Seattle DUI Defense Lawyer

If you were pulled over while driving on Interstate 5 (I-5), Interstate 90 (I-90), State Route 520, State Route 99, or elsewhere in Seattle and have been investigated for driving under the influence (DUI), you may face criminal charges. At this point, meet with a Seattle DUI defense lawyer, and they can explain your legal options.

Puget Law Group has 150 years of combined experience. Following a DUI charge, our Seattle criminal defense lawyers will work hard to help you avoid jail time, fines, and other penalties.

Our law firm has nine former DUI prosecutors on staff, 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. To find out more, request a free case evaluation. 

Why Hire Puget Law Group as Your Seattle DUI Lawyer?

Our team of Seattle drunk driving defense lawyers is made up of 11 attorneys. We have the legal knowledge to prepare for the prosecution’s arguments and achieve outstanding DUI case results for our clients. Plus, all of our attorneys are committed to providing a solid defense for those facing DUI criminal 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 15-plus-year career and has received the “SuperLawyer®” distinction. 
• Founding Partner Jared Ausserer served as the 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 many reductions, dismissals, and not guilty verdicts over the past 10 years. 

With Puget Law Group, you can rest assured that you have an entire drunk driving defense team fighting for your best interests. Our team will prioritize your needs and provide you with FAQs and other resources to help you with your case. Along with this, we will protect your rights and ensure that you receive the due diligence you are owed.

How a Seattle DUI Defense Lawyer from Puget Law Group Can Help You with Your Case

At Puget Law Group, we’ll take on the process required to combat your DUI charges. We have extensive experience with helping our clients request and prepare for Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) hearings, with over 1,500 cases handled in the past 15 years. Some of the ways that we can help you with your DUI case include:

• Building a DUI defense specific to the facts of your case
• Challenging the legitimacy of the traffic stop 
• Examining field sobriety test (FST) procedures for errors and inconsistencies 
• Questioning the test results that show your blood alcohol content (BAC) was above the legal limit for Washington State
• Cross-examining the arresting officer about their observations and whether they indicate intoxication 
• Presenting witnesses who can testify to your sobriety or provide an alibi during the time of the alleged offense 
• Offering alternative explanations for your appearance, behavior, or reckless driving, such as fatigue or medical conditions 
• Negotiating a plea bargain for a lesser charge with lighter penalties than a DUI 
• Seeking sentencing options such as treatment, electronic home monitoring, or sobriety monitoring when permitted by Washington law
• Answering any questions you have about the legal process

As you learn about Puget Law Group, you will see how we handle the DOL administrative hearing process and more for our clients in DUI cases. We will aggressively fight to reduce or dismiss your charges. If your case progresses past the initial hearing, we will remain on your side and continue to defend you and safeguard your legal rights throughout the process.

We Have a Track Record of Success in Seattle DUI Defense Cases

Puget Law Group’s case results demonstrate our history of improving the outcomes of our clients’ cases and their futures. We’re a DUI law firm that knows how to shore up your defense to combat the arguments we know prosecutors frequently 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

Our Seattle DUI defense attorney will craft an argument based on the factors involved in your case and their knowledge of the Washington State legal system. Next, we will prepare you for what lies ahead and put together a legal strategy designed to help you get your desired case results. 

Trust Our Seattle DUI Attorney to Protect Your Right to a Hearing

If you want to mitigate the legal impact of a DUI and avoid damaging repercussions on your life, it’s beneficial to consult a DUI defense lawyer in Seattle from Puget Law Group, as we can help you with your DOL hearing. Whether you are a first-time DUI offender or not, your DOL hearing can be an important step to securing the optimal case outcome.

In most cases, you have seven days from the date of your DUI arrest to request a DOL administrative hearing. If you fail to submit your hearing request within the applicable deadline, you could lose the opportunity to contest the DOL’s administrative action against your driving privileges. 

Expect our Seattle criminal defense attorney to rebut the DUI 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 circumstances.

What Will Happen if You Are Convicted of DUI in Washington State?

If you’re facing criminal charges for a drunk driving stop near Capitol Hill, Belltown, Pioneer Square, the University District, or another spot in Seattle, you’re likely wondering what DUI penalties you could receive. A DUI defense attorney in Seattle from Puget Law Group can detail the penalties that come with your charge, which can include:

• Loss of your driver’s license: If you’re arrested for impaired driving in Washington, the DOL can suspend your license for 90 days, or as long as two years. Talk with a State of Washington DOL hearing lawyer, and they can guide you through the process of requesting an administrative hearing to contest your license suspension. 
• DUI on your driving record: The DOL’s guide to driving records states that a DUI conviction will appear on your driving record permanently, and it can’t be expunged. That’s why we recommend working with Seattle DUI defense attorneys who strive to do everything they can to help you avoid a damaging conviction. 
• Felony charges: If you have three or more prior offenses within the past 15 years, have certain prior felony DUI convictions, or have been convicted of vehicular assault or vehicular homicide while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, a subsequent DUI can be prosecuted as a Class B felony, with criminal penalties that can include jail time and fines. Have a State of Washington felony DUI charges lawyer evaluate your case, and they can look for ways to defend against a felony conviction.
• Jail time, fines, and more: If you are convicted and sentenced, you can receive jail time, hefty fines, and home monitoring. The extent of these punishments is based on the severity of the offense and whether you have prior DUI or other convictions on your record. 

A DUI charge or conviction can also have consequences beyond the criminal penalties, including potential effects on employment, auto insurance, driving privileges, and other aspects of your life. Get information about Puget Law Group, and you may quickly discover how we can create a personalized legal strategy for your Seattle DUI charge.  

Seattle DUI Defense Strategies to Consider

Allow the DUI defense attorneys in Seattle from Puget Law Group to determine which legal defense(s) should be used in your case. Below are some of the legal strategies that we often consider for DUI cases:

• Improper traffic stop: One of the primary defenses against a DUI charge is that the police officer did not have a valid reason to make the traffic stop. If it can be proven that there was no reasonable suspicion or another lawful basis for your traffic stop, evidence collected during the stop may be deemed inadmissible in court. 
• Faulty breathalyzer test: Breathalyzer machines are not infallible, and they require regular maintenance and calibration. If the machine used to test your blood alcohol concentration 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 police 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 and 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 law enforcement violated your constitutional rights, your attorney can determine whether the violation provides grounds to suppress particular statements or evidence.
• Contamination of the blood sample: In your case, 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: Sometimes, 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.

Every DUI case is unique, and your defense should be tailored to your circumstances. Our Seattle criminal defense lawyers will work closely with you to develop a legal defense that illustrates in court why you should not be convicted of a DUI. 

Seattle DUI Defense Lawyer FAQs

The Puget Law Group team wants you to make informed legal decisions at each stage of your driving under the influence case. As part of our efforts to help you with your DUI case, we’re answering some common questions about DUI charges, the legal process, and the services and support our Seattle DUI lawyers provide.

What should I do after being arrested for a DUI in Seattle?

After you have been arrested for driving under the influence, discuss your case with our Seattle DUI attorneys. We want you to pay attention to the deadlines from the Washington DOL. Outside of this, we can assess your case and give you information about the steps to take to defend against a criminal conviction. 

Can I still be charged with a DUI if my BAC was below 0.08%?

Under Washington State law, you can be charged with a DUI if your blood alcohol concentration is below 0.08%. Based on the circumstances, you can be charged with a DUI if you are found to be impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. 

What happens to my driver’s license after a DUI arrest in Washington?

A DUI arrest can lead to administrative action against your driving privileges, which is separate from your criminal case. The consequences will depend on your BAC, whether you refused a test, and your driving history. You have a brief window to request a hearing with the Washington State DOL.

Can a DUI charge be dismissed in Seattle?

A DUI charge can be dismissed in some cases, but whether dismissal is possible depends on the facts and evidence of your individual case. Our DUI lawyers in Seattle can review issues such as the traffic stop, chemical testing, and the conduct of law enforcement to determine whether there are grounds to challenge your DUI charge. 

How much does a Seattle DUI lawyer cost?

What a Seattle DUI lawyer costs varies based on the situation. During an initial consultation, we will explain the costs of hiring our DUI lawyers in Seattle. This consultation is an opportunity for us to describe your legal options and for you to learn how we can help you with your legal matters. 

Our Seattle, WA DUI Defense Lawyers Are Devoted to Your Defense

The Seattle Police Department, Washington State Patrol, or King County Sheriff’s Office can arrest you for driving under the influence, and your case may proceed in Seattle Municipal Court or an appropriate King County court. At this time, if you want to work with an experienced Seattle, WA DUI defense attorney who will fight for you, get in touch with Puget Law Group. 

We are the largest and highest-rated DUI defense firm in the Pacific Northwest. Our criminal defense attorneys have successfully defended thousands of clients charged with DUIs and related offenses in King County and throughout Washington State. We want to help you with your DUI defense in any way possible. 

Let us serve as your legal representative and advocate. 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 get a plea agreement that works well for you.