Washington State DUI Attorneys

Serving all of Western Washington

If you have been arrested or charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUI) in Washington State, it is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Tacoma DUI Lawyers serving all of Pierce County, Washington

You’ve been pulled over to the side of the road and were forced to go through an embarrassing array of ridiculous DUI physical challenges, what we call “roadside gymnastics”, with no way of knowing how to pass the tests. You were handcuffed, fingerprinted, and processed into the system. Now you’re facing criminal drunk driving charges with no way of knowing how these events are going to affect the rest of your life.

A skilled Pierce County DUI attorney from our firm will help you fight back!

Being arrested for DUI is a humiliating experience. Not only because you were treated like a common criminal, but also because you will be forced to deal with the Pierce County courts and the Washington Department of Licensing. 

Our Tacoma traffic lawyers are here to help. Don't stand alone. We're here to help, and we will be with you every step of the process. For many, the initial urge is to fight against their DUI charges, especially if they feel like they were wrongly charged with drunk driving. But, it's important to be smart about your approach.

Facing the Washington State prosecutorial legal machinery can be far more difficult than you might imagine. That’s why if you’ve been arrested for DUI and intend to fight back, your should talk to am experienced and aggressive criminal driving lawyer as soon as possible. 

Our team has over 30 years of combined experience handling Washington State drunk driving cases, and your Tacoma traffic attorney will make sure that your legal rights are being protected. Whether you are facing a complicated DUI or a simple traffic infraction, our Tacoma ticket lawyers have you covered.

And, in the event that you have been arrested for a a different type of crime such as physical control, reckless driving, negligent driving in the first degree, hit and run, or negligent driving in the second degree, these too carry some severe penalties and should be dealt with seriously and immediately. 

If you are facing a marijuana DUI, then you know that our laws make it legal to possess up to one ounce. This doesn't mean, however, that one can be under the influence of pot and drive a vehicle. If you have been arrested for a weed DUI, call a Tacoma marijuana lawyer from our team today to learn how we can help protect your legal rights.

Now is not to time to let the situation take control of your emotions or get down on yourself. You are not a criminal, and there is no reason that you shouldn’t do everything you can to minimize the penalties you face. Our Tacoma traffic attorneys are here to help. But, our lawyers cannot help if you do not call.

If you are convicted of a DUI then you are facing mandatory punishments that could have a devastating effect on you and your family. Our Tacoma DUI lawyers understand Washington State's drunk driving laws, and we have the resources, the experience, and the skill needed to deal with the courts and the prosecutor on your behalf.

What penalties will I face if convicted of DUI?

The seriousness of being arrested for DUI in Washington State cannot be overstated when it comes to mandatory minimum penalties. A conviction will incur a series of penalties that will cost you a lot of money while also sending you to jail for at least a day or two. And, this is for a first offense. If this is a second offense, you are looking at a mandatory minimum of 30 to 45 days in jail.

By hiring a Tacoma criminal driving attorney with our firm, you are making sure that your legal rights are being protected by someone who is working as your personal advocate. We will be there with you every step of the process, and we know how to dissect a set of DUI police reports.

The goal will be to have your DUI charges dismissed or reduced, Our Tacoma driving lawyers believe that every civil traffic infraction and every drunk driving case can be attacked on some level, it's just a matter of knowing what to look for and how to attack the deficiency.

Sometimes, the harshest DUI penalties are the ones not imposed by the courts. These are the unforeseen penalties and damage that a DUI can cause, such as stress on your family, loss of employment, or facing a huge financial burden. 

We have handled many, many drunk driving cases over the years. Our attorneys will not only help you fight the DUI charges, he or she will also stand by your side throughout this difficult process.

What’s next? 

Get the help you need!

If you plan on fighting your DUI charges, then the next logical step is to retain a good traffic attorney and then start building a solid defense strategy. A defense is built around the law, not just your side of the story, or events. The Tacoma court is not interested in anything other than the facts of your DUI case. So, it’s important to start working on the details right away. The last thing that you want to let happen is to get run over by the prosecution. 

A Tacoma drunk driving and traffic attorney from our team will know how to build a defense structured around sound legal principles. We know how to make sure that your version of the events gets heard. 

There are police reports that we will investigate for errors, and we will also examine any devices used to measure your blood alcohol level when you got your DUI. If there are mistakes in the reports, or calibration errors in the breathalyzer, your Pierce County drunk driving lawyer will use this evidence to have the charges against you reduced or possibly even dismissed.

Obviously, gathering evidence takes time. You only have seven days to file for a DUI  implied consent hearing with the Washington State Department of Licensing, so time is of the essence. And, waiting too long could be detrimental to your case as the DOL may deny you a hearing entirely if you do not request it in a timely manner. If you are going to fight your DUI, then it is essential that you contact one of our Pierce County DUI attorneys as quickly as possible so that we can start gathering evidence and working out your defense strategy right away

The benefits of taking action now.

The effects of a drunk driving arrest can cause you to shut yourself off from the world. As we’ve stated, it makes more sense to face the problem head-on, so that your Tacoma DUI lawyer can start building a defense that has the best chance of success. One of the side benefits of this is that you immediately start feeling a little better about your situation.

After the initial shock of a DUI arrest wears off, most people discover that events start careening out of control pretty quickly. And, by retaining a good Pierce County drunk driving attorney, you take the burden off of yourself, and put it in the hands of someone with real experience. Again, you don't have to stand alone. Get one of our experienced and aggressive traffic attorneys out in front of you.

Handling your DUI case by yourself can lead to all kinds of problems, and it is seldom a successful strategy. Failing to understand the legal process, and DUI laws, will only cause you to get hammered by the prosecution. They know Washington DUI law because they use it each and every day in their job. And, if you are without a good traffic attorney, you will be at a serious disadvantage.

Their goal is to prosecute you to the fullest extent the law allows, and they do not care about you or the circumstances of your DUI arrest. As strange as it sounds, they don’t even care if the evidence shows that you may be innocent. They typically only look at the arresting officer’s report and treat it as the final word in every DUI case.

Your Tacoma DUI lawyer will make certain that your rights are protected against the unrelenting and unfeeling legal machinery of the state. They act as a barrier between you and the prosecutor, ensuring that the court is presented with ALL of the facts, and not just the ones that will get the prosecutor another conviction.

Why hire a Tacoma DUI attorney from the Law Offices of Jason S. Newcombe?

There are a lot of Tacoma and Pierce County DUI lawyers out there, and choosing the right one for you is one of the most important decisions you will make after a drunk driving arrest. You should choose a DUI legal professional who understands how important these events are to you and your family, and who will do everything legally allowed to minimize the penalties you face.

If you come to us for help, you can rest assured that your Tacoma DUI lawyer is part of a determined and steadfast group of legal professionals who know how to navigate the Washington court system. No case is too big or too small, and every client is important. You will find that we treat everyone we represent for DUI with courtesy and respect, and we ensure that their legal rights are aggressively defended.

We have built our reputation on over 30 years of combined experience dealing with DUI cases all over Western Washington, including Tacoma. We realize that good, honest, hard-working people get arrested for DUI every day in Washington. Our job is not to be critical, but to vigorously fight the charges against you and help you overcome any obstacles.

Call a Tacoma drunk driving attorney today for a FREE consultation.

If you want to fight your DUI charge, then contact a Tacoma traffic lawyer from our firm today. We will answer your DUI questions and lay out your options. There is no pressure involved, and you will be able to make an informed, risk-free decision regarding your future. If we are the right DUI attorneys for you, we will start working on building your defense strategy right away.

Throughout the process, your drunk driving lawyer will make sure everything is being done to aggressively fight for your rights and your freedom. Contact us today and start fighting back!

Tacoma DUI lawyers and traffic infraction attorneys fighting to keep you out of jail and validly licensed to drive.

Experienced Washington State DUI and Traffic Attorneys.

Washington State DUI Laws

What you need to know about Washington DUI laws.

Washington State's DUI laws cover a broad range of offenses that can adversely affect your life. Understanding these laws is paramount if you are going to have any chance at minimizing the severe penalties you face. Building a defense strategy to attack the case against you must utilize this knowledge, if you think you were charged unfairly or you a hopeful that a plea bargain can be arranged with the prosecutor.

With over 30 years of combined experience handling complex DUI cases, a Washington State DUI attorney from our firm can help you protect your rights. We believe every DUI case can be aggressively attacked on some level, depending on the circumstances behind your arrest.

A DUI imposes mandatory penalties that can have immediate and long term effects on your everyday life. For instance, if you are arrested for a typical Washington drunk driving crime, you will lose your driving privileges, be fined, and face jail time. Washington DUI law states that after a first offense you will be punished with a minimum of one day in jail and a 90-day license suspension.

If you are convicted of a subsequent DUI offense, the penalties will be even more severe, a lot more serve. For example, you will be looking at a mandatory minimum of 30 to 45 days and a multi-year license revocation.

There are other Washington State  drunk driving related offenses that you can be charged with, including:

               Minor DUI – This DUI law is violated when persons under 21 years of age register a blood alcohol level of .02 or higher. A minor DUI conviction could make it difficult for the offender to get a decent job in the future.

               Physical Control – Persons arrested for this crime are accused of an alcohol related offense, even though they were not driving. However, Washington DUI law states that they were “in physical control” of the vehicle, and they face penalties that are just as severe as if they were driving.

               Reckless Driving – While not as severe as a full-blown Washington DUI, the law imposes serious penalties for those who are found guilty of reckless driving, including a mandatory 30-day license suspension.

               Negligent Driving – Negligent Driving in the First Degree is a serious criminal offense. In many respects, it’s kind of like a watered-down DUI. Essentially, it’s operating a motor vehicle negligently after having consumed alcohol or drugs and while feeling the effects of said alcohol or drugs.

These are just a few Washington State drunk driving charges you could face. All of them should be taken very seriously. A qualified Washington DUI lawyer from our team can help you defend yourself against these charges with a proper understanding of the law.

Building a defense based on sound legal principles.

Establishing an aggressive defense requires getting an early jump on the process. Not only must evidence be collected, but there is only seven days before you must request your Washington State Department of Licensing DUI Suspension Hearing. Washington DUI law requires that you request this hearing to determine if your license will be suspended following a breath test or a blood test.

Also, you will have to make an appearance in Washington State district court for your arraignment at some point after your DUI arrest. If you were not given a court date at the time of your arrest, however, one will be mailed to you.

If you want your side of the story told, then you can work with a Washington DUI lawyer from our team on an individual basis to make sure you are being heard. Our DUI attorneys will take an in-depth look at your police reports and thoroughly investigate the facts, looking for technical oversights that could work in your favor. While there are never any guarantees, Washington DUI law requires that the arresting officer follow proper guidelines, and that any BAC measuring device be properly calibrated.

Call for a free consultation with a Washington DUI attorney now.

No matter what kind of criminal driving offense you’ve been charged with, do not bang your head against the wall by trying to face the situation head-on without having the benefit of legal counsel by your side. Our DUI lawyers understand Washington State's DUI laws, and we will do everything legally possible to protect your driving privileges and to keep you out of jail.

We offer a free case evaluation with a drunk driving attorney serving Washington, WA, where we can go into more detail about your DUI case and answer many of your questions. We have the experience needed to make sure you understand the charges you face, and we are ready to negotiate with the prosecutor and the Washington court on your behalf.

Call now for your free consultation, and we can start working together to ensure that your legal rights are being protected under the law.

Washington DUI Lawyers

Affordable Washington State criminal defense

Washington State DUI Penalties.

If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Washington, the penalties you face could have a devastating effect on your entire life. Undoubtedly, you are already feeling the heavy weight that accompanies being charged with a Washington drunk driving offense. There is a lot at stake – not only do you face rigid Washington DUI penalties, but the adverse effects could take a toll on your reputation, family, and job.

If you are convicted of a DUI in Washington State you could face some or all of the following penalties:

1. Mandatory Jail Time – This is a mandatory penalty, at least one or two days on a first offense, and you face up to 364 days behind bars. Now, no judge in Western Washington is going to sentence you to jail for a year on a first DUI offense if you have no other criminal history, or even a second or third offense (with no other history), unless someone was injured. But, it is important to remember that the stakes here are high, very high.
2. Mandatory License Suspension – You are also looking at a mandatory minimum 90-day license suspense for a first conviction, or up to four years if you have multiple convictions.
3. Mandatory Fines – You could will probably be looking at fines, court costs, and assessments of at least $1,000 and possibly as much as $2,000.
4. Alcohol and Drug Assessment Treatment – As part of this process, you will be required to get a drug and alcohol assessment and follow any treatment recommendations. These classes must be attended if ordered by the court, and missing them could lead to other penalties.
5. Attendance of a Victim Impact Panel.
6. Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device on Your Vehicle – You will not only have to pay for this item to be installed, but you will be forced to blow into it every time you start your car.

Five-Year Active Criminal Record and Probation.

If you are convicted of DUI, you could very well be on probation for five years. This could affect your ability to find a job or to rent a house, and could adversely affect you in many other ways.

Obviously, Washington State's DUI penalties should not be taken lightly. And, some of the most difficult penalties to ascertain are the ones that aren’t imposed by the State of Washington. These include stress, embarrassment, and being required to carry expensive high-risk (SR-22) auto insurance for a period of many years. For example, many first time DUI offenders end up having to carry an SR22 policy for a period of three to four years. If this is your second offense, the ignition interlock device requirement could be much longer.

If you would like to mitigate the Washington DUI penalties you face, then you should talk to a qualified Washington drunk driving attorney today. We offer a free case evaluation where you can ask us questions about your case, and we will provide you with answers. Remember, you are not a criminal, and you should do everything you can to minimize the Washington State DUI penalties that could be levied against you. Our attorneys are here to help.

Now is the time to fight for your legal rights.

It is important to take advantage of our free case evaluation as soon as possible. One of the first WA DUI penalties you will face concerns your driving privileges. You only have seven days from the time of your arrest to request a hearing with the Washington Department of Licensing. This is where it will be determined if, and for how long, your license will be suspended.

You will also have to appear in court. If you plan on fighting the charges, or you are seeking to minimize the penalties you face, then it is vital that you have an experienced Washington State DUI lawyer aggressively defending your legal rights.

After your free consultation, you will be able to make an informed decision on how you would like to proceed with your drunk driving case. Indeed, minimizing the Washington State DUI penalties you face requires a solid understanding of the applicable laws. A Washington DUI lawyer from our firm can help you fight for your legal rights, while also protecting your reputation.

Minimizing Washington DUI penalties.

We enter into every case with the belief that it can be attacked in some way, depending on a variety of potential issues. A Washington drunk driving attorney will work to minimize the DUI penalties you face by thoroughly investigating your case, and standing by your side throughout the entire ordeal. Your peace of mind will grow stronger as your future comes into a clearer focus, and by knowing that everything legally possible is being done to reduce the severity of the DUI penalties associated with your Washington DUI.

Contact us today so we can work to resolve your case, and know that you’re doing everything you can to mitigate your DUI penalties.

Washington State DUI Lawyers

Washington State Department of Licensing Hearing

A Washington DUI attorney can help prepare you for your Washington Department of Licensing DUI Hearing.

If you live in Washington State, your ability to drive is essential to your way of life. You have to drive to work, the grocery store, and your kids have to be driven to school. If you lose your driving privileges, it could create a huge burden on you and your family.

If you’ve been charged with Washington drunk driving offense, retaining your driving privileges should be one of your top priorities. The fate of your driver’s license will be determined at your Washington State DOL DUI Hearing, so you need to be prepared when this date arrives.

After your drunk driving arrest, you only have 7 days to request a Washington DOL DUI arrest hearing where you can challenge your statutory license suspension. Without a Washington State DOL hearing, it is very likely your license will be suspended. In fact, absent something extraordinary, it's virtually certain.  This is also true if you don’t have a good Washington state DUI attorney representing you at the time of the hearing.

While no lawyer can guarantee that your license won’t be suspended at your Washington State Department of Licensing hearing, the chances of a favorable resolution are greatly increased if you have legal representation. Our team will aggressively fight to preserve your driving privileges, and your Washington DUI lawyer will ensure that your legal rights are being protected.

What you need to know before your Washington Department of Licensing Hearing.

If you were arrested on a drunk driving charge here in Washington State, and it is your first offense, your license could be suspended for up to 90 days. You face a possible one-year suspension if you refused the breathalyzer test. If you already have DUI convictions on your record you could lose your license for up to four years.

The outcome of your Washington State DOL DUI hearing depends on a variety of factors that our attorneys will seek to address before the actual hearing. Time is of the essence when building a defense strategy, so it’s important to contact a qualified DUI lawyer as soon as you can.

Every Washington DUI related case is different, so reviewing the facts of your case before your hearing is vital. Your Washington DUI lawyer will help ascertain the following:

• Was there a valid legal basis for which to stop you?
• What did the officer first observe when she approached you in your car?
• Was there are reasonable suspicion that you were DUI?
• Was there probable cause for your arrest?
• Were you properly advised of your implied consent rights.
• Was your breathalyzer properly administered?
• Was the device used to determine your BAC properly calibrated?

Any issues with these items could constitute legally based defense that your DUI lawyer will use at your Washington State DOL hearing. Technically, the hearing judge is really only looking at four issues. As part of looking at these four issues, however, a myriad of potential reasons can be revealed that will allow us to argue that the proposed suspension should be invalidated.

Issues considered at your hearing

During your DUI hearing, our hearing examiner will consider:

• Whether you were under lawful arrest.
• Whether an officer had reasonable grounds to believe you had been driving or were in actual physical control of a motor vehicle in this state while:
  • Under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug.
  • Having alcohol in your system of 0.02 or more and were under the age of 21.
• Whether you were advised of your rights and warnings as required by RCW 46.20.308(2).
• Whether you refused to submit to the test.
  or
  If the test was administered, whether the test indicated an alcohol concentration of:
  • 0.08 or more if you were age 21 or over.
  • or
  • 0.02 or more if you were under 21.

Obviously, it makes sense to have a qualified legal professional on your side if your driving privileges are important to you.

Contact us for a FREE case evaluation before your Washington DOL Hearing.

Within a few weeks of your Washington State Department of Licensing Hearing you will be notified about the status of your driving privileges. If your license is suspended you will be required to have expensive SR-22 auto insurance for a period of three years. For all of these reasons, but the SR-22 reasons especially, you should do everything you can to minimize the ramifications of your Washington DUI and seek to keep your license from being suspended.

We offer a free case evaluation where you can discuss the details of your case with a Washington state drunk driving lawyer. Our goal is to be prepared well before your DOL hearing, so that we are ready to defend you when the date arrives.

If you choose to retain one of our lawyers in Washington, they will be with you throughout the entire process until your case is fully resolved. We will use our professional knowledge, our resources, and our experience with the Washington State criminal justice system to defend your rights, to try and keep you out of jail, and to try and keep you validly licensed.

Washington State Drunk Driving Attorneys