Legal issues don't take a Christmas holiday!

by Cheryl Baumgartner Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance

Peace on earth, goodwill towards men and cops revving it up for the Christmas season. Neighbors and friends visiting in droves, hope you salted that sidewalk really well. Legal issues don't take vacations. In some cases they just get busier during the holidays.

Police departments across the country will be on the lookout for DUI's, and that's a good thing. However many people are getting caught for others things in all of the crack downs across the country. Police are looking for reasons to stop you and check to see if you have been drinking. Speeding, running stop signs or improper equipment can all bring you under scrutiny. All of these things are issues that should be addressed for the safety of the general public, but what happens when that officer decides to step over the line?

Yes it happens. For example your teenager can be pulled over for speeding. What if that officer for no other reason than the driver being a teenager, decides that he wants to search the car? What will your teen do? Who will they call to advise him or her of their rights and what the officer is actually allowed to do in this case? Your teen needs to have advice at the time the traffic stop is going on, not after the fact.

Stores are putting extra security in place to deter shop lifters. What if they accuse you of shoplifting? Who will you talk to to find out what your rights are? You need immediate advice.

And all the holiday visiting? Are you in an area where snow and ice are the norm? What if someone slips on your sidewalk and breaks a bone? Are they going to sue you for the doctor bills, lost wages, pain ans suffering.

When you open those gifts and they don't work, how much of a problem will you have handling the issue with the merchant? Especially if you don't have a receipt.

All of these issues will happen to someone during the holiday season. In fact several someones will be facing them. Legal issues don't go away they just get bigger. It's important to protect yourself and your family during the holiday season from the major and minor legal issues that will arise.