Immediate Steps to Safeguard Your Driving Privileges

Losing your license can have immediate and severe consequences. But there are concrete steps you can take to preserve it—and working with the right team can make all the difference. At Knauss Law, we know what’s at stake and have the experience to help you build the best possible defense. Here’s what you need to know and what you need to do.

Criminal DUI

First Step: Don’t Drive on a Suspended License

The risk is too great. Driving with a suspended license is a Gross Misdemeanor, which could add up to a year in jail, $5,000 in fines, and an automatic one-year suspension. Any chance you have to save your license will vanish with this new conviction.

How Can I Save My Washington State Driver’s License?

One of the hardest-hitting impacts of a DUI is license suspension, and the consequences ripple across your life. To stand the best chance of saving your license, swift action is critical.

These are the essential steps to protect your driving privilege:

  • Hire an experienced attorney: Navigating the complex process of DUI defense alone is risky. Our team can guide you through every step, identifying the strongest defense options.
  • Request a DOL Hearing: You only have 7 days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the Department of Licensing (DOL). This is where we can bring in the arresting officer to justify the stop and the suspicion of impairment. Holding the officer accountable is crucial.
  • Challenge Testing and Evidence: Errors happen, and these errors can make or break a case. Our team will:
    • Review times and procedures to ensure every step follows the Washington Administrative Code.
    • Confirm that all samples are properly labeled.
    • Watch for testing errors or inconsistencies that could weaken the prosecution's case.
  • Attend the Driver’s License Hearing Prepared: This hearing is a critical moment to catch and challenge any mistakes, discrepancies, or inconsistencies that might affect the outcome.

Knauss Law’s Proven DUI Defense Tactics

We’ve helped hundreds of clients fight DUI charges, and our experience allows us to expose weaknesses in the case against you. Here’s a closer look at some of the key strategies we employ:

  • Procedural Violations: If the officer didn’t follow exact procedures, we’ll find those errors and bring them to light.
  • Challenging Evidence: From faulty breath tests to unreliable field sobriety results, we know how to attack the prosecution’s case.
  • Pre-Trial Motions: Before your case reaches trial, we’ll work to exclude inadmissible evidence, suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, and challenge every unconstitutional action taken by law enforcement.

What Prosecutors Don’t Want You to Know

The prosecution isn’t flawless and knowing where they’re vulnerable can strengthen your defense. Some of the facts that may benefit your case include:

  • Evidentiary Issues: Witnesses may not be available, or evidence may actually work in your favor.
  • Testing Problems: The prosecution must prove your blood alcohol level beyond reasonable doubt. If they can’t, they’re bluffing.
  • Your Right to a Jury Trial: You have the right to a trial by jury within three months of entering a not-guilty plea, which may lead to a better outcome than plea bargaining.

How to Strengthen Your Defense

To build a strong defense, you need:

1. A Detailed Investigation: Every fact matters; our team leaves no stone unturned.

2. Sharp Cross-Examination: We’ll dig into witness statements and officer testimony to uncover weaknesses.

3. Constitutional Knowledge: Protecting your rights at every step is our priority.

4. An Experienced Attorney: DUI law is complex, and your best chance for a positive outcome is an attorney with experience in these cases.

Time Is Running Out—Act Now to Preserve Your Right to Drive

Your license is on the line, and every day counts. Contact Knauss Law today for a free consultation. We’ll lay out a defense plan that addresses every angle, from challenging the evidence to preparing it for court. With the right legal team, you’ll be taking the best possible steps to protect your future.