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Not Just Any Old Lawyer Will Do ~ Hire a Reputable DUI Lawyer

Written by David O
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Not Just Any Old Lawyer Will Do ~ Hire a Reputable DUI Lawyer

Are you looking to hire a lawyer to defend your DUI charge?  Make sure to do a little research before choosing a criminal defense attorney, not just any old lawyer will do.  You’ll want to hire a reputable DUI lawyer!

Sure, any old lawyer could show up to court and move your case through the judicial system, but that’s not enough, especially when you consider the possible consequences of being convicted of a DUI; suspended driver’s license, jail time, fines, and more.  Choosing to hire a reputable DUI lawyer will give your case the best fighting chance to get optimal results.

Check out these 4 Reasons you should hire a reputable DUI lawyer over any old lawyer!

  1. A DUI attorney is well-practiced in defending clients charged with drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs.  Attorneys that practice other types of law will not have as strong of a skill set in the practice of DUI defense law.  For example; if you needed to see a doctor because of heart pain, you would be best served seeing a doctor that specializes in the heart such as a cardiologist rather than seeing a primary care doctor who would have less knowledge about the heart.  The same is true with law; if you need help with a DUI you would be best served with a reputable DUI criminal defense attorney rather than an attorney that practices multiple types of law.
  2. During DUI negotiations, an experienced DUI attorney is more capable of discovering legal issues and developing those issues to present to the prosecutors.  A stronger case presented to the prosecutors = better case resolution.
  3. Washington State DUI laws and penalties change frequently, a reputable DUI lawyer will be up to date on those changes and can use those changes to better serve their clients.
  4. And lastly, a DUI criminal defense attorney works closely with reliable resources such as treatment agencies and ignition interlock companies to make the DUI process easier and less stressful for clients.

So take a little time and do some research before hiring the first attorney that comes to mind or is at the top of your Google or Bing search.  Check out some websites, read some attorney reviews, and meet up with a few DUI lawyers in person.  You will get a much better idea of how that reputable DUI lawyer will handle your case and you’ll feel much more confident as your case moves through the judicial system.

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Let’s Talk – DUI Penalties

Written by David O
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Let’s Talk – DUI Penalties

Washington State is one of the toughest states in the nation when it comes to punishing those found guilty of DUI, Driving Under the Influence.  Even first time DUI offenders with no criminal history often suffer consequences such as suspended driver’s license, fines, and jail time.  And with each additional DUI charge, the consequences quickly become steeper and harsher.

So let’s talk about DUI penalties.

DUI also called DWI, Driving While under the Influence, is a crime handled at the state level. DUI penalties are mandated by the court and are determined by; the amount of alcohol consumed (breath test level), refusal of the breath test, prior DUI history, whether there was property damage while under the influence, or injuries to persons as a result of the DUI, and other criminal history.

In Washington, the maximum penalties for a DUI are 364 days of jail, $5000 fine and loss of license.  The minimum penalties for a first offense DUI if a person blew under .15 are one day of jail, $350 fine, and loss of license for 90 days.  The minimum penalties for a first offense DUI if a person blew over .15 are two days of jail, $500 fine, and a loss of license for one year.  The minimum penalties for a first offense DUI if a person refused to submit to a breath test at the station are two days of jail, $500 fine, and a loss of license for two years.

The minimum penalties for a second offense DUI within seven years, if a person blew under .15 are 30 days of jail, 60 days of electronic home monitoring, $500 fine, and a loss of license for two years.  The minimum penalties for a second offense DUI within seven years, if a person blew over .15 are 45 days of jail, 90 days of electronic home monitoring, $750 fine, and a loss of license for 900 days.  The minimum penalties for a second offense DUI if a person refused to submit to a breath test at the station are 45 days of jail, 90 days of electronic home monitoring, $750 fine, and a loss of license for 3 years.

The minimum penalties for a third offense DUI within seven years, if a person blew under .15 are 90 days of jail, if available in the county or city, a 6 month 24/7 sobriety monitoring program (ex: scram device), 120 days of electronic home monitoring, $1000 fine, and a loss of license for 3 years.  The minimum penalties for a third offense DUI within seven years, if a person blew over .15 are 120 days of jail, if available in the county or city, a 6 month 24/7 sobriety monitoring program, 150 days of electronic home monitoring, $1500 fine, and a loss of license for 4 years.  The minimum penalties for a third offense DUI within seven years, if a person refused to submit to the breath test at the station are 120 days of jail, if available in the county or city, a 6 month 24/7 sobriety monitoring program, 150 days of electronic home monitoring, $1500 fine, and a loss of license for 4 years.

DUI penalties can have a negative impact on someone’s life and this is one of the reasons it is important to contact a DUI defense attorney when charged with a DUI.  An experienced defense attorney will work hard to minimize DUI penalties, or possibly eliminate the DUI penalties all together by getting the DUI charge reduced to a lesser charge or by dismissal.

The attorneys at David O Defense are experienced and have a proven track record of serving our clients.  Give us a call today if you have been charged with DUI, we offer free legal consultations, 206-459-6392.

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Likely 1st Round NFL Draft Pick, P.J. Williams, Arrested for DUI

Written by David O
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Likely 1st Round NFL Draft Pick, P.J. Williams, Arrested for DUI

Last Friday, March 3rd, former Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams was arrested for DUI.  Florida State University Police reports say that Williams was clearly under the influence of alcohol due to his slurred speech and swaying back and forth while standing. Williams, however is denying the DUI allegation, saying he was not drunk that day and that he is planning to fight the case to prove his innocence.

The 21-year old football phenom allegedly was pulled over by Florida State Univ. police around 3 am for making an illegal left turn while exiting a McDonald’s.  Police also say they saw him swerve and almost side swipe a curb.

During the DUI investigation, police say P.J. Williams attempted to play the famous athlete card… don’t you know who I am?  I’m a FSU football player, about to be drafted into the NFL…  Needless to say, it had no effect on police and they still arrested him for DUI and hauled him into jail.

Later that morning, P.J. posted the $500.00 bail and was released.  Since the DUI arrest, P.J. has hired a lawyer to defend his drunk driving charge.  A few days later, on the 7th he officially pled not guilty to the DUI charge.

His lawyer released statements about the DUI arrest saying, “He did have a drink or two earlier,” but he cut himself off hours before getting behind the wheel to because he was the designated driver that night.  “… he was taking everyone to McDonald’s.  “It’s what 21-year olds do.”

P.J.’s defense attorney is optimistic about the DUI case, telling reporters that Williams did not submit to the DUI breathalyzer test or a blood draw so there is no BAC (blood alcohol content) result.  Additionally, the video surveillance taken by the police car dash cam may actually help P.J.’s DUI case.

Williams is adamant he was not DUI and he and his attorney plan to fight the charge to the end, even if that means taking the case to trial.  P.J. is due back to court soon.  The NFL draft pick begins on April 30th, and hopefully P.J.’s DUI arrest won’t hinder his chances of becoming a pro ball player.

 

 

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