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.  

debt helper

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

New Colorado DUI Laws for 2014

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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!

 

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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Breath Tests

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When the police contact you and suspect that you may have been drinking they ask for roadside tests. One roadside test is called the “pbt” for a portable breath test device. They have you blow into a handheld device. This is not the breath test that they use to determine if you lose your license. It is a screening device to see if you should be arrested and then be given a breath test. Many times in my practice I have had clients who thought that this pbt was a breath test and refused to do any more. This is then considered a refusal by the police, and you will lose your license even if the test result on the pbt was well under the legal limit. It is very important to know the difference between these tests. They do not trust the first roadside test to be reliable enough to be the official test and they must offer you the more reliable test on the big machine back at the jail or police station. Under the consent law in Colorado you have consented to do this test and if you refuse you may lose your license just for that refusal.

 Call Me Today At (303) 442-6448!

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