DUI Courts in Colorado Offer Alternative to Prison

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    May 12, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- DUI Courts in Colorado Offer Alternative to Prison

In 2009, select counties in Colorado, including Larimer County, began planning for participation in a start-up program aimed at reassessing the way the criminal justice system deals with repeat DUI offenders. The state established the first DUI courts as an alternative to the cycle of incarceration and release for those who have a long history of drunk driving charges. The courts have strict requirements to keep participants engaged, and not everyone qualifies to be a part of the program.

Emphasis on Accountability

Colorado's DUI courts were based on the model developed by the National Center for DWAI Courts. The program emphasizes treatment for participants and accountability. Each person who goes through the program receives an individualized treatment plan and a case manager. Participants attend individual or group therapy and treatment sessions, as well as regular court sessions to update the supervising judge about their progress.

People going through DUI court are required to take urine tests regularly to allow program officials to test for alcohol. They must also pay the fees for their mental health services, as well as costs of testing, a strategy intended to keep participants invested in succeeding.

Participants can receive gifts as incentives for meeting program goals, such as gift cards, and may be penalized when they fail to meet the program's requirements, for instance by failing a urine test. Penalties can include staying a few days in jail.

DUI court participation contains a community service component, which is aimed at helping participants build community connections. The program also assists participants in bolstering job skills and addressing transportation issues they may have due to losing their driver's licenses.

Eligibility for DUI Court

Not everyone who receives a DUI conviction is eligible for DUI court. The first group of participants in Larimer County DUI court was limited to 25 when it began in July 2010.

Unlike drug courts that aim to intervene in people's lives early in their use, Colorado's DUI courts are limited to serious repeat offenders. Officials wanted to try to reach people who have not had success in traditional probation situations. Those looking to be a part of DUI court need to demonstrate a serious willingness to change, or they will not be allowed in the program.

Article provided by Stout Law Firm, LLC
Visit us at http://www.stoutcoloradolaw.com

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Colorado Drunk Driver to Pay Crash Victim's Medical Costs

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    May 10, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- For a Colorado woman whose drunk driving caused an accident that severely injured a Wyoming woman, the consequences keep piling up. The defendant was sentenced to a total of a year in jail for reckless driving and vehicular eluding, according to the Laramie Boomerang.

She also received a six- to 10-year suspended prison sentence for DUI and causing serious bodily injury. The court handed down fines and ordered the defendant to pay restitution, costing the defendant nearly $10,000 -- and that is just the beginning.

Serious Injuries From Colorado Crash

As a result of the motor vehicle accident, the victim suffered a broken left wrist, injured left hand, broken left ankle, broken right rib and other costly complications, including pain and suffering. The court estimated the ongoing expenses will total more than $100,000.

The defendant did not carry auto insurance at the time of the accident and will pay the victim's medical expenses out-of-pocket. Driving without insurance is a violation of Colorado law, which requires drivers to purchase minimum amounts of certain forms of insurance.

Colorado Auto Insurance Requirements

Liability insurance covers bodily injury to another person or damage to someone's property that is caused by your negligence. Liability coverage might also apply if a member of your household causes an accident while driving your vehicle or if you give someone permission to use your vehicle and they are involved in a crash.

Although motorists can elect to purchase additional coverage, Colorado law requires you to purchase liability insurance in at least the following amounts:
-$25,000 per person for bodily injury
-$50,000 per accident for bodily injury
-$15,000 per accident for property damage

In addition, insurers must offer optional coverage for accidents caused by uninsured and underinsured motorists, known as UM/UIM coverage. Assuming the victim in this case had UM/UIM coverage, her injuries from the accident would likely be covered up to her UM/UIM policy limits.

After a car accident, seek medical attention and then consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to find out who can potentially be held liable for any injuries or property damage caused by another driver.

Article provided by Harshman and McBee, P.C.
Visit us at http://www.harshmanmcbeelaw.com

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Safety tips to protect the landscape of Colorado of accident at work

6 May 2012 /24-7PressRelease / -landscaping is a dangerous profession. Heat, power tools, sharp tools and repetitive work can cause all the painful and sometimes disabling work accidents.

Landscapers who suffer injuries in work environment or occupational disease are entitled to coverage under the Colorado workers compensation act. Workers comp pay for medical care of injured workers and provides benefits for loss of salary to workers who must take time to recover.

This is one of those situations, however, where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is always better to try to prevent an injury before it occurs. This summer, landscape Colorado would wise to remember the following safety tips:
-Remain visible and dress for security: accidents are the leading cause of fatal accidents among the landscape. At work, landscape should always wear high-visibility colours. In addition, a pants Long, sturdy shoes, gloves and ear and eye protection are a must for any landscape. Dress for the weather and avoid loose clothing or jewelry that could remain in the equipment.

-Keep tools sharp: a dull blade is far more dangerous than a sharp, since the user must use much more force to do the job. Keep the hand tools in good condition can also help protect landscape of repetitive stress injuries.

-Whether your machine: many power tools - such as tillers, blowers, Mowers Lawn and excavators - can cause serious injuries if they malfunction or are misused. Workers must always read the safety manual before using a new tool for the first time.

-Beware of repair: before attempting to correct or erase a jam of a power tool or the mower, make sure that the power is turned off and all the blades have stopped moving. Too many tragic experience landscape amputees by blades spinning Mowers Lawn and other tools.

Following these tips can help landscape Colorado stay safe during the busy summer season. However, produce injuries, and not all accidents can be prevented. Landscape of Colorado who are injured in the workplace may seek compensation, regardless of who was at fault for causing the injury.

If you have been injured at work, talk to a lawyer for workers' compensation of Denver which can help to protect your rights.

Article provided by cabinet Eley
Visit us at the www.eleylawfirm.com

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Colorado Drugged-Driving Bill's Greatest Challenge Is Cost

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    May 03, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Colorado legislators advanced proposed legislation that would characterize the presence of trace amounts of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, as driving under the influence or DUI. The intent of the law is to reduce the number of people injured by impaired drivers and to punish drug-impaired drivers similarly to drivers who cause drunk driving accidents.

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 117, declares that five nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood would be the new threshold for operating a vehicle while impaired.

According to the most recent study available on drug use in the United States, in 2007, Colorado ranked as one of the top states for reported drug use. The state also has some of the most lenient drug-possession punishments. For example, the sentence for a conviction for possession of one ounce of marijuana is punishable by up to a $100 fine.

Supporters of the bill stress the importance of keeping people under the influence of any controlled substance off the roads. They emphasize that Colorado's toxicology office has seen an increasing number of tests from drugged drivers over the past couple of years.

Critics say the proposed legislation is unfair because THC levels in the blood are poor indicators of actual impairment. Therefore, someone whose ability to drive safely is not affected may end up with a DUI conviction, they argue.

However, a bigger hurdle at this point is cost. Lawmakers already rejected a nearly identical proposal in 2011 for that very reason. According to the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, SB 117 would cost an additional $600,000 per year to defend driving while drugged cases.

Despite the costs, reducing the danger posed by drugged drivers in Colorado is an important goal. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident with a driver impaired by drugs or alcohol, contact a personal injury attorney with experience in drunk driving accident cases.

Article provided by Goff & Goff, LLC
Visit us at http://www.goff-law.com/

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