DUI Faq

Should I take a plea deal (prosecutor’s offer or sentencing recommendation) or go to trial? Good question. I don’t know yet as there is no one answer for all cases. It depends upon the unique facts and legal issues of your individual case, your criminal history, and your legal goals, what defenses are available for … Read more

Should I take the breath test or allow a blood test if I am stopped for DUI? “Yes” take the breath test at the station; but, “No” at the roadside. Since the birth of this great nation people have sacrificed their freedom, and their lives for you to have these constitutional rights. The constitutional right … Read more

But what if I cannot afford to hire a private attorney? Then should I represent myself (“pro se”) or get a public defender so I won’t have to pay a private attorney? No, no and no. I cannot overemphasize how unwise it is for someone charged with DUI or any other criminal offense to either … Read more

No, not by doing everything they ask or insist that you do. But be polite and for God’s sake do not get combative, resist arrest or physically resist them in any manner. Unless you want added charges. Or worse, a broken eye socket, thrown to the ground, a cop’s knee in the middle of your … Read more

Is there any way to avoid the mandatory minimum jail times for first and repeat DUI convictions, if conviction can’t be avoided? Yes, and I have some very creative techniques that I will not share these here as they’ve taken almost 30 years to perfect and are very powerful and creative, but completely ethical and … Read more

 What is the process for getting a stay of the DOL suspension if I am going the deferred prosecution route? Any driver stopped and arrested for DUI is going to have a DOL driver’s license suspension unless they request an administrative telephone hearing, as discussed in another FAQ here hearing, and then win that hearing. … Read more

In most cases, yes – with an IIL (Ignition Interlock License), which requires installation of the device (aka “blow and go’) on your vehicle, SR-22 high risk insurance, and after those are documented with the DOL in Olympia, applying online or by mail for an IIL. But, if you have certain convictions enumerated in a … Read more

What if I did, just trying to be cooperative with the cops? Am I stuck with it now? Breath tests are often suppressible if they were not properly administered, maintained, calibrated, etc. It’s technical scientific stuff. Likewise, the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (“SFST’s”) can often be successfully challenged in court with pretrial motions. Even admissions … Read more

It will go up like a rocket for at least 3-5 years. An experienced DUI attorney will have that in mind when he tries to get your DUI charge reduced for you. We Washington State DUI defense attorneys have to think of minimizing way more than just the jail time if there is a DUI … Read more

The issues are, as stated at http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/hearingsprepare.html: During your DUI hearing, our hearing examiner will consider: Whether you were under lawful arrest. Whether an officer had reasonable grounds to believe you had been driving or were in actual physical control of a motor vehicle in this state while: Under the influence of intoxicating liquor or … Read more