Fighting to Keep a DUI off Your Record
A drunk driving offense, such as a DUI (Driving under the Influence), is a very serious charge. If you are found guilty of drunk driving, consequences may include a hefty fine, a significant impact on your ability to drive (with a suspended or revoked license), an increase in your insurance rates, and even jail time. A guilty court verdict can further affect your employment options, financial future and ability to travel internationally. If charged with a DUI in Tacoma, Washington you need a experienced Tacoma DUI Attorney in your corner fighting for you.
A person charged with a DUI is not just impacted by the economic burdens that a DUI can bring, but also affected by the emotional strain it can have. Individuals who are charged with a DUI often had clean driving records prior to making that one poor decision to drink and drive, which could stay with them for a long time. Some of those emotional impacts includes depression, financial difficulties, loss of freedom, and embarrassment and resentment from the general public, friends, and family. The financial impact, along with the stress of going through a DUI charge, can place a significant burden on an individual.
Drivers May Be Charged With DUI If:
The results of breath or blood test show the amount of alcohol in the driver’s blood to be:
- .08 or higher for adults (21 and over).
- .04 or higher for commercial vehicle drivers (CDL disqualifications).
- .02 or higher for minors (under 21).
or
- He or she is found to be driving a vehicle under the influence or affected by alcohol, any drug, or a combination of alcohol and drugs, regardless of the concentration of alcohol in their breath or blood.
- Starting August 1, 2012, the definition of a drug also includes any chemical inhaled or ingested for its intoxicating or hallucinatory effects.
You may feel that you will no longer have the life that you intended because of a DUI conviction. This can often lead to a person isolating themselves from social situations because of the shame for having such a conviction. Isolation from loved ones can cause emotional stress and depression.
In Washington State, a first time DUI is usually a misdemeanor crime. Upon conviction, a defendant can receive a variety of penalties including alcohol screening/treatment/education. A range of typical penalties for Washington DUI convictions is set forth below.
Note: Two aggravating factors are important in sentencing. First, if your BAC equals or exceeds 0.15 percent, you can expect more severe penalties. Second, if you have a prior DUI (or related) conviction within the past seven years (in Washington State or any other state), penalties are substantially enhanced.
Guidelines to Follow When Pulled Over for DUI
No one plans on getting pulled over for driving under the influence, and it comes as a surprise when you feel that you have been driving normally. There will be an emphasis on DUI patrol over every holiday season, and they will be on the lookout for the slightest indication that you may be driving under the influence. It is lawful to drink and drive up to a certain point. Drinking at social gatherings is a normal activity. For many businesses, it’s a seasonal event. Should you have too much fun with the mulled wine, spiced cider, and other holiday goodies, it is important to know the Garguile Law’s 7 Rules of the Road.
If you find yourself being pulled over, below are 7 Rules of the Road – guidelines to follow when stopped by the police:
- Do give the officer your papers – driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance.
- Do submit to a breath or blood test, but only back at the station or the hospital.
- Do ask for a DUI Attorney Tacoma.
- Don’t say anything. Be polite but decline comments.
- Don’t perform any field sobriety tests – including the handheld portable breath tester.
- Don’t consent to any searches.
- Do go to the hospital after your release for an independent and confidential blood or breath test of your blood alcohol level.
There are thousands of DUI cases every year throughout the Washington, and if a DUI case ends in conviction, it can spell disaster for you or a loved one. A DUI is by far one of the most common and most damaging major traffic offenses on the books. A DUI can shatter a person’s family life, ruin a person’s career, and haunt a person for the rest of his or her life.
In a case of DUI charge, denial or panic may be an automatic response but dig deeper to uncover the feelings of humiliation that likely lie underneath the surface. By facing the fact that a mistake was made, you are dealing with the situation head-on and will have a easier time putting it in the past. Getting help from a DUI lawyer is wise because it puts you in control of the situation. An experienced Tacoma attorney who focuses on DUI cases will explain the charges and ramifications. If there is a ԛuestion regarding guilt, this legal expert will help build a strong defense and present it during a court hearing. Though a judge or jury may be the ultimate decision-maker, a good lawyer can strongly influence the outcome. Many attorneys advertise that they handle DUI cases. Not all attorneys, however, focus their practice on defending individuals accused of driving under the influence offenses. When your future is on the line, you need someone by your side that knows the system, understands the law and is dedicated to defending you.
At Garguile Law, we understand that bad things happen to good people. Having the most efficient Criminal Defense and Tacoma DUI attorney as your advocate makes a difference in the outcome of your case. We are committed to treating you with respect and to maintaining an, open line of communication to handle your legal matter competently and diligently with the highest standards of professionalism.
It is normal to feel overwhelmed trying to figure out how to proceed when charged with a crime. At Garguile Law, we have the answers to your ԛuestions; advice you can trust, and experience you can count on. We pay personal attention to every case in order to exercise independent professional judgment on your behalf. We respect your decisions on the goals of your case and continually evaluate and analyze the strategic decisions we decide upon together. Our goal is to act as both a guide and an advocate when maneuvering through the complex legal system.
