DUI Lawyers in Lynnwood
A driving under the influence (DUI) arrest can be quite embarrassing and frightening, especially if you’ve never been involved with the law before. A large number of those who become arrested for DUI are citizens who abide by the law and who don’t have any previous involvements with the criminal justice system.
At The Law Offices of Kevin Trombold, LLC, our legal team understands what’s at stake. It’s not just your freedom on the line; you also stand to lose your good reputation, your driving privileges, your career and even your ability to provide for yourself and your family. Receiving a DUI can have far-reaching effects, impacting all areas of your life. But this is where our legal team can assist.
Our team of Lynnwood DUI lawyers are committed to helping clients from all walks of life. Our goal is to defend you, your case, your future, and your freedom, as we strive to ensure that you see the best possible conclusion to your legal troubles. And in addition to representing clients facing DUI charges, we also handle other criminal cases, including more complex DUI cases involving subsequent offenses or other criminal charges, such as hit and run, resisting arrest, and even more serious charges such as vehicular homicide.
Addressing Your Concerns and Questions After a DUI Arrest in Lynnwood, Washington
A DUI arrest can leave you with many questions and concerns. But this is precisely where our legal team can assist, as we believe that addressing these issues can go a ways toward decreasing the worry and stress that you may be experiencing. Our team of legal experts has put together some information on some of the most commonly-asked questions on the topic of a Washington DUI arrest.
What is Washington’s Legal Limit for DUI?
In Washington state, the driver’s blood alcohol concentration or BAC is the primary factor that’s considered when making the determination as to whether a driver should be arrested. Notably, Washington’s DUI laws are known as per se laws, and as a result, the actual level of impairment typically has little impact on the equation if the BAC has exceeded the legal limit.
For most drivers, Washington’s legal limit for DUI is at .08%. This BAC is calculated utilizing a 210-liter breath sample. There are cases where a driver may be subject to arrest despite having a lower BAC reading. This is true for drivers who are younger than 21 (the legal drinking age.) For these drivers, the BAC limit is just .02%. Commercial drivers are also subject to a lower BAC limit of .04%.
There are also instances where a higher BAC – typically a BAC of .15% or mroe – can result in more serious charges, which carrier a harsher penalty if convicted.
Are There Limits for Driving After Smoking Marijuana?
Most are familiar with the term “BAC,” but this only applies to alcohol-related DUI cases. It’s also possible to be arrested if you appear to be impaired by another substance, including illicit drugs, prescription drugs and even Marijuana, which is now legal in Washington.
Marijuana is subject to similar restrictions as alcohol. A driver could be arrested for a DUI if their THC level is more than 5 nanograms in a 1-milliliter blood sample.
What Happens if I Refuse a Chemical Test?
As a driver, you do have the right to refuse a chemical test. And while this provides the prosecutors with less evidence to prosecute the case, you can also encounter more serious penalties as a result of the refusal. For this reason, it’s critical that you hand your case over to our experienced and trustworthy legal experts.
In Washington, a chemical test refusal can result in harsh penalties, such as a license suspension of up to two years, with a monetary fine of up to $5,000, and a sentence that can be a maximum of 364 days in jail.
What Are the Possible Penalties for a DUI in Washington?
It’s normal to be concerned about the possible DUI penalties, but unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to this question due to the wide range of penalties. The consequences faced by a first-time DUI offender are much different from those that a fourth-time offender may face.
For this reason, we recommend contacting our law firm for a free initial consultation to discuss the basics of your case. Once we have more information on your case, we can provide you with a more accurate idea of what the potential penalties could be.
Washington’s DUI penalties can include:
- fines;
- probation;
- court-ordered program enrollment;
- jail time;
- probation; and
- license suspension or revocation.
Why Was I Arrested for DUI After Taking My Prescription Medication?
A portion of DUI cases do not involve alcohol, marijuana or prescription drugs. Instead, these cases involve prescription drugs, which were often taken precisely as recommended by the physician. Yet, the driver is still arrested for DUI – a fact that leaves many dismayed and perplexed.
Unfortunately, the law allows authorities to arrest a driver if they have reason to believe that they ingested a substance that may have impaired their driving abilities. When consuming a prescription drug that was taken as-directed is a point that’s often considered in the case, serving as a mitigating factor in some cases.
Will I Definitely Lose My License After a DUI?
One of the first concerns following a DUI involves the individual’s license status, as most are aware that license suspension and revocation are amongst the possible penalties. In fact, the minimum suspension timeframe is usually 90 days and the suspension can go into effect in as little as 60 days following the arrest. And while it is possible to lose your license after a DUI arrest, this isn’t always the case. Our team of Lynnwood DUI lawyers can help you to maximize your chances of maintaining your driving privileges.
If you act quickly following your arrest, you can request an administrative hearing before The Department of Licensing (DOL), which is the department handles driver’s licenses. A DUI lawyer can assist you with presenting information that can help clear you of any wrong-doing with the DOL, thereby reducing the potential for suspension or revocation (known as administrative penalties.)
There is a non-refundable $375 fee (payable to the DOL) that must be paid when requesting an administrative hearing, although fee waivers can be obtained by some individuals.
In the event that you miss your opportunity to save your license at a DOL hearing, you may be able to secure an ignition interlock driver’s license. This special device is installed on your vehicle’s ignition. It administers BAC testing prior to starting the vehicle. You will need to pay fees to install and use the ignition interlock device. SR-22 insurance is another requirement.
Trust an Experienced Lynnwood DUI Lawyer to Help With Your Legal Troubles
A DUI can have a negative impact on your reputation, your career, your financial situation and your family. Plus, it can be very distressing to realize that you face some harsh penalties like revocation or license suspension revocation, jail time and sizable fines. Understandably, this can create a lot of stress and worry…unless you trust your case to an experienced Lynnwood DUI lawyer.
At The Law Offices of Kevin Trombold, LLC, we have a legal team that understands how very stressful this experience can potentially be for each of our clients. So we make a concerted effort to alleviate your concerns, while actively striving to launch a strategic, effective defense that will move your case toward a positive resolution.
Our criminal defense lawyers can also handle more complex cases, including those that involve other criminal charges, ranging from hit and run to vehicular homicide.
Feel free to call The Law Offices of Kevin Trombold, LLC to go over your case in a confidential and free session. Call us at 206-590-7667.
