Seattle DUI Defense Lawyer

If you were pulled over and subsequently investigated for driving under the influence, you are likely to face criminal charges, even if you refused the breath test or if your breath test was under 0.08%.

Times like these can be terrifying and incredibly stressful. Fortunately, a dedicated Seattle DUI defense lawyer at Puget Law Group will work hard to help you avoid criminal charges and jail time.

With skilled Seattle criminal defense lawyers in your corner, your chances of receiving a positive result will increase significantly.

Our firm boasts nine former DUI prosecutors, giving us the experience required to successfully defend you against the worst outcome. We’ve helped thousands of clients protect their futures and are ready to do the same for you.

A Team of Experienced Former DUI Prosecutors is in Your Corner

Puget Law Group’s team of Seattle drunk driving defense lawyers is made up of 11 attorneys, nine of whom have worked as prosecutors. This knowledge allows us to better prepare for the prosecution’s arguments and build stronger cases.

All of our dedicated attorneys are committed to providing a solid defense for those facing DUI charges in King County. Here are some team highlights:

• Our firm’s founder, Casey Arbenz, has handled 50–plus jury trials and won most of them. He has won countless trials throughout his immaculate 15-plus-year career and has recently received the prized “SuperLawyer®” distinction.
• Founding Partner Jared Ausserer served as Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy before he dedicated his time to fighting for individuals like you. 
• Our team of seasoned DUI defense lawyers in Seattle has achieved countless reductions, dismissals, and not–guilty verdicts over the past 10 years. We’ve strengthened as a firm during that time and are fully prepared to take on your case. 

When you work with us, you can rest assured that you have an entire drunk-driving defense team fighting for your best interests.

We prioritize your needs, utilizing our extensive resources to build a strong case that protects your rights and secures a better outcome. We also ensure that you receive the due diligence you are owed. 

Potential Penalties for a DUI in Seattle

If you’re facing criminal charges for a drunk driving stop in King County, you’re likely wondering what DUI penalties you could receive. Washington takes a strong stance against driving under the influence, and the state punishes these offenses accordingly.

Below is a closer look at the penalties you could face if you’re pulled over for driving under the influence.

• Loss of driver’s license: If you’re arrested for impaired driving in the state of Washington, the Department of Licensing (DOL) will suspend your license for 90 days, or as long as two years. Your DUI license suspension will automatically begin 30 days after the arrest unless you request an administrative hearing.
• DUI on driving record: The DOL’s guide to driving records states that a DUI conviction will appear on your permanent record for life, and it can’t be expunged. That’s why we recommend working with a DUI criminal defense lawyer to preserve your record, reputation, and future. They will do everything they can to help you avoid a damaging conviction. 
• Felony charges: After getting arrested for driving under the influence, you could face serious felony DUI charges. If you were convicted of four or more DUI offenses in the past 10 years, harmed someone, or have convictions for DUI, vehicular homicide, assault, or a felony DUI on your record, you could face serious consequences, including jail time and fines.
• Jail time, fines, and more: If you are convicted and sentenced, you could face jail time, hefty fines, and home monitoring. The extent of these punishments depends on the severity of the offense and whether you have prior DUI or other convictions on your record. A state of Washington DUI sentencing lawyer will fight to get these punishments reduced or dropped.

To protect yourself from penalties, consider reaching out to an experienced lawyer who will review the details of your case, guide you through the legal process, and work tirelessly to defend your record and freedom.

Even if you are not convicted, these charges can still wreak havoc on your life through collateral consequences, so do not wait to seek legal representation. 

A Lawyer for DUI Charges Protects Your Right to a Hearing

To mitigate the legal impact of a DUI and avoid damaging repercussions on your life, you will need to consult a lawyer who can help you with requesting and preparing for a driver hearing.

They can assist you in completing the necessary forms and paying the hearing fee. They will help you prepare for the hearing, giving you a better chance of having the charges against you reduced or dismissed. 

To request a hearing, you must do so within seven days of your DUI arrest. If you fail to submit your request for a DUI administrative hearing within that period of time, you forfeit your right to a hearing to fight your DUI in Seattle. The DOL can suspend your license even if you’re never charged with a crime, which is why you must file for an administrative hearing and have an experienced DUI attorney to fight for you.

Whether you are a first-time DUI offender or not, your DUI hearing is a critical step to securing a better outcome. With the help of your lawyer, you will have the opportunity to rebut the charges against you through evidence that can include documentation, testimonies, and more. You may also have the right to appeal a decision made during your DUI hearing, depending on the outcome. 

A DUI Defense Lawyer in Seattle Can Use Several DUI Defenses in Washington to Help You

In Washington, as in many states, several defenses can be employed to challenge a DUI charge. The type and strength of your defense can significantly influence the outcome of your case, so it’s important to work with skilled legal representation when so much is at stake.

They will closely evaluate your case to determine which defense(s) should be used in your case. Some of the most common DUI defenses are:

• Improper stop: One of the primary defenses against a DUI charge is that the officer did not have a valid reason to make the traffic stop. If it can be proven that there was no probable cause for the stop, any evidence collected during the stop may be deemed inadmissible in court.
• Faulty breathalyzer test: Breathalyzer machines are not infallible. They require regular maintenance and calibration. If the machine used to test your blood alcohol content (BAC) was not properly maintained or calibrated, the results might be challenged.
• Improper administration of field sobriety tests: Standardized field sobriety tests must be administered under specific conditions and in a particular manner. If the officer did not conduct the tests correctly, the results could be unreliable.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions can affect the results of a breathalyzer test. For instance, individuals with acid reflux or diabetes might produce mouth alcohol, which can skew BAC readings.
• Chain of custody issues: If there were any gaps in the chain of custody of your blood or urine sample, the sample’s integrity could be questioned, making the results inadmissible in court.
• Rights violations: If the arresting officer failed to read you your Miranda warning or violated your rights in any other way during the arrest, the evidence collected might be thrown out.
• Contamination of the blood sample: The results could be challenged if the blood sample was contaminated. This could be due to improper storage, use of an alcohol swab before drawing blood, or other factors.
• Expert testimony: In some cases, hiring an expert to testify on your behalf about the breath test machine’s reliability, the effects of certain medical conditions, or other relevant factors can be beneficial.
• Witness testimony: Witnesses who can attest to your sobriety on the night in question can be invaluable. This could be someone who saw you shortly before your arrest and can vouch for your behavior and appearance.

It’s crucial to consult with an experienced Seattle DUI defense attorney if you’re facing charges in King County or elsewhere in Washington.

They can review the specifics of your case and advise you on the most effective drunk-driving defense strategy for your situation. Every DUI case is unique, and your defense should be tailored to your circumstances.

Benefits of Working With Our Seattle DUI Defense Attorneys

When you join forces with our firm, we’ll take on the entire process required to combat your charges. Puget Law has extensive experience handling DOL hearings in Washington, with over 1,500 cases handled in the past 15 years.

We have a success rate that is consistently double the statewide rate. Regardless of the  penalties you’re facing, we’ll provide the following legal services:

• A strong defense gives you a better chance of walking away with a clean record
• Challenge the legitimacy of the traffic stop
• Examine field sobriety test procedures for errors and inconsistencies
• Question blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results from your blood test
• Cross-examine the arresting officer about their observations and whether they indicate intoxication
• Present witnesses who can testify to your sobriety or provide an alibi during the time of the alleged offense
• Offer alternative explanations for your appearance, behavior, or reckless driving, such as fatigue or medical conditions
• Negotiate a plea bargain for a lesser charge with lighter penalties than a DUI
• Seek alternative sentencing like mandatory alcohol education programs, rehabilitation, or community service instead of jail time
• Answer any questions you have about the legal process

Our law firm will handle the DOL process from start to finish. This includes mailing in your hearing request and paying the hearing request fee of $375. We work diligently on your behalf, aggressively fighting to reduce or dismiss your charges. If your case progresses past the initial hearing, we will remain by your side and continue to defend you and protect your legal rights throughout the process.

Puget Law Group Has a Track Record of Success

Puget Law Group’s case results demonstrate our long history of improving the outcomes of our clients’ cases and their futures. With our background as prosecutors, our DUI law firm knows how to think like them and shore up your defense to better combat the arguments we know they will most likely use. As such, we have been able to better serve our clients and secure some of the following outcomes: 

• DUI and reckless driving reduced to negligent driving
• DUI and reckless driving charges reduced to traffic ticket
• Physical control reduced to negligent driving 1-2
• Third DUI within ten years reduced to reckless driving
• DUI and felony drug charges dismissed
• DUI refusal trial verdict = not guilty

It is essential to remember that every case is unique, and the outcome of your case will be influenced by its specific circumstances. A Seattle drunk driving lawyer will optimize your case based on the factors involved and their knowledge of the Seattle legal system and its representatives.

They will discuss your options with you, preparing you for what is ahead as they build a strong defense strategy for your case. 

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With a Skilled Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer

You need an experienced DUI defense attorney in Seattle who can fight for you. The attorneys at Puget Law Group have successfully defended thousands of clients charged with DUIs and related offenses in King County and throughout Western Washington. Our firm is the largest and highest-rated DUI Defense Firm in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you get your case dismissed, reduce your charges, or achieve an acceptable plea agreement.