WHY HIRE A DUI ATTORNEY
Some people question the need to hire a specialized Seattle DUI attorney. They think that if they qualify for a public defender, that’s the best way to go. Others feel that one Seattle DUI lawyer is just as good as another when defending against your average DUI charge. It’s important you get the best representation for your DUI case.
If you or your loved one has a DUI charge, a specialized DUI attorney is the only person who will fight for you.
Public Defenders:
A public defender should be your last option. While public defenders can be DUI lawyers, they are simply too over-worked to effectively handle your DUI case. You will be one of well over a hundred cases that they’re handling at any given time. Public defenders don’t have the time to thoroughly negotiate with prosecutors and, often forced by time constraints, have to accept the first deal you’re offered.
A Private Seattle DUI Lawyer:
Superior negotiating skills is one of the most important qualities a Seattle DUI lawyer can possess. When hiring a DUI attorney, learn about their past cases and results as well as how they handle DUI cases. One Seattle DUI lawyer is not as good as another. The difference between a dismissed case and serving jail time is small and often a simple matter of time, expertise and skill. Experience absolutely matters when you hire a Seattle DUI lawyer.
CHOOSING A DUI ATTORNEY
Who you choose as your Seattle DUI attorney will have the largest impact on the success or failure of your case.
- Don’t be intimidated by the process. Do your research and make sure your DUI attorney has the experience and time to work with you.
- Choose a lawyer that focuses on practicing DUI defense. If you’re charged with a DUI, you don’t need a tax or divorce attorney. Only a Seattle DUI lawyer who handles DUI cases every day can navigate your complex charge and give you the best chance for a successful outcome.
- Find a Seattle DUI attorney who will listen to your concerns and truly cares about the outcome of your case. You don’t want a lawyer who only sees you as money that they can make. Working with a caring Seattle DUI lawyer will make your ordeal easier to manage.
The Seattle DUI attorney you choose will have the most significant impact on the result of your DUI case.
What To Do: Actions to take if you’re charged with a DUI
THE DO’S
Do be polite and as courteous as possible to the police.
Do ask for the police officer’s name and badge number or read it off of his/her badge. Try to remember it.
Do get a good look at the officer’s face so that you can identify him/her later by that method, if necessary.
Do, if you are arrested in your car, show the police officer your driver’s license and registration information. In other situations where you are not stopped in your car, you cannot be arrested for the sole reason of refusing to provide information, including your name and address, to the police.
Do, if you are taken into custody, demand the right to have an attorney present before speaking to the police.
Do ask if you are under arrest. If you are, you have the right to be told why. Make sure you understand why and with what you’re being charged.
Do clearly inform the police that you will not speak to them about anything without an attorney being present.
Do, as soon as you can, write down everything that happened during the course of your arrest so that you can use that to refresh your memory at a later date.
Do, if you are physically injured by the police during your arrest, seek medical attention and inform your medical providers of the cause of your injuries. Take photographs of your injuries as soon as possible.
Do remember that you do not need to answer ANY question that the police asks of you. If you answer a question that at first seems harmless, be aware that it may later come back to haunt you.
THE DONT’S
Don’t offer information to the police, no matter what tactics they use.
Don’t assume that the police have a search warrant just because they say that they do. If they say they have a search warrant, ask to see it.
Don’t get into an argument with the police, no matter how hard they may try to bait you into losing your temper.
Don’t initiate physical contact with the police, even if you mean them no harm.
Don’t give the police any reason to find you threatening. Do not give them the impression that you are hard to deal with or irritating.
Don’t place your hands where the police cannot see them.
Don’t run away from a police officer if you see one (or more) approaching you. Running away may give the police reason to suspect that you are hiding something from them, even if you’re totally innocent.
Don’t interfere with or obstruct the police. If you do, you can face additional criminal charges.
Don’t resist arrest. Even if you think you are innocent, the time to protest comes later. If you resist arrest, you may face additional charges.
Don’t allow the police to listen to any telephone calls that you make to your lawyer once you have been arrested. While the police may listen in on conversations to other individuals, they cannot listen to a conversation with your lawyer because it is protected by the attorney-client privilege.
Don’t speak to the police about anything before your attorney arrives and talks with you first.
Don’t, if you are arrested, provide the police with any information other than your name and address unless your attorney is present and approves.
Don’t sign anything, no matter what it is, without an attorney being present.
Don’t say anything if your attorney instructs that you remain silent. Let your attorney do the talking for you, no matter how hard it may be to resist the urge to speak.
Don’t agree to participate in a line-up without your attorney present.
Don’t lie to your attorney or to the police if you choose to talk to them.
OUR LOCATIONS
Seattle
1333 Stewart St., Seattle, WA 98109
Free parking
Get Directions
Tacoma
917 S 10th St., Tacoma, WA
Free parking, a short distance from the court
Get Directions
Everett
3216 Wetmore Ave., Everett, WA
Free parking
Get Directions
Bellevue
1400 112th Ave. SE #100, Bellevue, WA 98004
Free parking
Get Directions
<!—->
<!—->
FREE CASE EVALUATION
"*" indicates required fields
Call Us Today!