Why You Need A Seattle Attorney If Found Drunk Driving
You will need a Seattle attorney to help reduce the stiff penalties that include jail time, loss of license, and fines if stopped by a police officer and found to be drunk driving. Here are a few pointers to know if caught for driving under the influence.
You just left a friend's house after a couple of drinks and now on the road heading home, when all of a sudden you see flashing police lights behind you. Immediately what comes to mind is you may be caught drunk driving and find you need an attorney in Seattle. The DUI laws in Washington State are the strictest in the nation.
The risk of jail time, probation, fines, court costs, a permanent record, etc. is sitting heavy inside of you. In our legal system, you are completely innocent until proven guilty. Let's say you agree to the Breathalyzer test. However, if your blood alcohol level is found via Breathalyzer test to have a count of 0.08 or higher, then it means you were intoxicated. It doesn't matter how you feel.
The field sobriety test does not override the blood alcohol test. You may speak very well and walk very well. That number from a Breathalyzer test is evidence of your alcohol intake. The blood alcohol count is what brings you to court.
Imagine the frustration you have being convicted of a DUI offense even if you were driving at the speed limit, in lane, and no swerving. You felt alert. After being stopped by the officer, you were polite and spoke clearly. Getting out of the car was easy with no stumbling. You feel dishonored; however a Breathalyzer test puts you in violation. You feel cheated. `It isn't fair', you think to yourself. Something is wrong with you getting caught drunk driving and you now want to see an attorney in Seattle. Go to the website for more information.
What was it about the Breathalyzer test? There is something called the €per se€ laws. It is a Latin definition meaning by itself. In this case the Breathalyzer test by itself is sufficient to convict someone of a drunken driving offense if the blood count is found to be 0.08 or higher. That number from a machine is considered the only evidence needed according to the law to convict someone of drunken driving offense. No additional evidence is needed. Even if the driver passed the field sobriety test, the Breathalyzer blood alcohol count stands by itself as the only necessary evidence.
However a Seattle attorney can work with you to have the charges dismissed or reduced. Look at this link to contact Seattle `drunken driving' attorney. Charges can be dismissed if procedures weren't followed or there is evidence that the Breathalyzer test or the machine itself is found faulty. Seattle attorneys know what to look for. Compare the cost of an attorney verses the loss of driving privileges, suspended license for 90 days, fines, court costs, and other penalties. It is important to find a reputable attorney to help you out. Contact the state bar association and furbish the attorney's name and address. The Washington State Bar Association has a toll-free phone number (800-945-WSBA (9722) also.
Other costs accrue, for example, your car insurance will go up for at least three years because a DUI conviction designates a higher risk client. The maximum sentence for a first time offense is a one year jail time sentence and a five thousand dollar fine. That is the maximum penalty and the court can impose it. There are minimum penalties even if there are no prior convictions. If the blood count is found to be 0.15 or greater then there is imprisonment and more fines. The record remains permanent. It is in your best interest to at the very least have the charges reduced rather than be penalized to the full extent of the law.
You just left a friend's house after a couple of drinks and now on the road heading home, when all of a sudden you see flashing police lights behind you. Immediately what comes to mind is you may be caught drunk driving and find you need an attorney in Seattle. The DUI laws in Washington State are the strictest in the nation.
The risk of jail time, probation, fines, court costs, a permanent record, etc. is sitting heavy inside of you. In our legal system, you are completely innocent until proven guilty. Let's say you agree to the Breathalyzer test. However, if your blood alcohol level is found via Breathalyzer test to have a count of 0.08 or higher, then it means you were intoxicated. It doesn't matter how you feel.
The field sobriety test does not override the blood alcohol test. You may speak very well and walk very well. That number from a Breathalyzer test is evidence of your alcohol intake. The blood alcohol count is what brings you to court.
Imagine the frustration you have being convicted of a DUI offense even if you were driving at the speed limit, in lane, and no swerving. You felt alert. After being stopped by the officer, you were polite and spoke clearly. Getting out of the car was easy with no stumbling. You feel dishonored; however a Breathalyzer test puts you in violation. You feel cheated. `It isn't fair', you think to yourself. Something is wrong with you getting caught drunk driving and you now want to see an attorney in Seattle. Go to the website for more information.
What was it about the Breathalyzer test? There is something called the €per se€ laws. It is a Latin definition meaning by itself. In this case the Breathalyzer test by itself is sufficient to convict someone of a drunken driving offense if the blood count is found to be 0.08 or higher. That number from a machine is considered the only evidence needed according to the law to convict someone of drunken driving offense. No additional evidence is needed. Even if the driver passed the field sobriety test, the Breathalyzer blood alcohol count stands by itself as the only necessary evidence.
However a Seattle attorney can work with you to have the charges dismissed or reduced. Look at this link to contact Seattle `drunken driving' attorney. Charges can be dismissed if procedures weren't followed or there is evidence that the Breathalyzer test or the machine itself is found faulty. Seattle attorneys know what to look for. Compare the cost of an attorney verses the loss of driving privileges, suspended license for 90 days, fines, court costs, and other penalties. It is important to find a reputable attorney to help you out. Contact the state bar association and furbish the attorney's name and address. The Washington State Bar Association has a toll-free phone number (800-945-WSBA (9722) also.
Other costs accrue, for example, your car insurance will go up for at least three years because a DUI conviction designates a higher risk client. The maximum sentence for a first time offense is a one year jail time sentence and a five thousand dollar fine. That is the maximum penalty and the court can impose it. There are minimum penalties even if there are no prior convictions. If the blood count is found to be 0.15 or greater then there is imprisonment and more fines. The record remains permanent. It is in your best interest to at the very least have the charges reduced rather than be penalized to the full extent of the law.
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