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Seattle DUI Attorney

Serving all of King County

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Charged with a DUI in Seattle, Washington?

Talk to a Seattle drunk driving lawyer now.

Serving all King County Municipal Courts

Seattle  ~  Bellevue  ~  Kirkland  ~  Kent

Renton  ~  Burien  ~  Auburn  ~  Redmond

Federal Way  ~  Shoreline  ~  Tukwila

Call Now For A Free Consultation.

(206) 624-9605

(425) 455-4646

(253) 852-8989

Washington's DUI laws are tough.
The simple truth is that Washington's DUI laws are among the toughest in the country.  If you are convicted of DUI in Seattle or anywhere else in King County, you face several mandatory sentencing requirements, including but not limited to jail, suspension of your driving privileges, steep fines and costs, installation of an ignition interlock device and an alcohol evaluation and treatment.  When your license and your freedom are on the line we are here to help.

No one sets out to get arrested for a DUI here in King County and have their life completely turned upside down on them.  It is almost always a situation where several factors conspire together in order to lead to your being pulled over and subsequently arrest for drunk driving. 

King County DUI arrests are on the rise over the last five years and all indications are the trend will only continue.  The City of Seattle, King County's Sheriff's Office and Washington State Patrol are now sending out specific DUI enforcement or "emphasis" patrols that are specifically designed to do nothing except arrest for people for driving under the influence of intoxicants or drugs. 

They are sent out to try and stop as many people as possible who are driving on days and at times when statistics show that more drunk drivers are on the road.  They are our doing almost nothing except looking for and targeting people who they suspect may be drinking and driving.

If one of these officers pulls you over and detects an odor of alcohol on your breath, he will invariably assume that you are driving drunk.  From that moment on, everything that he does is specifically calculated to try and gather additional incriminating evidence against you.  You need to understand that you have rights, and you need to exercise them.

What should I do if I am pulled over?
If you are pulled over by King County law enforcement or Washington State police, there are several things that you need to know.  First, always be polite and courteous.  Second, you are required to properly identify yourself and provide proof of a valid driver's license, a valid vehicle registration and current liability insurance.  If you have been drinking, however, you should immediately exercise your right to remain silent after properly identifying yourself and providing the documentation necessary to prove that you are driving legally.

Once you are at the police station and provided with an opportunity to take a breath test, you should probably agree to do unless the attorney you consult with advises you otherwise.  The same is true if your case involves an accident and you have been transported to a hospital where it is requested that you provide blood sample. 

In either case, however, the decision about whether or not to provide a sample is a complex one.  In certain limited circumstances, it may be in your best interests to refuse to provide a sample.  This is why it is best to always consult with an experienced Seattle and Washington State DUI attorney before making a decision about whether or not to blow or provide blood.

We are your King County DUI, Driving Under the Influence and Drunk Driving headquarters.  If you have been arrested for DUI in Seattle or anywhere else in King County, Washington, it is critical that you talk to a DUI attorney with the resources and experience to assist you.  David M. Lux and the attorneys who work with him are experienced Washington state DUI lawyers.

Call Now For A Free Consultation.

(206) 624-9605

(425) 455-4646

(253) 852-8989

Drunk Driving Lawyer King County

King County DUI Attorney

David M. Lux

Our Seattle and King County offices our conveniently located in downtown Seattle.

If you have been drinking, it is likely that the officer who pulled you over will be able to detect it on your breath.  You are not, however, required to admit that you have been drinking, and you should not do so.  Instead, if the officer asks you whether or not you have been drinking, you should simply state that you have been advised not to answer any questions after being stopped and detained by law enforcement.

Do not submit to any field sobriety tests.
You should also refuse to take any field sobriety tests, even if the officer implies that he "wants to give you a chance to prove to him that you are not impaired".  You are not required to take these tests, and you should politely, but firmly refuse to do so. 

You should also never agree to blow into one of the error-prone portable breath tests that Washington police officers often carry in their vehicles.  This portable breath test is a hand-held device that officers will ask you to blow into by the side of the road. 

As with the field sobriety tests, you are not required under Washington State DUI law to provide a breath sample into one of these portable breath testing devices.  Washington law enforcement uses these portable breath tests to simply try and get you to provide more incriminating evidence that will justify their arresting you for driving under the influence of intoxicants. 

You should also never consent to a search of your car or your person.  The less information that you volunteer or provide the better.  As a practical matter, you want to force the officer to make a decision about whether or not to arrest you  for drunk driving based on as little evidence as possible.  The less you say and do, the better.

If you are arrested, ask to speak with a lawyer immediately.
If the officer continues to detain or arrests you, tell him that you wish to speak with a lawyer immediately.  If the officer does not provide you an opportunity to consult with a lawyer once your arrive at the police station, politely remind him of your wish to do so.