Thurston County DUI Lawyer

If you have been arrested for DUI anywhere in Thurston County by either a WSP trooper or Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy, your case will likely be filed in the Thurston County District Court, which is located at 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW, Bldg. 3, in Olympia.

In Thurston County, you are typically required to appear in court the first business day following your DUI arrest. The arresting officer will most likely issue you a citation with the date to appear in court, as well as the Request for DOL Administrative Hearing form.

Remember that, in addition to your Thurston County DUI court case, the Department of Licensing (DOL) plans to suspend your license 30 days following your arrest – regardless of whether you’ve yet been charged – and you face automatic suspension unless you request a hearing within 7 days.

What Will Happen With My Court Case?

At your first appearance (Arraignment), the assigned judge will set conditions of release which may also include enhanced conditions, such as bail or alcohol monitoring (Ignition Interlock Device (IID), EHM and/or SCRAM). If this is a second DUI offense, the court will most likely order both IID and SCRAM.

Following Arraignment, the court will issue a pretrial hearing date, usually about four to six weeks later.

Which Thurston County Judge Will Handle My DUI Case?

There are currently four judges / commissioners assigned to the Thurston County District Court: Brett Buckley (presiding), Kalo Wilcox, Sam Meyers, and Commissioner Paul Wohl.

Following arraignment, Pierce County District Court cases are assigned to a particular courtroom. Once assigned, your case will likely stay in that courtroom, even if that judge rotates to a new court.

Jon Tunheim is the elected Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney.

The Thurston County bench, and its deputy prosecutors, are known for being tough on DUI, particularly on second offenses, whether or not they are within seven years.

Sounds like a lost cause!

 Not at all. The DUI attorneys at Puget Law Group have the skills, knowledge and experience to aggressively defend you in Thurston County, and we defend DUI cases in Thurston County District Court on a regular basis. Six of our DUI attorneys are former DUI prosecutors – no other DUI defense firm can match that. Together, our DUI attorneys have over 100 years combined experience handling DUI charges throughout Western Washington. Although every case is unique, in Thurston County we have been successful in obtaining reductions, dismissals or deferrals on over 97% of cases involving DUI charges.

Sounds like I’m screwed. Are you able to help me?

 Absolutely. The DUI attorneys at Puget Law Group have the skills, knowledge and experience to aggressively defend you in Thurston County, and we defend DUI cases in Thurston County District Court, as well as courts throughout the Puget Sound area.

Second DUI charge in 6 months dismissed

Shelley was arrested for DUI six months after being arrested previously for the same charge. Because of the new DUI arrest, Shelley’s original attorney advised her that she had no choice but to plead guilty as charged on that first DUI or face high bail for the new charge.

After she plead guilty and was released, Shelley called on Puget Law Group to represent her in her second charge. Casey found several inconsistencies between the trooper’s report, and what was clear on the trooper’s “dash-cam” video. Attempts to negotiate a reduction were unsuccessful, so Casey filed motions to suppress and dismiss for lack of probable cause to arrest.

At the hearing, the prosecutor asked Casey one more time if his client “wanted to plead guilty.” Casey declined – an hour later, the judge agreed that Shelley’s DUI arrest lacked probable cause and dismissed the case.

Shelley was arrested for DUI six months after being arrested previously for the same charge. Because of the new DUI arrest, Shelley’s original attorney advised her that she had no choice but to plead guilty as charged on that first DUI or face high bail for the new charge.

After she plead guilty and was released, Shelley called on Puget Law Group to represent her in her second charge. Casey found several inconsistencies between the trooper’s report, and what was clear on the trooper’s “dash-cam” video. Attempts to negotiate a reduction were unsuccessful, so Casey filed motions to suppress and dismiss for lack of probable cause to arrest.