Jacksonville’s Expanding Port is Paying Off

Jacksonville’s Port (JAXPORT) is saying hello to Carnival Cruises and goodbye to Honda, well hello and goodbye, that is.  JAXPORT is going to be the new “departure port” used to send Honda CR-Vs to the “Middle East, Africa, and Puerto Rico.”  The exporting of Hondas from JAXPORT is nothing new, however, as JAXPORT is already used to send Oddyseys, Accords, Pilots, and Crosstours out of the country.  Honda’s CR-Vs are the only new addition to the exports at JAXPORT.
JAXPORT is also now a place where people can leave the country for a short time.  For years, the residents of Duval County and the surrounding areas have had to make their way to Orlando, Miami, or another distant Florida city in order to board a cruise.  JAXPORT and Carnival Cruise Lines are changing that problem.  Carnival Cruise Lines is now offering cruises from Jacksonville to the Bahamas aboard the vessel named “Carnival Fascination.”  What is truly fascinating is that the plans to continue expanding JAXPORT this year already seem to be paying off and increasing Jacksonville’s place among the country’s busy ports.

If you have questions or matters regarding Imports and/or Exports, please call us today.

Information for this article was obtained from www.jaxport.com.

International Waters can be a Domestic Nightmare

When traveling on a cruise line over international waters it is important to remember that United States laws may not apply. Each country has its own laws of the sea and if something happens while on international waters, it can be difficult to determine which law to apply.

A 15-year-old girl and her family from Iowa are going through that nightmare right now. While aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise over the Christmas holiday, a boy the girl’s age persuaded her to leave a teen club aboard the ship. When the girl left the club, she found herself in a private room with the 15-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man.

The two would not allow her to leave and then they sexually assaulted her. Immediately following the incident the girl alerted ship authorities, who in turn alerted the FBI who arrested the two suspects once the boat arrived back in Florida.

It is unfortunate stories like this that remind travelers to beware of their surroundings, the situations they are in, and especially the laws that may apply. In this case, there is no law for statutory rape on the high seas and the two suspects are Brazilian nationals. A court will have to determine what laws to apply.

Remember when traveling, especially on cruises and in foreign countries what the laws are and how they might affect you. If you have been injured or become a victim while traveling, please call Boyer Law Firm to see how we might assist you.

For more information about what to do if injured on a cruise ship, please read our blog article “Know what to do if you are injured on a cruise ship.”

Information for this article was obtained from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2082877/Daughter-15-Royal-Caribbean-cruise-raped-2-men-private-room.html.

Boyer law successfully obtains Client’s dream yacht

At Boyer Law Firm, we have recently assisted a foreign client in their venture to purchase a large yacht. Client was concerned about the terms of the contract, how the process would develop and how he could be sure of the physical condition of the yacht. We helped to monitor and review the purchase contract. In doing so, we scheduled independent vessel inspections by marine surveyors to help ensure the seaworthiness, condition and fitness of the vessel our client was purchasing. Not only were we successful in helping our client to complete the purchase of his yacht, but we were also able to guarantee his peace of mind. His peace of mind was obtained by doing everything within our power to make sure that there were no problems with the vessel, the contract, or the actual purchase of the yacht.

What you can do to maintain your attorney-client privilege!

The attorney-client privilege is a sacred thing. It provides protection to the matters you discuss with your attorney that relate to your case. However, there are ways that you as the client can break the attorney-client privilege that can be detrimental to your case.

It is important for a client to be candid with their attorney so that the attorney can develop a strategy that will best help the client. This means that communication between the attorney and client is highly encouraged. Whether the communication is on the phone, in person, or via text or email, there are certain things as a client that you must be aware of in order to protect your attorney-client privilege.

When speaking with your attorney on the phone, make sure that no one is around or listening to your conversation. If a third party is near you and you are aware that they can hear your conversation, you are essentially offering information to that third party that is not involved in your case. Doing so can dissolve the attorney-client privilege regarding whatever you say during such a conversation. The same applies to speaking with your attorney in person; if for example, you are meeting with your attorney in a public setting.

Another thing to be aware of is use of communication mediums that are owned or monitored by your employer. Many employers that provide cell phones to their employees have access to text messages through the business’ account. It is wise not to use your work phone to communicate with your attorney. That same applies even more so to use of your work email. Emails can and will be saved by your employer on their server for some amount of time and because your employer has control over those emails, you may have broken the attorney-client privilege regarding any information that you share with your attorney through those emails.

The attorney-client privilege is important because it protects the information you share with your attorney from being uncovered by the attorney representing the other party in your case. Because it works to protect the information you share as a client, it is doubly important because in doing so it allows a client to be forthcoming and truthful about all matters related to the case.

Boyer Law Firm was invited to join the Better Business Bureau!

The Better Business Bureau (BBB), founded in 1912, is a corporation consisting of several private business franchises of local BBB organizations based in the United States and Canada, which work through their parent corporation, the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB).


The Better Business Bureau, through local chapters, invites businesses to become members. In return, the BBBs allow their member businesses the use of their logo, mediation services, and access to their compiled information.

BBB has determined that Boyer Law Firm, meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.

Boyer Law Firm strives to provide for our clients, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us. Boyer Law Firm is now a proud member of the Better Business Bureau!

Why use an Attorney when Importing goods?

Why use an attorney when importing goods? The world of imports is a complex system that requires the knowledge and expertise of someone who is able to navigate the proper channels. There are certain goods that are restricted or prohibited from importation altogether. Likewise, some countries do not allow any imports at all from certain countries or regions. This alone can make importing a harrowing ordeal. Beyond the problems of what can be imported and from where, there lies the problem of how much, if any, will be paid in import duties.

In calculating the amount to be paid upon an import there are a number of things to consider. One is how the goods are categorized under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Depending on how the goods are categorized, there can be a great difference in how much will be paid. The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection carry out interpretation and enforcement of the schedule. The importer of record must file entry documents with the port director along with evidence of a paid bond in order to cover any duties and taxes. If no entry documents are filed within 15 days of entry, the goods will be placed in a warehouse at the importers expense.

Two other ways that duties are assessed are ad valorem and by country of origin. Ad valorem means that the duties on certain goods are based on a percentage of the overall value of the goods. If the importer values the goods at a lower price, they may be able to receive a lower duty. This can be difficult, however, if the goods are a compound or are commingled. Duties assessed by country of origin can be assessed in a number of ways. These include where the assembly of the most expensive piece of the good occurred, where it was manufactured, where the last modification was made, and many others.

When planning to import items to the United States it is important not only to acquire the expertise of an attorney with knowledge of the relative laws, but also an attorney who is licensed to practice in the United States Court of International Trade. Boyer Law Firm not only has the requisite knowledge, but is also qualified to practice in the United States Court of International Trade.  Please contact us with any further questions.

Know what to do if you are injured on a cruise ship

Many people are injured every year on cruise ships. Many of those people are unaware of how to take proper legal action. Do not let yourself be one of those people. One of the most common mistakes passengers of cruise ships make is that they do not know how long they have to file suit. Most cruise lines have their own statute of limitations of one year in small print located on the back of ticket. If someone injured on a cruise ship fails to file suit against the cruise line within one year from the date of the accident, they will be unable to recover from the cruise line. The other common problem people have is that they do not know where to file suit. Most often, this information is also located on the back of the ticket in small print. Because Miami, Florida has the world’s largest cruise ship port, many cruise lines state that any person who wishes to take action against them must file in Florida, and particularly in Miami. If a person is injured on a cruise ship and files in another location, they risk dismissal of the case for improper venue and they risk the running of the statute of limitations.

If you receive an injury on a cruise ship, you should do as many of the following as possible. Get contact information from all witnesses. Take a picture of your injuries and the area where the injury occurred as soon as possible. Report the incident to the proper authorities on the ship and make sure to get a written copy of any report they make. Seek treatment from the ship’s physician on board and try to get a copy of his report and try to see a physician on shore the next time the ship docks.
The most important thing to do as a victim of a cruise ship injury is to seek the assistance of an attorney with knowledge and experience of maritime law. Boyer Law Firm will be happy to assist you in these matters as we are fully equipped to handle these issues. The laws that generally governs cruise ships is maritime law, but cruise ships also have special maritime law that apply only to cruise ships. They can also be subject to laws of the United States, the state of Florida, and any applicable international treaties. Because there is such an array of laws applicable to cruise ships it is important to receive the assistance of an attorney that is able to navigate all applicable laws.  Please contact us with any further questions.