I Can Help Defend Against DUI Accident Allegations
DUI Accident Defense Attorney in Kirkland, WA
A DUI accusation is scary. In the blink of an eye, you can go from being a perfectly law-abiding citizen to jailed with a criminal record. Penalties are steep, even for first-time offenders who simply made a mistake. This is the case for someone who was pulled over for simply swerving and causing no damage. If another vehicle was involved in an accident, penalties are even harsher.
At their most severe, DUI penalties can include up to a year in jail and fines as high as $5,000. If you were charged with causing and accident while impaired, judges are likely to sentence you more harshly.
I am Attorney Matthew Knauss, and my law firm defends Kirkland residents against DUI charges. With over a decade of experience, I have argued countless court cases and helped citizens keep their rights and freedoms. Remember that the burden of proof is on the government. They must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were driving while impaired.
We’ve helped hundreds of people challenge DUI arrests, and we have almost always been able to get those cases reduced or dismissed. We can help you too. Call today at 425-300-5566.
Homicide
Vehicular Homicide
If someone died in the accident, prosecution may file a Vehicular Homicide charge in your case. In Washington, Vehicular Homicide is its own category of manslaughter, and it is a Level 11 offense. This offense can come with the harshest penalties, even when the accused has no prior criminal record.
Washington’s DUI penalties are already steep, and they become even more intense with a Vehicular Homicide charge. If convicted, you could serve a prison sentence between 6 ½ and 8 ½ years. The state can also add two years for each past DUI conviction you have. If you are being accused of Vehicular Homicide, call us right away. Time is critical and you need help building your defense as quickly as possible in order to protect your freedom.
DUI ACCIDENT DEFENSE
Call Our Firm for Defense
We are here to remind the courts that you are innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. No matter what evidence prosecutors believe they have, you deserve your day in court, and our team will fight like hell on your behalf.
With our experience, we can investigate your accident, potentially finding discrepancies in the prosecution’s case. Any aspect of your arrest can be challenged. Even concrete evidence such as a high blood alcohol level (BAC) can be questioned. Perhaps you did have a high BAC, but you were the one who was hit and injured. In that case, your impairment could be irrelevant to the accident itself.
If your DUI allegation is drug-related, the state’s case can be thin at best. For example, police are often unable to find solid evidence that you were high. Blood tests may show traces of drugs, but that does not necessarily mean you were impaired at the time of the accident.
The details of your stop should be investigated as well. Police cannot simply stop you on a hunch. They must have an objective and reasonable belief you have violated the law in order to pull you over. If the police failed to follow their own procedure, you better believe we will use that to challenge the government’s case.
Officers can also employ tactics to trick you into a confession. We can review the records and help argue that your confession was coerced. With enough evidence, the courts can throw out improper confessions.
You don’t have to do this alone. We offer consultations at no charge. Just call 425-300-5566, or reach out online.
425-300-5566