Seattle DUI Overview

DUI Lawyer Serving Seattle

DUI stands for "driving under the influence." This is a serious criminal offense that involves operating a motor vehicle (car, truck, bus, motorcycle, etc.) while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, including illegal narcotics as well as over-the-counter medication. In Seattle, DUI may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony offense. The defendant's prior criminal record of drunk driving convictions as well as the nature of the offense itself, such as DUI causing injury or death or DUI involving a hit and run, may cause the defendant to face more serious felony charges.

When facing DUI charges, one of the most important things you can do is contact an attorney. You have certain legal rights that should be protected in the face of Seattle drunk driving charges, and an attorney can step in and begin working immediately to protect those rights. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a lawyer experienced with these matters may be able to successfully assist you in avoiding a conviction and therefore a life hindered by a criminal record.

How Law Enforcement Will Try to Secure a Seattle DUI Conviction

There are different strategies that law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney will attempt to use in order to secure a conviction against you. To be considered "under the influence", a driver must have a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater or must have abilities that were impaired due to alcohol or drug use. Law enforcement will work to gather evidence of this by conducting field sobriety tests and a breath or blood test. A field sobriety test may indicate that a driver was intoxicated due to a lack of balance, coordination or an inability to properly follow instructions. A breath or blood test will measure the level of alcohol in the driver's breath or blood. Using these test results as well as the officer's observations of the driver, statements the driver made and any other relevant physical evidence, the prosecuting attorney will attempt to secure a Seattle DUI conviction (or persuade the defendant to accept a plea bargain.)

Find out more about your Seattle DUI charges and how an attorney can help you fight these and avoid a conviction. Contact us today!