Washington Attorney
Washington Negligent Driving Attorney
An arrest for negligent driving is, at best, scary, unpleasant, and embarrassing. It can set off a chain reaction of potential consequences that can affect your personal, family, and business life.
Obviously, it must be taken seriously. Once you’re over the shock of being arrested, you have to act quickly and decisively to mitigate those consequences.
Contact Knauss Law as soon as possible. If you can, call from the police station.
Learn about
The Facts About Negligent Driving
In Washington, a driver is charged with Negligent Driving if they are seen operating a motor vehicle “in a manner that is both negligent and endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property”, while showing the effects of liquor/drugs/intoxicants.
That’s a lot to digest. It may be easier to think of it this way: the arresting officer thought you were driving without exercising ‘ordinary care’. Maybe you crossed over the line into another lane for a second or two before not so smoothly returning to your lane. Maybe you were riding on the rumble strip.
What Can Happen?
Whatever the reason for the stop, if the officer believes you are showing the effects of alcohol or drugs – and/or there’s evidence like an open container or the odor of alcohol, they will charge you with Negligent Driving 1st Degree. Yes, even if you were under the legal limit.
Otherwise, the charge is Negligent Driving 2nd Degree.
There is a world of difference between the two.
Negligent Driving 1st Degree is a criminal charge. It is a misdemeanor, a step below DUI. If convicted you’re facing:
Jail time (up to 90 days)- Fine (up to $1,000)
- Probation
- Alcohol/drug treatment
- Potential deportation if you are not a U.S. citizen
Negligent Driving 2nd Degree is a serious traffic offense. You may be fined up to $550. Your insurance – if it isn’t cancelled outright – will go up.
Contact us
What to Do in a Negligent Driving Case?
Do not wait, contact Knauss Law Firm as soon as possible. While the facts are fresh in your head.
We will protect your rights moving forward.
As you can probably tell, the differences between a first and second-degree negligence conviction are substantial. What you are charged with and how you are subsequently treated is, for the most part, dependent on the arresting officer’s opinion and how they interpret what they see before and during the stop.
Those observations and how the officer chooses to interpret them leave room for a strong defense.
It starts with you. We work with you to 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 hundreds of clients accused of negligent driving in courts all around Greater Seattle. Moreover, Matt Knauss, our founding partner, was a prosecutor before becoming a defense attorney. Armed with insider knowledge, he can anticipate the prosecution's moves and bolster your defense. He levels the playing field between you and the State of Washington.
Seattle Negligent Driving Attorney
Our Seattle negligent driving attorneys strongly believe that every client has a defense, but much depends on what’s in the police reports and other important factors. With decades of collective experience defending honest, hard-working Washington residents, our Seattle negligent driving lawyers will ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.
The Knauss Law attorneys know the stress you are under. We know your case is important not only to you but to your family as well. We know what is at stake. But it starts with a call. Let’s fix this problem, so you can get your life back!
425-300-5566