Eastmont DUI Defense Lawyer

You have legal options if you get arrested for driving under the influence. An Eastmont DUI defense lawyer will give your case the attention it deserves. They can explain what you can do to contest your charge. 

Puget Law Group (PLG) has more than 150 years of combined criminal law case experience on staff. Let an Eastmont criminal defense lawyer from our team assist you with your DUI case. Contact us today to get started. 

What to Do if You Have Been Charged with a DUI

Reach out to an Eastmont DUI defense attorney as soon as you can following your arrest. Your lawyer can review your charge and look for ways to help you achieve the optimal case results. They may provide you with tips to help you with your legal proceedings, such as:

• Attend your arraignment. Together, you and your drunk driving defense lawyer can receive information about your charges and submit your plea. 
• Join a treatment program. This can help show the court that you are taking your DUI charge seriously. 
• Do not drive. If your driver’s license has been suspended and you continue to drive, you could receive additional punishments on top of those associated with your DUI. 

PLG can help you at each stage of your litigation. We can provide insights into whether your license will be suspended for a DUI and other legal topics relating to your case. Request a free case consultation with us. 

Penalties That You Could Receive If You Are Charged with a DUI

Per the Washington State Department of Licensing, your driver’s license will be suspended if you are arrested for driving under the influence. For a first-time DUI, your license can be suspended for a minimum of 90 days. You have the right to request a hearing to dispute a license suspension.

You could receive a fine or jail time if arrested for driving under the influence. A first-time DUI can result in a fine of up to $5,000. You could face a minimum of one day in jail after an initial DUI arrest.

A drunk driving defense attorney can explain the penalties for a first-offense DUI in Washington State. Your lawyer can discuss how DUI penalties can escalate if you have been convicted of driving under the influence multiple times. They can also build a legal defense to help you avoid serious penalties. 

Eastmont DUI Defense Strategies to Consider

A DUI defense lawyer in Eastmont, WA understands a conviction’s immediate and long-term consequences. They know how to get a DUI dismissed in Washington State and can craft your legal strategy accordingly. Legal defenses that may be used in your case include:

Challenging Your Traffic Stop

Police officers must have probable cause before pulling someone over and arrest them for driving under the influence. A DUI defense attorney in Eastmont, WA can question why the police chose to stop you while you were driving. If your lawyer’s argument is compelling, the court may be inclined to drop your case. 

Raising Concerns About the Accuracy of Your Sobriety Test Results

Failing a breathalyzer or blood test does not guarantee that the court will convict you of driving under the influence. Your lawyer could provide evidence that your sobriety test was not administered properly. In doing so, they could make the court doubt the validity of your test results. 

Not Receiving Your Miranda Warning

The police are required to read the Miranda warning at the time of your arrest. This warning details your right to remain silent and not respond to police questioning. If you did not receive the warning, statements you made to the police after your arrest may not be used as evidence, and it may be increasingly difficult for the prosecution to argue against you.

Your attorney follows the latest updates to Washington State’s DUI law and can account for these as they prepare your argument. Depending on the severity of your charge, your lawyer may consider a plea deal in addition to various legal strategies. Your attorney can teach you how a plea agreement works and why it may be beneficial to approve one. 

What a DUI Plea Bargain Entails

A member of our team can explain plea deals in depth. With a plea agreement, you accept a DUI charge and agree to lesser penalties than the ones initially levied against you. Thus, a plea bargain may allow you to avoid a lengthy jail sentence and other severe penalties. 

Your attorney can help you weigh the pros and cons of a plea agreement. Just because this option is available does not mean that it will work well in your case. If you have concerns or questions about a plea bargain, share them with your lawyer, and they can help you make an informed decision about whether it is in your best interests to pursue this type of deal. 

Unfortunately, your lawyer could propose a DUI plea deal that the prosecution rejects. If this happens, you and your attorney can continue with the legal process. Your lawyer will search for ways to contest your charge and help you prove to the court that you should not be punished.

How a DUI Diversion Program Works

You may be able to move forward with “deferred prosecution,” i.e., a diversion program that could lead to the dismissal of your DUI charge. In this program, you may receive substance abuse counseling and other treatments. The legal requirements for deferred prosecution include:

• You are only allowed to use this option once in your lifetime. 
• You must have a diagnosis for a mental health issue or substance abuse disorder. 
• You must complete a treatment program and comply with all program recommendations. 

A DUI defense attorney in Eastmont can determine your eligibility for deferred prosecution. This option may be beneficial, as it allows you to treat a substance abuse problem. At the same time, the program may prevent a conviction that could otherwise affect you for the rest of your life. 

Get Legal Help with Your DUI Case

PLG offers legal services and support to Washington State residents charged with driving under the influence. Trust us to help you with your DUI case. 

Schedule a free consultation with our team.