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SEATTLE FIRST TIME DUI ATTORNEYS – OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) for the first time can be frightening and overwhelming. You may be worried about going to jail, losing your driver’s license, paying substantial fines, and how a criminal conviction could affect your job, insurance, and future.

While a first DUI arrest does not automatically mean you will be convicted, it is important to take the charge seriously. Washington has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country, and prosecutors aggressively pursue these cases. If you have been arrested for a first-time DUI, contact an experienced Seattle criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

At Black & Askerov, our attorneys have more than 30 years of combined experience defending clients charged with DUI and other criminal offenses throughout Washington. We carefully examine every aspect of the case to protect your rights and pursue the best possible outcome.

CONTACT US NOW AND LET US ADVISE YOU ON THE LAW

A driver can be convicted of driving under the influence in Washington if any of the following are true:

  1. the driver was impaired by drugs or alcohol to the extent that his ability to drive was lessened to any appreciable degree,
  2. the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher, or
  3. the driver had a concentration of five nanograms or more of THC per milliliter of blood.

In general, Washington DUI law says that a first-time DUI occurs when:

  • a motorist is convicted of DUI, and
  • the motorist has no prior DUI convictions within the past seven years.

WE’LL HELP YOU AVOID HARSH PENALTIES

The penalties for a first-time DUI are most severe for those drivers who:

  1. were convicted of DUI, and
  2. either refused a chemical test or had a BAC of .15% or greater.

In these cases, the motorist will be charged with a gross misdemeanor. A conviction could result in the following penalties:

  • imprisonment in jail for up to one year,
  • up to 30 days of electronic home monitoring (EHM),
  • fines and fees of up to $5,000,
  • a license suspension for up to one year, and
  • possible enrollment in an educational or substance abuse treatment program.

A driver will receive a different set of penalties for a first-time DUI if the motorist was convicted for:

  1. driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol,
  2. having a BAC under .15%, or
  3. having a THC of 5 ng or more.

In these cases, the motorist will be charged with a gross misdemeanor. A conviction could result in the following penalties:

  • imprisonment in jail for up to one year,
  • at least 15 days of EHM,
  • fines and fees of up to $5,000,
  • a license suspension for up to 90 days, and
  • possible enrollment in an educational or substance abuse treatment program.

DON’T TALK TO POLICE. CALL US FIRST.

If you are arrested for DUI, remain respectful and comply with lawful instructions, but remember that you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney.

Statements made to law enforcement can later be used against you in court. Before answering detailed questions about drinking, drug use, or where you were before your arrest, consider consulting an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

GET LEGAL REPRESENTATION RIGHT NOW

We highly recommend that a person charged with DUI hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer for assistance. A DUI attorney can help an accused collect and gather evidence – including witness statements, any chemical test results, and video of the arrest. Further, a criminal lawyer can help file legal motions on a defendant’s behalf that may exclude certain evidence or work to reduce (or even dismiss charges). Finally, an experienced DUI attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to get a favorable deal.

The DUI lawyers at Black Law have the skill, experience and knowledge that makes all the difference in DUI cases. They have over 20 years of combined experience representing clients on these matters. They are passionate in their work and provide their clients with results that matter. Contact them today and get the DUI defense that you deserve.

Meet Our Attorneys

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

We serve clients throughout Washington including those in the following localities:

  • King County including Bellevue, Kent, and Seattle
  • Benton County including Kennewick
  • Chelan County including Wenatchee
  • Clallam County including Port Angeles
  • Grays Harbor County including Aberdeen
  • Kitsap County including Port Orchard
  • Kittitas County including Ellensburg
  • Pierce County including Tacoma
  • Skagit County including Mount Vernon
  • Snohomish County including Everett
  • Spokane County including Spokane
  • Thurston County including Olympia
  • Whatcom County including Bellingham
  • Yakima County including Yakima