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(206) 866-6739
The City of Seattle, including the Seattle Police Department, the City of Seattle Prosecutors Office, and the Seattle Municipal Court Judges, are well known in Washington to be very strict on DUI cases. In fact, even on a First Offense DUI, you will likely be treated like a criminal and made to feel worse than you already do. This is why it is imperative that you hire an attorney who has the experience and knowledge of this court and its practices. Our firm has been successfully handling DUI cases in the City of Seattle since 2000.
Typically, the Seattle prosecutors also ask the court to impose onerous pretrial release conditions such as:
If you have a history of prior alcohol-related offenses, particularly those involving driving, there is a very good chance the prosecutor will ask the judge to order a very high bail amount to secure your release.
**Updated 08/03/2023**
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What to Expect
After your first hearing
At your first court hearing, you will be given a date to return for a second hearing, called a “pretrial hearing.” You may have several pretrial hearings in Seattle Municipal Court before your case is eventually resolved.
Your case can be resolved in a number of ways. Although dismissals are rarely given, an error of constitutional magnitude or a lack of evidence could result in the charge being dismissed.
We do a thorough investigation, seeking the thread that will unravel the prosecutor’s case.
We may argue motions asking the judge to throw out evidence in your case. We work toward a mutually agreeable resolution with the City, but if one cannot be found, you may assert your right to a trial, forcing the prosecution to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Our last trial in Seattle Municipal Court involved a breath test of over 0.18. Result? Not Guilty.
Conviction Penalties
A conviction for DUI results in harsh consequences; we work hard to get clients out of the “DUI box” by convincing the prosecutor to amend the charge to something other than a DUI.
The penalties the court will impose for a DUI conviction include:
Non-DUI Resolutions
In contrast, the penalties for non-DUI offenses usually result in:
You Only Have 7 Days to request a hearing
Currently, that date is usually 30 days from the date of the arrest. To contest this action, you must request a hearing within 7 days of your arrest.
This rule is strictly enforced, so if you have been arrested for a DUI even though you have not been charged with a DUI (yet), you still must act in a timely manner to try to save your license.
You should be aware that the DOL hearing and the criminal matter are two entirely different cases; rarely will one have any impact on the other. In the alternative, you may obtain a temporary restricted driver’s license that allows you to drive while your license is suspended for a DUI arrest.
#1
Experience
Our Team of Attorneys and Paralegals have over 30 years of combined experience. We know the law and understand how to apply it to your case.
#2
Focused on You
We create a custom defense for every client. Not all cases are the same and we know that. Your concerns and goals are our top priority.
#3
Reputation
As a long time author and speaker Ms. Callahan is respected across the county for her trial skills and investigative knowledge. He reputation proceeds herself when appearing in court.
plan of action
Washington State has some of the toughest DUI laws in our nation. These laws carry increasingly severe penalties for those who drink and drive. Washington lowered the BAC limit from .10 to 0.08 in January of 1999. Drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) at .08 or above can now be convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. In addition, because public sentiment is so very negative toward drunk drivers, prosecutors will often pursue a DUI conviction even when the driver’s test result is well under .08! This is possible because they can obtain a conviction if they can show the person drove while “affected by” alcohol, and/or marijuana or any drug, including prescription or over-the-counter medications.
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Contact one of our Experienced DUI Attorneys today and get the advice you need now. Learn how to save your license and stay out of jail.
With Offices in Seattle, Olympia, and Shelton, we literally surround the Puget Sound.
81 S. Main St, Seattle, WA 98104
400 Union Ave SE, Ste 200, Olympia WA 98501
625 W. Railroad Ave, Ste 426, Shelton WA 98584
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Disclaimer: The legal information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee. This web site is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the state of Washington.
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