Blog

The Revised Code of Washington, 46.61.140(1), states that whenever a roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply: “(1) a vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a ...

Below is a report by King 5 News featuring attorney Raymond Ejarque. For the full story and video visit: http://www.king5.com/news/TIMES–118384084.html SEATTLE – The Seattle Police Department has reassigned all but one member of its DUI squad amid an ongoing internal investigation into alleged m...

While the majority of DUI offenses stem from the use of alcohol or illegal drugs, it's becoming common to get a DUI in Seattle for driving under the influence of anything that leaves you impaired. This means that a Seattle driver runs the risk of a DUI by driving while under the influence of perf...

Below is a story published on February 25, 2011, in the Wall Street Journal. For more information about this article, please visit: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704520504576162402821321860.html?mod=googlenews_wsj#articleTabs%3Darticle Washington has become the latest state to se...

Long lines at the mall and Grandma's fruitcake are no longer the only things to worry about during the holiday season. With the Drive Hammered, Get Nailed campaign in place, holiday drivers ran an increased chance of being stopped and arrested for a DUI in the State of Washington. The winter Dri...

In reality, police officers have very little training in detecting accurate levels of intoxication; there is no “inherent skill” to detect when someone is intoxicated. In fact, police officers are predisposed in a drunk driving investigation to “see” what they expect to see, disregarding any alte...

AN UNRESOLVED CRIMINAL CASE ON YOUR RECORD CAN CAUSE BIG PROBLEMS As a Spanish speaking criminal and DUI defense attorney in the Seattle area, I speak with a lot of clients who have old warrants for their arrest that sometimes have been outstanding for many years.  These can be a major problem f...

Washington's DUI laws are among the toughest in the nation.  For those convicted of a DUI in Washington there are mandatory penalties which include jail time, license suspensions, fines and a ignition interlock devise requirement.  Even for a first offense it is important to obtain an experienced...

Washington's DUI laws are among the toughest in the nation, that's why even if you have a completely clean criminal history, but blow a BAC over the legal limit, the DOL will notify you that it intends to suspend your driver's license. This also holds true even if you refuse any voluntary field s...

After your 1st DUI charge, it is not possible to reduce your charge even after serving a 5 year probation AND even if you your driving and criminal record is clean since your DUI charge. The chance of a reduction after pleading guilty is none.  Unfortunately, DUIs cannot be vacated (expunged). Th...

Not all DUIs are the same. There are many factors that can affect how a driving under the influence charge may be treated. For example, a DUI that occurs on federal land (such as a national park) won't follow the same process as one that occurs on state land. Another factor is what type of subs...

Here is an article to share about alcohol related deaths world wide. Alcohol kills 3.3 million people worldwide each year, more than AIDS, tuberculosis and violence combined, the World Health Organization said Monday, warning that booze consumption was on the rise. Including drink driving, alcoh...

The financial cost of a DUI conviction can range as much as $5,000 or more when after the dust settles. This often includes fines, bail, increased premiums for auto insurance, legal fees, loss of income from being fired, taking days off work to attend court, and alcohol education classes that wil...

What should I do if I have one too many beers, margaritas, or martinis before getting on the road and I get pulled over? When you're first pulled over and approached by the police officer, your cooperation and politeness will help your case positively. Attempting to deceive or disrespect the off...

It is very stressful when you are pulled over by a Seattle police officer and charged with a DUI. Sometimes the charges seem unreasonable and unfair.  The original charge doesn't necessarily end up as conviction as long as a seasoned DUI attorney is on the case. They protect their client's rights...

There are times when a person gets a DUI, and has to commute to Canada for work or pleasure, or has other obligations and cannot enter the country. Generally, if you have been convicted of DWI or DUI (Driving While Impaired or Driving Under the Influence) within the last ten years you will not b...

You are on the road going home leaving the restaurant in Seattle you had dinner with coworkers after getting off work. It's not late, because being a holiday weekend you know there will be more police watching for drunk drivers on the road. It will be nice to get home and get to bed. You didn't s...

Washington State Courts has issued an updated DUI sentencing grid. If you have been charged with a DUI, please check out the grid at http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/content/duigrid/DUIGrid.pdf to see what the rules and regulations are and how it can affect your case. Your attorney can discuss ...

When you get stopped for a DUI, there are few documents you need to obtain and given to your attorney to help support your case. The first document is called a 5 Year Driving Abstract. You can get this document from your local Department of Licensing office (DOL). DOL offices are usually closed ...

I was charged with Boating Under the Influence (BUI) during Seafair weekend, is this different than a DUI? When a boater is cited for a BUI, it is a misdemeanor, meaning the maximum punishment is 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Unlike a DUI, there aren't any mandatory penalties for a BUI and ...

So you are driving along, and you notice red and blue flashing lights in your rear view mirror.  You're being pulled over. You pull to the side of the road and wait for the officer. The officer approaches your window, tells you why you've been stopped, asks you where you've been, where you're goi...

Ignition Interlock is not user specific. If someone else is driving the vehicle, he will be requrie to submit to retests on your behalf. You should train the other drivers in using the ignition interlock and make sure that the driver is completely sober because if someone else drives the vehicle,...

Officers are trained to look for specific indicators of intoxication when they make a stop for suspicion of a DUI. At the very least, one of these indicators is mentioned in an officer's DUI arrest report to give basis for a DUI arrest. These factors are outlined in the Standardized Field Sobriet...

The Seattle Police Department released a public statement addressing the incident. Within the statement, the Department released the following information: “In mid-February 2011, Traffic Captain Belshay began to review some supervisory inconsistencies within the Traffic Section's DUI squad. Upon...

A driver operating a commercial vehicle and carrying a Commercial Drivers' License (CDL) does not carry the exact same rights as other drivers. Driving a commercial vehicle means that you have already given implied consent to drug or alcohol testing required by the State of Washington. This means...