Finding the Right DUI or Criminal Attorney

Don’t expect to find a great lawyer just by picking up the phone book, or responding to a TV or radio advertisement. Finding the right DUI or criminal attorney will take a little more effort.

Personal referrals from someone who has experienced the same problem as you can give you some great leads. You should be able to find reviews online at:

  1. Avvo.com
  2. Researchlawyers.com
  3. Superlawyers.com
  4. Yelp.com

Or, just go to google and type in “lawyer reviews” or “attorney reviews” and the city where you live. If that’s not working for you. Most state bar associations will have a website with attorneys listed by specialty, and information about each attorney.

Choose a Specialist

Working with a lawyer who is experienced with your issue is a must. Law is too specialized to work with an attorney without recent and successful experience with your issue.

If you can’t afford your own attorney, contact Boulder Legal Service (BLS) at 1790 30th Street, #301, Boulder, CO. 80301-1020, Phone: 303-449-7575. BLS can also help with bankruptcy, consumer, child custody, dissolution of marriage, domestic violence, elder law, health, housing, individual rights, public benefits, and wills. If you want experienced and aggressive legal representation for DUI, DWAI, Criminal defense, and Estate planning call Paul Stuber (303) 442-6448, or schedule a free consultation in person.

New Colorado DUI Laws for 2014

In 1998, the Persistent Drunk Driver Act was passed. This legislation increased the penalties for people with repeat DUI convictions or very high blood alcohol concentrations (BAC). Recent changes, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2014, lower the BAC at which a driver is classified as a persistent drunk driver from 0.17 to 0.15 percent.

Another change to the law effects anyone who refuses to take a breath, or blood, test when arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. Refusal to take the tests will now enable that person to be classified as a persistent drunk driver.

Penalties Are Not to Be Taken Lightly

Penalties can be severe, even if it’s a person’s first DUI conviction. If you’re classified as a persistent drunk driver you have to undergo drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and you need to install ignition interlock devices on your vehicles for two years in order to regain driving privileges. Not to mention, that people classified as “persistent drunk drivers” by the court must wait 30 days (60 days on a refusal) before getting a probationary driver’s license with the ignition interlock use. You should apply early as it takes sometimes weeks to get authorization.
There are also penalties that people convicted of DUI face in addition to the DMV. There are criminal ones; these include fines, jail time, public service, court costs, and penalty surcharges.

Get Professional Help

If you can’t afford your own attorney, contact Boulder Legal Service (BLS) at 1790 30th Street, #301, Boulder, CO. 80301-1020, Phone: 303-449-7575. BLS can also help with bankruptcy, consumer, child custody, dissolution of marriage, domestic violence, elder law, health, housing, individual rights, public benefits, and wills. If you want experienced and aggressive DUI lawyer in Boulder for your legal representation call Paul Stuber (303) 442-6448, or schedule a free consultation in person.

Avoid a Bad Lawyer

The quality of your legal team can affect the outcome of your case. Boulder’s attorney, Paul Stuber, has 31 years of experience, and he wants to remind you all lawyers are not the same. They have different skillsets, experiences, and personalities. There is a lot of information about how to pick an attorney. In the text below, Paul, a Boulder DUI lawyer tells you how to avoid a bad one.

Learn their work habits.

Unreturned phone calls and email: A lack of communication can indicate that the attorney is too busy, unsure of what to do next, or simply not giving you the attention that you deserve.

Unanswered emails fall into the same category.

Missed deadlines: Missing deadlines and court filing deadlines can damage your case. Find another lawyer immediately if your attorney misses even one deadline.

Poor attitude: Your lawyer is not superior to you. If s/he is rude, condescending, impatient, or non-communicative it can create unnecessary conflict and tension.
Organization: Disorganization is not a great sign.

Promises, Promises: Attorneys should not promise a specific outcome under any circumstances. Treat such promises as a red flag, and look for other warning signs.

Pay attention to their work area.

It’s not likely that a struggling attorney will have a penthouse suite, and it’s not necessarily a sign that the attorney is not successful if they have a modest office. Here are a few signs that the practice may not be doing so well:

Office space in disrepair: this may mean that there have been some lean financial times recently.
Empty offices: if your attorney works for a larger practice and there are lots of empty offices this may mean that the firm has had a lot of turn-over, very rapid growth, or financial issues.

Messy office: While successful attorneys do have offices that can look a little unorganized, it’s important to note that office clutter can be a sign of inefficiency.

Unopened mail: Stacks of unopened mail may signify an unresponsive attorney, or an attorney without the support needed to handle cases effectively.

Notice the staff at the practice.

If the attorney has staff working with him/her, how s/he interacts with the staff members can provide clues to the attorney’s effectiveness, competence and ethics.

A look at the Louisville DUI lawyer’s staff members and how he interacts with personnel can provide clues to his effectiveness, competence, reliability and ethics. The three worst signs are:
• Unhappy staff
• High turn-over
• Lack of staff

If you’re unsure if your attorney is providing you with good representation, don’t hesitate to make a change. Trust your instincts. If you have any questions, contact Boulder attorney, Paul Stuber for a free phone consultation (303) 442-6448, or to schedule an appointment.

DUI Attorneys Tell You What the District Attorney and Police Won’t

Part of the DA’s job is to get quick, easy convictions. S/He is not obligated to tell you all of the details of the State’s case. For example, you may not know

  1. If the DA’s witnesses against you are reliable and available.
  2. He has evidence that may clear you.
  3. If there were problems with your blood alcohol tests

dui checkpoint

It’s not likely that the DA will tell you that you need to go to the Division of Motor Vehicles within seven days of your license revocation and request a hearing. You should also request that the arresting office be present, and you can do this by checking the box on the “hearing request form.”

 

Do you think that every arresting officer is going to tell you that you have the right to refuse a portable breathalizer test? Do you know that the officer must have probable cause before you can be arrested or required to take any chemical test? There are also several preliminary motions that can be filed to protect your rights. But, don’t try and play amateur DUI attorney. DUI and DWAI are serious charges, regardless if they are for alcohol or marijuana.

DUI DWAI IMage 2

Boulder DUI Attorney works with DUI for marijuana cases which are on the rise. 

What if you’re faced with a choice to go to jail, or a detox center? Do you know where you will be better off?

If you find yourself arrested for a DUI, you can present a DUI defense on your own, and run the risk that you’ll make a mistake, or can contact an experienced Boulder DUI attorney like Paul Stuber at (303) 442-6448 to help you protect your rights and minimize the consequences of your Boulder, CO DUI

Need to Know Colorado DUI / DWAI Marijuana

What You Need to Know About Colorado DUI/DWAI Marijuana

 

Experienced Boulder Criminal attorney Paul Stuber has defended people against DUI and DWAI for more than 30 years, and more recently marijuana DUI and DWAI. If you have been charged with DUI or DWAI marijuana you should learn exactly what you’re up against. Paul graciously shares some his experience below.

  • Marijuana is still illegal under federal law.
  • The methods of proof are different for a DUI Marijuana than a DUI for alcohol.
  • Everything a police officer observes and hears can be used against you in court.
  • Any driver with 5 nanograms or more of THC can be charged with a DUI despite the fact that there is very little proof that 5 nanograms proves that someone is impaired.
  • Colorado has recently added several hundred trained drug-recognition officers.
  • Have a medical certificate is not a valid defense for DUI or DWAI.
  • Your attorney should have specific experience dealing with the special tests that law enforcement officers are being trained to use in the field. Many Boulder attorneys do not have this experience.
  • The only test that can be given to accurately determine your level of impairment for marijuana is a blood test.
  • Blood test are often not administered correctly.
  • Marijuana can take several days to clear your system, and even longer if you are a regular user.
  • A DUI or DWAI for marijuana is serious.
  • DUI cases have two parts; a criminal part, and a DMV part.
  • Roadside testing is voluntary. They are designed to make you fail, and your choice not to do the test can’t be used against you in court.

 

To learn more about why Paul Stuber is the right choice when you are confronted with a DUI or DWAI for marijuana call (303) 442-6448, or read what Paul’s clients have said about his defense of their case.

10 Unspoken truths About Bankruptcy

The 10 Unspoken Truths about Bankruptcy

 

  • You can restore your credit in about five years.
  • You can buy a home in three to five years.
  • You can file bankruptcy more than once.
  • You will not lose everything that you own.
  • Everyone will not know about your bankruptcy.
  • Chapter 7 does not always wipe out all of your debts.
  • You can keep most of what you own in most cases.
  • You can credit after filing bankruptcy.
  • Most bankruptcies are filed due to medical expenses, unemployment, or divorce. Nor because someone is a deadbeat.
  • Collectors must stop bothering you after you file bankruptcy.
  • You do not have to include your spouse in your bankruptcy.
  • You do not need to have a minimum amount of debt to file.
  • Chapter 13 bankruptcy payments vary based on the results of a means test.

 

 

Click here to learn more truths about bankruptcy in Boulder and Colorado from Boulder attorney, Paul Stuber.  To have no cost, no obligation discussion with an experienced Boulder Bankruptcy attorney, call attorney Paul Stuber at (303) 442-6448.

Colorado Marijuana Laws

Colorado is a unique state to live in with the new legalization of marijuana.  Our state is making history, but it also now has to deal with the effects of having marijuana legalized.  One of those effects is how to deal with people driving while under the influence of marijuana.

So how much is too much?  According to CDOT, the limit of marijuana in the blood is 5 ng of active THC per milliliter of blood.  If a blood test where to show you had 5 ng of active THC in your blood this would allow an inference that you were under the influence by marijuana in much the same way as driving in Colorado with a blood alcohol level above a .08 would give rise to an inference that you were intoxicated.  Even less of the active THC can lead to an arrest for being impaired. However, marijuana also affects different people different ways.

You need legal representation to help you make sure you are protecting yourself if you find yourself being accused of a marijuana related DUI. If an officer suspects you’re under the influence of a drug other than alcohol, that officer has the right to select which test you should perform.  Our current knowledge is that all CO law enforcement has been instructed to select a blood test for suspected marijuana DUIs.

Make sure you have someone on your side that understands those changes and knows how to react to them.  The Law Office Of Paul Stuber can give you the peace of mind to navigate the process of dealing with a DUI with expertise and understanding.  If you know someone dealing with marijuana related DUI charges that needs some guidance, please contact me today at (303) 442-6448.

In Need Of A DUI Attorney?

Colorado DUI Laws

Colorado law enforcement classifies drunk driving offenses as Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) at a blood alcohol concentration of .05% but less than .08%, and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) at a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher.

There is a lot of discussion about whether you need a DUI/DWAI attorney if it’s your first offense in Colorado. Regardless of our choice you should definitely know the penalties in Colorado.

Your 1st DWAI in Boulder

For you first DWAI offense the penalties are 8 points on your drivers’ license, a $200 to $500 find,  up to 6 months in jail, and up to 48 hours of community service.

Your 1st DUI in Boulder

For your first DUI, the penalties can be a loss of your license for 9 months, a $600 to $1000 fine, up to a year in jail, and up to 96 hours of community service. In Colorado all prior DUI and DWAI offenses are relevant and can be considered in sentencing and penalty issues?

Boulder attorney Paul Stuber offers a free consultation about your case if you’re not sure if you need an attorney.

When you are a repeat offender, or there are circumstances like multiple charges, or you’re a repeat offender, you absolutely need a DUI/DWAI attorney. You might be OK without a DUI or DWAI Attorney if it’s your first offense, and there are no other complications like:

  • Reckless driving
  • A minor in the vehicle
  • A very high blood/alcohol level
  • Be sure to understand that there are significant benefits of having an attorney even if it is your first offense. Those benefits are:
  • Boulder attorneys have knowledge of the local court system.
  • DUI/DWAI attorneys have expertise in plea bargaining that you may need.
  • The attorney’s experience with the administrative aspects of local legal systems in Boulder and surrounding communities can be very helpful.

People often do not realize the damage a DUI can do. Aside from the fact that it stays on your driving record for years, it can become difficult to get auto insurance coverage and the rates can be astronomical. One of the most important reasons to hire a DUI/DWAI attorney is simply for the advice. Your attorney may keep you out of jail, or keep you from saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, or negotiate your charge to a less serious one.

For more information call the Law Office Of Paul Stuber today at (303) 442-6448.

Experienced Attorney In Boulder, Colorado

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Do you live in Boulder or surrounding communities and need an attorney? The Law Office Of Paul Stuber in Boulder, Colorado specializes in Trust and Estate Planning, DUI Defense, and Bankruptcy. Attorney Paul Stuber has been practicing law in Colorado since 1983, and is here to help. I offer a free consultation, and competitive rates.

Check back to my blog weekly for more information on all of these areas. Feel free to check out my Facebook page, or follow me on Twitter for more updates. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 303.442.6448 or send me an email to [email protected]. My goal is to provide personal service. I would love to hear from you!

 

Filing For Bankruptcy

 Bankruptcy laws help people who can no longer pay their creditors get a fresh start – by liquidating assets to pay their debts or by creating a repayment plan. Bankruptcy laws also protect troubled businesses and provide for orderly distributions to business creditors through reorganization or liquidation.

Most cases are filed under the three main chapters of the Bankruptcy Code – Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13. Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. This means that a bankruptcy case cannot be filed in a state court.

If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, call me first for a free consultation. I have been practicing law in Colorado for over 30 years, specializing in bankruptcy cases in the state of Colorado. I provide fair, affordable, and friendly service. Call me today for a free consultation, and click here to fill out my bankruptcy questionnaire.

(303) 442-6448

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