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Bellevue DUI Attorneys
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Effective Washington State Criminal Defense Aggressive Bellevue Drunk Driving Lawyers
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Driving Under the Influence (DUI), is among the most frequently charged and aggressively prosecuted offenses here in Bellevue and throughout Washington State. Often times, our clients made arrangements for someone else to drive or are planning on staying with friends, but some unforeseen event changes their plans, and they are arrested for DUI where they believed that they did not have any other choice but to drive home. Or, they simply believed that it was safe to do so.
It is no secret that DUI offenses are among the most widely publicized, criticized, emphasized criminal offenses not only in Washington state, but throughout the Untied States. Prosecutors do not take these charges lightly, and you absolutely MUST hire an attorney if you want your rights and your future protected. The police and the prosecutor's office are not your friends. You need someone on your side, that has your best interests in mind, and that has the experience to know when, and how hard to push back at the State.
The attorneys of Washington Criminal Attorneys absolutely understand the dilemma that Washingtonians charged with drunk driving face, and we know how to represent your interests in court.
So what exactly is DUI? Many people understand the law in its most general terms, but Washington State's DUI statute, RCW 46.61.502, is among the most severe in the nation, both in terms of how to get a DUI, and also the penalties associated with the offense. A criminal conviction is no laughing matter, and the penalties, even for a first-time DUI offense, are severe. You could face up to 364 days in jail, and a $5,000 fine in addition to other costs and assessments. Click here for the Washington State DUI sentencing grid. And, that's only for the first offense! If you have priors, they penalties only get worse.
Most people intuitively know that if you drink, and your breath alcohol content is over 0.08, you can be arrested for DUI. But, most people don't know that you can be arrested EVEN IF you blew below a 0.08. When people are arrested on DUI in this situation, they're often angry, scared, and very confused. So how is this possible?
Washington State's DUI statute applies where anyone has consumed alcohol and "within two hours after driving" an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. The statute also allows the police to arrest you if you "were under the influence of or affected by" alcohol or drugs. What the police often do in this situation is work backwards and say well if your breath test is showing a .079 now, it must have been higher before.
Or, sometimes they will say even though your breath test was low, your ability to drive was "affected" to a certain degree. This is not fair! This means that even if the police pulled you over and you blew a .079, they could still arrest you!
How Is a DUI Different Than Reckless Driving?
| Driving Under the Influence | Reckless Driving | |
| Statute | RCW 46.61.502 | RCW 46.61.500 |
| Classification | Gross Misdemeanor | |
| Statutory Maximums | 364 days in jail; $5,000 fine | |
| License Suspension | 90 days | 30 days |
| Statutory Mandatory Minimums | See Chartprovided by Washington State | None |
| Other Standard Conditions Upon Conviction | Alcohol & Drug assessment; complete any recommended treatment; attend a victim’s impact panel (VIP); complete an 8-hour alcohol and drug information school class (ADIS); no driving after consuming alcohol; you no longer have the right to refuse a breath test if requested by a police officer; | None **If you were originally charged with a DUI, you will likely need to complete all the other conditions typically associated with a DUI conviction |
How Can We Help?
The attorneys at Washington Criminal Attorneys, understand how unfair this can feel. We understand the emotions that run through our client's minds when they are arrested. Most of our clients are not career criminals. They are simply people that might have made a poor decision, and as the old adage goes, "bad things happen to good people." It is our job to tell your story, to position you the right way in front of both the prosecutor and the court, to make sure we are available when you need us, and to offer our guidance throughout this confusing and overwhelming process.
Most of our clients do not understand what they can and cannot do when they are pulled over, and unfortunately make the mistake of cooperating with whatever the police officer asks them to do. This is not your fault! We've been taught since a very young age to respect authority.
But, most people do not understand that cooperating with the police only gives them more information to work with, and ultimately to arrest you. Getting arrested is an overwhelming experience. The police emergency lights are bright, obnoxious, and distracting. The officer often asks that you exit the vehicle, and then before you know it you are participating in bizarre and confusing tests.
Then, the officer usually asks that you take a breath test, and most people comply. Again, you've been raised to respect police officers, and you thought that by participating, you could help yourself out. Unfortunately, that is not the case, but that doesn't mean that you can't fight back now.
We will look for any violation of your rights or grounds for challenging your arrest. We will look to see whether the police had any basis to pull you over in the first place. We will go over those field sobriety tests to make sure the officer conducted them property, and recorded everything accurately in the police report. We will verify the existence of actual evidence of intoxication, and pour through your arrest report for any inconsistencies, or exonerating information.
We will fight to preserve your driver's license, and if your license is suspended, see whether you qualify for an Ignition Interlock Device (IID). We will not rest until every last piece of information is challenged. You deserve the best, and that is exactly what you receive when you hire Washington Criminal Attorneys.
If any of this sounds like it happened to you, call us immediately. YOU ONLY HAVE 20 DAYS TO REQUEST A DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING HEARING TO PRESERVE YOUR LICENSE. Now that you have been criminally charged, a million thoughts are running through your mind. What happens next? How will I get to work? Will I lose my job? Will I be prevented from advancing my career? Can I relocate? Am I on probation right now? When you call our offices, you will speak to one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys, and we will take the time to go through all of your questions in detail.
The initial consultation is free, and we will take the time to learn about your specific case, and give you our honest assessment of where your case stands. Remember, NEVER speak to the police, detectives, or anyone from the prosecutor's office without an attorney. They have one job, and that is to make sure you are convicted. If you are reading this page you have been charged with a criminal offense. It is now them against you. With something as important as your freedom at stake, don't make the mistake of handling your criminal charge alone.
Washington Criminal Attorneys will be there for you, and go to battle for your defense.
Being arrested drunk driving is always a shock. Our Bellevue DUI lawyers can help.
With all of the media attention and ads, everyone should know at this point that the government takes Driving under the influence very seriously. Things are very different compared to 20 years ago, even 10! No politician is going to say “lets relax some DUI laws.”
That doesn’t win elections. Instead, each year they are only going to get stricter. As it stands now, the maximum penalty for a DUI is 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. At the bare minimum, you are facing mandatory jail, fines, license suspension, ignition interlock requirement, and drug/alcohol classes.
On top of the mandatory punishments, you can face special enhancements depending on the circumstances of the case, including:
- If you were previously arrested for a DUI in the past 7 years
- You provided a BAC level above .15
- You refused to provide a breath sample at the station
- There were individuals in the car under 16
In addition to the criminal case, when arrested for a DUI, you are also facing an independent suspension from the Department of Licensing. Once arrested, you are tentatively scheduled to have your license suspended, which will begin 60 days from the date of arrest unless you request the hearing.
In order to request the hearing, you must fill out the form which you should have been given at the time of arrest and mail it to the DOL within 7 days along with $375. If you fail to do so, then your license will be suspended after the 60 days have gone by. The length of the suspension will depend on your history and whether you provided a breath or blood sample.
A DUI is a serious charge which is why it is important that you have an attorney protect your rights. Contact us now to begin discussing your case.
Bellevue DUI Attorneys
Experienced Bellevue and King County DUI lawyers.
If you have been arrested or charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants in Bellevue, Washington or elsewhere in King County, there are several things that you need to know. First, Washington State's DUI laws are among the toughest in the country. You need an attorney familiar with this state's drunk driving laws and who knows how to properly defend your rights.
Even if this is your first offense, if you are convicted of drunk driving, you will be sentenced to mandatory jail of at least one to two days and your driver's license will be suspended for a minimum of 90 days and up to one year.
If this is your second offense within the last seven years, the penalties are even more dramatic, and you are facing a mandatory minimum of 30 to 45 days in jail. These sentences cannot be reduced. If you are convicted of DUI/DWI, you must be sentenced to the Washington State DUI mandatory minimums pursuant to RCW 46.61.5055.
You will also be required to obtain an alcohol evaluation and following any treatment recommendations. Additionally, you must attend a Victim Impact Panel and have an ignition interlock device put into your vehicle for a period of at least one year from the date that you are eligible for reinstatement.
You are also facing steep fines, court costs, and a dramatic increase in your car insurance rates. You are also facing a mandatory license suspension under Washington State's "Implied Consent" law.
Additionally, if you have been arrested for DUI and you either provided a BAC sample of .08 or above or you refused to provide a breath test, you are facing a separate and independent license suspension by the WA State Department of Licensing.
Washington State's "Implied Consent" Law and your driving privileges.
Washington State's "Implied Consent" law essentially allows the Washington DOL to suspend your license for 90 to 365 days (on a first offense) if you were validly arrested, properly informed of your rights and either provided a sample of .08 or above or refused a breath test request.
You do have a right to hearing. But it is imperative that you challenge this suspension and properly file a request for hearing within 7 days of your date of arrest. If you do not, DOL will simply move forward with the proposed suspension and implement it. We will advise you on how to properly request your hearing, and we will fight your suspension for you.
Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers
Can I get an occupational license or a temporary permit to drive if my license is suspended?
Yes. Washington State’s DUI laws make most people eligible for an Ignition Interlock Device Driver's License. We can explain this option to you and assist you in obtaining one if you simply must drive during your suspension, which most of our clients are required to do.
We know the law and the courts. We handle dozens WA DUI/DWI cases every year. Call now to put our resources and our experience to work for you.
Don't let a Bellevue DUI arrest or charge ruin your life, your career, your finances, or your family. If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Bellevue or King County, you are facing mandatory jail and license suspensions.
We will fight to keep you out of jail and keep you licensed.