Kirkland DUI Without a License Defense Attorneys
DUI and Driving without a License in Washington
Driving while under the influence of any substance is dangerous, and doing so without a license is especially problematic as far as law enforcement is concerned. However, there may be valid reasons as to why you were driving without a license in the first place, and all the circumstances of the occurrence must be taken into consideration to determine the scope in which you have failed to act accordingly regarding the law.
According to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Title 46, Chapter 61, Section 502, Driving Under the Influence:
- A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state: (a) And the person has, within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's breath or blood; or
(b) While the person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug; or
(c) While the person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor and any drug.
On top of that, driving without a license can complicate matters even further. Revised Code of Washington 46.20.015, pertaining to driving without a license, states, "It is a traffic infraction if a person drives any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state without a valid driver's license issued to Washington residents." However, driving without a license resulting in a mere traffic infraction is non-existent when driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is factored into the equation. Even though you may be a licensed driver, driving without your license in your possession, and being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the same time, will result in intensified sentencing, including jail or prison time and hefty monetary fines.
Driving without a license is not as serious an issue as driving under the influence. However, when the two occurrences combine, charges filed against a defendant may balloon and punishment can be more severe than it needs to be. If you have recently been charged with driving without a license while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Washington DUI defense attorneys at McNeese & Trotsky. Our skilled Seattle DUI lawyers will examine your case in its entirety, seeking to find discrepancies in the prosecution’s case or arresting officer’s procedure. If your constitutional rights have been violated, our Washington drunk driving defense attorneys will discover it. Please call us today for a free consultation, and McNeese & Trotsky will seek the best possible outcome in your case.