Attorney
Seattle DUI Attorney
An arrest for DUI is serious. As in life altering serious. That may seem obvious, but until it happens to you it’s not really possible to imagine the immediate and long-term repercussions.
One of the reasons for that is that everything happens fast. From the arrest and an initial court appearance to a final adjudication can be a blur. There’s little time to take a deep breath, never mind make decisions. And you have a lot of decisions to make. Every one of them has consequences – long and short term; most of them lead to more decisions.
Being arrested for DUI in Seattle presents problems beyond those found in other Washington courts. Seattle courts have their own procedures following a DUI arrest.
This is no time for a misstep. You need help as early in the process as possible.
As unpleasant as the arrest was, the possible repercussions are worse. The arrest sets off a chain reaction of potential consequences that can affect your personal, family, and business life.
Knauss Law can help you break that chain, Contact Knauss Law as soon as possible.
The Facts About DUI
In Washington, a stop and arrest for DUI can start in any number of ways: speeding, a broken taillight, changing lanes without signaling, driving in and out of the shoulder, a crash, or even pulled over on the side of the road.
If the officer suspects you are impaired, they will usually ask you to submit to a Voluntary Field Sobriety Test. Then, ‘based on the totality of the evidence’ if they believe, in their opinion, that you are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs they will make an arrest for DUI.
A breath test will usually be administered at the station. In some cases, a driver is taken to a hospital for a blood test.
In any event, you have been arrested for DUI, the severity of the penalties you face depend on the results of the breath/blood test.
Contrary to popular belief, you can be charged with DUI even if your blood alcohol level is below the ‘legal limit’ of .08 if the arresting officer thought your driving showed ‘noticeable impairment’ and/or you exhibited ‘dulled senses’ during the stop. Remember, an arrest for DUI is based on the totality of the evidence the officer observes before and during the stop.
A DUI arrest in Seattle adds a layer of complexity and stress to the process. Perhaps the easiest way to explain it is to simply note that Seattle courts err on the side of caution. They accept the allegations as fact. That means they take measures that may seem that they are presuming you are guilty until it is proven otherwise. Settle courts are much more likely to ask for bail or to impose house arrest. They may force you to use an ignition interlock device from day one.
What Can Happen
DUI is a serious misdemeanor charge. If convicted the immediate consequences include:
License suspension (up to 2 years)- Jail time (up to 364 days)
- Fine (up to $5,000)
- SR-22 insurance for 3 years.
- Probation
- Mandatory ignition interlock device
- Alcohol or drug treatment
- Wearing a remote alcohol monitor
There are variations depending on blood alcohol or THC levels. Past DUI convictions and/or a refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test can dramatically increase the penalties. There is another dimension to a DUI arrest – a Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) case is filed simultaneously with the criminal case. With everything else going on with the arrest, it’s easy to overlook this. That would be a mistake – you have seven (7) days from your arrest to request a hearing with the DOL. There is no way to extend this. Without the hearing, your license will be suspended or revoked thirty (30) days after the arrest.
Contact Us
What We Do
Don’t wait, contact Knauss Law Firm as soon as possible.
You need to act as quickly as possible. There are deadlines that have to be met, steps that need to be taken, a sound strategy to be devised – all while you try to deal with the reality of the arrest and the immediate consequences at home and at work.
It has to start with you even if you feel like the walls have closed in and you can barely sleep or breathe.
Our first goal when representing a client in a Seattle DUI matter is do everything we can to ensure they walk out of the front door of the courthouse with us. Then, we will immediately do everything in our power to stabilize the situation.
We will work with you to plan our approach and strategize a defense. We scour the police reports while starting our own investigation.
We do everything in our power to eliminate or minimize the effects the arrest will have on you and your family. Knauss Law Firm has years of experience representing clients accused of DUI in courts around Greater Seattle. Matt Knauss, our founding partner, was a prosecutor before becoming a defense attorney. With his insider knowledge, he levels the playing field. We strongly believe that every client has a defense. With decades of collective experience defending honest, hard-working Washington residents, we will ensure your rights are protected.
We understand the stresses you are under. We know the stakes. We can help. It starts with your call. Let’s fix this problem so you can get your life back!
425-300-5566