What Do I Do if I Get a DUI in Washington
July 29, 2016
Laws vary from state to state, but what do I do if I get a DUI in Washington? While some state laws might differ slightly, laws on driving under the influence are fairly similar.
In Washington State, operating any vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of:
.08 or higher for adults (21 and over).
.04 or higher for commercial vehicle drivers (CDL disqualifications).
.02 or higher for minors (under 21).
or if found to be impaired by any drug can lead to DUI charges. Regardless of BAC, failing a field sobriety test can also result in charges.
Source: Washington State Department of Licensing
What do I do if I get a DUI in Washington?
You just got a DUI in the state of Washington, what do you do now?
If you haven’t already, DO NOT admit to being guilty.
It’s important to make sure you find and contact a DUI lawyer immediately. Working with a lawyer early will make sure you prevent any further errors that could effect the outcome of your situation. At this point, it’s important to remember your rights and make zero mistakes.To provide to best defense, it’s important to provide all information and documentation to your lawyer.
Remember, your conversations with your lawyer are confidential. Share all details of your situation, previous charges, pending charges, or any and all details related to the case. THIS IS IMPORTANT!
Once you have selected the lawyer you want to work with, you will start working together to gather facts, evidence, and documentation to build your case. Regardless of if you are guilty or innocent, your lawyer will build your case for the best possible outcome.While some DUI charges do get dropped before or as a result of trial, there is never a guarantee of the outcome.
I found a DUI lawyer, what now?
Good job! Finding a the right lawyer for your case can take some work, but the hard part is just starting. It’s time to make a game plan, and build your case.While having a good case is highly important, there may be times when the charges are to solid to beat regardless of your defense. When a case is stronger than your defense, sometimes working on getting a lower charger, or a leaner penalty is your best choice.
You think you have a solid case, there is a real chance at winning. Maybe you have a good case, but the evidence and case are to strong to beat. Either way, there are still things you can do to help your case.
While it won’t directly effect your case, there are a few things you can do before your trial date if you are serious about showing the judge that you have changed your ways. The actions you take after a mistake often show what kind of person you are, and the judge will take this in consideration.
Join a DUI Support Group
Obtain Community Service Hours
Join a Volunteer Program
It’s also important to make sure that you do not incur any further charges during your trial.
At this time, your license has more than likely been suspended. This means if you are caught driving before the suspension has been released, you might suffer more charges. More violations make your case more difficult and can increase the time your license will be suspended for.
Dan Fiorito has worked many DUI cases in Ballard and Seattle. His experience with these kinds of cases makes him a perfect candidate for your case.