5 Tips for safe driving this winter

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 17 percent of vehicle accidents occur in winter. It’s a treacherous time for driving -not only because of the icy, snowy, and cold weather- but also because of the influx of alcohol use by those who are celebrating the season. You definitely don’t want to need the services of a Boulder DUI attorney this winter, so heed these five tips for driving safely in winter conditions.  

Stay home  

The easiest advice that any Boulder DUI attorney could give to most of his or her clients is to just stay home. Driving in winter weather wouldn’t even be a problem, especially if you’ve had a drink or two celebrating the festive season, if the celebrations occurred at home. If winter weather descends upon your community, do yourself a favor and skip the party for a quiet, safe night at home. 

Drive slow

The NHTSA recommends that drivers drive much slower during winter weather. It’s a well-known fact that it’s harder to stop your car in slick, icy, or snowy conditions. Give yourself extra time to stop by driving at a slower speed than you normally would in warmer weather.  

Have your car checked

One of the smartest tips for winter driving happens before winter even arrives. Do yourself a favor and make an appointment for your car to be checked by a knowledgeable mechanic during the fall season. Ask them to check the car from bumper to bumper and pay special attention to the parts that you’ll depend on for safe winter driving like the battery, tires, brakes, lights, windshield wipers, cooling system, and even your floor mats.  

Always have a DD

If you do have a winter party on your calendar that you just don’t want to miss, you can still do so safely by always having a designated driver. According to the US Department of Transportation, more than 300 people die each year because of drunk driving during the holidays. Don’t let such an unfortunate circumstance wreck your holiday cheer – always have a DD.

Stay alert

It’s also important, for safe winter driving, to stay alert. Falling snow can be hypnotic, and it’s important if you’re driving in heavy snow to maintain your focus on the road and cars ahead of you. Maintain alertness on the conditions around you and the traffic around you to ensure that you arrive at your destination safely.  

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Filing for Bankruptcy 101

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According to the American Bankruptcy Institute, about 600,000 each year file for bankruptcy in the US. Graph with link. Job loss, divorce, and medical bills are the three most common reasons that filers site for taking this legal step. If you’re considering doing so too, you’ll want the help of a trusted bankruptcy attorney in Boulder. 

Chose a chapter

Once you identify a bankruptcy attorney in Boulder to help you through the process, you’ll need to decide which chapter you’ll be filing. Chapter 7 allows a debtor to discharge all of their debts with a few exceptions like student loans. Chapter 13, on the other hand, doesn’t discharge debt and instead puts you on a trajectory for paying back your debts through payment plans and is more of a debt reorganization plan.  

Collect your documents

One of the first steps you’ll need to take is to collect necessary documents. Contact each of the three credit reporting bureaus – Experian, Tranunion, and Equifax, and request current credit reports. Collect any billing statements you have in your home, as well as any other documentation that shows money due for goods and services that you can’t pay.  

Register for credit counseling

In order to file for bankruptcy, you must first register for and complete a credit counseling class. These classes are held all over and a simple Google search will return several providers in your area. Your attorney can also suggest a place where you can take care of this requirement.  

File forms in court

The next step is to sign a bankruptcy petition. These forms disclose all of your debts and other financial information like assets that you own. Your lawyer will then submit your petition to the court and the day of filing becomes the effective day of your petition. The court will then issue your first bankruptcy hearing date.  

Attend 341 meeting

Your hearing date is called a 341 meeting and it will be the first time you meet with your bankruptcy trustee to discuss your circumstances. Your creditors are also invited to attend the meeting but seldom do. These meetings are typically pretty quick and your lawyer will prepare you for it.

Start rebuilding your finances

Following your 341 meeting, and the completion of your credit counseling class, you will be issued a certificate of discharge which shows that your debts have been discharged by the court as of a specific date. You will use this certificate in any financial dealings moving forward, and with creditors who might still come knocking looking for payment. Your lawyer will advise you to hang on to this paper for a minimum of 10 years.

Steps You Should Take if you Get a DUI for Alcohol or THC

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If you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of standing on the side of the road with a police officer who suspects that you’re under the influence and shouldn’t be driving, it pays to know ahead of time what’s in store and how to properly handle the situation. In Colorado, blood alcohol over .08 and THC measured above 5 nanograms signifies driving under the influence and will mean that a DUI ticket is heading your way. If this has happened to you, it’s best to find a knowledgeable and experienced Boulder DUI attorney to handle your case.  

Call an attorney 

A Boulder DUI attorney will be a critical partner in helping you to get through this unfortunate development. You can find one online that offers information about their specialties helping to ensure they have the experience you need by your side. Call your choice of an attorney to set up a consultation appointment and remember to act quickly because some things need to be done in the days immediately following the charge.  

Request a hearing

Requesting a hearing from the department of motor vehicles will be one of the first things to do following your charge. Your attorney can take care of this process for you. This hearing must be requested in the first week and an experienced Boulder DUI attorney will prove to be a lifesaver for anyone who’s never dealt with such things.  

Plea bargain or trial

The next step following a charge for DUI in Colorado will be to deal with the county court system. You will have to do one of three things, enter a guilty plea, enter a guilty plea regardless of your guilt in exchange for a plea deal which might include lighter sentencing, or refuse to enter a plea and ask the court to set a trial date. A knowledgeable DUI attorney will be able to advise which is the best for your situation after hearing the specific circumstances.  

Dealing with the DMV and county court

Following a DUI charge for either alcohol or THC, you will have to deal with both the DMV in Colorado and the county court system in Boulder. Each will have a specific set of requirements to deal with the charge and its impact on your ability to drive in the future, and your permanent record. Having an attorney on your side to help navigate the system is a win-win and the only way to ensure that the fallout is as minimal as possible. 

 

If you need an attorney for your DUI case, contact Paul Stuber in Boulder, CO at (303) 442-6448 today and visit www.paulstuber.com for more information

Colorado Marijuana Laws

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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?

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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.

Filing For Bankruptcy

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 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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Reviews

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I have been practicing law in Colorado since 1983 and am here to provide you with personal service that matters. I offer free consultations, and the list of my many satisfied clients is long. Here are a few reviews from my clients:

“Paul was great to work with. His knowledge of the legal issues I needed to address was exceptional, and his personal attention to details made all the difference to a positive outcome. What also impressed me was his timely manner returning phone calls and great communication. I would highly recommend him for any legal issue you may need him for.” – Matt

“Paul is expert at what he does. In addition to that, he defies the traditional image of an attorney. He is compassionate, and fair. No games, just good representation and results. I strongly recommend him for your legal needs!” –Steve

“Paul is a great attorney and we have known and trusted him for over 30 years.” – Betty

If you are looking for an attorney in Boulder, Colorado call me today at (303) 442-6448. I specialize in bankruptcy, estate planning, DUI (marijuana / alcohol). Call me today for a free consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!

 

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DUI: Refusing A Breath Test

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In Colorado, asking to talk to a lawyer can be a refusal. Even if you are carrying my cell phone number with you (720-771-9776) and you are stopped for a dui the police do not have to let you call your attorney before deciding what type of blood alcohol test you are going to take. Many times in the cases I have worked with, the person being arrested has asked to speak to an attorney and the police considered that a refusal to take a test and they lose their license. You often are given the choice of a breath or blood draw test to measure your blood alcohol. You do not have to give them the evidence against you but it is a violation of the consent law if you refuse and the refusal itself can make you lose your license. Refusing the test will not stop them from charging you with a DUI. They can use other evidence to back up their case. Be careful with that decision.

For more information on DUI defense in Colorado, call the Law Office Of Paul Stuber today at (303) 442-6448. CALL NOW for a FREE consultation.

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Colorado Marijuana Laws

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Everyone needs to understand the impact of legal marijuana and driving. It may be legal now to have and ingest THC in Colorado, but it is still criminal to operate a vehicle in the State of Colorado and across the country after you do. As with alcohol, and other prescription drugs you may be allowed to take THC but if it “impairs your ability to drive safely, to even the slightest degree” you have broken the law and may face jail time and certainly face large expenses. They have blood tests to show active THC, but even if you refuse a test they will charge you with a DUI.

My offices are located in Boulder, Colorado and I specialize in DUI (Marijuana / Alcohol), Bankruptcy, Trust & Estate Planning. Call me today for a free consultation at (303) 442-6448.

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DUI: Driving Under The Influence

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The “driving” part of Driving Under the Influence may be becoming less clear and easier for the Courts and the DMV to prove. I had a long talk recently with someone at the DMV about Colorado’s definition of driving. The case law says that you have to have control over the vehicle. It has been shown that keys in the ignition is enough to show control. There have not been any cases but my question is about how we deal with the keyless starting cars. It is not too far fetched with our current laws to say that since you have the key fob in your purse or pocket it is the same as having them in the ignition because all you will have to do is push the start button to get the car started. Until we have a clear ruling on this it may be best to avoid vehicles all together if you are drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana.

For more information about DUI Defense, Bankruptcy, and Trust & Estate Planning call me today at (303) 442-6448.

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