Experienced Washington State DUI Lawyers Who Know WA State’s DUI/DWI Laws.
One of the First Questions That Our Dui Attorneys Are Often Asked Is What Happens Now?
With most WA State’s DUI arrests, the initial case that requires immediate action with the case with the WA DOL (Washington State Department of Licensing). During the occurrence of your DWI/DUI arrest, the opportunity to take a breath test was given to you at the police station.
Whether you opted to take the breath test with results above .08 (.02 for minors), or if you had refused to take the test entirely, the Washington State DOL will be planning on your license suspension. Upon being released, you should’ve also received the Washington DOL Hearing request form.
Upon careful examination of this form, you will notice that you only have a mere twenty days from the date of your DWI/DUI arrest in order to request a hearing. The Washington State DOL will act on the revocation or suspension of your license if you do not place the request within the allotted time frame, which will also leave you with the inability to challenge the validity. With how Washington’s DUI laws work, it is imperative to file your request in a timely fashion
A Washington DUI Arrest Requires You to Prepare for 2 Different Types of Cases.
If you were arrested in Washington State for drunk driving, it’s vital for you to understand that two different cases will need to be prepared for. It is additionally important to learn more about WA State’s DWI/DUI laws and to take the immediate action that your Washington DUI arrest requires.
Not only will you need to fight your criminal charges (harsh penalties are involved with WA State DWI/DUI laws), but you will also have to face the WA State DOL head on in order to keep your privilege to drive. Retain the help of our knowledgeable DUI lawyers who understand how Washington State’s DUI laws work. Don’t do it alone – Washington’s DUI laws are complex!
WA State’s DUI/DWI Laws Can Be Harsh.
Several factors are involved in determining the length of your proposed suspension. First and foremost, did you actually take the DWI/DUI breath test or did you refuse it? In addition, how many DUI/DWI offenses have you had within the previous 7 years? Is it your first, second or third?
To provide an example, if this happens to be the first offense and you opted to take the breath test with alleged results of .08 or higher, you will be facing a license suspension for ninety days. On the other hand, if this happens to be your first DWI/DUI offense but you refused the breath sample, the suspension of your Washington State drivers license will be for a greater period of one year.
With a second / third DWI/DUI offense within previous seven years, the suspension length will be even longer. For example, with a second DUI offense and a provided breath sample of an alleged .08 or more, you will be facing a mandatory 2-year suspension/revocation.
Washington’s DUI laws and the Criminal Aspect of Your DUI Arrest.
The criminal aspect of your WA DWI/DUI case will typically begin when a Notice to Appear for Arraignment is received. In some DUI cases, you may be ordered to be present for the arraignment by a DUI citation or additional paperwork you receive upon your release. Washington’s DUI laws stipulate that if you’ve been convicted of DUI here in Washington State, you will be facing severe mandatory penalties.
WA State’s DUI/DWI Laws and Mandatory Punishment.
Additionally, Washington’s DUI/DWI laws hold that the mandatory minimum sentence that you’re facing will depend on your alleged DUI breath test result, whether you refused to take a breath test, and whether or not this is your first, your second, or your third or greater offense within the last seven years.
At minimum, if you’ve received a conviction of a WA DUI, Washington State drunk driving laws indicate that you’ll be sentenced with the below mandatory penalties:
- Washington State DUI Attorneys Jail time
- Washington State DUI Attorneys Suspension of license
- Washington State DUI Attorneys Ignition Interlock Device for a minimum period of at least 1 year
- Washington State DUI Attorneys Alcohol treatment and evaluation
- Washington State DUI Attorneys Attendance of a victim impact panel
- Washington State DUI Attorneys Fines, assessments and costs
Why It’s Important to Understand WA DUI Laws.
If you have questions about Washington DUI law, then it’s probably a good idea to talk to qualified Washington drunk driving attorneys about your individual case. A conviction for any WA drunk driving related crime will set into motion mandatory or discretionary penalties that will have far-reaching effects on every aspect of your life.
Many people choose to fight their Washington DUI, especially if they feel they were arrested under unfair circumstances or their legal rights were violated in some way. Others simply need help understanding WA DUI law, and would like to mitigate the damage as much as possible either through negotiations with the prosecutor or by going to trial.
It doesn’t matter why you might choose to fight your Washington State drunk driving charges, but understanding the law in your case does matter. Our professional Washington State DUI attorneys have over 30 years of experience dealing with the complications of Washington State DUI law. We can help you understand Washington law, and we can you make sure your legal rights are being protected by it.
A Brief Overview of Washington DUI Laws.
What follows is some basic information about the various WA drunk driving related charges you can receive in Washington State.
When most people think of a DUI, they think of getting arrested for driving over the legal blood alcohol content limit. In Washington, that limit is .08 or higher. In cases where a person’s BAC is .15 or over, the penalties become more severe. While a failed breath test could result in a mandatory 90 day license suspension, if you refuse the test you could lose your Washington driving privileges for up to a year.
You might also be charged with an alcohol related crime in Washington even when you are not actually driving the vehicle. You can be arrested for a physical control violation under these circumstances, from anywhere inside or outside of your car.
A Washington minor DUI offense applies to persons under 21 years of age who are caught driving with a BAC of .02 or higher. Washington DUI law imposes discretionary penalties in minor DUI cases, but mandatory administrative license suspensions still apply.
Reckless driving and negligent driving offenses might seem less severe than a full blown Washington DUI, but the ramifications can be just as severe. A person cited for reckless driving faces mandatory penalties including jail time, fines, and a suspension of their driver’s license. Washington law states that they showed a wanton disregard for person and property.
Obviously, Washington State drunk driving laws are complex, and cover a broad spectrum of individual offenses. Our Washington State attorneys are here to make sure you understand them, and that your legal rights are protected under the same governing law.
Your Defense Must Be Based on Washington Law.
When constructing an aggressive defense strategy, Washington State DUI laws also come into play. Your defense must adhere to these laws, as the court is only interested in legally-based arguments. If you plan on minimizing the penalties that go along with your Washington DUI, then you must create a defense that stands on sound legal footing.
Washington DUI law also applies to your arresting officer. Washington police are required to follow the law when pulling someone over, and if they fail to follow these legal guidelines then the case against you might be flawed. Even the device used to measure your BAC is regulated by Washington State DUI laws, as it has to be properly calibrated according to a certain schedule. In these ways, Washington drunk driving laws work both to punish and protect.
Call a Washington State DUI Attorney Knowledgeable of Washington’s DUI Laws.
Good people are arrested for DUI/DWI in Washington State every day. With our knowledge of Washington’s DUI laws, we’ve helped hundreds of them take their lives back. A Washington drunk driving charge does not have to ruin your life. Our Seattle DUI attorneys and Washington State DUI/DWI lawyers will help you to understand Washington’s DUI laws and your legal rights and options. Washington State drunk driving laws can be tough – let us help challenge your WA DUI criminal case.
Some or all of the evidence in the officer’s report may be completely wrong or subject to suppression. It is therefore imperative to speak with an experienced WA DUI and criminal defense lawyer before ever appearing in court.