Being arrested for a DUI is both scary and overwhelming. Our firm has been defending people arrested and charged with DUI for over 40 years. We believe that part of our job is to provide you as much information as we can, so that you can make the most informed decision for you.

Often, a DUI charge is the first and only interaction people will have as a defendant in our criminal justice system.

It can be an overwhelming experience and not something to take lightly. You need an attorney that will not only fight hard for you but one that can guide you through the whole process. We pride ourselves on taking the stress from our clients so they can get back to their lives.

Below you will find answers to some of the most common questions our clients have had over the years.

At any point in your research, feel free to call us at 253-383-3328 to speak with an experienced member of our team or to set up a free consultation. We offer free case evaluations for all our DUI clients.

A DUI charge has both criminal and civil license consequences that could cause your license to be suspended or revoked. You have a short time to respond to the civil license sanctions by the Department of Licensing. You need to act fast or else you will lose your chance to fight the charges.

If you are arrested for a DUI because you have a blood or breath alcohol level over the legal limit, or if you are accused of refusing to take the breath test, you are at risk of having your driver’s license suspended. If this is your first offense, your license could be suspended for a minimum or 90 days or revoked for a year. If you have had prior offenses, you could lose your license for several years.

Your first DUI conviction will also require at least one day in jail (with a maximum of 364 days in jail) and fines up to $5,000.

The installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) is now required with all DUI convictions in the state of Washington. There is typically a five-year probation period for everyone found guilty of a DUI.

If you have a prior conviction for DUI, or a prior DUI charge that was reduced, you will be facing severe mandatory minimum jail time and increased fines on your current DUI charge.

A conviction of a second DUI offense within seven years can result in license suspension of 2 years or more. These defendants must also serve either 30 days in jail or 60 days of house arrest with electronic home monitoring.

Additional DUI charges within the same seven years result in even harsher consequences.

Hiring an attorney that is experienced in handling cases with prior DUI offenses is critical if you hope to avoid lengthy jail time, expensive fines, and loss of your license.

With the increased use of prescription drugs and both recreational and medical marijuana, there has been a steady increase in drug DUI arrests and charges.  Defending these types of DUIs is different from the common alcohol DUI.

The evidence the government will attempt to use against you is subject to different attacks and arguments.  Having an attorney that knows how to handle this type of DUI is critical to the outcome of the case. Make sure any attorney you speak with knows what they are talking about and can provide more than adequate legal help for you through this criminal process.

There are a number of ways in which a person can be charged with a Felony DUI and all of them should be taken extremely seriously. A felony charge puts you at risk of much longer prison sentences, higher fines, and greater loss of rights.  

Felony DUI cases often involve multiple prior DUI charges or serious injury to another person. Either way, it is an absolute necessity to hire an attorney experienced in handling felony DUI charges, such a DUI lawyer at the South Sound Law Group in Tacoma, WA.

A minor arrested for a DUI charge can be facing either a “Minor DUI” or a regular DUI, depending on the amount of alcohol, marijuana, or drugs in their system.

A conviction for any alcohol or drug offenses as a minor can have serious long-term consequences for a young person’s life. It can impact future employment, education, and insurance rates. 

Due to the serious nature of these types of offenses and the age of the minor, judges and prosecutors are always cautious in the manner in which they deal with these cases. It’s important to hire a criminal defense lawyer familiar with Minor DUIs.

As with all other types of criminal cases, an individual charged with a DUI in the state of Washington has the right to a legal defense.

Blood alcohol breathalyzer tests have been established to be unreliable when presented as evidence, so your DUI lawyer may want to examine the results of such a test. Other times, these cases come down to the behavior of the arresting officers. Your DUI attorney may review the case and find that the officer had no probable cause to stop you or search you, or perhaps extended the stop beyond reason.

Some people arrested for a DUI weren’t even the ones behind the wheel of the car during the arrest. It is not fair to risk jail time and license suspension for driving under the influence when you were not the one driving. If this was the case, the lead attorney on your case will raise this point in your defense.

If you were not properly arrested and read your rights, then your DUI defense attorney may be able to use this to your benefit in a courtroom trial as well.

The prosecution wants you to feel hopeless in a time like this but there is always hope and there are always defense strategies available. Speak to our law firm to learn how our attorneys may be able to assist you.

As with reckless driving or a negligent driving charge, being found guilty of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can result in severe, life-altering consequences. Drivers could risk license suspension, extended jail time, costly legal fees, as well as a mandatory ignition interlock device.

But there are lawyers available to you who can provide you with a strong defense, which may result in reductions or dismissals. It is possible that, with the right DUI attorney, you could see prison time replaced with community service, probation, and DUI programs.

You don’t want just any attorney with a Washington law degree. You want someone who works diligently but also someone with years of experience, backed up by a legal team of professionals who’ve helped clients just like you out of legal issues just like this before. You will find such DUI attorneys at the law offices of the South Sound Law Group in Tacoma, WA.

While no outcome can be guaranteed, DUI offenders can trust that they are better off with the strong representation of an attorney from our office while facing down the might of the state’s criminal justice system. Make no mistake about it, the prosecution will go to great lengths to see all drunk drivers in the state punished to the greatest extents of the law. That is why you need a DUI lawyer who will fight just as aggressively to defend your case in the courtroom.

Our law firm offers a confidential and free consultation to all potential new clients. If you do not feel that a DUI lawyer from our law offices is suited to you and your needs, you are under no obligation to retain our legal services. But if you are lost and looking for help through this difficult legal situation, then you will find that assistance here. We welcome every person who enters our offices with respect and decency.

If you are facing a DUI charge based on marijuana, drugs, alcohol, or a combination thereof, give our attorneys a call today to schedule a free consultation. 253-383-3328.