Spokane DUI Lawyer

Since 1980, the Spokane criminal defense lawyers of Maxey Law Office PLLC have been defending Washington clients against drunk driving charges. Too much is at stake to trust your DUI crime to a law firm with less defense experience. 

Our DUI attorneys know what evidence to look for with defense in DUI cases, which includes:

• Illegal stops
• Illegal search and seizure
• Breath and blood test errors
• Problems with roadside tests
• Illegal questioning of a suspect

In many DUI cases, the arresting officer will make some kind of a critical error or civil rights violation that will render the evidence obtained inadmissible in a Washington state court. 

Without adequate evidence, the District Attorney cannot get a conviction. In other DUI cases, bargaining and alternative sentencing options can help minimize the personal damage of a conviction.

What can a DUI be reduced to in Washington State?

In Washington State, a DUI charge can be reduced to reckless or negligent driving. A DUI can be dismissed by the prosecutor, the court, or by an acquittal after a trial. 

A driver fighting a first DUI offense has a better chance of getting charges dropped than a repeat offender. 

An experienced DUI lawyer often arranges a reduction to a lesser charge.

Washington State DUI Penalties

There are many factors that affect DUI (driving under the influence) penalties in Washington State, such as the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) and whether aggravating circumstances were present at the time of the incident. 

The following is a general overview of Washington's DUI penalties:

1st DUI Charge:

• You must spend at least one day in jail or be monitored at home for 15 days
• There is a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and/or a fine of $5,000
• 90-day to two-year suspension of license
• A minimum of one year is required for the ignition interlock device

2nd DUI Charge (within 7 years):

• In jail for a minimum of 30 days or monitored at home for a minimum of 60 days
• There is a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and/or a fine of $5,000
• Suspension of license for two to three years
• The ignition interlock device must be installed for a minimum of two years

3rd DUI Charge (within 10 years):

• In prison for a minimum of 90 days or electronic home monitoring for a minimum of 120 days
• There is a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and/or a fine of $5,000
• Three to four-year license revocation
• A minimum of three years is required for the ignition interlock device

4th DUI Charge or more:

• An offense that is considered a felony
• Prison sentence of at least six months
• A fine of $20,000 and/or 10 years in prison are the maximum penalties
• Revocation of license for four years
• Ten-year ignition interlock requirement

A DUI conviction can also result in higher insurance rates, mandatory alcohol/drug education classes, and a criminal record that can affect employment prospects.

Depending on the specific facts of your criminal case, these penalties may differ and may be subject to change. It is important that you seek the advice of an experienced Spokane defense attorney if you have been charged with a DUI in Washington State. 

An experienced Spokane DUI attorney can help you understand your options and reduce the potential consequences of your arrest.