Don’t Start the New Year With a DUI

2021 is finally here. For many, it brings the promise of a brighter year and a more hopeful future. While 2021 may look a little different from years past due to social distancing, police officers will still waste no time arresting individuals they believe are guilty of drunk driving. Even first time offenders will find themselves facing a long uphill battle and consequences that could adversely affect their entire futures.

If you find yourself arrested and charged with a DUI this year, it is important to understand the severity of these charges, so you can fight them.

Arrested for a DUI in Seattle: What Happens Next

When you get arrested and charged with DUI in Seattle, you may not know what to do. What happens to your license and how will you get to work or provide for your family? During this time, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced and skilled Seattle DUI attorney. Your attorney may be able to help you get the charges against you reduced or dismissed altogether. This can protect your driving record, your insurance rates, and your future considerably.

The penalties for a DUI in Seattle are harsh and vary depending on many different factors.

• How many DUI offenses are on your record?
• How high was your BAC?
• Were there children in the car?
• Did you hurt anyone in an accident?

After your arrest, you must make a mandatory appearance in court. During this appearance, the courts will consider which initial conditions to impose on you. This could include posting bail, electronic home monitoring, alcohol monitoring devices, or an ignition interlock device. You will be asked to enter your plea during this time, either guilty or not guilty.

If your BAC was above the legal limit of 0.08, your license would be suspended for at least 90 days. If you refused to submit to a BAC test, your license would be suspended for at least a year. Once your license suspension is over, you must obtain and pay for 3 years worth of high-risk SR22 insurance.

Your attorney can fight the driver's license suspension, however. In order to do this, your attorney will build a case to help you keep your license and protect your driving record. Having a knowledgeable DUI attorney on your side through these hearings and procedures is critical to getting through a DUI arrest.

It is important to know that if your BAC was higher than 0.15, you may face enhanced penalties and stiffer consequences. Therefore, it is even more critical to hire an experienced Seattle DUI attorney to represent you after an arrest.

Unfortunately, many drivers believe that there is little they can do to fight these charges. However, nothing could be further from the truth. If you find yourself staring at the loss of your license and a future of high insurance premiums, you deserve to find out more about all your legal options.

Contact Our Seattle DUI Defense Lawyers Today

If you are facing drunk driving charges in Seattle, it is important to know where you can turn for help. Our Seattle DUI defense attorneys can help protect your driving record and keep you out of jail after a DUI. We can also petition the courts to preserve your license, enabling you to drive to work, school, and medical appointments.

The experienced DUI defense lawyers at Lewis & Laws, PLLC, have defended clients in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, and throughout the state of Washington. Contact us today at 206.209.0608 or fill out our confidential contact form. We know how to fight serious criminal charges and can protect your future. Call us today!