Reader’s Question:

My brother was charged just recently for DUI here in Federal Way, Washington. At this early stage of his DUI, what are the things that he should know about?

Camila

Federal Way, WA

Your brother should know a lot of things about his DUI case in Federal Way, Washington especially now that the DUI laws are getting tougher. First of all, a DUI often results in a suspension or revocation of the driver’s license, even if the DUI results in an acquittal and before conviction. At the end of the suspension period, he would be eligible to reinstate his license and there is a fee involved, but if his license is revoked, he would have to go through the whole process of getting a new license.

He would also have to be prepared for a hefty fine and he can ask the court if he can have time to pay or pay over time. Most courts would actually prefer that he be able to pay his fines and buy shoes for the baby. It would be much preferable to having to throw him in jail at the taxpayers’ expense. He also has to be ready for a substantial increase on his car insurance. So if he’s in search for a cheap but reliable car insurance, he might want to check out the free quotes available from this website.

Tags: car insurance, drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI arrest, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

I think I already have a drinking problem and what’s worse is that it could turn out to be a drinking and driving problem. How do you think I can avoid a DUI here in Shoreline, Washington with the current situation that I have?

Fred

Shoreline, WA

A DUI in Shoreline, Washington is a very serious charge because it can mean hefty fine and a jail sentence but it is possible to avoid a DUI charge. You have to watch your drinking habit from now on so if you go out drinking, you can have a designated driver who’s not drinking. If you can’t find a designated sober driver, you can call a cab to take you home when you’re done drinking. You may also seek professional help with your alcohol problem.

You can also talk with your loved ones about your effort to avoid a DUI because of your drinking and driving problem. You could be able to work issues out if you talk about what you’re experiencing. If you’re experiencing things that could cause you to want to drink, and especially drink and drive, talk about what you are feeling with those closest to you. You also have to remember that having a DUI charge can cause you a lot of money. Not only you would have to pay lawyers fee, you also have to pay fines and court fees and have an increased auto insurance rates, so think about these things before it’s too late.

Tags: advice, auto insurance, DUI, DUI cost, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

My cousin was arrested for a DUI in Ohio a few days ago but we live in the state of Vancouver, Washington. How will this affect his drivers license in WA?

Daniel

Vancouver, WA

Both Washington State and Ohio are members of the Drivers License Compact (DLC) so if you are convicted of the driving under the influence you received in Ohio then their courts will notify the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) about this driving under the influence conviction.

The report back to the driver’s home state will clearly describe the infraction, specifying the section of the statute, ordinance or code violated; indicate whether a plea of guilty or not guilty was entered ; identify what action was taken; or the conviction was a result of the forfeiture of a security.

The Washington DOL site states that, they keep a record of moving infractions, convictions for automobile violations and notices for failure to respond or appear to traffic citation on every motorist in the state. This information that goes on your driving history is received by clerk of the courts and licensing agencies so it would seem that the out of state information reported to the DOL would also be put on your driving record in Vancouver, Washington.

The state of WA would take actions against you just as if you received the driving under the influence charge in state instead of out of state. In WA your license may be suspended from ninety days up to four years, based on prior violations and your blood alcohol level for DUI offenses. The Washington DOL could inform your friend more about what could happen if he is convicted of the Ohio driving under the influence.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

In 2005, I was pulled over and charged with DUI in Kent, Washington where I live and I plead guilty of negligent driving second degree. I was wondering when will this be removed from my driving record, when the plea was entered or at the time of the incident?

Alicia

Kent, WA

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) states that violations are placed on your driving record at the time of the violation conviction.

According to the DOL site the most convictions, court findings stating a violation was committed are place on your driving record for a period of five years from the conviction or adjudication date. Alcohol related offense are kept on your Washington driver’s abstract for a period of fifteen years from the conviction date.

Departmental actions, such as revocations, suspension or disqualifications are kept on a WA State driver’s record for five years from the final release date. So if your drivers license was suspended during this process of pleading down the DUI to a negligent driving charge in Kent, WA then that will remain on your record for five years as well.

If you have other questions regarding the amount of time convictions/violations are kept on your driving history or want a copy of your driving record, you may contact the WA DOL directly.

Tags: auto insurance, DUI, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

How many years do I have to carry SR22 non owners insurance in Renton Washington State for a first time DUI violation?

Harry

Renton, WA

In Washington State the usual time that a motorist is required to carry an SR-22 non owners policy is for three years. The reason why you are required to obtain the SR-22 non owners insurance in Renton WA may change the amount of time you are required to carry it though.

You can be mandated by this Washington State to obtain an SR22 non owners insurance for different reasons from a driver’s license suspension reinstatement due to a DUI or DWI, accident without automobile insurance or a second or subsequent violation of leaving a child unattended in a running car, etc.

In Washington, typically when you are eligible to reinstate your driver license, you must file future proof of financial responsibility, which is an SR-22, for three years from the date you are eligible to reinstate your license for that accident so likely this is what you will be required with your 1st offense conviction of a DUI.

Tags: DUI, non owners insurance, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

Is it gonna be automatic that I would have a rate increase on my car insurance if I’d be in an accident caused by DUI or drunk driving here in Vancouver, Washington?

Herbert

Vancouver, WA

No, it’s not gonna be automatic that you would have a rate increase on your car insurance in case you cause an accident in Vancouver, Washington. Some car insurance companies, believe it or not, give their customers a one-time “get out of jail free” pass. So in case you make a claim on your first at-fault accident because of drunk driving, you may not see any increase on your car insurance premium at the renewal time. But this kind of practice, sometimes known as forgiveness, is not industry-wide so consider yourself lucky if your car insurance company holds your rate steady after a drunk driving accident.

Car insurance companies that forgive those first-time accidents often require that you fit a certain profile so that you will not have a rate increase on your car insurance premiums. If you are shopping for car insurance, it would be a good idea to ask an independent agent or an insurance company if they offer first-time accident forgiveness. It could save you 20% or more on your car insurance over the long haul.

Tags: car insurance, car insurance rate, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

Will my current auto insurance company find out I have had a DUI conviction here in Tacoma, Washington?

Margarita

Tacoma, WA

Auto insurance companies can sometimes miss DUI convictions so it’s possible that your current insurance company will not find out you have had a DUI conviction in Tacoma, Washington if they don’t check your motor vehicle report and if you are not required to file an SR22 insurance with them. Computer error and human error, as you know, happen all the time. If your current auto insurance company doesn’t find out about your DUI conviction, one way to keep your current policy is to buy minimum liability with another provider with an SR22 insurance.

That way, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would be satisfied because you have made your filing and since you current auto insurance company has not found out about your DUI offense, you’re able to keep your current policy. This would be especially helpful when you have full coverage, higher liability limits, other family members/vehicles or coverage on a valuable vehicle, where the rates on a standard policy could be very high. This website can gladly provide a free online rate quote for you.

Tags: auto insurance, DMV, DUI, DUI conviction, SR22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

My drivers license was suspended because of the DUI and my parents would like to add me to their car insurance policy in Everett, Washington. Will the insurance company be able to know about the DUI charge?

John

Everett, WA

I would recommend that you allow the car insurance carrier and your parents know that your driver’s license is suspended because of the driving under the influence charge. You should not drive a car or be insured on their auto insurance policy in Everett, Washington with a revoked or suspended license. You could place your parents or their auto insurance policy at risk for non-disclosure.

The insurance carrier can pull up your motor vehicle record when they try to add you to the auto insurance policy. They can disclose the information that they cannot add you because of your your drivers license is suspended because of DUI. They can give the inquirer for the information to use in order to contact the reporting agency.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance quotes, drunk driving insurance, DUI

Reader’s Question:

What happens if I don’t have a lawyer and I don’t attend the hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicles for my DUI case here in Enumclaw Plateau, Washington? But if I do attend the hearing, do we have to request for the officer to be present at that hearing?

Jai

Enumclaw Plateau, WA

The hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for your DUI case in Enumclaw Plateau, Washington is very important. If you don’t attend that hearing, you would not be able to drive for a period of one year because your driver’s license will be suspended. It is a serious traffic offense if you drive and be caught driving after your license has been revoked; it doesn’t matter if you drive for work or personal reasons. A very good DUI lawyer can advise you how to get driving privileges restored for work and school so you need to get a DUI lawyer to represent you at your DMV hearing and at your court trial.

If you don’t request for the officer to be present at the DMV hearing, you would have to subpoena him or waive his presence. The DMV hearing would be based on the officer’s report only. If this happens, you would not hear how the officer would testify. This is very important because your DUI lawyer could learn many things at this DMV hearing if the officer is present. If the officer fails to justify what was done or fails to appear, you could get your driver’s license back.

Tags: DMV, driver’s license, DUI, DUI lawyer

Reader’s Question:

Hi, my name is Reid and I live in Renton, Washington and I really like driving but I don’t drink and drive. Is it true that we can judge a driver’s impairment just by looking at their personal appearance or behavior?

Reid

Renton, WA

One of the cues of alcohol impairment is actually one or more of a set of indicators related to the personal behavior or appearance of a driver. There are a lot of indicators which include driving with one’s face close to the windshield, gripping the steering wheel tightly, staring straight ahead with eyes fixed and slouching in the seat. Some police officers routinely scrutinize the faces of motorists in oncoming traffic and look for the indicators of impairment.

Having thick and/or slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, the odor of alcohol on the breath, fumbling with a wallet to get the driver’s license, flushed face, unsteady gait, difficulty following directions and leaning on the car for support are other personal behaviors and appearance that show a driver is impaired. Some of these like having slurred speech, odor of alcohol and bloodshot eyes are encountered so often that some officers are already trained to expect them and include them in their arrest reports even if they are not actually present. If you notice a driver in Renton, Washington who appears to be impaired, research showed that there is an excellent chance that you are correct in your judgment.

Tags: driver’s license, DUI, DUI lawyer