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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    9

    Default Options for Drunk Driving Defense in Washington State

    I know I'm in some serious trouble the other night I was pulled over and arrested with a suspicion of Driving Under the Influence and was subsquently given a breathilzer test which came up with a .20 BAC which I know puts me in the higher tier of consquences.
    What I'm curious about is possible options to help minimize the damage/charges I'm facing. I'm currently a college student who is just home visiting for the summer. I go to college on the other side of the state which makes it difficult to come back and forth for multiple hearings if I hire a lawyer. As well I don't even own an automobile so the whole losing the liscence and/or having a breathilizer installed in my car doesn't really affect me. Tomorrow I'm planning to sign myself up for alcohol classes back in my home town to hopefully show the court that I'm making an effort to correct my mistake. My question is should I just bite the bullet and plead no contest to the charge and throw my self at the mercy of the court and pray for minimal consquences or hire an attorney that may or may not help my case at all.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Seattle, Wa.
    Posts
    529

    Default Re: Options? Washington State

    No don't throw yourself under the bus, you can plead this down to a situation that's more suitable. You'll need a lawyer and it won't be cheap, he can possibly get it reduced down to a reckless. You will have to go through the same hoops as if you had a DUI, treatment, AA meetings, victims panel and the rest of the stuff probation asks. Don't lay down on this it will hurt you down the road.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Options? Washington State

    ...a .20 & it'll be reduced to a reckless ??

    I've never seen that. How do you do it ?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    9

    Default Re: Options? Washington State

    Yeah I seriously doubt that any lawyer could plea it down to a reckless considering how intoxicated I was. What I'm most concerned with is getting the minimum charges possible. I'm tempted to hire a lawyer even though I don't have much money to just help me get through this easy as possible. I'm very concerned that if I don't hire an attorney that I will get the maximum possible consquences thrown at me which with being a college student on the other side of the state makes my life even more difficult. I'm just so very thankful that there was no car accident, at the very least no one was injured by my selfish and immature actions. Its an expensive and painful way to learn a lesson but its the way it is. As far as im concerned I'm not touching another drop of alcohol as long as I live. It can and has too much of an ability to wreck and destroy lives.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    9

    Default Re: Options? Washington State

    I forgot to add does it have any bearing on the amount of punishment I receive if I sign up and attend alcohol classes before I even get charged. I'm just curious if it matters or not to at least show the courts I'm making a solid effort to right my wrong.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    392

    Default Re: Options? Washington State

    Quote Quoting Sean-Wash
    I forgot to add does it have any bearing on the amount of punishment I receive if I sign up and attend alcohol classes before I even get charged. I'm just curious if it matters or not to at least show the courts I'm making a solid effort to right my wrong.
    I would think that if you went into a treatment program (if that is what alcohol classes are), that it would show the judge that you are serious about changing, but I don't think that charges would be lowered. If the judge could fine you "up to" a certain amount, then maybe the judge would be more leanient (sp) considering you will have to pay for this treatment. The alcohol class that you take, would mean alot more, if it were one that included random testing to prove that you are staying sober. I don't know about your state, but in Oregon, the saying goes, the least you will lose is your liscence. If I am correct, here, you lose your liscence for a year, and you must finish a treatment program for alcohol, and if you fail a random pee test, you must start the treatment program over. You also have to pay for this treatment, and it is not cheap. Good luck to you!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Seattle, Wa.
    Posts
    529

    Default Re: Options? Washington State

    If you have the right lawyer you can get it reduced down to reckless. You were only pulled over and arrested for DUI, I totaled my truck on a phone pole, blew a .224 and still got it reduced down with no restrictions on driving. No "Blow 'n Go" attachments to the car either. As far as treatment goes, turbowray is right, it's not cheap. If you have any kind of health insurance they might cover part of the treatment, but in Wa....treatment WILL be an order of the court, even if you can't afford it.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    9

    Default Re: Options for Drunk Driving Defense in Washington State

    Yeah I hope I can get it reduced or at least the minimum sentencing. Doesn't the possibility of having to do treatment depend on what your assessment says? At least thats how my understanding of it works. I have to say though people's replies on this and other forums have really helped calm my nerves about this whole situation. I will keep everyone updated with the going ons of my case.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    9

    Default Re: Options for Drunk Driving Defense in Washington State

    BTW PaulE I noticed your from Seattle Washington. I'm curious if that was also where you received your DUI at? I ask because I'm from that abouts and was wondering who your lawyer was and if you would recommend him as well. Thank you all very much

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Seattle, Wa.
    Posts
    529

    Default Re: Options for Drunk Driving Defense in Washington State

    This is right where I got mine, as far as the lawyer....I lost track of him. He was also doing other legal work over seas so I've got no clue where he'd be now...sorry.

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