The law isn’t a whole lot different than most things in life; you typically get what you pay for. I do not charge for initial consultations and it is always a benefit to meet with me to discuss your case, (the sooner the better). We know the system and laws intimately and the information we […]

A sampling of testimonials from our past clients makes it clear that we understand what you are going through and treat our clients as real people, not “defendants”. We welcome questions and open discussion with our clients and work hard to help them cope with the stress of the process. We understand the system and […]

The most common mistake people make in hiring a lawyer is not asking him or her enough questions. Many lawyers hold themselves out as competent to defend DUI cases when they simply are not. You should start by asking other lawyers for referrals. Then, ask any lawyer you are considering hiring the following questions: [Answers […]

That depends in part on the attorney. DUI law is extremely complicated and the penalties very harsh. For this reason, many highly competent criminal defense lawyers who routinely handle serious felonies refuse to take DUI cases. Anyone in the criminal justice system will tell you the same thing: Hire the best DUI lawyer you can afford, period. A skilled, […]

Probably not. In fact, a competent attorney can actually lower the chances of your case going to trial by pointing out evidentiary problems for the prosecution, often leading to an acceptable plea bargain. The vast majority of DUI cases do not go to trial. Whether or not your case ends up being tried depends on […]

When a person refuses to take the test, the consequences increase dramatically. The mandatory minimum jail time and fines increase, as well as the length of license suspension. The “administrative” (civil) loss of license is one year, and a criminal conviction results in a two year revocation. In addition, there are other increased consequences such […]

No, but it does mean you should hire a competent DUI attorney as soon as possible. Having a high breath test (over .149) means your case is “aggravated” and you are subject to more severe consequences. Every case is different, but a competent DUI attorney can lessen the impact of even the most difficult case.

It depends on the rest of the case. In the State of Washington, even if your breath test results are below the legal limit, or there are no test results, the prosecuting attorneys will still charge you with DUI if, in their opinion, there is sufficient evidence to show that your ability to drive was […]

No, your license is valid for at least sixty days following the date of your arrest. If you request a hearing on the order of suspension (which will automatically be mailed to you by the DOL) the hearing must be held before the sixty days have elapsed. However, you must request a hearing to contest […]

No. Many police agencies in Washington no longer charge a person with DUI by giving him/her a citation, nor do they tell the person to contact a court. Instead, the police report and any other evidence will be provided to the local prosecuting attorney for the filing of charges by “complaint”. In such cases, all […]