Matthew Hoff:
Criminal & Administrative Defense of Your
Case
It is important to keep in mind that fighting a DUI typically
has two completely different aspects; the criminal court system and the Washington Department
of Licensing hearings. Each of them requires knowledge of complex legal arguments that only an
experienced DUI lawyer can provide. Either organization can have your driver’s license
suspended, even if you are successful in dealing with the other one. This makes it critical to
have an attorney who can represent you on both fronts.
When you are charged with DUI, you need an attorney who keeps up with changes
in this constantly developing area of practice, who is experienced in the proper
methodology to handle complex questions of DUI law related to:
- Probable Cause for Police Stop
- Probable
Cause to Arrest
- Properly Conducted Field Sobriety
Tests
- Challenging BAC
Readings
- Refusal to
Blow
- Deferred
Prosecution
- Reduction of
Charges
- Sentencing
Guidelines
You should never
plead guilty to DUI before contacting an attorney to discuss your options.
Mark Muenster:
The first and most important step following your DUI arrest is to ensure that you have received and mailed a request for a hearing within the Department of Licensing. That request must be postmarked and sent within 30 days after the arrest. If you fail to perform that simple function, you are giving up your right to an administrative hearing and will have your license suspended prior to any criminal action.
Wheeler, Montgomery, Sleight & Boyd:
If you have been charged with a crime, the toll can be overwhelming. From fines, loss of employment, trials, and potential jail sentences; criminal cases are among the most emotionally overwhelming situations for a person to bear. Without expert representation, the effects of criminal prosecution or a criminal record can have long term consequences.
The fact is, having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side from the early stages of a criminal case can often make a big difference in the ultimate outcome. Too many attorneys handle criminal cases only rarely, and are still practicing 20th century trial techniques in front of 21st century juries.
Jon J. McMullen:
A DUI conviction can result in jail time as well as the loss of your
driverÕs license, substantial fines, increased insurance rates, losing
your ability to drive as part of your work and sometimes loss of
employment. Your rights are of no value unless they are zealously
guarded by an experienced DUI attorney. Jon J McMullen has defended
hundreds of DUI cases and will create a defense tailor made to your
individual case.
Being arrested for drunk driving does not have to be a devastating
experience and many DUI cases can be successfully defended.Ę
Christopher Ramsey:
The State of Washington has placed DUI prosecution and conviction on a
high priority status. The penalties for DUI conviction in Washington
reflect how serious this crime is taken.
However, as a citizen, you have important rights that must be protected
in the balance.
Do not assume that because you have been charged with a DUI that the
prosecutor will drop the charge it is your first offense and that you
have an otherwise clean record. If you have been charged with a DUI,
you are going to fight a two-headed dragon consisting of the criminal
justice system and the Washington Department of Licensing. Don't do it
alone.
Byrd Legal Services:
Drunk Driving
If you are arrested for driving while intoxicated in Washington, your
driveršs license could be administratively suspended by the Department
of Licensing for 90 days in addition to any other criminal penalties
that the court could order. It is important that you contact an
experienced Vancouver DUI lawyer immediately after your arrest to
improve your chances for a desirable resolution of your case.
Jon McMullen: A DUI
conviction can result in jail time as well as the loss of your driveršs
license, substantial fines, increased insurance rates, losing your
ability to drive as part of your work and sometimes loss of employment.
Your rights are of no value unless they are zealously guarded by an
experienced DUI attorney. Being arrested for drunk driving does not
have to be a devastating experience and many DUI cases can be
successfully defended.
Greg Schlile:
If you have been charged with a crime, you need an experienced lawyer to defend your rights.
Matthew Philbrook:
If you have been charged with drunk driving, it is imperative that you
have an attorney who focuses his practice on these matters. In Clark
County, DUI defense attorneys must be aware of specific issues when
analyzing facts and building a defense.
Morse & Bratt:
A Serious Charge Needs A Serious Defense!
Steven Thayer:
If a defendant does not request a hearing within 15 days from the date
of either an alleged breath/blood test refusal or an alleged
breath/blood test failure, ones driver's license is automatically
suspended even if the case is not subsequently prosecuted (if proper
notice of suspension was given to the defendant).
Hicks & Meyer:
- You should take the breathalyzer test. Anyone who has been
issued a drivers license by the State of Washington has, by accepting
that license, implied consent to take the test. If you do not take the
test, your license can be revoked for a minimum of one year for that
reason alone.
- You should refuse to take any field sobriety
tests. If the police are investigating you for DUI they have likely
already decided that you should be arrested. By performing field
sobriety tests all that you will do is help them to build a case
against you. You are not required to take these tests.
- Immediately request to talk with an attorney. If you do not know
the phone number of an attorney, most police stations have the phone
number of attorneys who are on-call 24 hours a day. Request the
opportunity to talk with one of these attorneys before doing
anything.
- You should provide police officers with proper
identification, automobile registration and proof of insurance.
- You are not required to give police officers detailed information
about your activities. The more information you provide to police
officers, the more you are likely to incriminate yourself. Keep
conversation to a minimum.
- Always be polite. Address the
officer as "Sir" or "Ma'am". If you refuse to
comply with a request, decline politely but be firm in your decision.
Do not be swayed; if you have made a decision stick to it. You will not
be in less trouble by answering all questions and taking field sobriety
tests.