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Tacoma DUI Lawyers

1. Jardine Law: If you reside in the state of Washington and you've been arrested for DUI there are two proceedings: 1. The civil case where you can request a Department of Licensing hearing. 2. The criminal case whereby you are charged with a crime and the court can impose both fines and jail time. Penalties [RCW 46.61.5055] are associated with both of these proceedings. Washington State's DUI criminal penalties vary. For any DUI conviction, minimal jail-time is 24 hours. A DUI sentence of up to 365 days may be given by a judge. If you have prior DUI convictions or if you refused a breath test at the time of your arrest, the mandatory minimum sentence could be enhanced.
2. Burns Law Firm: Felonies Arson Assault Burglary, Robbery Drug Offenses Firearm Charges Forgery, Fraud Identity Theft Sex Offenses Vehicular Assault/Homicide Misdemeanors Assault Domestic Violence Drug Offenses Malicious Mischief, Vandalism Minor in Possession Shoplifting DUI/Traffic DOL Hearings and Suspensions Driving Under the Influence Hit and Run Negligent Driving Reckless Driving/Racing All Traffic Citations Juvenile All Felony and Misdemeanor Offenses
3. Olbertz, Xenon: Drug offenses Homicide Sex crimes Assault Theft DUI Traffic violations White collar crimes Medical marijuana cases
4. Treyz, Mark: FELONIES Arson Assault Burglary/Robbery Drug Possession/Manufacturing Firearm charges Forgery/Fraud Identity Theft Sex offenses Theft Vehicular Assault/Homicide MISDEMEANORS Assault Domestic Violence Drug offenses Malicious Mischief/Vandalism Minor in Possession Shoplifting DUI/TRAFFIC Department of Licensing hearings/suspensions Driving under the Influence Hit and Run Negligent Driving Reckless Driving/Racing JUVENILE All felony and misdemeanor matters
5. Freeman Law Office: criminal law and civil litigation
6. Graves, Daryl: Criminal defense Ð felony and misdemeanor
7. Maltby, Marvin: Assault/Domestic Violence Drug Offenses Theft Fraud Identity Theft Forgery DUI and Other Serious Driving Offenses Minor in Possession of Alcohol Fish and Game Violations Juvenile Offenses
8. O'Melveny, John: Criminal Defense for DUI, Misdemeanor, & Felony Charges
9. Underwood, Kent: An entire process is triggered when you are charged with a crime. Although you may not personally go through every step, Tacoma criminal attorney Kent Underwood believes you are better able to aid in your own defense once you understand the entire process and the terms used. The criminal judicial process Typically, a person is stopped, questioned, read Miranda rights, arrested, arraigned, and held over for trial. In most cases, the earlier in the process a criminal lawyer is engaged, the more positive the outcome. These are the major elements of the criminal process and common terms used to describe them. PRE-TRIAL HEARINGS * Arraignment hearing Ð Determines if there is enough evidence to hold the person arrested for trial. If yes, the person is formally charged. If not, charges are dropped and the person is set free. * Bail hearing - Bail is set or the defendant is released on his/her own recognizance * Omnibus hearing Ð Attended by judge, prosecutor, and defense council to determine what evidence seized during the arrest will be admitted during the trial INVESTIGATION * Physical evidence Ð Weapons, fingerprints, fibers, and countless other indications of circumstantial and direct evidence that the defendant committed the crime * Witnesses Ð People with information relevant to the actual crime, or the defendant, testifying on behalf of the prosecution or defense * Expert witnesses Ð People with credentials in technical areas relevant to the defendant, evidence, or witnesses, testifying on behalf of the prosecution or defense * Discovery Ð The sharing of evidence between the prosecution and defense required by law prior to trial; includes lists of possible witnesses, physical evidence, etc. * Case law Ð Research into previous cases to determine how the handling of evidence and testimony impacted the outcome PREPARATION FOR TRIAL * Defense strategy Ð The way defense attorneys and clients agree to approach the trial to introduce reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury * Preparing witnesses Ð Interviewing witnesses in advance to ensure their testimony at trial is consistent, clear, and predictable JURY TRIAL Pre-Trial Motions Ð Motions submitted in advance and argued before the judge prior to the trial * Motion to dismiss Ð Routinely used to ask the judge to dismiss charges based on the lack of evidence * Motion in limine Ð Used to exclude evidence based on rules of law * Motion to suppress Ð Designed to keep evidence procured under questionable circumstances from being used against the defendant * Motion to sever Ð Used to divide defendants or charges so they are tried separately Trial Process * Jury selection - Voir dire (or questioning) of potential jurors; prosecution and defense lawyers each choose jurors thought to be favorable to their side * Opening statements Ð Brief presentation of the expected evidence; prosecutor presents the stateÕs case first; defense has the option of presenting immediately or deferring until opening of the defense case State Case * Direct examination Ð The state calls witnesses to ask them questions * Cross examination Ð The defense questions the stateÕs witnesses * The state rests Ð The prosecutor is finished presenting the stateÕs case * Half-time motion Ð A motion to dismiss is commonly made at this time; need grounds such as: the state failed to present enough evidence to convict; seldom a successful motion Defense Case * The defense has the option of putting on a case of its own or relying on the weakness of the stateÕs case to bring in a not guilty verdict * Direct examination Ð The defense calls witnesses to ask them questions * Cross examination Ð The state questions the defenseÕs witnesses * Rebuttal * The state has option of rebutting evidence that the defense brought in Closing arguments Ð State presents closing arguments first, then the defense. The state has an opportunity for rebuttal. Jury instructions Ð The judge instructs jury members regarding the law and limits their deliberations to the admitted evidence; jury members are instructed to consider finding the defendant guilty of lesser offenses if they decide the facts warrant that instead of the original charges. Deliberation Ð The jury meets in private to discuss the case and decide on a verdict. Verdict Ð The defendant may be found not guilty and freed; if guilty, the case is held over for sentencing Post trial motions Ð Used to object to the verdict, request the judge to dismiss charges for evidentiary issues or insufficient evidence Appeals Appeal to Appellate or Supreme Court Ð As a matter of right, those convicted can appeal to either court; conditions must be met; Supreme Court may decide not to hear an appeal Legal Terms and Concepts Explained * When one does and does not have to speak to police Ð Police must be treated with respect. When asked, you must provide identification and reasonable explanations of your whereabouts. You are not required to discuss specific crime-related information or to incriminate yourself. * When to allow police into your home or car Ð You are required to allow the police access to your home and car if a search warrant is presented. Read the warrant carefully since it is supposed to state specifically what the search is for and where it may be conducted. * When the police can come in without permission Ð If something illegal is in plain view, or the police are pursing a suspect, they may enter your home or car without permission. * Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt Ð All jurors must agree the evidence has convinced them completely that the defendant is guilty with no doubt. * Presumption of innocence Ð A cornerstone of the American justice system is that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This means the responsibility to prove guilt is generally placed on the prosecution. Those accused do not need to prove their innocence, except in cases where affirmative defense is required. * Right to a speedy trial Ð This rule of law controls the amount of time allowed before a trial must take place: In theory, speedy means 60 days for in-custody defendants and 90 days for out-of-custody (out on bail) defendants. However, trial dates are routinely extended. * Trial extensions Ð There are many reasons why a trial can be extended including witness availability, complexity of investigation and preparation, drug, alcohol, and psychological evaluations, scheduling issues, and courtroom congestion. * Appellate bond Ð A bond is posted that allows freedom to the convicted until an appeal is heard; need to have a special circumstances; it is almost never granted
10. Moriarity, Scott: # Drugs & Narcotics Offenses of All Types # Drunk & Disorderly Conduct # Drunk Driving # Assault # Domestic Violence # Traffic Violations # Fire Arm Violations # Record Clearing # Fire Arm Restoration
11. Steinmetz, Harry: * Felonies * Murder * Manslaughter * Sex crimes * Grand theft/larceny * White-collar crimes * Drug charges * Aggravated assault * Misdemeanors * Drunk driving * Disorderly conduct * Small amount drug crimes * Petty theft * Probation violation * Assault & battery If the police think you have committed a crime, they will do anything they can to put you in jail. You need an attorney who frequently deals with the police on serious criminal and juvenile charges. Why you need a lawyer for your defense You do not have to make any statement or give any information to the police without a lawyer present. The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution grants you the right not to talk to the police. Do not talk to officers of the law without an attorney present. It will not help you. Unfortunately, no one has ever talked their way out of a charge if the police are focused on a suspect. here are some facts about self-incrimination: * You cannot talk your way out of being arrested * Nothing you tell the cops will help you in a trial. Information, as stipulated by the Miranda rights, can and will be used against you in court. It will not be used for you. * You may admit guilt for the crime with no benefit for your confession. Your attorney can most likely get you a lesser punishment. * Even if you are innocent, you may make a small mistake during interrogation that incriminates you. People get carried away proving their innocence and accidentally let slip a mistake or fib. * Even if you tell the absolute truth of your innocence, you will always give some piece of information that will incriminate you in trial. * Even if you tell the absolute truth of your innocence, and do not give a piece of incriminating information, your words can be used against you in court if the police do not accurately recall what you said. * Even if your interview with the police is videotaped, your answers can still be used against you if the police do not recall their questions accurately. * Even if you tell them absolutely nothing incriminating and all parts of the Q&A are videotaped, seemingly innocuous statements can lead to mistaken or unreliable pieces of evidence or a witness who refutes part of your testimony. ÒEven guilty people, but not only guilty people, will always end up regretting talking to the police.Ó The police can take advantage of your stress and confusion to get you to incriminate yourself. The police can legally trick you or lie to you to get you to say something incriminating. And they will! Please do not talk to the police and call an attorney immediately if you are contacted by the police.
12. Tolzin, Leslie: * Was there probable cause to pull you over? If the officer didn't have a solid basis, the whole case against you may be compromised. * Did the officer conduct field sobriety tests in accordance with the NTSA guidelines? (For example, the Walk-and-Turn requires a visible line on the pavement, not an imaginary one.) * Was the Breathalyzer in working order and correctly administered? Was the official blood-alcohol test at the station properly conducted? Are you right on the edge of .08 (DUI) or .05 (DWAI)?
13. Schoenberger, Jim: White Collar Crimes, Financial Frauds, Computer Crimes, Murder, Assault, Sex Crimes, Drug Cases, Theft, Burglary, Robbery, DUI/DWI and Juvenile matters
14. Woods, Anna: Mention DUI Defenders and get up to 10% discount. (Some firms may not honor this offer)
15. Horwath, Angela: When you are charged with a crime, you need a defense attorney who knows the law, who knows the courts, and who will fight for you. Tacoma DUI (DWI) If you are convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), you may face significant fines, Washington driver license suspension and other potentially devastating penalties. Horwath Law would like to help you fight your Washington State, Tacoma DUI charge. It is important that you understand that all criminal cases raise constitutional questions, and if any of your rights were violated, your DUI charge may be dropped or reduced.
16. Winskill, Donald: You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
17. Beckwith, Christine: When charged with a crime or DUI, you need a proven criminal defense attorney in your corner.
18. Moriarity, John: # Drugs & Narcotics Offenses of All Types # Drunk & Disorderly Conduct # Drunk Driving # Assault # Domestic Violence # Traffic Violations # Fire Arm Violations # Record Clearing # Fire Arm Restoration
19. Maklin, Cynthia: DUI or DWI Being pulled over and accused of a DUI can dampen anyone's night. But it DOESN'T HAVE TO RUIN YOUR LIFE! ***Immediate Action must be taken regarding your rights with the DOL*** No Question that Washington has some of the toughest DUI penalties in the country. Those convicted of their first offense face: * Mandatory jail time * Hefty fines * Ignition interlock devices * Alcohol and/or drug treatment * Up to five years of probation * Suspension of your Driver License If your BAC is over .08 you will be arrested. Make sure that you do not answer any questions until you consult with an experienced DUI / DWI lawyer.
20. Krupa & Clark: Some people believe that DUI prosecutions are based on solid scientific evidence such as blood test results. The criminal justice system needs the public to believe this or it would come screeching to a halt. However, the reality is that many DUI cases are based solely on the biased opinions of the arresting officer. An aggressive and knowledgeable DUI Defense attorney can expose these problems and, in many cases, can secure a reduction in the charge, get the charges dismissed either prior to trial, or expose these flaws during a jury trial. DUI Case Procedures It is important to understand that there are really two separate cases being prosecuted against you when you are charged with DUI in Washington State: the administrative case and the criminal case. If you are arrested for driving under the influence, the Washington State Department of Licensing will likely attempt to suspend your driverÕs license through an administrative action. The arresting officer in a DUI arrest usually starts this process by punching a hole in the personÕs license and giving them a notice telling how to request a hearing to challenge the suspension. Typically, a person arrested for DUI must request a hearing in writing from the Washington State Department of Licensing within 30 days or they will automatically have their driverÕs license suspended for a minimum of 90 days. In the administrative case, the Department of Licensing is responsible for actions taken against your license, including restriction and/or suspension of your driving privilege. In the criminal case, the government is prosecuting you for allegedly violating the DUI law. The result can include jail, license suspension, fines, an ignition interlock device being installed in the car, alcohol education classes, community service, impounding of your vehicle, or a combination of these things, depending upon the specific facts of your case.