(206) 866-6739

Olympia DUI Attorney

Leaders in Olympia DUI Defense Since 2000

How We
Can Help

  • The ability to drive, make a living to provide for their families, and freedom from incarceration are things that most people take for granted. All these essential rights that you now enjoy are at stake if you have been charged with DUI or Physical Control in Olympia, WA or Thurston County, WA
  • At Callahan Law, P.S., Inc. we have found that initially, persons charged with DUI are traumatized. Typically, they have been law-abiding all their lives. They have also always seen themselves as being against drunk driving. Often, they are overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety, depression, and are disgusted with either themselves or the humiliating process they have just experienced.

  • What we have also found is that these anxious feelings tend to subside as the person becomes informed, understands the potential consequences, and becomes aware of options and strategies that give them hope.
  • At Callahan Law, P.S., Inc., we offer hope and relief of anxiety. We hope the following information will be helpful in that regard. However, if you need someone to talk to at this moment, we are here for you to give you the information you need.

Your First Court Appearance

What to Expect

Arrangement at Court

  • If you have been arrested for DUI or physical control, you will be required to appear before a judge in a very short time following your arrest, usually, the afternoon of the next business day.   Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, this hearing could be delayed. 
  • If you have any prior alcohol-related offenses, it is imperative that you have an attorney at your side for your first court appearance, as the judges in this county are known to be tough on repeat offenders.
  • At the first court hearing, you will be advised of the charge against you and of your constitutional rights. You will be asked to enter a plea: guilty or not guilty. In most cases, a plea of “not guilty” is recommended. Following this, the court will determine what conditions are necessary to ensure that you will return for your next hearing, and that you will not commit a similar offense while your case is pending

Conditions Of Release

  • If this is your first offense and there is no accident or high breath/blood test involved, you will likely be released on your own recognizance (PR’d). You will have to maintain certain conditions the judge imposes to continue on this status, such as law-abiding behavior, and non-consumption of alcohol, marijuana, or non-prescribed drugs.

  • However, if you do have a prior alcohol-related offense, or an extremely high breath or blood test result, or if an accident happened with your DUI, the prosecutor may ask the court to impose more stringent restrictions of release, possibly including the posting of bail. This may require that you have a friend or family member engage a bail-bonds person to pay a premium and post a bond for your release from jail.

If you have prior offenses, the judge could impose severe restrictions on you, such as:

  • Taking you into custody
  • Requiring a high bail amount be posted for you to be released
  • Requiring that you wear an ankle bracelet with GPS that senses alcohol in your body and sets of an alert to the court, at your own expense of around $15 per day
  • Requiring that you carry with you a Breath Alcohol Monitoring Device, at your own expense, that randomly buzzes you throughout the day to give a breath sample
  • Requiring that you have an ignition interlock device installed, at your own expense, on any vehicle you drive

You Only Have 7 Days to request a hearing

  • Following a DUI arrest, the officer notifies the department of licensing. DOL will annotate your driving record and mail you a notice of the date you must stop driving. This institutes an administrative action against your license.
  • If you refused the breath test at the police station or took it and blew over the limit, your license will be automatically suspended or revoked 30 days from the date of your arrest (blood draws take longer to process), unless you request a hearing within 7 days of the date of your arrest.
  • If you prefer not to request a telephonic hearing to challenge the administrative action, you may have the option of getting a temporary restricted license that allows you to drive during a suspension or revocation. Call us for the details.

3 Reasons to Hire Us

#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.

Do I need a Lawyer? What could happen without one?

Potential Outcomes

  • We aggressively research and prepare legal motions designed to attack the evidence against you
  • Sometimes, because of these efforts, the prosecution is willing to reduce the charge to something lesser than a DUI. This is considered a “win” in DUI defense because it will avoid the harsher consequences of a DUI conviction.
  • When the facts of the case are particularly difficult and do not allow for a reduction, we will almost always recommend that you require the prosecution to prove their case at trial.

Obtaining a Non-DUI Resolution

  • At all stages of the case, from our diligent investigation to our confident negotiations to our readiness to battle for you at trial if necessary, we are driven in your defense and in our mission to resolve your case with the least possible consequences to you.
  • Why should you fight your case? Because if you don’t fight, you can’t win. A guilty plea results in a conviction and all the attendant consequences.
We Help People Like You Everyday

By now, you realize you need good legal representation. But what should you look for in choosing a lawyer?

  1. choose one that you feel comfortable with on a personal level.
  2. Choose one who knows the lay of the land like the back of their hand: the court staff, judges, prosecutors, and the folks at probation.
  3. From that group, choose the attorney who “thinks outside of the box,” and is known for introducing creative and innovative strategies in DUI defense.

At Callahan Law, P.S., Inc., we are all of the above, and we constantly employ new strategies to unravel the prosecution’s case. We conduct an independent investigation seeking to uncover facts favorable to you, then use those facts in your best interest.

DUI Case Results

**Updated 08/03/2023**

9 0 %
DUI's Reduced
0
DUI's Dismissed
0
DUI's > Neg 1
0
DUI's > Reckless Driving
0
DOL Hearings Won

You Deserve The Best Defense Lawyers

plan of action

know your rights

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.

1st Offense

2nd Offense

3rd Offense

4th Offense

Deferred Prosecution

Court Process

Penalties

Avoid Serious Penalties

Evidence

Learn how we win DUI Cases every day.

License Suspension

Win your DOL Hearing or Drive Legally

We Author the DUI Manual Defense Attorneys rely on everyday for DUI Defense Strategies.

Contact us today for a 100% Free Consultation

Snohomish County DUI Attorney

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