Bellevue DUI Defense Lawyer

On your worst days, it can feel like the whole world is against you. Both the Department of Licensing and local law enforcement will try to rob you of your right to return to the road, sometimes without good reason to do so.

Fortunately, you can fight back in the face of a DUI charge with a Bellevue criminal defense lawyer who can walk you through your defense and help you go up against the state and the Department of Licensing. Your Bellevue DUI defense lawyer with Puget Law Group has spent time on both sides of the bench and knows how to turn the prosecution’s arguments against them. 

We have over 150 years of combined experience, so when you are ready to defend yourself against DUI charges, contact our team to learn more about the representation we can offer you. 

Drinking and Driving vs Buzzed Driving

There is no difference between driving while intoxicated and driving while buzzed. The Pacific Northwest recognizes the differences. Washington breaks down a person’s possible degrees of alcohol intoxication into the following categories:

• Above 0.08%
• Above 0.15%

You have the right to refuse a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test if Washington police officers pull you over, but doing so may not work out in your favor due to the state’s implied consent laws under RCW §46.20.308.

You can face an arrest and criminal charges for refusing to allow officers to determine your BAC. If you find yourself pulled over and accused of a DUI, make sure you get in touch with a DUI defense lawyer in Bellevue, WA, as soon as you can. Our team will protect your rights end-to-end, starting at the scene of an arrest.

Marijuana and DUIs in Washington

The state of Washington recently made the casual use of marijuana and THC paraphernalia legal under Chapter 69.50 RCW, the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. That said, the state updated its DUI laws under RCW §49.44.240 to reflect these changes. The state also notes that anyone who gets behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of at least five nanograms of THC may face DUI charges.

What is more, the state uses the phrase “affected by” as a catch-all for alleged impairment behind the wheel. Even if you are not over the legal limit for THC or alcohol, you may face legal consequences if officers believe the consumption of these products has impaired your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. Your Bellevue drug crimes lawyer can help you protect your rights if you have been accused.

Consequences for DUIs in Washington State

The Revised Code of Washington §46.61.502 states that no resident may operate a motor vehicle with a BAC above 0.08%. Drivers who get behind the wheel while intoxicated by any substance may face at least one day in jail, provided they do not have a prior criminal history of misconduct, which can exacerbate the sentence you face. 

In general, the consequences a person can face for blowing 0.08% or higher on a BAC test can break down as follows:

• First offense, no priors: Up to two days in jail and home arrest.
• Offense with one prior: A minimum of 30 days in jail alongside 60 days of house arrest with monitoring.
• Offense with two priors: A minimum of 90 days in jail alongside 120 days of house arrest with monitoring.
• Offense with three priors: A felony charge upon conviction, including up to nine months in jail and a maximum sentence of 84 months.

Anyone who blows higher than 0.15% on a BAC test can face more severe consequences for their alleged misconduct. Blowing above 0.15% with priors can lead to felony charges far faster than you might if accused of consuming less of a controlled substance. The higher your BAC levels, the more serious the penalties of a conviction.

What to Do if You Are Arrested for a DUI in Bellevue, WA

It can prove challenging to protect your life from the consequences of DUI charges, particularly if you have never tangled with the legal system before. It is often in your best interests to have a DUI defense lawyer in Bellevue, WA, navigate that process for you. Our team brings more than experience to your pursuit of justice. 

Puget Law Group, in particular, knows how the prosecution works. Your Bellevue DUI defense attorney can step in and ensure that officers do not have the chance to misinterpret your behavior at the site of an arrest. We then emphasize your cooperation and challenge any accusations of continued misconduct.

What to Expect from Your Case

If you face accusations of driving under the influence, you need to tackle those accusations on two fronts. You must first address the concerns of the Department of Licensing (DOL). You have seven days from your arrest to file for a hearing with the department, according to the WA State DOL. 

Miss the deadline, and you risk an automatic license suspension. We will file your hearing request for you. We will even pay your $375 request fee.

Once you have addressed the Department of Licensing’s concerns, you have to face the concerns of Washington’s criminal courts. You will likely have to attend an arraignment, at which point a criminal judge will tell you what consequences you risk for your alleged crimes.

Your DUI defense attorney in Bellevue, WA, can then enter your plea to initiate further legal proceedings, possibly even getting your DUI dismissed with prejudice.

Hire a DUI Defense Lawyer Who Will Give Your Case the Attention It Deserves 

You do not have a lot of time to protect yourself from DUI charges. The Department of Licensing and the state’s prosecutors are both working against you with the intent to limit your freedoms. Fortunately, you don’t have to let their efforts go unchallenged.

Once you have a DUI defense lawyer in Bellevue, WA, on your side, you can advocate for your rights in and out of court. Puget Law Group knows how to turn the prosecution’s efforts against themselves, thanks to years spent on the other side of the bench. 

We have helped thousands of DUI clients like you protect their right to remain on the road, so when you are ready to secure tried-and-tested representation, you can contact our team today.