Bellevue
BELLEVUE PHYSICAL CONTROL ATTORNEYS
Physical control, like DUI, is one of the most frequently charged offenses in Bellevue and throughout Washington State. See our DUI page for an overview of that charge. Our clients often ask us, “how is physical control any different than a DUI?” Unlike a standard DUI, there are not any witnesses or police officers that actually observe the person drive the vehicle. BUT, the person is found in the vehicle with access to the ignition.
The most common situations include: pulling over to the side of the road to “sleep it off,” parking the vehicle, removing the keys from the car but having them on your person, etc. Essentially, the State will charge you with this offense if it was at all possible for you to start the car while under the influence, or affected by the consumption of alcohol within two hours of driving.
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Just as with a standard DUI, there are significant penalties for a physical control charge. It is most commonly charged as a gross misdemeanor, where the maximum penalties are 364 days in jail, a $5,000 fine, and a license suspension for at least 90 days.
The attorneys at Washington Criminal Attorneys, understand how helpless people can feel following an arrest for physical control. 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.
Our Bellevue Physical Control lawyers 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 right away. 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.
