Redmond DUI Defense Lawyers
FAQs
Being accused of driving under the influence in Washington can be especially complicated, and is inherently plagued by confusion. In the event that you are arrested for driving under the influence, it is important to remember that you are not alone to combat the charges.
Q: I’m being charged with DUI. What should I do next?
A: First of all, if you were involved in an automobile accident of any kind, seek medical help to ensure that your health is not in jeopardy. Aside from that, it is important not to admit to any wrongdoing or accept responsibility for an accident until you have spoken to a skilled Seattle DUI attorney. It is never a good idea to incriminate yourself, regardless of the facts surrounding the circumstances of your case. Upon being charged with DUI, your next step is to contact knowledgeable legal counsel that will examine every detail of your case to ensure that punishment held against you is as lenient as possible.
Q: I only had one drink. What are the legal limits for blood alcohol content (BAC)?
A: Under most circumstances, a person may legally drive with a BAC of no more than 0.08%. However, if you are below the legal drinking age of 21 years, you cannot have a BAC of more than 0.02%. It should also be pointed out that, regardless of age, the guidelines for drivers of commercial vehicles are much stricter than those guidelines applicable to motorists of passenger cars. Drivers of commercial vehicles cannot have a BAC higher than 0.04% while on the road.
Q: Do I have to submit to a breathalyzer test? Isn’t it my right to protect myself and refuse to submit to one?
A: Not necessarily. The state of Washington adopts the principle of what is know as "implied consent law". According to this law, it is implied that, in agreeing to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Washington, you will willingly submit to a either a breathalyzer test or a urine sample in the event that an officer of the law suspects that you are driving under the influence of an illicit substance. Though you can refuse to submit to the test and decide not to furnish the officer with any information at all, it will result in the suspension of your driver’s license for at least one year. In the event that you refuse multiple times, on different occasions of course, then you may be subject to monetary fines that can be just as high, if not higher, than the monetary fines that are associated with an actual DUI conviction.
Q: I was involved in an accident while driving under the influence, but the accident was not my fault. What can I do to clear my name?
A: A Washington DUI defense attorney will examine the details surrounding your accident, and will help determine who or what was ultimately responsible for causing the accident. Various elements, from the negligence of other drivers to unsafe road conditions, can be the cause of an automobile accident, so one must never assume that driving while under the influence was the only mitigating factor that caused the accident.
Regardless of circumstance, a Washington DUI arrest can be complicated. At McNeese & Trotsky, our Washington drunk driving defense attorneys will sift through the confusion, and seek minimal punishment for your charges if we cannot get your charges dismissed. Call us today for a free consultation, and we will prepare a solid defense that will combat the charges and help restore your good name.