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28 July, 2020Between May 24 and May 28, 2019, Colorado police arrested 322 people suspected of DUI. This number is higher than 2018’s number of 301. On average, law enforcement officers 60 drivers arrested each day.
As part of The Heat Is On Campaign, CDOT and other law enforcement agencies are cracking down on impaired driving because of the risks they impose on motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
When drivers consume alcohol, they can be cited with a DUI (blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher) or driving while ability impaired (blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent or higher).
If you were charged with DUI, DUID or DWAI, give our law firm a call for a free consultation and see how we can help. 303-635-6768.
Denver Drivers Arrested Post June 3, 2019
Link: https://www.denverpost.com/2019/06/03/colorado-dui-memorial-day-weekend/
28 July, 2020Tracy Morgan was sideswiped 15 minutes after driving his brand- new $2.5 million Bugatti off the dealer lot. This incident occurred just three days prior to the 5-year anniversary when Tracy was involved in a fatal car accident. Although it is not entirely clear who is it fault for the accident, it appears as if the $25 thousand Honda made an incorrect right turn.
No charges were filed, but if you were involved in an accident and received a traffic citation, give our office a call for a free consultation. 303-635-6768. If you have involved in an accident and received a traffic citation in Colorado, call our office today for a free consultation. You can Consult our experienced Traffic Defense Lawyer Steven J. Pisani call 303-635-6768.
Date TMZ, 6/6/2019
Link News: Source
28 July, 2020A man in Westport, Connecticut is currently fighting a traffic ticket for distracted driving. His defense? That he was actually eating a McDonald’s hash brown rather than talking on his cell phone. The man claims that he would have no reason to have a phone near his mouth, as he uses a Bluetooth when making calls. Considering that phone records prove that the man-made no calls during the hour he received the traffic ticket and that McDonald’s hash browns have extremely similar dimensions to cell phones, I would say this defense is just crazy enough to work. The case is set for a retrial in the Connecticut Superior Court on December 7th. Hopefully, the Judge is a fan of hash browns, so he can sympathize with the man’s plight.
The Law Offices of Steven J Pisani specialize in DUI, traffic, and criminal defense. Call our Denver office today for a free consultation at 303-635-6768.
GeekWire, Kurt Schlosser, November 27th, 2018
Link: https://www.geekwire.com/2018/man-fights-distracted-driving-ticket-says-police-mistook-mcdonalds-hash-brown-cell-phone/
28 July, 2020The Denver Post recently ran background checks for all of the Colorado Statehouse Candidates for Colorado’s General Assembly.
Certain Colorado criminal records can be sealed, While many of the candidates do not have criminal records in Colorado, some of the backgrounds might surprise you.
For example, the Post reports the following case histories, such as a candidates 1971 arrest on charges of dangerous drug possession. The charges were eventually dismissed by the court, but the candidate never opted to seal his criminal record. Another surprising background was for an arrest on Misdemeanor Assault charges more than 20 years ago on another candidate.
Similar to the other candidate, charges were dropped, yet her record has not been sealed. This seems to be a pattern with several of the candidates, some have charges of harassment were dismissed in 2003; or charges of petty Shoplifting that were dropped in 2000.
One would think that those running for the General Assembly would want to look as squeaky clean as possible and hire a lawyer for Sealing Criminal Records Colorado, especially given the amount of public scrutiny one faces in such a government position.
It seems strange that these candidates, as well as plenty of others, chose not to seal their records and prevent any of their youthful transgressions from being seen. Hopefully, this does not affect any candidate’s position amongst voters, although one could easily see how it might.
The Law Offices of Steven J Pisani specialize in sealing criminal records Colorado, expungement of juvenile records, DUI, traffic, and criminal defense. Call our Denver office today for a free consultation at 303-635-6768.
Colorado Statehouse Candidates Denver Post, Jackson Barnett, October 23rd, 2018
Link: https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/23/colorado-statehouse-background-checks/
28 July, 2020Crime is up in Denver. Data from police departments across the city reveal an increase in arrests in nearly every category. Assaults, car theft, and other crimes have risen. The Denver Police Department sees tens of thousands of crimes annually. Here is a breakdown of the most common arrests in Denver based on recent reports.
In 2018, Denver’s police department saw 1,453 DUI-related cases and 3,780 narcotics-related violations. The most prevalent arrestee age for narcotics violations and DUI crimes was 25 to 34. Also, arrestees aged 18-24 were the second most prevalent for DUI offenses, and arrestees aged 35-44 were second most prevalent for narcotics-related violations.
Out of all the 3,780 narcotics-related violations, concealing and/or possessing was the most common crime, at 81.8% of all the cases in that category. Selling and/or distribution of drugs was the second most common crime in this category, at 14% of the 3,780 narcotics violations.
Other arrests in Denver such as the consumption of drugs, manufacturing, cultivating, transportation, and importation of these drugs varied from 1% to 2% of the arrests made. Narcotics such as heroin and opium were the most common type of drugs, sized at 44.6 % of the reported cases. Stimulants ranked the second common type of drugs at 40.4 percent, and marijuana was also involved at 7.9% of all the arrests made. Hallucinogens and other related drugs varied from 1% and 2% of all cases.
Generally, violent crimes include cases of non-consensual sex crimes, murder, robbery, and aggravated assault. In 2018, Denver reported 5,802 cases involving violent crimes. Assault was the most common crime, with 3,314 reported cases. The reported cases of non-consensual sex offenses were 1,200, and the cases of robberies were 1,200.
Violent crime arrests in Denver and most of their victims were often aged 25-34. The victims of the crimes either didn’t know the offender or they were acquaintances. Also, the most violent crimes involved with personal weapons, including teeth, feet, hands, and fists. However, at least 1,500 reported cases of violent crimes involved firearms.
According to the FBI, hate crime is a criminal offense against property or entity motivated entirely or partly by the offender’s bias against a religion, sexual orientation, gender, race, disability, ethnicity, or gender identity. In 2018, 28 cases of hate crimes were reported. Ethnicity, ancestry bias, and race were the most common offenses, affecting 12 different victims.
Offenses linked to sexual orientation ranked second, while religious bias, gender identity bias, and disability bias had two, three, and one victim, respectively. Most of these crimes occurred in camps, roads, and parking lots. Other places where these offenses occurred include educational facilities, commercial locations, and residential areas. Most victims were subjected to intimidation and aggravated assault.
Property crimes are incidents in which an offender intends to acquire property, money, or other benefits. Some of these crimes include burglary, robbery, or bribery. These crimes were the most common type of crime across the entire city in 2018. They include;
If you or someone you know was arrested in Denver for any offenses, talk to an experienced criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Steven J. Pisani. Either way. The law is a complicated field, and nothing is ever straightforward, and you need a defense attorney to show you the way.
28 July, 2020
Driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances is a serious crime in Denver. You may face hefty fines and serious penalties. Therefore. It’s best to learn the basics of DUI, understand the regulations associated with these issues, and try to stay out of trouble. Here are five important things you should know about DUI in Denver.
It is illegal to drive under the influence. In Colorado, it’s known as DUI. That means you should not drive with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of 0.08% or more. It is also illegal to be in charge of a vehicle or drive while your ability is impaired (DWAI). Therefore, you shouldn’t drive when your BAC is 0.05% or more. For all drivers under the age of 21, it is against the law to drive with a BAC of 0.02%.
The penalties imposed for DUI offenses in Denver vary. Some of the factors that contribute to this variation include;
The estimated BAC
Driver’s age
Prior DUI or DWAI convictions
Type of license
The impairing substances
The experience and skills of the driver’s lawyer
The personality and beliefs of the judge hearing the case
Presence of minors in the vehicle
The consequences of the offense (this could be injuries, property damage, and more)
If you are charged with DUI, consider talking to an experienced attorney. He or she can help you understand a few complex elements of Colorado’s DUI laws and represent your best interests during the hearings.
If you’re 21 years or older and convicted of DUI for the first time, you will face up to 12 months’ imprisonment. Your driving license will be suspended for nine months, and you will be required to take an alcohol education course. You might be asked to pay a fine of $600 to $1000 and up to 96 hours of community service. The penalty for the first DWAI is up to 180 days’ imprisonment. About eight points will be added to the offender’s driving record, pay a fine of $200 to $500, and serve up to 48 community services.
If a driver under the age of 21 is convicted of DUI or DWAI, their driving license will be suspended for three months and four points added to their driving record. Note that penalties are likely to increase greatly for repeated crimes. Depending on the judge and unique circumstances associated with the offense, some DUI offenders may have ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles.
If a law enforcement officer suspects that you are violating DUI regulations, they might ask you to take a sobriety test. This could be a chemical test or field sobriety test. All states require drivers to take a chemical test (alcohol breath test). On the other hand, no state requires drivers to take a field sobriety test. So, you can choose to take the test or decline. Contact your attorney before taking any tests. Remember, refusing to take a sobriety test could be used as evidence against you.
The best way to avoid DUI-related arrests is by abstaining from alcohol and other intoxicating substances. Also, you can use public transportation or ask a friend to drive you home. Enjoying alcohol isn’t bad, but you should never drink and drive.
If you get arrested for DUI-related offenses, contact an experienced Denver DUI attorney at the Law Office of Steven J. Pisani immediately. Our legal team has in-depth understanding of the DUI regulations in Colorado and can help you.
25 July, 2020Dasha Fincher spent three months in jail after two Georgia deputies said a field test of a blue substance found in her car turned up positive for methamphetamine. But it wasn’t meth. It was cotton candy.
While in jail she missed the birth of her twin grandchildren, could not help with her daughter’s miscarriage, and was refused medical care for a broken hand and ovarian cyst.
However, the substance in her car was not methamphetamine. In fact, it was not an illegal substance at all. It was cotton candy. But despite professing her innocence repeatedly to officers, Fincher was arrested for possession and trafficking of narcotics due to an incorrect field test.
She was then forced to wait in jail until the Georgia Bureau of Investigation had time to test the substance, as she could not pay her $1 million bail. When the GBI finally confirmed that the substance did not contain any narcotics, Ms. Fincher was still forced to wait almost two more weeks before she was released.
Now, she is suing Monroe County and the three officers involved for wrongful imprisonment and violation of her civil rights. Her lawsuit is also directed towards Sirchie Acquisition Company, the maker of the field kit that the deputies used to “test” the cotton candy.
Ms. Fincher hopes that her case can spark some changes within the justice system, especially in terms of drug testing and the length of time that was necessary for her release.
Hopefully, her case also changes the way in which the field test kits are used, as clearly, they are not the most reliable method for drug detection.
Generally, the field kits have a solution that changes color when certain drugs are placed inside. The problem is that dyed cotton candy or any other dyed substance can easily create a false positive. The Law Offices of Steven J Pisani specialize in DUI, traffic, and criminal defense.
If you have been accused of a drug crime, call our Denver office today for a free consultation at 303-635-6768.
CNN, Dakin Andone and AJ Willingham, November 27th, 2018
Link: https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/27/us/cotton-candy-meth-dasha-fincher-trnd/index.html
23 July, 2020Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 175. With the new bill, a driver who hits a vulnerable road user (bicyclist, construction worker, officer) penalties for drivers are charged with a class 1 traffic misdemeanor. Judges are also authorized to order restitution, suspend the driver’s license, and require the driver to take driving classes. The bill passed with only seven people opposed to it. Rep. Dylan Roberts sponsored the bill and stated that he is frustrated by repeat careless drivers who come through the 5th Judicial District. Another supporter, Adelaide Perr, was hit and injured by a driver with 17 prior traffic infractions. It took 6 months for Perr to recover and Perr still suffers from PTSD making it difficult to ride a bike.
The Law Offices of Steven J Pisani specialize in DUI, traffic defense including careless driving and criminal defense. Call our Denver office today for a Penalties For Drivers consultation at 303-635-6768.
Denver Post, Ann Staver, May 29, 2019
Link: https://www.denverpost.com/2019/05/29/colorado-law-penalties-bicyclists/
23 July, 2020In Boulder County, a white police officer approached a black male college student outside of a Naropa University dorm. When asked, the male student, Mr. Atkinson, provided his name, address, and information pertaining to his behavior that caused the officer, Officer Smyly, to become suspicious and approach Mr. Atkinson. Despite Mr. Atkinson providing Officer Smyly this information, Officer Smyly called in other officers for backup and threatened to tase Mr. Atkinson. Officer Smyly was found in violation of two department policies. Attorneys believe that Atkinson was racially profiled. Cop Resigns from his position but will continue to be paid his salary for the next eight months. He will be collecting roughly $69,000.
The Law Offices of Steven J Pisani, LLC specializes in DUI, traffic and criminal defense. Call our Denver office today for a free consultation at 303-635-6768.
NY Post, Joshua Rhett Miller, May 17th, 2019
23 July, 2020A mother in Michigan was recently arrested for taking her daughter’s cell phone as a form of punishment.
The entire ordeal was one large miscommunication stemming from the mother’s ex-husband calling the police to tell them she had stolen an iPhone 6 from their daughter.
The father claimed to own the phone, but in actuality, it had been a Christmas gift from the man to the daughter. The mother, Ms. Jodie May, was picked up by police and taken to a holding cell. She was released on a $200 bond shortly after.
Ms. May was charged with misdemeanor larceny and larceny by conversion but maintained that she was just being “a concerned parent” and disciplining her daughter. Upon reviewing the case and speaking with Ms. May’s daughter, the prosecuting attorney dismissed the charges.
However, one is still left wondering how such a ridiculous case could have possibly gone as far as it did.
If you have a case that needs review and assistance, contact The Law Offices of Steven J Pisani, we specialize in DUI, traffic, and criminal defense. Call our Denver office today for a free consultation at 303-635-6768.
Newsweek, James Hetherington, September 21st, 2018
Link: https://www.newsweek.com/mother-arrested-taking-teenage-daughters-phone-away-punishment-1132426
