Lowell Steiger's Los Angeles Law Blog

Rules of Debt Collection - Don't Let 'Em Walk All Over You!

In this tough economy, more and more people are finding themselves with debt problems. And things gets worse when debt collectors get aggressive. Everyone should know their rights – what is considered “fair debt collection” as defined by the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA.

FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from being abusive. Note that FDCPA regulates debt collectors who work for collection agencies and does not cover debt collectors who work for the original creditor (the company that originally lent you the money).

We’d like to think that most bill collectors act professionally and follow the law when contacting you. However there are some overeager ones who go too far.

Here’s What Debt Collectors CANNOT DO

 

1.    CAN’T call you repeatedly or at an unreasonable time (before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.)

2.    CAN’T use obscenity, profanity or threaten violence.

3.    CAN’T call you without identifying themselves as bill collectors.

4.    CAN’T call you at work if your employer doesn’t allow it.

5.    CAN’T claim to be an attorney if they are not!

6.    CAN’T claim you owe more money than you actually do.

7.    CAN’T tell you that you’ll go to jail or that your property will be seized.  Remember, there is no such thing as Debtor's Prison.

8.    CAN’T add unauthorized interest, fees or charges.

9.    CAN’T call third parties EXCEPT your attorney, a credit bureau or the original creditor to find your whereabouts. And unless you have asked the debt collector in writing to stop contacting you (more on this below), they can also contact your spouse, your parents (if you are a minor) and co-debtors.

If a Debt Collector Violates the FDCPA Rules, Here’s What YOU CAN DO

1.    Demand they Stop: under FDCPA rules, you can write to the collection agency to tell them to stop all communications with you. After that, they cannot contact you for any reasons except to tell you that collection efforts have ended or that they intend to sue you.

2.    Document their Violations: start a log; write down what happened, when and who witnessed it. It’s not a bad idea to have another person present or on the phone during future communications with the collector. Thinking about recording the phone conversations? – be careful as it is illegal in some states, such as California, to record phone conversations without the knowledge of the other person.

3.    File a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission: the FTC oversees collections agencies. https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/. Include the collection agency’s name, address, name of the collector, dates and times of conversations, names of any witnesses, include copies of all offending letters you receive, and a copy of any offending voicemails or messages.

Send the complaint to state agencies. Send a copy of your complaint to the state agency that regulates collection agencies for the state where the agency is located. To find the agency, call information in that state's capital city or check the state's website.

Send the complaint to the creditor and collection agency. Finally, send a copy of the FTC complaint to the original creditor and the collection agency. The original creditor may be concerned about its own liability and offer to cancel the debt.

4.    SUE THE DEBT COLLECTOR: If there are repeated violations and you can document them, then suing may be a good idea. But if the violations were merely annoying, don’t waste your time. For example, if the collector called you three times in one day, but never again, you don’t have a case.

You can sue in Small Claims Court or hire a lawyer. If you win, the other side may be required to pay your attorney’s fees and/or court costs.

Questions? Concerns?

For a Free Consultation please contact Attorney Lowell Steiger immediately at

(323) 852-1100

lowell@steigerlaw.com

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"Treated With the Respect and Understanding That You Deserve"  

*Since my law practice is based in California, I'm addressing California law.  Your state's laws may vary so please consult an attorney for clarification of your state's law as it applies to you!

Power Windows: Danger to Children

    This morning I read a very common-sense article in the New York Times entitled Power Windows Pose Great Risk to Children, Says Consumer Group.  It piqued my interest so I decided to look a little further into the issue.

    It makes logical sense that, absent safety precautions, power windows are potentially quite dangerous.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates 1,995 power window related injuries (mostly minor) and six deaths per year.  Janette Fennell, president of KidsAndCars.org disputes these numbers saying that her phone and Internet surveys indicate that there have been about 13.6 million power window related injuries over an unspecified period of time.  Read their Press_Release.

    

    The NHTSA has imposed two requirements to make power windows safer:

    1.    All passenger vehicles must have recessed power switches by October 1, 2008

    2.    All power windows may be closed only by pulling up on a switch by October 1, 2010

    So, what kinds of injuries actually occur from power-window related accidents?  According to the NHTSA, 68% of the incidents result in fractures or crushed body parts.  Other injuries include bruising, dislocation, laceration, and strain or sprain.  Most frightening, though, are the deaths among children when their head, neck, or midsection have been trapped in the window for five or more minutes and resuscitation was impossible.  When there are multiple children in a car, those witnessing the injury are more likely to panic and call for help than try to operate the power window!

    Consumer Reports published a very informative piece entitled Which Power Window Switches Are Safer?  The article contains a well-produced video discussing one family's tragedy and further depicting and discussing three different types of power-window switches.

    The Consumer Reports article tells you what you can do:

Never leave children alone in a car or the keys in the car when kids are nearby. Pay close attention to the design and location of window switches when shopping for a new car. Here’s a basic rundown for the vehicles we’ve reviewed:

Horizontal rocker switches

Rocker switches (inherently risky) move the glass up when you press one end of the switch, down when you press the other.  Most vehicles from Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac, and the Saturn Ion.

Horizontal toggle switches

Toggle switches (also inherently risky) work when pushed forward or pulled back. Some vehicles from Chrysler including the Dodge Neon, Stratus, and Intrepid, and Dodge trucks.

Lever switches, the safer type

The lever switch, is safer because it makes it harder to raise the window accidentally. Lever switches must be pulled up to raise the glass. They generally have not been implicated in fatal injuries, according to KIDS AND CARS.  Acura, Audi, BMW, Chrysler Pacifica, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, most Isuzu models, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, most Mazda models, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Saturn L and Vue, current Saab models, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo.

I hope that this article has been helpful and informative.

If you, or someone you know, has been injured in an accident, please contact me immediately at

(323) 852-1100

lowell@steigerlaw.com

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"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"   

Are You Entitled to Compensation For Your Car's Loss in Value After an Accident?

    What happens when you're in an accident, it's the other driver's fault, their insurance fixes your car but now your car is worth less than it was before the accident?  In legal terms, this decrease in value is called Diminution in Value.  

    The vehicle looks okay but disclosing that it was in an accident will certainly decrease the amount a buyer is willing to pay.  So, it begs the question "Can I ask to be paid for this decrease in my vehicle's value?"  

    The answer is a qualified "yes."  The law in the State of California (it may be different in different states so please consult your attorney) is "When the damaged property cannot be completely repaired to its pre-accident state, the measure of damages is the difference between its value before the injury and its value after the repairs have been made, plus the reasonable cost of making the repairs."  This comes from an old case 1946 which is STILL GOOD LAW today! (For reference, Merchant etc. Assn. v. Kellogg E. & D. Co. [28 Cal.2d 594] (1946) 28Cal 2d 594, 600).  

What The Heck Does This Mean?  Can I Be Compensated Or Not?

    Here's what all of this legal mumbo jumbo means:  If the vehicle cannot be restored to its original value (which is almost always the case in a car accident), the owner can collect not only the cost of repairs but the difference between the vehicle's value before the accident and after the repairs were made UNLESS the cost of repairs was greater than the decrease in value.  

Example 1: YES!!! You Can Be Compensated

    Example 1: Say your car was worth $30,000 before the accident and it cost $5,000 to fix it.  But now if you went to sell your car today (after the accident), you could only get $20,000 because of the accident, you're entitled to an additional $5,000 for diminution in value! 

Example 2: NO! You Cannot Be Compensated 

    Example 2: Now let's say your car was worth $30,000 before the accident and it cost the same $5,000 to fix it BUT now if you went to sell your car today (after the accident), you could still get $27,500 for it, you are NOT entitled to any more money.

    Diminution in value is a question of fact.  This means that you must have objective evidence to prove your car's value before the accident and your car's value after the accident. This can be determined by a qualified appraiser and is an issue that should be discussed with your attorney.   

If you, or someone you know, has been injured in an accident, please contact me immediately at

(323) 852-1100

lowell@steigerlaw.com

Skype (with or without video): Lowell_Steiger

"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"

Choosing to Sue in Small Claims Court: When Is It Appropriate?

  Small Claims Court handles civil cases where the plaintiff (person or entity who sues) is asking for $7,500 or less from the defendant (person or entity being sued). Disputes are resolved quickly and inexpensively in Small Claims Court.*  

    Although you can ask a lawyer’s advice before or after the court hearing, in California you are not allowed to have a lawyer represent you at the Small Claims Court Hearing.

    The hearing is relatively informal: no lawyers, no rules of evidence, no juries.  A judge, or a judge pro tem, will hear and decide your case.

Why Do I Occasionally Advise Clients To Go To Small Claims Court?

    Why my interest in telling you about Small Claims Court?  Most of the cases that I handle are personal injury cases.  If it’s a small case, then I often recommend that instead of using my services to litigate the matter then you, the client, might be better served by taking it to Small Claims Court.  

    When I handle a case, it may take months or years to get resolved.  This makes practical sense when the case value exceeds the maximum, jurisdictional amount that you are allowed to sue for in Small Claims Court. However, for cases valued at less than $7,500 (in California), going to Small Claims Court might bring you to resolution within a much shorter period of time while keeping your costs to a minimum.

Wondering (aka Worrying) About How To Present Your Case?

    I’ve thought about this over and over.  My style of representation is based largely in part on my wanting to fix things for my clients, to make things better for you, to get justice for you.  The last thing that I want you to do is struggle or stress out over your case.  

    Small claims court is appropriate for cases of all kinds, not only personal injury. For example, clients just like you have come to me with a myriad of legal issues for which I've directed them to Small Claims Court: 

• Landlord will not return your security deposit
• You bought something that doesn't work and the store won't fix it
• You lent money to someone who refuses to pay you back
• Tenant damaged your property and their security deposit won't cover the repairs
• You've performed services and the customer refuses to pay 
• Your neighbor's dog tore up your screen door
• and a myriad of other situations

    ...and justice for all

    So, just because a lawyer can’t represent you in Small Claims Court doesn’t mean that the case can’t be prepared for you by a lawyer in a professional manner.  After all, you are in court to win your case and want to persuade the judge that your position is the winning position . 

Small Claims Package

    At your request, and for a much lower fee than the 1/3 to 40% that I charge to handle your case, we will prepare a Small Claims Package which will include a professionally prepared brief, exhibits (color photos, relevant medical records and bills, witness statements, property damage bills, etc.), help you fill out the proper Judicial Council Forms and get them filed with the court, pay the Court Fees, find the proper courthouse (venue) for your case to be heard and get the defendant(s) served. We will even subpoena records and witnesses, if necessary.  I, or another lawyer on my staff, will prepare you for the court hearing, advise you what to expect in court from the judge, the court clerk, the defendant and then what to do after the judge decides the case.

    I’m a firm believer in doing what’s right for my clients.  

If you, or someone you know, has been injured in an accident, please contact me immediately at

(323) 852-1100

lowell@steigerlaw.com

Skype (with or without video): Lowell_Steiger

"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"

*The facts and figures in this posting are based on small claims cases brought in California.  Monetary figures and other rules will likely vary depending on what state you are in.  Check your local and state rules for specifics that will be applicable to you!!!

Is Your Home a Former Drug Lab? What Can You Do?

    Earlier today I read an article in the New York Times about a family that, unbeknownst to them, purchased and moved into a home which was formerly a methamphetamine lab.  So?  They moved in five years ago, what’s the big deal?

    The big deal is, as it turns out, that these houses are contaminated by the meth.  The contamination can permeate drywall, carpets, insulation and air ducts.  And?  Well, this contamination can cause respiratory ailments and other health problems.

    The case in point is described in the NYT article Illnesses Afflict Homes With a Criminal Past which describes the Rhonda and Jason Holt family’s ordeal.  The Holts moved into a former meth lab in 2005 and began  experiencing mysterious illnesses. 

    Their three babies were “ghostlike and listless” with breathing problems that required respirators, trips to the ER and, for one child, the maximum steroid dose that a toddle can take.  Mr. Holt experienced kidney problems.

    The solution: Costly remediation which can top 10's of thousands of dollars. 

See Meth-Contaminated Home Slide Show

    I am currently handling a matter wherein my clients bought a foreclosure property which had previously been used to cultivate marijuana.  The humidity required to cultivate the marijuana caused severe mold problems throughout the house and, of course, the mold problems have caused health problems for my client.

What can you do?

    In California, disclosure laws are such that person or entity (i.e., bank) selling or renting the property must advise you that the house you’re about to purchase was used as a drug lab under the following circumstances:

    In the event that toxic contamination by an illegal controlled substance has occurred on a property and upon receipt of a notice from the Dept. of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) or other agency—or if the seller has actual knowledge of the toxic contamination—the seller must disclose this information to the buyer by checking item II.C.1 of the TDS form and attaching the DTSC notice, if there is one.

    In the case of rental property, the landlord must give a prospective tenant written notice of the toxic contamination. Providing the tenant with a copy of the DTSC notice will suffice if there is such a notice.

    Therefore, if you find yourself in a situation where your property is contaminated by an illegal controlled substance and you were not given notice of the contamination, you may have a cause of action for, among other things, Fraud, Failure to Disclose Material Facts, Breach of Contract, Intentional Misrepresentation and/or Negligence and may be entitled to recover for your property damage as well as any physical or emotional injury that you and your family may have suffered.  Who may be responsible?  Who can you sue?  The seller, real estate broker, real estate agency, title insurance company, inspectors and the list of responsible parties goes on and on.

Related Links

Meth Lab Cleanup: Minnesota Dept. of Health

Clandestine Drug Labs and Removing Toxic Waste by Karen Lotter

Cleanup of Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs Guidance Document Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

National Institute on Drug Abuse: Methamphetamine Facts
 
Methamphetamine Abuse: Hurts More than Just the Addict: Methabuse.net

Methamphetamine Abuse Recovery Chat Room: KCI- The Anti-Meth Site

If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of unscrupulous sellers and/or representatives of those sellers, please call me, Lowell Steiger, immediately at

(323) 852-1100 or send an e-mail to me at lowell@steigerlaw.com

I Can Also Be Reached on SKYPE for a Video Conversation at Lowell_Steiger

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Woman Charged with Insurance Fraud for Second Time in Two Years

Commissioner Poizner Announces Bakersfield Woman Charged With Insurance Fraud For Second Time In Two Years

Commissioner Steve Poizner announced today that Shawn Rene Dodd, 43, of Bakersfield, was arrested on Wednesday, and charged with uncertified practice of medicine, making false or fraudulent insurance claims, money laundering, commission of a felony while on bail and selling stocks without a license.  Dodd's bail was set at $1,000,000. If convicted, she could face a maximum of nine years four months in prison for these charges.

"I will not tolerate those who abuse the insurance system to satisfy their own greed," said Commissioner Poizner. "CDI experts are quick to stop anyone who attempts to scam insurance companies and drive up the cost of insurance for all consumers."

Since her previous arrest in 2007, Dodd allegedly continued to operate medical corporations, which were used to fraudulently bill insurance carriers.  At one point, insurers were billed for medical services reportedly rendered when there were no doctors present. It is alleged that Dodd attempted to defraud insurance companies of at least $100,000. The California Department of Insurance and the Kern County District Attorney's Office jointly investigated this case.

Dodd allegedly operated these fraudulent companies while on $500,000 bail for previous felony charges.  In January 2007, Dodd was charged with felony insurance fraud, workers compensation insurance fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.  She was released from Kern County Jail and remained free on bail until her arrest on Wednesday. 

The Kern County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting this case.

Commissioner Poizner oversees sixteen CDI Enforcement Branch regional offices throughout the state.  Close to 1900 insurance fraud-related arrests have been made by the Department of Insurance's Enforcement Branch since Commissioner Poizner took office in 2007 - more arrests than have been made during any other two year period, under any previous insurance commissioner.    

More on Insurance Fraud

Big RIgging Lawsuit against Great American Insurance Company

Coalition Against Insurance Fraud - Fascinating site with latest news, articles and fraud related stories

What is Consumer Fraud? - California Department of Insurance

National Insurance Crime Bureau

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If you, or someone you know, has been injured in a motorcycle or automobile (or similar) accident, please call me, Lowell Steiger, immediately at

(323) 852-1100 or send an e-mail to me at lowell@steigerlaw.com

"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"

Brown Obtains Guilty Plea from Woman Who Operated Sophisticated Loan Scam

LOS ANGELES- Continuing his crackdown on mortgage fraud, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. late Thursday won a guilty plea from 22-year old Anna Santos, who conned thousands of dollars from homeowners in a "cruel and sophisticated" loan scam.

Santos will be formally sentenced on May 20 in Los Angeles Superior Court. She is expected to receive 2 years in prison.

"Santos conned thousands of dollars from homeowners trying to save their homes through a cruel and sophisticated scam," Brown said. "She held out hope, but in reality did not provide an ounce of loan modification, leaving her victims unprotected and in far worse straits."

Santos was arrested on March 12, 2009 after she used forged documents to convince victims to hand over thousands of dollars for non-existent loan modification services.

Santos obtained a fictitious business permit through the City of Los Angeles for "Payment Processing Department." She opened several bank accounts and two post office boxes under that name. She mailed flyers to vulnerable homeowners that appeared to be from victims' lenders or a government agency. The flyer used a large, bold header that read "Final Notice" and advised homeowners that they qualified for a special program to save their home from foreclosure.

After signing up for "loan modification services," homeowners then received what appeared to be "confirmation" that their lender had been notified. Many victims also received loan modification documents that appeared to be from their lender. These documents were all forgeries.

The victims were informed they had been placed in a "probationary" program and their mortgage payments should be submitted to "Payment Processing Department" and sent to a given post office box address. None of the payments were credited to the victims' home loans.

Payments sent to the post office box were retrieved by Ms. Santos and deposited into the bank accounts she had opened.

Santos targeted seniors and homeowners on the verge of foreclosure. It is believed that she scammed more than 100 victims. On average, victims lost approximately $3,000, at a time when they could not afford their mortgage, let alone additional fraudulent expenses.

Since taking office, Attorney General Brown has shut down loan modification and foreclosure rescue scams and fought companies that have misled vulnerable borrowers:

• In March 2009, Brown shut down Foreclosure Freedom, a fraudulent loan modification company that continued to collect fees and mortgage payments from dozens of homeowners without ever providing any loan modification services.
  
• In November 2008, Brown arrested three members of First Gov after the company demanded an up-front fee, ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, to participate in a loan-modification program and never renegotiated the loans.
  
• In October 2008, Brown announced an $8.68 billion settlement with Countrywide Home Loans after the company deceived borrowers by misrepresenting loan terms, loan payment increases, and borrowers' ability to afford loans.
  
• In May 2008, Brown shut down a team of scam artists that acquired deeds to hundreds of homes in foreclosure by convincing desperate consumers to pay $10,000 to place their property in a land grant, a phony and worthless real estate document, and then tricked homeowners into signing over the deed to their home and paying the company rent.
  
• In March 2008, Brown shut down Lifetime Financial, Nations Mortgage, Greenleaf Lending, Virtual Escrow, Olympic Escrow and Direct Credit Solutions after the companies ran a complex predatory lending scheme using bait and switch tactics to victimize thousands of homeowners, many of whom lost their homes.

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If you, or someone you know, has been injured in a motorcycle or automobile (or similar) accident, please call me, Lowell Steiger, immediately at

(323) 852-1100 or send an e-mail to me at lowell@steigerlaw.com

"Treated With the Respect That You Deserve"

Toxic Mold Symptoms Affecting Your Family and You

Do You or Your Family Have Symptoms of Toxic Mold?

Our homes are our sanctuaries, our safe place in this hectic world.  What if your home is sick with toxic mold?  Do you suspect that your house or apartment is sick with mold?  If you, your children, spouse or housemates experiencing unexplained symptoms such as

• Memory Loss, Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Mood Swings
• Sore Throat, Shortness of Breath, Nosebleeds, Cough
• Abdominal Pain
• Hair Loss,Skin Rashes
• Fatigue
• Numbness or Pain in Extremities (arms, legs)
• Headaches
• Rectal Bleeding
• Tremors
• Fibromyalgia

your living space may be infected with toxic mold.

View Graphic Photos of Toxic Mold, Victims and Repair

Who is Responsible For Toxic Mold in Your Home?

Who may be responsible for toxic mold in your home?  Is there someone whose action, or lack of action, is the legal cause of your current mold-related health problems?  They may have insurance that will compensate you and your family, housemates, etc. for the potentially life-altering and lifelong injuries that you have sustained.  Here is a short list of possible parties who may be responsible for either the mold in your home OR for not discovering and/or disclosing the fact that there is mold in your home:

• Builder
• Developer
• Architect
• Subcontractors
• Remediation Consultants
• Homeowners Association
• Landlord
• Property Managers
• Real Estate Agent or Broker
• Inspectors
• Former Owner
• Sewer Repair

Our experienced litigation attorneys will analyze your situation from a legal perspective and advise you as to whether or not you have a toxic mold case and are entitled to compensation.

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If you, or someone you know, might be affected by Toxic Mold, please call me immediately at

(323) 852-1100 or send an e-mail to me at lowell@steigerlaw.com

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Nautilus Recalls Bowflex® Home Gyms Due to Risk of Injury

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued information regarding the Nautilus Bowflex Home Gyms (see below).  If you, or someone you know, has been injured as a result of this unit, please call the Law Office of Lowell Steiger to find out your rights.  Injuries from the Nautilus Bowflex (or other defective products) fall under the category of Product Liability.

Can you sue if you're injured as a result of a defective product?

Yes.  Injuries related to bad design or manufacture of a product fall into the product liability category.  If an injury is sustained as a result of bad design or manufacture, then everyone in the chain of commerce (i.e., manufacturer, distributor, retailer) can be held liable for that injury or injuries.  When you buy  or use a product, it is reasonable to assume that the product will be safe when used for its intended purpose.  It is also reasonable to assume that the product will warn you of any potential dangers.  If the product is then unsafe for use or if you have not been warned of its potential dangers, and if an injury occurs, then you have the legal right to take everyone in the chain of commerce to task.  Will they put up a defense?  Yes.  Are you guaranteed to prevail?  No.  However, an attorney experienced in the area of product liability will analyze the facts as they apply to the law and determine whether you have a viable case and proceed from there.   Click here for other Product Liability posts

The Scoop on the Nautilus Bowflex Home Gym Recall

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Bowflex® Ultimate 2 Home Gyms

Units: About 78,000 (about 68,000 home gyms were recalled on December 6, 2007)

Importer: Nautilus Inc., of Vancouver, Wash.

Hazard: The home gym's horizontal seat rail is designed to be latched in a vertical position for storage. If the seat rail is not manually latched, it can fall unexpectedly on the user or a bystander, posing a risk of serious injury.

Incidents/Injuries: Nautilus has received 18 reports of injuries caused by unlatched seat rails that have fallen, resulting in head and shoulder lacerations, some requiring stitches or staples.

Description: This recall involves the Bowflex® Ultimate 2 Home Gyms. The home gyms are equipped with pulleys, resistance rods, and other equipment, which allow the user to perform a variety of exercises. “Bowflex Ultimate 2” is written on the vertical part of the frame.

Sold at: Specialty fitness retailers nationwide and through direct Nautilus sales from June 2005 through January 2009 for about $2,300.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers may continue to use their home gyms for exercising, but should not place the seat rail in the vertical (storage) position until the repair is performed. Registered owners are being sent a free repair kit. Owners who have not received a repair kit by March 10, 2009 should contact the firm.

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 259-9019 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT M-F or www.bowflex.com )
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

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Video New California Law for 2009: DUI Zero Tolerance

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This new law prohibits a convicted DUI offender from operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .01 percent or greater while on probation for DUI. The law requires the driver to submit to a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) test, a portable breath test to determine the presence of alcohol. If the driver refuses, or if the driver submits and has a BAC of .01 or greater, a citation will be issued, the driver's license will be taken and driving privileges will be suspended. In addition, the vehicle will be impounded.

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If you, or someone you know, has been injured, please call me immediately at

(323) 852-1100 or send an e-mail to me at lowell@steigerlaw.com

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