The police can search your car without a warrant, but only if there is probable cause.

A traffic stop can be the beginning of a years-long ordeal and a series of injustices that ends in you trying to rebuild your life after serving a prison sentence. The police might pull you over for a trivial reason, such as a broken taillight, or even for no reason at all. Before you know it, the cops are making all kinds of excuses to search your car, a K9 unit is on its way, and if you fight back, you are facing charges for resisting an officer as well as for drug possession. This is unjust, and some of it is illegal; whether the police should search your car is one thing, and whether they will is another matter. If the police search your vehicle without probable cause, you should contact an Austin criminal defense lawyer at the first opportunity.

Probable Cause and Your Fourth Amendment Rights

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. In most cases, the police cannot search your body and clothing, your residence, or your personal belongings unless they have a warrant. Of course, automobiles did not exist when the Bill of Rights, which includes the Fourth Amendment, was written, and Carroll v. United States, a 1925 Supreme Court decision, established the rules about searching cars.

The police can search your car, including the trunk, at a traffic stop, but only if they have probable cause. “Probable cause” means that the police have reasonable suspicion that you have illegal items in your car. Simply violating a traffic law, such as having expired tags, is not probable cause for a search; if you have expired tags, the officer should just issue a citation and let you go on your way.

The following are instances where the officer would have probable cause to search the car:

• Weapons or illegal drugs are visible in the car
• The car smells like marijuana
• You were driving erratically, causing suspicion that you are under the influence of drugs
• Your appearance or behavior indicates that you are under the influence of drugs

Some of the criteria for probable cause are subjective. Many defendants have won cases by arguing that the police searched their car without probable cause. If the search seems like a case of racial profiling, it probably is. If you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony because of a search of your vehicle at a traffic stop, it does not automatically mean that you will be convicted.  The jury can only convict a defendant if all the defendant’s constitutional rights have been upheld throughout the case. One of the first things you should do after being arrested after a search at a traffic stop is call a criminal defense lawyer.

Contact an Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer After a Traffic Stop

If the police violated your Fourth Amendment rights by searching your car without probable cause, you should fight the charges. Contact Granger and Mueller in Austin, Texas or call (512) 474-9999.

To err is human, but to persevere is an act of a fool. You will make many mistakes in your tenure as a manager. The important thing is to learn from them and avoid them in the future. If you don’t want to make such mistakes, you can always learn from the experience of others. That’s what smart people do. So, here are some of the most common mistakes that professionals at managerial level make.

Not Thinking Long Term

You have to see and solve day-to-day problems, and it’s also your responsibility to look for the long-term benefits of the company. You should be able to predict any good or bad times about to come. One right prediction and right precautionary measures could save the future of the company and all its employees. Growing companies particularly face many business challenges that, as a manager, you should be aware of.

Scared to React

New managers are usually afraid to take any action. There can be more than reasons behind it, but commonly it is the fear that you might be making the wrong call. As a senior professional, you should be confident about your decisions, and if you have made mistakes, simply accept them. Not reacting on time could cause further problems for you, your team, and the company.

Thinking Money is the Only Motivation

Many managers think that just giving bonuses and increments is more than enough motivation for employees. Yes, they motivate, but there are also other things you need to consider. For example, timely promotion and due respect are crucial. You should also publicly praise employees that work best.

Not Listening to the Team

Yes, you are a senior, but your subordinates are also professionals. When you are about to make a decision or start a project, it would be better to involve your team in it. Take everyone’s suggestions and go for the best approach. Make sure no one feels like they were ignored. Thank everyone for their participation and explain why you took the one best approach. It will also keep you connected with team members that must trust you in order to work productively.

Being Too Serious

It’s not exactly wrong to stay formal with your employees, but it doesn’t mean you have to be too serious. They should see you as a real human being who understands them. That’s why occasionally eating with them and joking won’t hurt your authority or respect.

Packaging and shipping industry is an ever-evolving industry. Customers have access to numerous new options that enable them to increase the level of protection that they could possibly give their products while they are being shipped. Many new products hit the market every year if not every quarter.

If you are a customer that regularly sources packaging and shipping supplies such as double wall boxes or gusset bags or any other such shipping supplies, it is important that you keep your eyes and ears open. The packaging and shipping industry is constantly researching on better options that will help in reducing the weight of the packaging supplies without compromising on their strength and quality. Lightest weight shipping supplies that offers the highest level of protection is the ideal the entire industry is continually working upon. All the packaging supplies and shipping supplies that we have today are outcomes of such researches of which we are benefitting today.

Not keeping yourself up to date with the industry news and not making an effort to know what new products are being released in the market will leave you in a disadvantageous position. It is not that everything old is bad and everything new is good; but there is a possibility that you could be saving money by exploring the latest options that are available to you in the industry.

Even something as simple as Poly Bags comes in a variety of grades and textures. What we have today were not available a decade ago. The industry moving and you too should. If you are going to use the same old shipping supplies that you have been using decades ago, you will fail to benefit from the products of latest technology. This could leave your products and your brand behind when your competition is moving ahead.

Making use of the latest shipping supplies and packaging supplies you will be able to save substantially and this will also simplify your packaging processes. Not willing to benefit from them would be highly imprudent. Select a shipping supplies manufacturer that continually expands their product inventory so that you could have instant access to all the latest products.

As the competition level in the packaging supplies industry is increasing day by day, even well established players need to take an aggressive approach to set themselves apart from the rest of the competition. If you manage to spot the best suppliers in the industry, you will never miss out on any of the latest buzzes.

Every business today is striving hard to reduce their overheads so that they could survive in the industry. Cutting costs on packaging and shipping supplies could make a huge difference to your P&L graph. It certainly pays to stay abreast with the latest trends in the packaging and shipping industry. Regardless of the nature of supplies that you use for packaging and shipping whether new or old, always stick to the best quality products.

Small business owners have been hit incredibly hard during this pandemic. Amid government mandates requiring all non-essential businesses to close their doors, there have been drastic changes in operations across all industries. Business hours have been severely reduced, companies are down to skeleton staff, and some have had to shut down business entirely. Many require financial assistance at this time. One option that is available to you is the 401K hardship withdrawal. Here’s what you need to know about this type of loan and how it may help keep your business afloat.

Understanding What a Hardship Withdrawal Is

Both economists and small business owners have starkly contrasting opinions on the reliability and appropriateness of the 401K hardship withdrawal. The ongoing agreement is partially justified by the fact that the 401K withdrawal should only be taken out in emergency circumstances. Why? When you take out this type of loan, you are drawing straight from your retirement funds. Since building a substantial retirement savings takes several years to accomplish, this is not a decision you should take lightly.

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), this withdrawal is justifiable only in times of “immediate and heavy financial need.” Although the decision to follow through with a 401K withdrawal is yours, your 401K plan administrator has the last say on whether you can finalize this borrowing.

Should You Take Out a 401K Hardship Withdrawal?

If you are considering this option to sustain your business for the duration of this pandemic, it is strongly advised that you have your employees provide proof of hardship. This way, you can have hard documentation that gives justification to follow through with the withdrawal when discussing this option with your plan administrator. The 401K should only be used as a last resort, which is why you must provide ample documentation that demonstrates your business’s need for financial assistance.

The IRS is, fortunately, broadening criteria for withdrawals, so be sure to review your plan and confirm your eligibility before discussing this option with your administrator.

The funds can be used to help you and your employees:

• Medical expenses
• Emergency home repairs
• Rent payments
• Burial and funeral expenses

 Most 401K plans have been slightly altered to accommodate changes from the CARES Act. For example, the limit on borrowing 401K loans has been doubled for many plans. Payment periods have been extended as well, along with relaxed limitations on borrowers’ age requirement.

Hardship withdrawals cannot be paid back into your 401K as a standard loan would be. Still, taking out a withdrawal does not bar you from continuing your contributions to your plan. Additionally, your employees will not be required to pay the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty, no matter their age. (Normally, the cutoff is 59.5 years old). There may be exceptions to this, depending on the amount of money withdrawn.

To assist you in deciding on whether to withdraw from your 401K or not, get in touch with a 401K provider. They will alert you to all the advantages and drawbacks of following through with a 401k withdrawal, and help you to make the best decision that will help your company both now and in the long run.

Custom Cardboard Boxes is great for holding things like birthday presents and do-it-yourself products. They can be used to organize accessories for kids’ parties, at-home projects, and anywhere else you need to keep items in order. They are useful for carrying your personal belongings as well.

Nowadays, most people prefer to use custom made cardboard boxes from established manufacturing companies like Refine Packaging instead the pre-made ones that are available in different shapes and sizes from companies like Uline. They make the boxes more comfortable and decorative. Some of them even add a personal touch with the use of embellishments and ribbons. It gives them a style that sets them apart from other boxes.

Making your own boxes requires the use of tools that are commonly found in any household. However, if you want to save on time and effort, you can also opt for pre-packaged cardboard boxes that are already designed for you. Though they are more expensive, they do not take too much time to create and make them really handy.

If you are looking for something original and creative, then custom made cardboard boxes are the perfect option for you. You can make them yourself or get help from the professionals who make them for clients. The latter would include FedEx, UPS, and the like. There are many retailers that offer different kinds of boxes.

You can get a box designed with printed canvas. You can use them for fashion boxes, party boxes, school supplies, or just to give a look of artistic flair to your home. You can also find attractive customized paper boxes for gifting to friends and relatives.

Using cardboard boxes for storing homemade goodies is a great idea. You can also hang votive candles with these boxes. They are also ideal for keeping dried herbs and plants at home. You can put everything you need in these boxes and let them stay safe and dry until the next time you need them.

In addition to this, using custom boxes will not only allow you to store and organize your stuff, but it will also make it look more elegant. Try putting some fresh flowers, wreaths, or ribbons in your boxes. This way, you can dress up your interior spaces and rooms with some pretty decorations. This makes the place seem more spacious and elegant.

You can design your own boxes and make them according to your preferences. Just be sure that you measure the space properly and do not make them too big or too small. If you do not have any idea of how to make these boxes, you can ask the experts or purchase pre-made ones.

It is easy to form an LLC in Michigan and you can file the Articles of Organization yourself with the Michigan Corporations Division. If you prefer to concentrate on the needs of your new business, consider using the services of a professional service. They handle the entire process on your behalf.

Michigan LLCs do not pay income tax. Tax is passed on to their members avoiding double taxation. In Michigan, LLC owners are also offered personal liability protection because the LLC is a separate legal entity. If your LLC is sued and you lose, your personal assets are protected.

Before registering your Michigan LLC, follow the steps below because you will need to supply all this information when you file your Articles of Organization:

Choose the right name for your LLC

Like in all other states, a Michigan LLC needs to first confirm that no other Michigan Corporation, limited partnership, or LLC has the same name. However, before getting to the stage where you confirm this, you need to give it the right name.

Besides picking out a name that you like, you also need to ensure that it matches your branding purposes and will meet the state’s legal purposes.

A Michigan LLC can have both a legal name and a brand name (DBA). The legal name of the business must meet the following criteria:

• Cannot have the same name as another entity registered in the state.
• Cannot contain the words corporation or incorporated in it, not their abbreviations.
• The name cannot imply that it is a government department, bank, or professional corporation (doctor, or law).
• It must contain the words limited liability company, limited company, or their abbreviations.

If coming up with a name is proving difficult, you can use a name generator to help you. Name generators give you many options, and these can be checked for availability by doing a business name search.

You can initially form your Michigan LLC with its legal name and wait to give it its DBA later when you have decided on your branding policies.

Purchase a domain name

Before finalizing your LLC name, search for an available URL too. You will want to purchase a quality domain name that suits your business. It is never too late to purchase a domain, even if you are not ready to launch your business website yet. You don’t want it snapped up by someone else. Also, this is the time to create a professional email account.

Decide on your Michigan Registered Agent

It is important to have a registered agent in Michigan to receive all legal documents on your behalf. The registered agent must be an individual or company that is authorized to represent businesses in the state.

You can also be the registered agent for your business, but the benefits of having a professional registered agent in the state far exceed their low annual cost.

A registered agent must be available daily between 9 am and 5 pm, at the address provided when you file your LLC. It is not wise to provide your personal address because then it becomes readily available to the public. Also, if you are ever served with legal documents, they shouldn’t be served to you personally, in front of family or employees.

One of the most important services offered by registered agent services is that important notices, dates, and deadlines are received by them, and they ensure that you never miss these to the detriment of your LLC.

There are many registered agent services in Michigan and many are registered to do business across many states. Most registered agents also do LLC formations, offering one year’s registered agents services for free.

Official filing of the Articles of Organization

Whether you do it on your own or through a registered agent, you now have all the information that you need to know before filing your Michigan Articles of Organization for your new LLC. The filing fee is $50, and if you file online the processing time is only 24 hours. Expect to wait up to 5 working days if it is sent by mail.