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Learn more about your case - view posts regarding personal injury, criminal defense and other legal matters provided by the Law Firm of Mark S. Hanchey and Ben Peterson.

Car Accident

Who Is Liable for a Sun Glare Car Accident in Colorado?

Posted on by Mark S. Hanchey
Driver shields eyes from bright sun glare on a Colorado Springs roadway

A driver who causes a crash because of sun glare may still be responsible for injuries and property damage in Colorado. Bright sunlight does not automatically excuse a driver who fails to use reasonable care. Liability depends on whether the driver responded appropriately to reduced visibility and whether that conduct caused the collision. If you […]

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Criminal Defense

When Can a Halloween Prank Lead to Criminal Charges in Colorado?

Posted on by Mark S. Hanchey
A Colorado homeowner finds toilet paper strewn across the yard as police respond after a Halloween prank.

Yes. A Halloween prank can lead to criminal charges in Colorado when the conduct involves property damage, unlawful entry, threats, unwanted physical contact, harassment, theft, or certain public disturbances. Calling something a prank does not prevent police or prosecutors from examining whether the conduct satisfies the elements of a criminal offense. In Colorado Springs, a […]

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Criminal Defense

Arrested After a Halloween Party Fight in Colorado Springs? What Happens Next

Posted on by Mark S. Hanchey
Police officers speak with costumed guests outside a Colorado Springs Halloween party.

Summary A fight at a Halloween party in Colorado Springs, Colorado, can lead to an arrest even when the confrontation lasts only a few seconds. Depending on the facts, police may investigate assault, harassment, menacing, property damage, or other criminal offenses. Colorado law also recognizes self-defense in qualifying circumstances, so questions about who started the […]

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DUI, DUID

Can You Get a DUI After Taking Prescription Medication in Colorado?

Posted on by Mark S. Hanchey
A prescription bottle and car keys rest on a Colorado kitchen table near snowy mountains.

Yes. You can face a DUI or DWAI charge in Colorado after taking prescription medication, even when a doctor prescribed the medication and you followed the directions. Colorado law focuses on whether alcohol, one or more drugs, or a combination affected your ability to drive safely. A lawful prescription does not, by itself, provide a […]

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Car Accident

Who Pays Medical Bills While a Colorado Car Accident Claim Is Pending?

Posted on by Mark S. Hanchey
Medical bills, car keys, and a health insurance card with Colorado mountains beyond.

If you are injured in a Colorado car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company usually does not pay your medical providers as each bill arrives. While your injury claim is pending, your medical expenses may be paid through Medical Payments coverage, commonly called MedPay, health insurance, workers’ compensation when a crash is work-related, or a […]

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DUI

When a Colorado DUI Breath Test Is Challenged: What Happens Next?

Posted on by Mark S. Hanchey
A Colorado DUI defense attorney reviews breath test records and a breathalyzer device with a client.

If you challenge a Colorado DUI breath test, the result does not automatically disappear from your case. A breath-test challenge usually focuses on whether the evidential breath alcohol test, or EBAT, followed Colorado testing rules, whether the operator and instrument met certification requirements, whether the required 20-minute deprivation period was completed, whether the two breath […]

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Posted in DUI
Criminal Defense, Traffic Violation

Can Police Search Your Car During a Traffic Stop in Colorado?

Posted on by Mark S. Hanchey
Can Police Search Your Car During a Traffic Stop in Colorado?

Police cannot automatically search your car simply because they stopped you for a traffic violation in Colorado. A traffic stop gives an officer authority to address the reason for the stop and take related safety measures, but a vehicle search requires its own lawful basis. Police may be able to search a vehicle when you […]

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Slip and Fall

Early-Season Snow and Ice Slip and Fall Accidents in Colorado Springs: Liability and Next Steps

Posted on by Mark S. Hanchey
Early-Season Snow and Ice Slip and Fall Accidents in Colorado Springs: Liability and Next Steps

Early-season snow and ice can create dangerous walking conditions in Colorado Springs before winter routines are fully in place. Thin ice, refrozen snowmelt, slush near an entrance, wet mats, or an untreated walkway can cause a serious fall even when much of the surrounding property looks clear. The Law Firm of Mark S. Hanchey and […]

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Domestic Violence

Accused of Domestic Violence After a Heated Argument in Colorado? What Happens Next

Posted on by Mark S. Hanchey
Accused of Domestic Violence After a Heated Argument in Colorado? What Happens Next

A heated argument can turn into a criminal case quickly when police believe a crime involving domestic violence occurred. In Colorado, domestic violence is generally not a separate criminal charge. It is a legal designation attached to an underlying offense when the alleged conduct involves a person with whom the accused is or has been […]

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Car Accident

Cold-Weather Car Accidents in Colorado Springs: Why Crash Risks Rise and What Drivers Should Know

Posted on by Mark S. Hanchey
Cold-Weather Car Accidents in Colorado Springs: Why Crash Risks Rise and What Drivers Should Know

Cold weather can raise car accident risks in Colorado Springs because snow, ice, slush, poor visibility, and freezing pavement can reduce traction and make vehicles harder to stop or control. The danger is not limited to heavy snowstorms. A road that looks clear can still contain black ice, especially on bridges, overpasses, shaded stretches, and […]

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