DUI Charges
DUI Defense in Washington vs. Oregon
Being so close to Oregon, it is not uncommon to drive over the state line for everyday activities. Maybe you’re visiting friends to watch the football game, having dinner with family, or enjoying a night out on the town down in Portland. However, a night of fun can lead to some unfortunate situations, and if…
Read MoreOregon Legalizes Hallucinogenic Mushrooms: What This Means for Drivers in Washington
One of the first few states to legalize cannabis, Oregon is now leading the way for another Schedule I drug: psilocybin mushrooms. These hallucinogenic fungi have been known in popular media as the drug that causes trippy experiences, including users imagining melting walls or multicolored skies. As exciting as that image is, the scientific reality…
Read MoreHow Does the Impairment Definition for a DUI Compare to the BAC Standard?
Many Washington drivers are under the mistaken impression that they can only be charged with driving under the influence if their blood alcohol content (BAC) level is .08 or higher. That assumption is false. The BAC test is just one test. The police can also stop you and charge you if your driving is impaired…
Read MorePossible Drunk-Driving Legislation for 2021
Advanced alcohol detection devices aren’t new. They are commonly called Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs). Drivers who are convicted of driving while intoxicated in Washington are generally required to install IID devices on their vehicles. The IID device tests the driver before he/she starts the car. The driver is also required to use the IID device…
Read MoreDUI Arrests Are Down During the Pandemic, Even Though People Aren’t Drinking Less
The pandemic is affecting people in different ways. The isolation caused by social distancing, closures of many activities, and more people working from home – makes life a little rougher for many. Some people find comfort in alcohol and drugs. As the coronavirus pandemic continued through 2020, the good news appears to be that fewer…
Read MoreAfter 50 years, Seattle’s Police DUI Unit Is Scheduled to Be Cut
In 1970, the Seattle police department developed a special Driving Under the Influence (DUI) police unit. The unit was created with the help of federal funds. Now comes word that the officers in the unit, including many with expertise in drug recognition and suspicion of DUI arrests, will be reassigned to patrol duty. The news…
Read MoreField Sobriety Tests in Washington State
If a police officer pulls you over for suspected drinking and driving, they may conduct what’s called field sobriety testing (FST). The first thing you should know and share with others is you have an absolute right to refuse field sobriety tests in the State of Washington. If you are pulled over and an officer…
Read MoreCan I Get a DUI Riding a Bike?
On a strict reading of Washington’s DUI law, an argument could be made that you can be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol while riding a bicycle. Fortunately, the Washington courts have wrestled with this issue and ruled that, while a bicycle is a type of “vehicle,” the legislators did not intend to…
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