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.

I’m concerned that my sister would be greatly affected after her DUI arrest in Washington. What would be the emotional and financial costs of DUI on her?

Vern

Kennewick, WA

After being arrested for DUI in Kennewick, Washington, your sister might be ashamed of telling everyone about the DUI arrest. It would also be shameful for her on having to go to court and dealing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). She also might feel shame of having to tell her boss about the DUI arrest. The psychological and emotional costs of DUI are actually different for everyone but it would be the same when it comes to financial cost.

Even if your sister decides not to fight the DUI charges against her, her finances would still take a big hit. The initial costs would be the fines, penalties and surcharges. If it would be required for her, it would also cost money to do the sheriff’s work program. She would also have to pay a fee to choose, within certain limits, when she serves her jail time so that it is the least disruptive to her life. There would also be a program fee for enrolment in the alcohol classes and she would have to pay the DMV for reinstating her driver’s license.

I am afraid my brother’s DUI arrest in Washington would have a negative impact on his record. Isn’t that everyone who is arrested for DUI guilty of the charge?

Silas

Issaquah Plateau, WA

It is absolutely not true that the belief that everyone who is arrested for DUI guilty of the charge. This is what we call “The Guilt Myth.” There are numerous ways in which a person could be falsely accused of DUI and your brother’s DUI arrest in Washington could just be one of them. For example, breathalyzers and field sobriety tests are extremely unreliable. If having a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent is a crime and 0.079 is not, and if alcohol absorption is a time-sensitive process which varies with a person’s metabolism, a false accusation is highly possible that countless Americans have been the victim of.

It is a damaging myth that even some lawyers believe the notion that everyone who is accused of a DUI is guilty of the charge. But unconsciously, no lawyer who believes this myth is worthy of representing your brother on his DUI charge. If your brother certainly believes that he is innocent of the DUI charges against him, he needs to find a DUI lawyer who would definitely fight to prove just that.

I was charged with DUI here in Washington. They say that I don’t need to hire a lawyer because this is just my first offense and it was just a minor one. But I still want to have a DUI help to make sure that I would be equipped with everything I need to get out of this or at least have a lower sentence. What are the ranges of fees and how do DUI lawyers charge their clients?

Jonathan

East Seattle, WA

A DUI in Washington State is a serious offense and must be taken seriously. Consequences of DUI may include loss of driver’s license, fines, vehicle immobilization, increase of insurance rate, community service and even imprisonment. Your decision of consulting and hiring a DUI lawyer would be a smart move.

Fees just go up depending on how severe your DUI violation is but they are sometimes minimal. The fees could range low as $500 dollars to thousands in cases of repeat offense.

DUI attorneys charge their clients differently. Some of these lawyers charge by the hour. Some lawyers will charge an initial fee to cover all the initial legal steps like reviewing the police report and the file from the district attorney and appearing on the first hearing. The fees end as well if at that stage that the DUI charges are dropped against you. Additional hearings, of course, would mean additional charges.

Other lawyers charge a fee to handle your case all the way to trial. Anyway, you pay them for everything if they are able to negotiate and dismiss the case.

Here is the situation; my dad was driving drunk on his way home to our Lakewood’s residence. A police pulled him over and charged him with DUI. Now, he is on trial waiting for his conviction. I want to know what are the possible punishments with regard to DUI in Washington.

Justin

Lakewood WA

Hi ya Justin,

Kinda a sad situation knowing about your dad facing a trial for DUI charges. My mom who loves to drink, was in the same footing with your dad right now. As far as I can remember, the Washington DUI lawyer that my mom hired told us, that the possible punishments that she will be facing will be the following:

1. Jail time (one year for first time offenders)
2. Fines ($5,000 for first time offenders)
3. Suspension or Revocation of Driver’s License
4. Electronic Home Detention
5. Ignition Interlock

A lot is at stake when being charged and convicted of DUI, right here at Washington. Just like my mom, she was a first time offender. She was in jail for a year and even had a fine of $5,000. If your dad is a first time offender, there is a greater chance of having same punishment as my mom did.

Don’t lose hope, your dad had a chance not to be convicted if he has the best Washington DUI lawyer to defend him and make sure to have all the possible remedies and apply the laws into your dad’s side. Winning the case is just a step away only if the Washington DUI lawyer your father hired is a competent one.