Find a DWI DUI Drunk Driving Lawyer in your state.

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Mark Garka:

Even though you've been arrested for DUI, you don't have to let it ruin your life. You may not realize it yet, but if you are thinking about simply going to court and pleading guilty to your DUI charge you may be cheating yourself.

You see, a qualified attorney can review the case for defects, suppress evidence, compel discovery of such things as calibration and maintenance records for the breath machine, have blood samples independently analyzed, obtain expert witnesses all of which may help you to win your case at trial.

To find out what you need to know about your DUI arrest I've developed a website to give you a wealth of useful information . . . information which will show you how you may be able to save your license and your freedom . . . and possibly avoid fines, fees, and sharply increased car insurance costs of as much as $6,800.

For the most part, my easy-to-navigate site has information on it which you can't get anywhere else unless you are willing to do a great deal of legal research.

When you're on my site, you'll also learn how you can get a free, no-obligation consultation where I'll review your case and show you how I may be able to save your license and your freedom.

Seattle DUI Lawyer

Seattle DUI Lawyers

• Paul Eagle: An attorney is a trained professional, with knowledge and experience, to help guide a litigant through what can be a very complicated and cumbersome process.
• Ryan Garvy: Last year, over 44,000 DUI/DWI charges were filed in Washington State alone. Unfortunately, DUI/DWI cases have become a significant source of revenue generation for local and state agencies within Washington. Additionally, with the help of aggressive lobbying and a climate of zero tolerance drinking and driving legislation, the Washington State Legislature has made the offense of DUI/DWI one of the most serious offenses that a citizen can be charged with. Mandatory sentencing guidelines have been imposed that make a charge of drunk driving a potentially life-altering experience.
• Miklos Pusztai: If you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI)/DWI, or drunk driving in the state of Washington you are up against harsh penalties such as mandatory jail time and mandatory license suspensions. Washington has one of the nationšs most severe penalties for those convicted of driving under the influence (DUI)/DWI, or drunk driving. The penalties for driving under the influence/DUI/DWI, or drunk driving vary depending on whether or not the driver has prior convictions and the blood alcohol content at the time of arrest. Driving under the influence (DUI)/DWI, or drunk driving is a crime - a gross misdemeanor - which carries criminal penalties of a maximum of 365 days in jail and a $5,000 Fine. An arrest for driving under the influence (DUI)/DWI, or drunk driving also has administrative penalties which exist separate from the criminal matter.
• Matthew Hale: The arraignment is the first court appearance that you must attend after being arrested for DUI. When people are initially stopped and arrested for DUI, there are several things that may happen. First, they may released and told that they will receive notice of an arraignment date in the mail. Second, they may be released with a court date. Third, they may be held in custody until the arraignment date. At the arraignment, the prosecuting attorney will formally charge you with DUI and then ask you to enter a plea to the charge. You should always enter a plea of not guilty at the arraignment. Even if the evidence against you appears to be overwhelming, you need to plead not guilty so that you can see all of the evidence before making a decision that will affect the rest of your life. Also, you should always reserve your right to a speedy trial within 90 days and your right to a jury trial. The arraignment is also the time that the prosecutor may ask for conditions of release. Sometimes, the prosecutor will ask that you not be released without posting bail. If this is your first offense and you had a relatively low amount of alcohol in your system, then the typical condition of release is that you not drink until the case is resolved. If you have prior offenses, then the conditions can include mandatory attendance at AA meetings, the imposition of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, or the imposition of bail. After your arraignment, you will be given notice of your next court date, which is the pre-trial conference. All court dates are mandatory, unless your attorney specifically tells you otherwise.
• Milios & Associates: Drunk driving DUI / DWI is a serious criminal offense in Washington. Conviction for DUI / DWI will result in long lasting negative consequences. Under Washington State DUI / DWI law, drunk driving penalties can include: Establishment Of A Criminal Record Suspension or Revocation of Your Driving Privileges Jail Time Large Fines & Court Costs Lengthy Probation Court-Ordered Alcohol Treatment Home Detention Ignition Interlock Device Mandatory High Risk Insurance (SR-22) When you are charged with DUI / DWI, an experienced DUI / DWI defense attorney knows how to challenge the evidence against you. A DUI / DWI charge has several components that must be handled properly by the police in order to protect your rights.
• Robert Abernathy:

  If you are charged with a crime and summoned to court:

  1. Retain an attorney immediately. Do not try to handle this yourself.

  2. Never plead guilty at your first court appearance.

  3. If you must plead, plead NOT GUILTY and request a jury trial (this does not obligate you to a jury trial, but it does preserve your rights). Consult with an attorney as soon as humanly possible.  

  4. When meeting with your attorney, provide him/her with all of the relevant facts. Do not withhold information.

• Andrew Huff: 1. "I was arrested for a DUI but have not received a court date. Will I still be charged?"
   
  Yes. Once you are arrested for a DUI, the officer can either give you a date to appear in court or you will be sent a notice to appear later. Most police agencies usually do not give individuals a court date right away and instead let the prosecuting attorney and court notify you when to appear. The officer must provide you a hearing request form for the Department of Licensing.
   
  2. "Is my hearing with the Department of Licensing different from my court hearing?"
   
  Yes. Two separate procedures will occur when arrested for a DUI. First, the Department of Licensing will try and suspend your license but you are given an administrative hearing if you request it within 30 days from the date of your arrest. This hearing is less formal than the criminal procedure and is conducted either telephonically from our office or in-person at a local Department of Licensing office. We aggressively represent you in the administrative and court proceeding.
   
  Second, you will be prosecuted for a DUI by way of a criminal proceeding in either state or municipal court. Your first hearing is an arraignment. This is normally your first appearance in court and the time when you enter your plea of Not Guilty. Your next hearing is called a pre-trial hearing. If your case is not resolved by this point, a motion hearing is scheduled. A motion is a procedural hearing in which we try and suppress evidence in your case such as the breath test, field sobriety tests, statements made to the officer, etc. Most cases do not proceed to trial, but if so the prosecuting attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury of six people that you are guilty of driving under the influence.
   
  3. "The officer punched a hole in my license. What does this mean?"
   
  If you provide a breath sample at the police station and the result is .08 or more if you are over age 21, or .02 or more if you are under age 21, the officer will punch a hole in your license. This means your license is now a "probationary license." Your license remains valid for 60 days or more until you are given an administrative hearing by the Department of Licensing.
   
  4. "I took a portable breath test"
   
  A PBT machine is a portable breath test device used by police to help them decide whether or not to make a drunk driving arrest. It is typically given at the roadside before the arrest and is usually not admissible in court.
   
  5. "Should I take the breath test or refuse it?"
   
  The DataMaster breath test at the station is the only breath test you should take. You do not have to submit to the portable breath test. But the law says that you will lose your license for at least one year if you refuse to take a legally requested DataMaster breath test. You are well advised to ask to speak with an attorney while at the station (they are available 24 hours a day by telephone in most Washington counties.).
   
  6. "I also performed the field sobriety tests. What do they mean?"
   
  The term "field sobriety tests" is really a misnomer. These "tests" currently approved by the Federal Government do not, according to the most recent research, measure impairment of the ability to safely drive a car. They do measure agility and the ability to do certain physical feats under extreme pressure. Field sobriety tests are not mandatory and there is no legal obligation to submit to the tests under Washington Law. Refusing the tests, however, will probably not prevent the driver's arrest and may even make the arrest happen more quickly. Refusing to perform them can be used against you in a trial.
   
  7. "What is a deferred prosecution?"
   
  Washington State law allows people charged with a DUI who suffer from alcoholism to complete treatment for this disease instead of being prosecuted. The law requires two years of treatment followed by three years of probation. If you complete all of the conditions including treatment and have no further convictions, your case will be dismissed. However, you must admit that you were driving under the influence. So if you violate your treatment program or are convicted of another crime, you will be found guilty of the DUI. State law limits you to only deferred prosecution whether you complete it or not.
   
  
• Alisa Maples: f you have been charged with DUI, the first thing that you should know is that a DUI is a criminal offense in Washington. Ifconvicted you could face asentenced of up to one year in jail and a $5000 fine. It is important that you take this charge seriously. Defense of a DUI case involves complex issues. Knowing how to handle these issues could be the difference between a guilty verdict or a dismissal. We highly recommend hiring an experienced and competentcriminal defense attorney to represent you. People arrested for DUI are often surprised that they were arrested because they didn't feel too intoxicated to drive.
• Steve Karimi: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs First of all, we are sorry if you have been recently arrested for a DUI or Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. And we hope that if you, a family member or someone else has been involved a traffic collision, that they are okay. As far as legal concerns, it is important for us to learn if you received a form from the arresting officer to request a department of licensing hearing. On that form you will see DOL (Department of Licensing) must be contacted within 30 days of arrest to request a hearing to stop your automatic driver license suspension! Otherwise, on a first offense, your driver license could be suspended automatically for 90 days and on a second offense for a two year license suspension! Also, please note that if you are subsequently caught driving on a suspended license, that in addition to being arrested the car you are driving could possibly be impounded and can even be sold! However, you may still qualify for a occupational driver's license!
• Kevin Trombold: With the decision by the state in 1999 to lower the legal driving limit to .08, Washington's DUI criminal penalties are today among the stiffest in the nation. Over 30,000 people are charged with DUI in Washington every year. Those convicted face mandatory jail penalties of up to four months, mandatory license suspensions of up to four years, and the costly installation of vehicle ignition interlock devices in their cars. Additionally, a judge is likely to require an alcohol evaluation and treatment, participation in DUI victims' panel and high-risk insurance. DUI convictions are permanent and can never be "vacated" from one's record like most crimes. These penalties can result not only in the loss of liberty, but also interfere with your ability to work and live up to family responsibilities. With so much at stake, it's essential that you be defended vigorously against this charge.
• Gomes Law Firm: Washington DUI laws are complicated and the penalties for a conviction are severe. DUI cases are a unique blend of science and law. If you have been charged with a DUI, you are probably undergoing the most stressful and terrifying time of your life.
• Bradley Johnson: Criminal and DUI Defense Demand Aggressive Action.
• David Vogel: "Driving under the influence" (DUI) and "driving while intoxicated" (DWI) are two names for the crime of drunk driving. Other statutory names for this crime are "operating under the influence" (OUI) and "operating while intoxicated" (OWI). The different names for the crime reflect differences in the state statutes that define the crime. However, all the statutes have the common purpose of punishing drunk driving and driving under the influence of illegal drugs. A conviction for drunk driving carries serious consequences, including driver's license suspension or revocation, fines, and time in jail or prison. Accordingly, a person charged with drunk driving must not hesitate to seek legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney in order to best protect his or her interests.
• Thomas Paynter: If you are facing drunk driving or drug charges, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney making sure your constitutional rights and driving privileges are protected.
• Joseph A. Breidenbach: DUI / DWI / Traffic Violations-Traffic violations can have serious criminal consequences, particularly when a driver is accused of driving under the influence. A conviction on DUI will result in fines and possibly land you in jail. In addition, your insurance company may increase your rates to an unmanageable level. In defending against an under the influence or impaired driving charge, you have many rights as a criminal defendant, including the right to cross-examine the witnesses against you, even if they are police officers. An experienced attorney can make all the difference in such a difficult case.
• Joyce Heritage: A cultural stigma has become associated with drunk driving that was not present in our society even a decade ago. Public perception categorizes people charged with drunk driving as criminals, even before they have been convicted of any crime. Being arrested for drunk driving, driving under the influence (DUI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be an unsettling proposition, to say the least. A DUI - DWI conviction in Washington carries with it heavy penalties, including:
  • A permanent criminal record
  • Suspension or loss of license
  • Increased insurance rates
  • Community service
  • Possible jail or prison time
  • Alcohol assessment and treatment
  • Probation
  • Vehicle immobilization or forfeiture
  • Serious fines
  • Possible job loss

  If you have been arrested or accused of drunk driving, DUI, DWI, or any other alcohol-related criminal offense, you are probably frightened, confused, and concerned about your future and that of your family. The selection of an experienced attorney is the first step towards regaining control of your life.

• McNeese & Trotsky: REMEMBER: THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, NOT YOU. THEY MUST PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT YOU WERE INTOXICATED WHILE OPERATING YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE
• James Egan: There is no blood alcohol calculator that is 100% accurate because of the number of factors that come into play regarding the consumption and reduction (burnoff) rates of different people. Factors include the sex (male/female) of the drinker, differing metabolism rates, various health issues, and the combination of medications that might be taken, drinking frequency, amount of food in the stomach and small intestine and when it was eaten, elapsed time, and others. The best that can be done is a rough estimation of the BAC level based on known inputs.
• Bianchi Law Firm: In order to convict you of a first offense DUI, the State must establish beyond a reasonable doubt that on or about the date, place, and time alleged you were EITHER: (a) driving while affected by intoxicating liquor and/or drugs to any appreciable degree, OR (b) having a .08 percent of alcohol in your breath within two hours of driving.
• Geoffrey Burg: If you have been charged with a DUI, or any type of drunk driving charge in Washington State, it is important to call a lawyer immediately - as waiting too long could result in a loss of your driver's license.
• Ron Anderson: Sentencing grid.
• Aoki & Sakamoto: BAC breath test technology has come under fire ever since its introduction of the Datamaster breath test machine in Washington in 1987. Questions about the Datamaster's reliability and satisfactory maintenance periodically surface. To ensure that your BAC breath test gave an accurate reading of your breath alcohol level, your test results should be compared with your blood alcohol level. The only way to determine your blood alcohol level is through a blood draw. Do not tell the police that you are going to get a blood test. Simply go directly to a hospital after your release from police custody and request a blood draw. The physician or nurse administering the blood test will not tell you the results. However, upon retaining counsel, the hospital will likely be willing to release that information to your attorney.
• Blair & Meeker: A conviction for the charge of Driving Under the Influence in Washington State carries some of the toughest penalties in the country.
• Timothy Johnson: There are many aspects to a good defense of a criminal charge. However, two of the key elements are motions practice and fact investigation. Motions practice involves bringing aggressive and uncompromising arguments to a judge about why the prosecution's case should be narrowed down and possibly dismissed for various legal and constitutional reasons. A thorough fact investigation is something that you probably already understand the meaning of: a complete and exhaustive investigation of the facts, especially an investigation of the facts that nobody is questioning.
• David Arganian: When questioned for DUI before arrest, you are not in custody for purposes of Miranda warnings. If you politely refuse to answer any of the cop's questions concerning the DUI investigation, either before or after arrest, then there won't be any statements that can be used at court.