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animal cruelty laws in california

Animal Abuse Now Illegal at the Federal Level

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animal cruelty laws in california

Winter hasn’t even officially arrived yet and already California is beginning to see winter weather. This means that all pet owners should get ready to really start taking care of their pets this winter. This is especially true for pets who spend a lot of time outdoors. Failing to do so can get a person into trouble for animal abuse here in California.

On top of that, a new law has been signed into effect at the federal level surrounding animal abuse. This means that if a person abuses an animal, they can face charges at both the state and federal level.

The PACT Act

Surprisingly, there hasn’t been a federal law that prevents animal cruelty here in the United States until recently. The only thing that came close was the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act that was signed into law back in 2010. That law only made it a crime to abuse an animal if the person filmed it. This law came about in response to a horrible internet trend where small animals were crushed by people stepping on them and then the videos were uploaded online.

This law had an unfortunate loophole that meant people who abused animals but didn’t film the act would not get into trouble, at least at the federal level. Luckily, many states have their own laws about animal abuse that likely covered the issue.

However, this has all changed thanks to a new law recently signed into effect. The Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act was passed through Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Under this new federal law, it is now illegal for a person to purposefully burn, crush, drown, suffocate, impale, or perform any other violent act that causes serious bodily injury to an animal.

If a person is caught breaking this law, they can face federal felony charges, fines, and up to 7 years in prison.

Animal Abuse in California

Here in California, animal abuse is outlawed by Penal Code (PC) 597. PC 597 is what is known as a wobbler offense, this means it can either be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony depending on the facts of the case and the person’s criminal record.

When charged as a misdemeanor, a person faces:

  • Up to 1 year in county jail.
  • A max fine of $20,000.

When charged as a felony, a person faces:

  • 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison.
  • A max fine of $20,000.

Some additional consequences for both levels of the charges can include:

  • Having the animal permanently removed from the abuser’s care.
  • Paying for the housing costs of the animal during the trial.
  • Completing counseling as a part of probation.
  • An extra year added to the sentence if the abuse involved a deadly weapon.

Take Care of Animals

Animals are living creatures just like humans and they deserve the same care and respect as people. They also deserve the same protections, which is what this new federal law provides. Now, no matter where a person is in the United States, if they abuse an animal, they will face federal charges.

This law comes at a good time of year. With all of the cold weather of winter, pet owners need to take the proper precautions to keep their animal healthy and safe. Failing to do so can get them into legal trouble here in California, and maybe even at the federal level as well.

What do you think of the country’s new animal abuse law? Is it about time, or did we really need this law at all? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.

Stay-Safe-While-Shopping

Shop Safely This Holiday Season

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Stay-Safe-While-Shopping

Thanksgiving has come and gone and that means everyone can officially begin their Christmas preparations. While this means it is time for a whole lot of decorating, it also means it is time to get the final bits of Christmas shopping done.

While this should be a fun and happy time, there are unfortunately people out there looking to take advantage of holiday shoppers. Anyone looking to do a bit of shopping this holiday season needs to be careful in order to avoid becoming a victim of a crime so close to Christmas.

Shopping Safety Tips

While most people love this time of year for all sorts of reason from the weather to getting to spend time with family, thieves have different reasons for enjoying the holiday rush. They love the crowded stores and malls because that provides them with plenty of targets and enough chaos to cover their tracks. That is in addition to the shorter days which provide a lot of darkness for them to lurk in. In order to become a more difficult target and avoid being robbed or attacked while shopping, try following these tips.

  • Always lock doors and roll up windows on cars before going into stores.
  • Avoid talking to strangers. Some con-artists work in groups, one distracts the target while the other strikes.
  • Be aware of surroundings as walking to cars. Thieves like to hide behind larger vehicles, or even under your car.
  • Don’t carry too many bags at once, as this makes a person vulnerable.
  • Don’t dress in fancy or attention grabbing clothes while shopping. This can grab a thief’s attention and attract them to you.
  • Have your keys in your hands and ready to unlock your car before leaving the store. This way there is no fumbling to pull them out at the car itself, which makes a person vulnerable.
  • Hide any presents or other expensive items in the trunk so that lurking thieves cannot see them in the car.
  • If you don’t feel comfortable walking to your car, especially at night, ask a security guard or other store employee for an escort.
  • Park in safe areas, preferably under street lights to increase visibility at night. Also try parking close to the storefront to reduce the amount of time spent walking to a car. Avoid parking next to large trucks and vans.
  • Stay alert to what is going on around you.
  • When shopping in the evening or night, always bring a companion with you. There is safety in numbers.
  • Women should not carry purses with them, as these are easier targets for pickpockets. Try to stick to carrying only a single credit/debit card while shopping. This way, no cash can be stolen and only one card has to be canceled if taken.

Online Shopping Safety Tips

With advances in technology, online shopping has become a very large part of the holiday experience. Since online shopping has become so huge, crooks have begun to take advantage of it. In order to avoid falling victim to these people, follow these tips:

  • Avoid using public Wi-Fi in general, but never use it when shopping or banking online.
  • Before filling out private information on an online form, investigate the company/website to ensure that it is trustworthy.
  • If you have fallen victim to an online scam, be sure to close the associated credit card immediately.
  • Learn to spot and avoid email and social media scams, which become more prominent this time of year.
  • Never give out social security numbers online. No online store will ever need that information.
  • Never click on links from unknown sources.
  • Only go to trusted websites by entering the address in the address bar. Avoid clicking links because scammers love to make fake links that lead to their own sites.
  • Only shop on trusted websites, preferably with “https” in front of the address. The “s” signifies that the website is secure, thus making it more trustworthy. Most modern browsers now display a padlock symbol in the address bar next to secure sites.

Don’t Fall Victim to Crooks

As Christmas draws nearer, more and more people go shopping for gifts for their loved ones. Unfortunately, there are thousands of crooks and other horrible people out there looking to take advantage of holiday shoppers.

So long as a person follows the tips above, they should be able to reduce the chances of getting scammed or robbed this holiday season. Do you have any tips that didn’t make the list above? If so, share them in the comments down below and help out others.

how to post bail in san bernardino

Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino Will Guide You through Uncharted Territory

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how to post bail in san bernardino

Finding out that you need to bail someone out of jail isn’t exactly exciting news. You go from having a normal day to stressing about how you are going to help out your friend or family member. After all, like most people, you’ve never bailed someone out of jail. This is uncharted territory as you set off to rescue your loved one.

You are going to want a professional guide to help you get through this. Luckily, this can easily be done by contacting Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino. For over 30 years, we have helped thousands of Californians rescue their loved ones from jail. We know everything about bailing someone out of jail and will be more than happy to share this information with you.

You can talk to one of our caring bail agents at any time. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our agents will happily answer your questions about the bail process and your loved one’s arrest. They will provide you with a personalized payment plan to make paying for the bail bond easier.

This customized payment plan will break up the upfront cost of the bail bond and spreads it out over several months. Each monthly payment is designed with your budget in mind, meaning that you can actually afford it. The payment plan is often the difference between whether or not a client can afford to bail out their loved one.

Bailing someone out of jail for the first time may seem like a daunting task, but it is nothing to worry about. Our bail agents here at Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino will show you how easy it is to post someone’s bail. They will even help make it affordable for you. So long as you come to Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino, you will not have to worry.

Are you ready to bail out your loved one? If so, call 866-736-6977 or click Chat With Us now.

questions about bail bonds san bernardino

The 5 Most Common Bail Questions

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questions about bail bonds san bernardino

For most people, bailing someone out of jail is a strange new experience. This is due to the fact that no one ever really plans on needing bail, so they never learn about it. Luckily, the professionals here at Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino are more than willing to help out. They are always ready and willing to answer your questions about the bail bonds process.

In order to help you out, here are the five most common questions that our bail agents receive.

    1. How much does a bail bond cost?

    Pricing is dependent on the amount of the bail. In California, bail bond companies charge 10% of the bail price. If your loved one’s bail is $10,000, then it will cost $1,000 to bail him out using a bail bond.

    2. How long does it take for my loved one to be released?

    After the initial payment has been received, your loved one can be out in as little as 2 hours. However, the time varies from county to county, depending on the current workload of the jail.

    3. What happens if I miss a payment?

    If you happen to miss a payment, it is not a big deal. If you know in advance that you are going to be late on a payment, let us know. We know life can be difficult at times and things that were certain a few months ago, might have changed. If your budget has changed, we can work with you on payments and even readjust your payment plan to fit your new budget.

    4. Do you offer discounts?

    Yes, we can offer a 20% discount on the price of the bail bond if a co-signer is a union member, a member of the military, a member of AARP, is a homeowner, or if the client has a private attorney. With this discount, instead of paying $1,000 for the same bond, you only have to pay $800.

    5. What is a co-signer?

    A co-signer is anyone who is willing to sign for your loved one’s release. The signer is promising that all the money will be paid and that their loved one will go to all of their court dates. A co-signer takes responsibility for their loved one.

It is understandable to have a lot of questions about bailing someone out of jail. After all, nobody ever plans on needing to know about bail. Luckily, if you ever need bail help, you can count on Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino to be there for you.

You can get a free consultation at any time by calling 866-736-6977 or clicking Chat With Us now.

five star bail service redlands

Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino Will Help You Face Your Loved One’s Arrest

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five star bail service san bernardino

Nobody ever wakes up in the morning with the plan to bail out their soon-to-be arrested friend or family member. After all, no one plans on getting arrested, and they certainly wouldn’t share that plan with their loved ones. However, thousands of people are arrested every single day, and that is just here in California.

Sadly, this means that there is always a chance that someone you know could end up behind bars. If you care about that person, you will want to bail him or her out. That way, they do not have to spend a days, even months, behind bars as they await their day in court. You would much rather they be safe and sound at home.

This can easily be achieved by contacting Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino. Since 1987 we have helped Californians bail their loved ones out of jail. We know everything about the bail bond process and make it as quick and simple as possible. We understand that nobody wants to spend a lot of time dealing with the stress of a loved one being incarcerated.

Our agents will be by your side the whole time and will do the hard work for you. They will communicate with the jail and help you fill out the paperwork. We will even create a personalized payment plan to fit your budget. This way you will truly be able to afford to bail out your friend or family member.

You may not have known that you would be bailing someone out of jail today when you woke up this morning, but here you are. Thanks to Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino you have been able to face this surprise head on without worry. In just a few hours, your loved one will be home safe and sound, not locked up behind cold steel bars.

Do you need to bail out a friend or family member? You can get a free consultation by calling 866-736-6977 or by clicking Chat With Us now.

24 hour bail san bernardino

You Will Always Be There for Your Loved Ones

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24 hour bail san bernardino

When someone you love gets arrested, you will do everything that you can to bail him or her out of jail. You would do anything for the people you care about. That is why, despite your lack of experience with bail, you begin looking into it. That is when you discover Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino.

Since our company’s founding in 1987, Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino thousands of people have received professional bail help from our amazing bail agents. When you need help, you can count on us. Our bail agents are available 24/7. They will happily guide you through the process of bailing your friend or family member out of jail.

When bailing someone out of jail for the first time, you will undoubtedly have questions. We understand that here at Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino. Our agents will take the time that you need to answer your questions. Once you are satisfied, we can work on bailing out your loved one. With our expert agents working for you, this can be accomplished in just a few short hours.

Our agents will do all of the hard work for you. They will fill out the paperwork for the bail bond and give it directly to the jail. They will not rest until they have secured your loved one’s release. Even then, our agents will continue to work with you. They will keep you up to date on all of your loved one’s court dates, as well as talk to you about any problems you might be having with payment.

At Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino, we are here to help you. Our agents are available 24/7 and are located all over the state of California. This means that we can help you bail your loved one out of any jail in the state. No matter what has happened to your loved one, you will always be there to help him or her. Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino will always be there to help you with bail.

You can get started at any time, all you have to do is call 866-736-6977 or click Chat With Us now.

24 hour bail service in san bernardino

Rescue Your Loved One from Jail Quickly with Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino

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24 hour bail service in san bernardino

When something bad happens, whether to yourself or someone that you care about, you want to get over it as quickly as possible. The longer you have to deal with the bad things, the worse you will feel. This is definitely true when dealing with an arrest. You want to get your loved one out of jail as quickly as possible, or else he or she has to stay stuck behind bars.

The longer your loved one is behind bars, the worse you feel. You have to get him or her out of jail as quickly as you can. The best way to do that in California is by contacting Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino. We are a professional bail bond company that has helped thousands of Californians return home from jail.

If you need to get someone out, then you need to talk to one of our bail agents. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can be found in offices all over the state of California. This way, whenever and wherever you need bail help in California, our agents will be there for you. Facing this alone is never something that you will have to do.

Once you get ahold of one of our bail agents, they will be happy to talk with you. Our agents can answer your questions about bail, and your loved one’s arrest. They will walk you through each step of the bail process and explain how it all works. You will not be left in the dark.

Bailing someone out of jail is definitely something that you want to get done quickly. The longer you take, the more time your loved one has to spend behind bars. Luckily, Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino is here to help you rescue your loved one from jail quickly. We will make bailing out your loved one a quick and easy experience for you.

When you are ready to talk to a bail agent, just call 866-736-6977 or click Chat With Us now.

how to post bail in san bernardino

Bailing Someone Out Is Easier Than You Would Think

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how to post bail in san bernardino

Just the thought of needing to bail someone out of jail can freak a person out. After all, bail is not something that people deal with on a regular basis. In fact, there are many people out there who are fortunate enough to never need bail. Sadly, not everyone is so lucky. Even if you, yourself, never get arrested, someone you know might.

If that happens, do not panic. You can help your loved one get out of jail quickly, easily, and affordably by contacting Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino. As a professional bail bond company, Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino seeks to provide Californians with the best help in the state. You can count on us to be there for you.

Our professional bail agents are available 24/7. You can talk to them at any time to use their years of expertise to help rescue your loved one from jail. Our agents will be more than happy to assist. You can ask them all of your questions about bail and your loved one’s arrest. In turn, our agents will do everything they can to provide you with the answers that you are looking for.

Aside from just giving you answers, we will also help make it so that you can afford to bail out your friend or family member. For starters, our bail bonds only cost 10% of the price of the bail that they are for. This gives you a 90% discount. Plus, you will be able to pay off the bail bond with a payment plan designed with your budget in mind.

Bailing someone out of jail is easier than people realize, provided they contact Penny Bail Bonds in San Bernardino. Since 1987, we have been helping Californians rescue their loved ones from jail. If you want our professional help, just talk to one of our bail agents. They are ready and waiting to take your call.

You can talk to one of our bail agents for free, all you have to do is call 866-736-6977 or click Chat With Us now.

when can police do a search

When Can Officers Search You without a Warrant?

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when can police do a search

Here in the United States of America, citizens are guaranteed certain rights and protections under the Constitution. The Constitution and its amendments are where most of our rights as citizens are written. Some of them, like the freedom of speech, are pretty well known. Meanwhile there are other rights that aren’t as well known, but are as equally important. A perfect example of this would the Fourth Amendment.

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizures. This means that police officers, and other government officials, can’t just decide to go through someone’s stuff without very good reason. In order for them to perform a search, they typically need a warrant from a judge. The warrant will give the officers permission to search through whatever it lists.

While typically a warrant is required, there are special instances where a warrant may not be required.

  • The person gives their consent to be searched.
  • The person is being arrested and searched for possible weapons.
  • Inspection searches at borders.
  • The police have probable cause there is evidence in a vehicle.
  • The incriminating item is in plain view.
  • It is an emergency situation and can prevent physical harm or damage.

In these instances, an officer may not need a warrant to search a person or their property.

Thanks to this law, officers cannot search a person’s personal property, real and digital, without the person’s consent or a warrant. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects citizens and gives them privacy from law enforcement agencies.

cell phone tax in california

Can California Tax Text Messages?

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cell phone tax in california

Everyone is different in their own, special way. However, there are somethings out there that we all do. Everyone needs to eat and drink, and we all like to stay connected with people that we care about. One of the most popular ways for people to stay connected is through texting. Local California lawmakers are aware of this, and looking to take advantage of this fact.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) wants to begin taxing text messages in order to help fund programs that provide phone services for the poor. They planned to vote on the measure in early January of 2019. The new tax would likely bring in millions of dollars for the programs.

However, while this idea was supported by the CPUC, it received immediate backlash from consumers and wireless service providers alike. Cellphone service providers were against the idea, because the tax would likely push users away from their messaging services to online messaging apps in order to avoid the tax.

Luckily, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has since intervened. They determined that text messages are an information service similarly to emails. They are not telecommunication services, which in theory means they cannot be taxed. However, not all supporters of the new tax are convinced that this is the end of the discussion on taxing text messages.

What do you think of California’s idea of taxing text messages? Let us know in the comments down below.