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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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The What, Who, and Why of SR-22 Insurance – DUI, Reckless Driving, Driving w/o a License

Written by David O
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The What, Who, and Why of SR-22 Insurance – DUI, Reckless Driving, Driving w/o a License

SR-22 insurance sounds vague and somewhat intimidating, so we are going to break it down and explain the what, who, and why.

The What

SR-22 insurance blogWhat is SR-22 insurance?  Surprisingly, SR-22 insurance isn’t insurance at all, it’s not coverage or an insurance policy.  Rather it is a document that verifies that someone has car insurance.  According to the Washington State DOL (Department of Licensing) SR-22 is “proof you have a way to pay for any damages you may cause while driving,”  and it is a document showing “financial responsibility.”

What does the mysterious “SR” stand for?  The “SR” of SR-22 stands for “Safety Responsibility.”

If an individual needs SR-22 insurance then they would contact their insurance company.  The insurance company would produce the actual SR-22 document and then file it with the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles).

The Who

Who needs to file a SR-22 document?  Those that want to reinstate their driver’s license after they have had it suspended as a result of being convicted of a driving violation.  Such driving violations that may cause a driver’s license suspension include but not limited to; DUI (Driving Under the Influence), reckless driving, and driving without insurance.

The Why

SR-22 is essentially a financial penalty that the state imposes on drivers who have had their driver’s license  suspended.   To reinstate their driver’s license an individual must pay for SR-22.  The cost can range anywhere from $30 extra per month on upwards of $200.00 per month.  Documentation is usually required for a number of years.  For example; here in Washington State, if someone is convicted of their first DUI, they would be required to carry SR-22 for three years.

The SR-22 may be required whether you own a vehicle or not. If the policy holder fails to pay the premiums, the SR-22 is cancelled and an SR-26 is filed with the DMV. When the DMV receives the SR-26, the policy holder’s license is suspended until a new SR-22 is filed.

Hopefully we have provided some clarity.  If you’ve been charged with a crime or have lost your driver’s license, give us a call, our criminal defense attorneys can help 206-459-6392, David O Defense.

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DUI POP QUIZ – Test Your Knowledge

Written by David O
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DUI POP QUIZ – Test Your Knowledge

How knowledgable are you when it comes to DUIs?  Take our quick DUI POP QUIZ to find out, maybe you will know it all or maybe you will learn something new!  Good Luck…

(The answers to the DUI POP QUIZ questions are listed below question 10.)
  1. What does DUI stand for?
  2. True or False.  You can only be charged with DUI if you have been drinking alcohol.
  3. What does BAC stand for?
  4. True or False.  You can only be charged with DUI if your BAC level is 0.08 or above.
  5. True or False.  Washington State’s legal drinking and driving BAC limit is 0.08.
  6. What are the 3 most common ways a cop can spot a DUI driver?
  7. True or False.  If an individual is under investigation for a DUI, that individual must take the field sobriety tests.
  8. What does DOL stand for?
  9. How many days is a driver’s license suspended if a first time DUI offender that provides a breath test loses their DOL hearing?
  10. True or False.  If found guilty of a DUI, you can later have the DUI removed from your criminal history through the expungement process.

 

DUI POP QUIZ

 

Here are the answers, how did you do?
  1. Driving Under the Influence
  2. False, you can be charged with DUI if your driving is affected and you are under the influence of any substance such as; alcohol, marijuana, drugs, prescription drugs, glue, paint, etc.
  3. Blood Alcohol Content or Blood Alcohol Concentration
  4. False, you can be charged with DUI if an officer believes your driving is impaired even if your BAC level is below 0.08.
  5. True, Washington’s legal drinking limit is a BAC level of 0.08.
  6. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the three most common ways a cop spots a DUI are; 1) wide turns, 2) appearing to be drunk, and 3) straddling along the central marker between lanes.
  7. False, an individual does not need to take the field sobriety tests when under investigation for a DUI, the tests are voluntary.  David O Defense always recommends not to take the field sobriety tests.
  8. Department of Licensing
  9. 90 Days
  10. False, a DUI charge cannot be removed or expunged from someone’s criminal history.  However charges such as theft, reckless driving, burglary, drug charges, and other misdemeanor and felony charges can be expunged if certain requirements are met.
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