accidents associated with drunken boating.

As always staff at the law office can provide further information for those looking to take the proper preventative actions or for anyone needing assistance with this topic.

Angie is Boss!!

-Family Law
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And more…. Call now (951) 530 - 8649

Law Offices of Laurel A. Buchanan Law Offices of Laurel A. Buchanan provide fearless and aggressive legal representation for all of your legal needs.

The Law Office of Laurel A. Buchanan understands how stressful Family law matters are and we are here to help you from start to finish. Call 951-530-8649 and talk to an attorney at the Law Offices of Laurel A. Buchanan right now.

The Basic Standard Of Care For Drivers:

With California reopening people are taking to the roads and freeways again in mass. Having been on lock down for the better part of a year, driving may be exciting but with more people on the road it is good to remember that everyone on the road is held to a basic standard of care.

The law for drivers says that there is a common-law duty to be safe that supplements statutory driving regulations like the California Vehicle Code: “A driver is under a duty, both by statute and common law, to operate his vehicle withoutnegligence so as to abstain from injuring any other person or his property.”(Bewley v. Riggs (1968) 262 Cal.App.2d 188, 194 [68 Cal.Rptr. 520].)

This means that even if there is not a vehicle code specifically on point, we all have a duty to watch out for others on the road, including motorcycles and pedestrians.

We included a link to some bike safety tips for anyone that is interested. In the past two weeks, since reopening started, we have had two friends struck by vehicles while riding their motorcycles. And while the duty above applies to everyone, motorcycle drivers have to be even more vigilant, as often the drivers who hit them say that they never even see the motorcycle before the collision.

The California Highway Patrol and private agencies have defensive driving courses available for both motorcycle riders and drivers in general for anyone interested. This information is available on the internet, or by calling the California Highway Patrol. Anyone who is interested in more information or has questions about vehicle codes or vehicle/motorcycle collisions can message us or call the office directly. We are here to help and will and provide any information we can.

https://www.twistedroad.com/blog/posts/the-9-motorcycle-safety-tips-that-all-riders-need-to-know

9 Motorcycle Safety Tips That All Riders Need to Know Many riders end conversations the same way. “Ride safe.” But how do we ride safe? Here are the nine steps you need to take. Every. Time.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!!!!...

Hera at the Law Offices of Laurel Buchanan we care about our clients ... please get tested if you feel you have symptoms... Protect yourself and others...