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Lakewood DUI Lawyers

1. Wallis, Gary: Probate Law DUI & DWI Defense Criminal Defense Family Law
2. Michelman, William: CRIMINAL DEFENSE Federal and State Drunk Driving (DUI) Courts Martial Sex Offenses Drug Charges PERSONAL INJURY Auto Accidents Personal Injury Head Injury Felony Appeals Misdemeanor All Driving Offenses
3. Healy, Timothy: Do Not Talk To The Police You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Other than retaining experienced counsel, remaining silent is the most important thing you can do for yourself. There are many innocent people in jail and prison due to false allegations. Even assuming improper conduct occurred, is incarceration for a one-time mistake just punishment? If you talk, whether innocent or guilty, a conviction is much more likely to occur. You must not succumb to the urge to explain. It does not matter what the police think (what the police think is not admissible evidence). If you agree to talk with the police, they are trained to exert psychological pressure which could cause anyone to say anything (what you say is admissible evidence). Further, the police are legally allowed to lie about evidence and lie about the potential consequences. The police typically give the impression your case is no big deal. Their goal is to make you believe the case against you is strong and the consequences of admitting to something are minimal. Innocent people have been convicted and imprisoned because of this tactic. If you are contacted by the police they already believe you committed the crime and are simply trying to get you to talk. They are not searching for the truth. They are searching for your statement to use against you. If you are contacted or arrested, say nothing except I am invoking my right to remain silent and I request an attorney. Be polite and respectful, but donŐt believe what the police tell you. Do Not Consent To Anything Be prepared for a search. Places routinely searched include your car, computer, house, and workplace. Do not give the police permission to search anywhere. If they search, it should be without your permission. Any time you are subject to a police search, do not interfere and do not talk to the police (except to politely tell the police they do not have your permission to search and you are not going to say anything until you speak with your attorney). Then call your attorney. Further, if the police contact you at your residence, do not step outside. The police typically must have a warrant to enter your residence to effect an arrest or search. If you are arrested, do not ask to enter your car or residence to speak with your family or to obtain personal effects. If you do, the police will follow you inside and conduct a warrantless search. If Arrested If you are arrested, just get through it. Do not attempt to run or resist. DonŐt explain. DonŐt be over confident, even if innocent. Politely, but firmly, tell the police you do not want to say anything until you speak with your attorney. Do not give the police permission to search anywhere.
4. Byrd, Kevin: DUI is one of the only crimes that doesn't require the defendant to have criminal intent to be found guilty. If the State or City can prove your breath test was .08 or over, you can be found guilty. The DUI law is also unusual insofar as the law imposes strict mandatory minimum sentences for commission of the crime which the sentencing Judge has no discretion to suspend or defer. It also carries with it severe restrictions or limitations on your privilege to drive a motor vehicle in the State of Washington, sometimes even based solely upon the law enforcement officer's written report and regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. Although DUI is still classified as a "gross misdemeanor" in the State of Washington, the penalties associated with it often times have more wide-ranging impact on a person's life than conviction of certain felonies. Deferred prosecution is still a valuable option in dealing with certain DUI's, so long as the defendant has never utilized the option before. You need an attorney if you are charged with DUI.
5. Benjamin & Healy: There are generally two ways of committing DUI in Washington. First, if a persons breath test reading is .08 or higher. To convict a person using this method the prosecutor is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the breath test reading was accurate and the breath test machine was functioning properly. Repair and maintenance records often demonstrate the machine is faulty. The machines database may indicate it was not functioning properly at the time of the arrest. If retained, our expert witness can testify as to the breath test machines inherent unreliability. Second, if there is no breath test reading the prosecutor must prove a person was under the influence of or affected by alcohol at the time of driving. This method requires the prosecutor to prove (normally by having the officer testify as to his observations of the driver) that the persons driving was affected to any appreciable degree by alcohol consumption. It is important to remember that you are presumed innocent and the government is required to prove to the jury that you committed DUI beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence used to convict is normally the police officers observations of your driving, contact with you, and field sobriety tests. The officer will normally only point out what you did wrong, not what you did right (which evidences sobriety).