Redmond DUI Defense Lawyer

As an experienced Redmond DUI defense lawyer, our team at Puget Law Group provides comprehensive legal defense strategies in very complicated matters. Proving you did not drive under the influence or do not deserve the maximum penalties is challenging, and having a team of former prosecutors on your side can help. 

With our experience and dedication to your best outcome, our Redmond criminal defense lawyer will do whatever it takes 24/7 to help you navigate this legal process.

You Need a Trusted, Experienced DUI Defense Lawyer in Redmond, WA

An experienced Redmond DUI defense attorney ensures you are not stepping into a courtroom without the legal confidence and support you need to navigate all of your legal options. Our perseverance and dedication to our clients is second to none. Expect us to provide you with a comprehensive case review and clear insight into your options when you contact us.

A night of too much fun can quickly turn into many days of worry and uncertainty if you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Although a DUI might seem like a fairly tame offense, it can result in serious consequences if you harm or kill someone with your vehicle. Instead of taking any chances with your future, contact an award-winning criminal defense lawyer in Redmond, WA.

At Puget Law Group, we will meet with you as soon as you call us for help, and we will advise you on what to say and do to reduce your risk of further penalties. Being arrested can leave you confused and hoping to get back to your everyday life, but when you contact a skilled Redmond DUI defense lawyer from our firm, we focus on helping you put this behind you. Schedule a free consultation or read our FAQs to learn more today.

Puget Law Group Fights for Your Rights After a DUI in Washington

When you hire a DUI defense attorney from our team in Redmond, WA, you are working with former prosecutors who understand the system, so be sure to learn more about Puget Law Group. We focus on examining the evidence against you, getting as much of it thrown out as we can, and building the best defense strategy the circumstances allow. We also do the following:

• Request your charges be dismissed
• Find and present evidence for your innocence
• Investigate whether the police or prosecutors violated your rights
• Communicate honestly with you about the expectations for your case
• Negotiate a plea deal or alternative sentencing options with the prosecutor
• Defend your side in court to persuade the jury to decide fairly in your case
• Ensure you are prepared for hearings and the trial

When you retain our Redmond DUI defense team, you can rest easy knowing we are fully on your side. We provide comprehensive legal support and guidance for every case we take on, and we always provide our clients with exceptional support in even the most challenging legal matters.

Types of DUI Arrests in Washington State

While it is technically not a crime to drink and drive, in most cases, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is high enough that you could be charged with DUI if you are stopped. Police are responsible for investigating any driver they suspect of driving unsafely, and once you are pulled over, they can often find other signs you are under the influence. There are four main categories of DUI in Washington, including:

• Alcohol DUI: If your BAC level is higher than 0.08, you are considered intoxicated. Officers may ask you to perform certain tasks or submit to a breath test to verify whether they should arrest you. 
• Marijuana DUI: Although recreational marijuana use is legal in Washington, if your THC level exceeds 5 nanograms while driving, you are guilty of DUI. Police officers will try to apply the same criteria for judging whether you are DUI on marijuana that they use for alcohol.  
• Drug DUI: Prescription, over-the-counter drugs, and illicit drugs can affect your ability to drive safely. As a result, they may end up being charged with DUI and criminal possession offenses. 

While illicit drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines, are not classified differently from alcohol or marijuana, they definitely affect your senses and perception. There are no specific levels in your blood that are considered illegal, yet if a blood test reveals their presence, it will definitely be used against you. Your DUI defense attorney in Redmond, WA, will use every technique possible to secure a reduced charge or lowered penalties for you. 

Washington State Implied Consent Laws

Like many states, Washington has implied consent laws. Here, motorists are assumed to have given their consent to chemical BAC testing when they are suspected of driving under the influence. Law enforcement officials must have read you the implied consent warning and believe you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol to request a sample.

Unfortunately, as described under RCW § 46.20.308, refusing to provide a sample could have devastating consequences. First, expect your driver’s license to be suspended. Your driving privileges could be revoked for up to two years With an implied consent violation.

Additionally, you could spend time in jail, depending on the circumstances of your case. Refusing a BAC test allows the prosecutor to argue that you refused because you knew your BAC levels were at or above 0.08%. This refusal could make you look bad if your case goes to trial.

Penalties for DUI in Washington

Your first question after a DUI arrest is probably, “What are the penalties I might face?” Washington has a DUI sentencing grid that details your potential fines and jail time, but remember that your DUI attorney will try to mitigate these penalties as much as possible. Here are some factors that the court will consider:

• What the sentencing guidelines say
• Your BAC 
• Any prior DUI offenses within the last 7 years
• Aggravating circumstances, such as weapon possession
• Mitigating circumstances, such as being coerced or forced to drink and drive
• Age of the suspect, especially if they are under 16

These are some of the most challenging legal cases. Our drunk driving defense lawyer knows what you are facing. We do everything we can to pursue full legal defense for you to minimize any negative outcome.

Understanding DUI Sentencing

With the help of our DUI defense lawyer in Redmond, WA, we aim to avoid any sentencing. Yet, there are times when you may not be able to prove you’re innocent. Generally, you can expect the following sentencing ranges:

• First offense with no priors: One day in jail if your BAC was below 0.15, and two days if it is over 0.15.
• One prior offense in the last 7 years: If your BAC was under 0.15, you will face at least 30 days in jail, followed by 60 days of at-home monitoring with an ankle bracelet. Above 0.15 leads to 45 days in jail and 90 days of home monitoring.
• Two prior charges within 7 years: Under 0.15, you face 90 days in jail and 120 further days of home monitoring, and above 0.15 means 120 days in jail plus 150 days of home monitoring. 
• Three prior offenses in 10 years: Before this level, charges are filed as misdemeanors, but with three priors, your fourth arrest will be a felony charge. This carries at least 3-9 months in jail but could go as high as seven years if there are additional traffic violations.

Note that every case is different, and our drunk driving defense lawyer will work closely with you to ensure you get exceptional support, avoiding any charges. We also will be honest and transparent with you about your rights. Find out what we can do for you by contacting us for a case evaluation.

Vehicular Assault and Vehicular Homicide

If you hurt someone with your vehicle, you could face charges of vehicular assault under RCW § 46.61.522, which is a Class B Felony. If you are convicted, the maximum penalties include up to ten years in state prison and up to $20,000 in fines, or both. In addition, you may be subject to a civil lawsuit by the person you hurt, which could result in an additional financial burden for you.

If you kill someone with your vehicle (or they die later on from their injuries) while under the influence, you will be charged with vehicular homicide. As a Class A felony, a conviction carries $50,000 in fines and up to life in prison, or both. These are serious charges.

We strongly encourage you not to go into a courtroom with a DUI defense attorney in Redmond, WA, who has ample experience in this area. Expect our legal team to fight tirelessly to defend your case. You can count on us to provide superior insight into your options.

You May Be Able to Get Your Charges Reduced

Although we will do our best to have your charges reduced or dismissed, a conviction may still happen. If it does, you could deal with additional license suspension, having to install an ignition interlock device in your case, or losing your job.

Many places will not hire convicted felons, and you will be unable to vote or own a firearm in Washington – which is why we want to help you avoid this type of outcome.

Defending Yourself When Accused of Drunk Driving 

If you hope to avoid the harsh criminal penalties that come with a DUI conviction, it is imperative that you defend yourself. Before you plan to bring your case to trial, it is important to keep your options open. In some cases, you may be able to avoid going to court entirely if we can work with the prosecutor to focus on rehabilitation instead of punishment.

Pretrial Diversion or Plea Agreements

One of the most popular ways of avoiding a DUI conviction is by entering pretrial diversion. As described under RCW § 69.50.4017, if this is the first time you have been accused of drunk driving and no one was injured or killed, the prosecutor may be willing to enroll you in pretrial diversion. There are specific requirements that must be met if you are going to participate in pretrial diversion, such as:

• Community service hours
• Meetings with a probation officer
• Following a curfew
• Finding a job
• Finding a safe place to live
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol
• Passing random drug and alcohol screenings
• Completing a drug or alcohol treatment program
• Completing a DUI course
• Attending mental health counseling
• Getting treatment for substance abuse
• Paying court fees and fines
• Paying restitution to any alleged victims in your case
• Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)

Keep in mind that not all parties will qualify for pretrial diversion. If you have several DUI convictions on your record, you may not be eligible, and the state may be less willing to offer a plea. However, in limited circumstances, individuals with multiple DUIs on their record may still be able to avoid criminal penalties by working out a plea bargain with the district attorney.

Defenses at Trial

Sometimes, going to trial is inevitable. Despite our best efforts to get you enrolled in pretrial diversion or work out a plea, defending your case at trial could become necessary. Fortunately, several potential defenses may make sense depending on the details of your traffic stop and arrest, including:

• Lack of probable cause
• Unlawful traffic stop
• Medical conditions that artificially inflate your BAC levels
• Prosecutorial misconduct
• Mistake of fact
• Mistakes with the administration of the breathalyzer
• Breathalyzer calibration errors 
• Inadequate Miranda warning
• Other constitutional rights violations 

Call a DUI Defense Lawyer in Redmond Today

Put your trust in our experienced DUI defense attorney in Redmond, WA. If you have already been charged, the smart choice is to contact Puget Law Firm right away to secure a skilled and aggressive Redmond DUI defense lawyer. 

Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.