Everett DUI Lawyers

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Have you been arrested for driving under the influence in Everett, WA? Are you worried about the ramifications of a conviction? Do you want to find a law firm that can answer your questions now and guide you through the process?

Let us at Callahan Law assist you.  Our lawyers are available to answer your DUI questions 24/7.  We focus solely on drunk driving defense, and we aggressively defend our clients with creative strategies aimed at reducing the consequences of a DUI arrest in Everett, Washington.

Washington State is known for having some of the nation’s most punitive DUI/DWI laws.  Moreover, the number of drunk driving cases each year is staggering. This is not because more people are driving after consuming alcohol, it is because law enforcement is more aggressively targeting not just drunk drivers, but drivers who have had anything to drink.  The consequences of a DUI arrest and conviction are also staggering. 

You have two cases against you following a DUI arrest:  the criminal charge and the Department of Licensing action against your license.  After you have been arrested for DUI or Physical Control, you have only 20 days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the Department of Licensing.  If you do not request a hearing within this time frame, your license will automatically be suspended or revoked 60 days after your arrest.  The timeframes may differ if you were administered a blood test.  Call us.  We can advise you how to meet the deadlines required by DOL.

With regard to the DWI / DUI criminal case, you will be given a date to appear for arraignment.  At that hearing, the court will advise you of the charge against you and of your constitutional rights.  You will be asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.  The court will then establish your “conditions of release.”  Conditions may include that you abstain from drinking alcohol, maintain law abiding behavior, and not drive without a valid license and insurance.  In cases where the test result is high, or other factors exist, such as an accident, there may be a requirement that you install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, or other conditions aimed at keeping you from driving after consuming alcohol or any drug.  You may be required to post bail to secure your release.  Typically, if you have prior alcohol-related offenses, you should be sure to have experienced legal representation at your arraignment.  Subsequent offenses, even those decades ago, may cause the court to require you to post bail to secure your release. At your arraignment you will be given a notice to appear for another hearing date.  You will likely have several hearings before your case is resolved. 

There are consequences that follow a conviction for driving while intoxicated or under the influence in the City of Everett. They include:

• Mandatory jail time
• Mandatory fines, costs and assessments
• Mandatory suspension or revocation of your license
• Mandatory ignition interlock device installation to start and drive your vehicle
• Mandatory substance abuse evaluation, and treatment, if required
• Proof of SR 22 insurance
• Proof that you have attended Alcohol and Drug Information School and/or a DUI Victim’s Impact Panel
• Up to five years of probation

If you have certain prior convictions, the mandatory minimum sentences will be higher.  They will also be higher if you refused the test, or if you took the test and the result was .15 or higher.  As of July 1, 2007, a fifth DUI in ten years is a felony offense, resulting in much more serious consequences, including a prison sentence.

If prior convictions, vehicular manslaughter or vehicular homicide are involved, the case becomes even more complex to resolve in your favor, but at Callahan Law, we don’t shy away from the toughest of cases.  You need an accomplished and skilled attorney at your side while the court system is on your back.  The laws are complicated and a competent defense requires specialized knowledge of breath and blood testing science and technology. 

Aside from the court imposed penalties, there are consequences that follow a conviction outside the courtroom.  You may be denied admission to foreign countries, such as Canada.  Insurance rates can rise.  You may have trouble renting a car.  What may be worse are the effects a DUI charge or conviction have on your livelihood—your means of providing for your family.  For some occupations, a DUI conviction is career-ending.

You should not trust your DUI case to just any attorney.  The attorneys at Callahan Law have the knowledge, experience and skill to handle even the toughest DUI/DWI cases in the City of Everett.  We strive to obtain the least possible consequences for your case.  Sometimes this can be accomplished by securing a reduction of the charge to some offense of lesser consequence, other times it requires that we force the prosecution to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.  When you hire Callahan Law, you are confident that you will have a team of lawyers who will fight for your rights. We offer fresh strategies and innovative approaches to the DUI cases we defend. Contact us at 1-877-DUI-Answer (1-877-384-2679) today for a free consultation on your DUI case.