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Stephen M. Johnston is not just an attorney; he's your advocate, your defender, and your ally. With a deep-rooted commitment to the Pueblo, Colorado, community, Stephen brings over two decades of experience to his clients. No matter what your needs may be, Attorney Johnston is prepared to fight for you.

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Colorado

Colorado Supreme Court

Since 2002

Managing Member

Johnston Law Firm, LLC

2023 - Current

Litigation of Workers' Compensation, Personal injury, Criminal and social security cases.

Managing Member

Johnston Law Firm, LLC

2023 - Current

Litigation of Workers' Compensation, Personal injury, Criminal and social security cases.

Municiple Court Judge

City of Fowler

2023 - Current

Associate Attorney

Hassler Law Firm, LLC

2008 - 2023

Litigated and resolved workers' compensation, personal injury, criminal and social security cases.

Associate Attorney

Koncilja and Koncilja

2002 - 2008

Worked as an attorney on Workers' compensation, Personal injury and criminal cases.

Assistant County Attorney

Albany County Attorney's Office

2001 - 2002

Worked as a prosecuting attorney.

University of Wyoming College of Law

J.D. (2002) | Law

1999 - 2002

Honors: Order of the Barrister, Summa Cum Laude

Activities: Trial and appeal competitions.

Recognizing Excellent in the Legal Profession

Elite Lawyer

2024

Excellence in Workers Compensation Law

Lawyers of Distinction

2024

Recognizing Excellent in the Legal Profession

Elite Lawyer

2023

Excellence in Workers Compensation Law

Lawyers of Distinction

2023

State Bar of Colorado

Member

2002 - Current

Q. Is what my rental company doing legal?

August 28, 2024

A: The lease agreement that you signed is going to make a huge difference regarding this circumstance. In Colorado, the legislature has given very few protections to tenants. If you believe that the property is uninhabitable Colorado law would allow you to leave the property without being required to pay further rent.

However, before taking that step it is important that an attorney review your contract.

Q. hello, Can a person get sued for emailing another persons social security info with no permission?

April 30, 2024

A: Yes, under New Mexico law, a person could potentially face legal consequences for emailing another person's Social Security number without permission. The law prohibits the intentional communication of a Social Security number to the public, which could potentially include sending it via email without the individual's consent.

The law specifically prohibits making the entirety of a Social Security number available to the public, including intentionally communicating a Social Security number to the public. This could be interpreted to include emailing the number without the individual's consent. Additionally, the law prohibits requiring the use of a Social Security number over the internet without a secure connection or encryption security. This could potentially apply to emailing the number, especially if the email is not sent over a secure connection or without encryption.

Furthermore, the law prohibits transmitting material that associates a Social Security number with an account number for a bank, savings and loan association, or credit union, unless both numbers are required as part of an application or enrollment process or to establish, amend, or terminate an account, contract, or policy or to confirm the accuracy of the number. This could potentially apply if the email included such information.

In conclusion, under New Mexico law, emailing another person's Social Security number without their consent could potentially be considered a violation of the law, depending on the specific circumstances. However, it is important to note that this interpretation is based on the information provided in the legal document ... Read More

Q. In Colorado, can a nurse stop life support on patient w/o family's consent legally?

April 29, 2024

A: Based on the information available, it appears that a nurse in Colorado cannot legally stop life support on a patient without the family's consent. The Colorado End-of-Life Options Act provides a path for terminally ill patients to receive aid-in-dying medication from their physicians, but it requires the patients to affirmatively request such assistance People v. Bagwell, 2022 COA 44. This suggests that the decision to end life support is primarily in the hands of the patient, not the medical staff.

Furthermore, the scope of practice for nurses in Colorado, as defined by the state's laws, does not explicitly include the authority to make decisions about ending life support Nonphysician Practitioners Licensing (CO). Nurses are allowed to provide a range of services, including evaluating health status, providing therapy and treatment, and executing delegated medical functions, but these do not seem to encompass the authority to stop life support without consent.

In addition, Colorado law has specific requirements for the withdrawal of life support. The patient's wishes as expressed in a living will or a Medical Order for Scope of Treatment (MOST) form are very important § 18.3 DOCUMENTS. These documents must be obtained from and filled out with the patient's doctor, indicating that the decision to end life support is a serious one that requires the patient's explicit consent.

In conclusion, while nurses play a crucial role in the care of patients, the decision to end life support in Colorado seems to be a matter that requires the patient's explicit request and does not fall within the nurse's scope of practice. This conclusion is based on the information available in the provided snippets People v. Bagwell, 2022 COA 44§ 18.3 DOCUMENTSNonphysician Practitioners Licensing (CO). ... Read More