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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Reader’s Question:
My sister was accused of DUI here in Washington and her DUI lawyer is in the process of reviewing her case. I heard that she was not read his Miranda rights during the arrest or something. What will happen to her DUI case now, will it be dismissed?
Elias
Spokane, WA
Unfortunately, your sister’s DUI case in Spokane, Washington would not be dismissed if she was not read her Miranda rights. The Miranda warnings should be given if the person accused for DUI is already under “custodial interrogation.” If the person is under custody, he/she will not be free to leave or terminate the investigation. Interrogation would be the direct questions or their functional equivalent designed to elicit incriminating information.
While there is no debate that the questions that are asked by the police officer are an ‘interrogation,’ it has been decided by the courts that most of the questions directed to the DUI suspects are asked before the person is in custody for the purposes of Miranda. In other words, in most DUI cases, there is no legal obligation for the officer to advise the DUI suspect of his/her rights. If there is a Miranda violation, it would merely result in the suppression of statements that are obtained as the result of the violation.
Reader’s Question:
I was charged with DUI here in Kent, Washington and everyone is telling me that I should hire a lawyer. To save a lot of money, why can’t I just represent myself?
Howard
Kent, WA
Yes, you may be saving a lot of money without a lawyer by representing yourself in your DUI case in Kent, Washington but this could give you a risk of spending a lot more money later on if you lose your DUI case. An old saying that says, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client,” could be true for most criminal cases. It would be almost never a good idea to respond to a criminal charge like DUI without a good, experienced lawyer because a DUI case is such a specialized and technical matter.
An experience DUI lawyer could spot and develop the favorable issues in your DUI case. The DUI lawyer could also assess the value of your DUI case in the particular court and community where it is being heard and he/she could also negotiate the deal that would have the least harmful impact on your particular life situation. No matter how bright you may be, or how much Nolo reading you do, a lay person accused of DUI is almost never gonna be able to do this as effectively as a skilled DUI defense lawyer.
Reader’s Question:
I have a serious charge of DUI here in Washington and one of my biggest concerns is the problem I would have with my auto insurance. What consequence shall I face with regard to my auto insurance after being charged for DUI?
Bruce
Bellingham, WA
The consequence that you would have to face with regard to your auto insurance after your DUI charge in Bellingham, Washington is that you should file an SR22 auto insurance. This is a form for an auto insurance policy that you would have to obtain from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in order get your driver’s license reinstated and legally drive again.
The SR22 auto insurance would essentially become a written agreement between your insurance company and the DMV. The agreement would oblige your insurance company to provide accurate coverage for your specific needs and let the DMV know if your insurance company is no longer providing coverage for you for whatever reason. Generally, the DMV would suspend your driver’s license again after they have received the notice that your insurance company is no longer providing coverage for you. You have to find an auto insurance company that will give you coverage for the SR22 insurance if your current insurance company is not providing this for you. Good news is, an online rate quote for SR22 auto insurance is readily available from this website.
Reader’s Question:
I got charged with DUI in Washington and it seems impossible for me to get out of this. Would it still be possible for me to win my case or shall I just give it up?
Mae
Bellevue, WA
Nothing would be impossible and anything could still happen if you try to fight your DUI case in Washington. All you need is a DUI lawyer who has an extensive track record of fighting and winning DUI cases. Through an experienced DUI lawyer, it’s not only possible to get DUI charges reduced to a lesser offense, but in some cases, a good DUI lawyer can be able to get them dismissed entirely. The DUI lawyer can also be able to put up DUI defenses applicable in your case. The line of DUI defense includes arguing constitutional violations and challenging blood alcohol content test results.
A DUI specialist would systematically review police reports for any lapses and inconsistencies in procedure. The DUI lawyer could also request complete disclosure concerning the machine used to test your blood alcohol level, the lab certification and the personnel involved in the maintenance and operation of the machine. With all these DUI defenses and more, you don’t have to think that it would be impossible for you to get out of your DUI charge.
September 1 2008 by
author in
DUI Cost |
Reader’s Question:
We are preparing for the possible costs that my son has to pay if he gets convicted for his DUI charge here in Washington. What are the things that we can expect to pay for and do you know how much total cost would it be?
Bunny
Lakewood, WA
The national average for costs in relation to a first offense DUI conviction could exceed $20,000. Like some things, that cost could be much higher in the state of Washington. The absolute cost could include posting bail, vehicle towing, car damage (your car and anyone else involved), property damage, DUI fines, lost wages due to jail or prison, attorney fees, hiring expert witnesses to testify at trial, appealing the case if your son receives an unfavorable verdict and higher insurance rates. If your son gets convicted for DUI in Lakewood, Washington, the costs would be any of the aforementioned or it could also be all of them.
The most important thing on that list would be the higher insurance rates because this is a long-term cost. Motorists generally pay high insurance rates after a DUI for at least three years. Let me remind you that your son’s best weapon would be a competent DUI attorney. He needs a DUI attorney who not only knows the game, but also has already perfected his strategy at winning it.
Reader’s Question:
My brother got arrested for DUI in Washington and he refused to take the breath test. Is it true that his driver’s license would automatically be suspended because of this?
Rhea
Yakima, WA
The State of Washington has an implied consent law which provides that after acquiring the driver’s license, the driver impliedly consents to blood alcohol testing if asked by a law enforcement officer. A refusal to take the breath test is in itself a criminal violation that is subject to stiff penalties. Since your brother refused to take the breath test when asked by an officer on a DUI investigation in Yakima, Washington, this breath test refusal could result in automatic driver’s license suspension or revocation. This driver’s license suspension for breath test refusal would be for one year.
The breath test refusal could also be used as evidence against your brother on his DUI case trial. If he is found guilty of his DUI charge, there could be additional penalties because of the breath test refusal, such as stiffer sentence. In order for him to protect his driver’s license, he needs to request a license suspension hearing and pay $100 to the Department of Licensing to cover the costs of the hearing.