consequences for egging

How Eggs Can Get a Person into Trouble

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consequences for egging

Somewhere back in history, thousands of years ago, humans decided to start eating eggs. They have been enjoyed worldwide ever since. The food has become such a breakfast staple, that it can be found in pretty much every refrigerator in America. Due to this fact, most people have easy access to the little morsels.

When broken, eggs can be very messy. Dropping one on the kitchen floor can be a bit frustrating, as the mess it makes will take a bit of cleaning. At some point, teens and children figured out that this kind of mess can be used against other people. Whether the person is some rival or just a random stranger doesn’t really matter. Some people just get a kick out of throwing eggs at things. What they may not realize, is that while the act of egging may seem harmless, it can get a person into trouble.

What Is Egging?

The act of egging is a very simple one. A person simply takes an egg and throws it at something. This kind of thing can usually increase in frequency around certain holidays, such as Halloween or April Fool’s Day. This is likely due to the fact that these holidays have a bit of mischievousness related to them.

Usually troublesome teens will throw the splat-able objects at houses or cars. They often find it amusing to watch how the object impacts and leaves a sticky mess. Seeing how the victims react to the mess is another plus to the activity.

What these people do not realize is that egging can be considered an act of vandalism in most areas, including California.

Vandalism and Egging

To many people, vandalism may seem like a small crime. However, that is not the case. Vandalism can be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the cost of the property damage.

Vandalism is illegal in the state of California under Penal Code (PC) 594. PC 594 defines vandalism as maliciously defacing, damaging, or destroying another person’s property. Due to the openness of the law, this can cover anything keying someone’s car, to a person writing their name in the wet cement of a city sidewalk.

This means that it also covers the act of egging. When a person throws eggs at another person property, they are defacing it, and potentially damaging it. Eggs, especially once dried, can be very difficult to remove. Egg whites can deteriorate certain types of paint, causing damage. Thrown eggs can also leave dents, which would also be troublesome to take care of.

Egging moving vehicles can be very dangerous. The egg can cover a windshield and obstruct a driver’s view. Attempts to remove the egg while driving can often worsen the situation, leading to accidents. If someone is hurt or killed due to an egging incident, the person responsible for throwing the egg could face charges worse than vandalism.

What Are the Consequences of Vandalism?

The penalties for vandalism are dependent on the cost of the property damage. This means that the more damage done by the act, such as egging, the worse the consequences will be. Here in California, the price difference between misdemeanor and felony vandalism is $400. If the damages amount to less than $400 dollars, then the person will face misdemeanor charges. $400 dollars or more will earn a person felony charges.

For misdemeanor charges, a person faces:

  • Up to one year in jail.
  • A max fine of $1,000, unless the person has prior vandalism convictions, which means they can face up $5,000 in fines.
  • Informal probation.

For felony charges, a person faces:

  • Jail sentence ranging from 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years.
  • A maximum fine of $10,000. If the total damages were more than $10,000, then the fines could be up to $50,000.
  • Informal probation.

As one can see, vandalism is no small case here in California.

Egging Someone Else’s Stuff Is Probably a Bad Idea

If a parent does not want to be held responsible for these kinds of acts, they should make sure their kids understand how bad of an idea egging is. It can get them into a lot of trouble, especially if the damages get too excessive, or lead to an accident.

Throwing eggs at another person’s property may seem like a small, harmless crime, but it isn’t. Just think of how annoying it would be to have to clean up a bunch of eggs. Cleaning up eggs can be a costly and time consuming task. That is why it is often covered under California Penal Code 594. This way, people who have been victims of this kind of vandalism can get the retribution that they deserve.

cell phones and discipline

Should Phones Be Taken Away from Kids?

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cell phones and discipline

All parents know of the age old punishment of taking something from a child to teach them to behave better. It used to be a toy, or TV privileges. In today’s modern world, the most common form of punishment is to take away the kid’s smartphone. The very quickly alerts the child to the fact that they messed up in a big way. However, it can have some unfortunate side effects that the parent may not be aware of.

The first, most notable side effect, is that there will be a loss of communication. If a parent takes their child’s phone away, then they lose the ability to talk to him or her whenever they need to. It is not unheard of for parents to get mad at their kids for not responding to texts, only to be reminded that the kid doesn’t have the phone right now.

Another side effect of taking away a kids phone, is it can make doing homework more difficult. Learning has changed a lot in the last few years. Now, kids have access to the entire internet in their pockets. They can use their phones for research, and to stay connected with classmates for group projects. If they don’t have their phone, they may struggle with certain aspects of their school life unless they are given a proper alternative.

Many experts believe that phones should only be taken away from kids when the phone was the actual cause of the problem. Kids learn better from punishments that are naturally related to the problem at hand. Experts also believe that the best way to deal with bad phone habits is to stop them before they happen. This means establishing rules and time limits for phone usage before certain behaviors become problematic.

An option that some parents may not be aware of, are apps that give parents control of their child’s phone, such as Verizon’s Smart Family app. Apps such as these let parents monitor how their child uses the phone, and control what apps can be used. With an app like this, parents can disable games, social media, or even internet access on a device from their own phone. This presents a way for a parent to remove certain privileges without the side effect of getting rid of the communication aspect of the phone.

consequences for driving high

Can You Drive While High?

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consequences for driving high

At the start of 2018, California made it legal for marijuana to be sold from licensed dispensaries. This allowed people to consume marijuana recreationally, much in the same way that alcohol is allowed to be used. While this excited many people, some failed to realize some of the implications of the new.

The biggest factor of the law, is that while people are allowed to use marijuana recreationally, they still need to be responsible. Many of the new rules regarding the usage of marijuana are comparable to the laws around the drinking of alcohol. This includes the rule that a person cannot legally drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

If a person is caught driving while under the influence of marijuana, they will likely face DUI charges. Many people relate this charge to driving while drunk, but it actually covers all forms of driving under the influence of any substance. First time penalties for a DUI include:

  • Up to 6 months in jail.
  • Up to a $1,000 fine.
  • Needing to take a DUI course.
  • Having a driver’s license suspended.

The consequences go up for repeat offenders or for drivers who hurt or killed someone.

Just because using marijuana is now legal in California, it is not okay for a person to drive while high. Just like alcohol, marijuana can impair a driver’s senses and impede their reaction time. This makes the driver far more likely to cause an accident, which is something no one wants to deal with. That is why it is best to never drive while high.

consequences for texting and driving

Using a Phone While Driving Is Illegal in California

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consequences for texting and driving

In today’s world, pretty much every adult has a smart phone. These incredible little devices give people access to everything important in their lives. They allow people to stay in touch with loved ones even though they may be miles apart. Unfortunately, these devices can be incredibly addicting.

Just like everything out there in the world, there is a time and place to use smart phones. One of the worst times for a person to use their phone is while driving. Driving while distracted is very dangerous. The driver takes their eyes off the road to look at a tiny little screen. They are no longer paying attention to what they are doing, which can easily cause accidents.

A first time offense of using a cellphone while driving can start at around $50 dollars. Repeat offenses can cost around $250 dollars. That is a lot of money to pay just for answering a text message. This is another reason why a driver should never pick up their phone while driving. It just isn’t worth it.

While using a cellphone while driving may seem like it is not that big of a deal, it is still very dangerous and illegal. In most instances, people who are pulled over for breaking this law claim to be law abiding citizens. They don’t seem to realize that by picking up their phone while behind the wheel of a vehicle, they are breaking the law and risking their live plus the lives of everyone around them.

how to detect fake money

Do You Know If Your Money Is Real?

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how to detect fake money

Money is a pretty big part of everyone’s lives. Most people spend their weekdays working hard to earn just enough money to make it through another week. Meanwhile, a very small group of people out there try to cheat the system and print their own money. This is called counterfeiting and even though the bills may look the same to government printed bills, they counterfeit ones have no monetary value. If a person wants to avoid getting stuck with a counterfeit bill, then they need to know how to check its authenticity.

There are several security measures in place to help people identify real bills from counterfeit ones.

  • Color Shifting Ink: On all bills divisible by 5, the bottom right number should be printing in color shifting ink. This means that when viewed from angle, the number should appear in one color, and if you change angles, the color of the number should change.
  • Fine/ Small Print: Real bills have a lot of small, fine print on them that is hard for counterfeiters to reproduce. If a bill has small text, it should printed clearly. If the text is fuzzy, then the bill is likely fake.
  • Raised Printing: One of the easier features to detect is the raised printing. The shirts on all of the people on the bills feature raised printing. If you run your finger nail over it, you should be able to feel the bumps of the “threads” of the shirt.
  • Red and Blue Threads: Despite being called paper money, bills are actually made out of fabric. Despite their initial appearance, they are not solid green. There are thin red and blue threads woven through the bill. Counterfeiters try to reproduce this by simply printing the lines one, so if the lines look like they were just printed on, not woven in, then the bill is a probably a fake.
  • Security Thread: Every bill has a security thread in it that can be seen when held up to a light. The location of the strip varies depending on the amount of the bill. When held up to a black light, the strip will glow a certain color depending on the amount of the bill:

      • o $5 glows blue
      o $10 glows orange
      o $20 glows green
      o $50 glows yellow
      o $100 glows pink

  • Watermark: Lastly, there is a watermark that can be seen when the bill is held up to a light. The watermark should be on the right side and be a replica of the face on the bill. If the watermark is visible without the bill being held to a light, then it is likely a counterfeit.

    • Counterfeiters can reproduce some of these security features, but it is very rare for them to be able to reproduce all of them. By knowing all of these different ways to check for fake money, a person is far less likely to get scammed out of their hard earned cash.

    what is sb328

    Sorry Kids, No Sleeping in for You

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    what is sb328

    Any child will tell you, and most parents would agree, that you have to get up pretty early if you want to get to school on time. If the student was up late the night before doing homework, which since the average high schooler has about 3.5 hours of every weeknight, is a very common occurrence. This leads to the not so surprising fact that most teenagers do not get enough sleep.

    Sleep is very important for proper brain function, especially in growing teens. Several studies have found that students who get less than the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night are more likely to suffer from depression, drink caffeine, struggle in class, and engage in dangerous activities.

    To try and help with this obvious problem, Senator Anthony Portantino created Senate Bill (SB) 328. SB 328 would have prohibited middle and high schools from starting earlier than 8:30 AM. By doing this, the hope was that students would be able to get more sleep and therefore do better in school each day. This is a goal that every parent wants to achieve.

    Of course, this bill raised some warranted concerns for working parents who do not have the ability to alter their schedules. Parents in this position would have to find some way for their students to get to school at the later time, which might include walking unsupervised or riding the bus. Those are options that not every parent is comfortable with.

    Well, SB 328 passed through both the Assembly and the Senate. However, the bill was vetoed by Governor Brown citing that the bill was opposed by school boards and teachers. However, one could argue that the student’s health and well-being should be just as important, if not more so. What do you think? Should schools start earlier to allow students the extra time to sleep in, or should schools continue on as is to benefit the teachers and parents? Let us know in the comments down below.

    how to check halloween candy

    What’s in Your Kid’s Halloween Candy?

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    how to check halloween candy

    Every year, as Halloween rolls around, people begin seeing articles about how they can keep their kids safe during the holiday. One of the big topics is being sure to check kids’ Halloween candy for any tampering before allowing the kid to eat it. Unfortunately, there are people out there who think it’s fun or funny to harm people by messing with their food.

    The first step to checking a child’s candy is to make sure that they don’t eat any of it while they are out trick or treating. Do not let them have any of the candy until you have been able to examine it under good lighting. Check for damaged wrappers, candy that smells funny, homemade sweets from strangers, or any candy or sweets not in their original packaging.

    If a piece of candy doesn’t seem right to you, throw it out. In this instance, it is better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your child’s safety. If you do find any candy that has been clearly tampered with, such as having needles, razors, or glass shards in it, report it right away to the local authorities.

    As uncommon as tampering with candy may be, this kind of thing does happen. Recently Australia has been dealing with people putting sewing needles into strawberries. So, check your kids Halloween candy this year just to be safe.

    online video game safety

    The Dangers of Online Gaming

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    online video game safety

    Internet safety is always a big concern, especially for parents. You never know who your kids might be meeting online unless you pay close attention. Most parents know to warn their kids about talking to strangers that they met online on sites like Facebook. However, there is one avenue of online communication that often gets overlooked: online video games.

    Online games enable players to play their game with anyone in the world. As great as that is for gamers, it can be problematic for young children. They can end playing their game with anyone, and as most adults know, there are some real creeps out there. Many parents are discovering that their kids are hearing and experiencing very inappropriate things online.

    A disturbing new trend that is on the rise is child predators using gaming apps such as Fortnite, Minecraft, and other games to get in contact with teens and children. These games are heavily played by people of all ages, but especially children. Predators have begun using these games to talk to children about very inappropriate things, or to lure the kid into meeting them in real life.

    In order to prevent something like this from happening, parents need to not only talk with their children about meeting online people in real life, but also pay attention to what their kids are playing and how. For instance, Fortnite has a “T” rating, meaning that it is recommended that players be at least 13 years or older to play due to the slightly violent nature of the game.

    The takeaway from this is that parents need to be aware of what their kids are doing online if they want to keep them safe. This is true whether the child is using social media or gaming. In some instances, it may be best to restrict a child from playing their game online, or limiting how much time they spend on the console. A word of advice, most modern consoles have built in parental features such as timers and restrictions that prevent kids from playing games that are too mature.

    All this requires is that the parent spend a bit of time learning about how their child spends their time online. By putting in this extra bit of effort, a parent can help keep their child safe.

    open container laws california

    Surprising Ways Booze and Cars Don’t Mix

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    open container laws california

    It’s a well-known fact that you’re not allowed to drive your car when you’re drunk, but there are a few laws that some people don’t know that prove booze and cars don’t mix.

    No Open Containers in the Car. Period!

    Even if you haven’t had a sip of booze, if there is an open container in the vehicle with you and you get pulled over, you’ll find yourself in deep legal trouble. The Liquor Licence Act prohibits any alcohol in the front seat at all. The only exception to this is if you’re driving a pickup truck that lacks a backseat or indoor cargo area, or lock box. It doesn’t matter if the container is sealed or not, it can’t be within reach of the driver.

    It’s worth noting, that it’s never legal to drive with a container that contains booze and is unsealed. So, if you’re returning cans and bottles, make sure each one is completely empty before you load up your car.

    Booze at Tailgate Parties isn’t Legal

    Everyone loves a good tailgate part, but you should know that the case of beer you plan on splitting with your buddies, you’re breaking the law. The law states that the only places you can legally consume alcohol is while on a private property or at a public place that has a liquor license. While the stadium does have a liquor license, it doesn’t extend to the parking lot.

    You should also know that you’re not legally allowed to buy a six pack or bottle of wine and drink it in the grocery store parking lot. It doesn’t matter if you’re sitting in your car or on the side walk, the cop who spots you can arrest you.

    Getting Into Your Car Could Result in a DUI

    Climbing into your car to sleep for a few hours after you’ve had a little too much to drink might seem like a perfectly good idea to you, but if the key is in your pocket (or anywhere else on you or in the car) you’ll get charged with a DUI. The cop and prosecutor will state that you intended to drive (even if you didn’t.) If you decide to sleep it off in your car, it’s in your best interest to give your key to a friend or find a secure hiding place that’s far from your vehicle. Once you’re inside the car, you can lock yourself in and take a nice long nap. When you’ve sobered up, fetch the key, and drive home.

    The One Exception

    The only exception to drinking while in a motorized vehicle is motor homes. You still can’t operate one while driving, but as long as it’s parked in someplace like an RV park, you can sit inside of it (but not in the driver’s seat) and enjoy a nightcap.

    what is sexual harrassment

    What Counts as Sexual Harassment?

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    what is sexual harrassment

    There are plenty of beautiful people in the world. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s always nice to appreciate beauty, but in polite ways. You can’t just catcall some random person on the opposite side of the street. That is considered sexual harassment. There are ways to show appreciation for beauty, but you need to be aware there is a fine line between compliments and sexual harassment.

    There are several types of sexual harassment. One type of sexual harassment is “quid pro quo” which means “this for that”. This kind of sexual harassment usually occurs in a career or educational setting. The second type of sexual harassment is hostile environment, and can happen anywhere. This is when the receiver of sexual harassment feels threatened while the abuser is in a seat of power.

    Sexual harassment can happen anywhere, at any time. It also doesn’t always appear sexual in nature. It could start as just an off-handed comment. A mentor, teacher, co-worker, family member, friends, or a random stranger can harass you. Sexual harassment can happen to anyone at any time. It can be either verbal or physical.

    Sexual harassment does not discriminate, it can happen to anybody, any gender, and ethnicity. It can happen in public or in a private setting. If it ever does happen to you, it’s important that you know your rights. If the sexual harassment that you receive escalates to rape, it’s essential that you understand your rights. Your rights are as follows according to Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN):

    • You have the right to determine whether or not you want to report the assault to Law Enforcement.
    • You have the right to have an advocate present at the hospital exam and at any interview by Law Enforcement, the District Attorney or Defense Attorney.
    • You have the right to be treated in a considerate and sensitive manner by Law Enforcement, medical personnel, advocates, and prosecution personnel.
    • You have the right not to be subjected to any type of discrimination because of your gender, race, age, class, religion, occupation, or sexual orientation.

    It’s important to stop and appreciate the beauty of the world, but it’s also necessary to respect people. If you admire a flower, you don’t want to cut and kill the flower. If you let the flower be, it will grow to be even more gorgeous, and produce more flowers.