Criminal Defense

Criminal Law Attorney

by

Criminal defense

Criminal defense is a matter of time. An attorney can file a Notice to Appearance immediately to minimize the collateral damage that comes with an arrest or charge. There are many issues such as DOL, security clearances, or No Contact Orders that can be addressed before you appear at your Arraignment. Do not hesitate to request a free consultation if you are interested in defense.

Do it sooner than later

If we receive your call in a timely manner, it may be possible to resolve your case without causing too much disruption in your daily life. Sometimes, we can convince the prosecutor to drop the case if we get involved early in the process (pre-arrest). Although it’s not common, we prefer to speak with a prosecutor before making a decision on a charging case. It is difficult to stop momentum once it has started. It is best to call an attorney as soon as possible.

Even though a person is accused of a crime has all the rights, it still weighs heavily against them. A person becomes subject to the conditions of that court once they are “before the judge”. This could include harsh conditions of release, fines or probation. We want to make the process as easy as possible for you and minimize the negative consequences. We are more likely to achieve this goal if we act sooner.

You must act quickly before you are charged

This is the best time to contact an attorney if you are contacted by law enforcement and have not been charged with any crime. Do not let this window slip by and hope for the best. It is important to contact an attorney if you have been charged. Each week can make a difference in the outcome of your case. We want to avoid a conviction, but also reduce the stress and immediate consequences that a criminal case can cause.

We will guide you through the process

Most crimes come with the possibility of imprisonment. Some have mandatory jail time. It is important to get an attorney involved as soon as possible in order to reduce or eliminate the chance of you being incarcerated. We know that every client has a life beyond their legal problems. Many people want the stress to end so that they can get back to normal. This process has been successful for thousands of people. It has helped them to see the way back to success.

We care about your case. You are not just another number on an assembly line. To better communicate your case and defend you in court, we establish a personal relationship with each client. Joe is known for his unwavering determination, even when things get contentious. Joe has a lot of experience in providing aggressive defenses for justice.

This article aims to answer many of the important questions people have about DUI in Seattle. What you need to know about DUI in Seattle:

What is a DUI arraignment? A DUI arraignment is a hearing where a judge will set conditions of release and make sure the defendant understand their rights and the charges against them.

Will I go to jail if I get a DUI? It is possible that a defendant will go to jail for a DUI. In WA, a plea to DUI requires mandatory jail. However, in some cases, the jail confinement can be substituted for another type of confinement, such as home confinement. An amendment to a lesser charge may avoid the jail requirement. 

Can I get a DUI under 0.08 BAC? Yes, it is possible to be charged with DUI in WA at less than 0.08 blood alcohol content. This usually occurs where a controlled substance or prescription drug is involved. It may also occur where someone is alleged to be “appreciably affected” by alcohol. 

If you have been charged with a DUI in King, Pierce, or Snohomish County or surrounding areas, you should contact a Washington DUI Lawyer.

DUI Attorney WA Seattle

Criminal Defense

by
Joseph Graan RiemerReviewsout of 7 reviews
WA Lawyer Seattle Washington
Washington Lawyer DUI
8.9Joseph Graan Riemer

Criminal Defense

 
  • DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
  • Physical Control Under the Influence
  • Fail to Use Ignition Interlock Device
  • Reckless Driving
  • Negligent Driving 1st Degree
  • Boating Under the Influence
  • Reckless Boating

DUI

RCW 46.61.502 Driving under the influence.

(1) A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state

DUI charges can result in mandatory imprisonment, lengthy license suspensions, and years of probation. Most drunk driving charges are misdemeanors. This means you could be sentenced to up to 364 days in jail and a fine of $5,000. In addition, your driver’s license could be suspended.

Physical Control

RCW 46.61.504 Physical control of vehicle under the influence.

(1) A person is guilty of being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if the person has actual physical control of a vehicle within this state

In most cases, Physical Control of a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence (or “physical control” for short) is treated as a gross misdemeanor. Gross misdemeanors are punishable by 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. A person charged with physical control could face jail time or a lengthy probationary period.

Ignition Interlock

RCW 46.20.720 Ignition interlock device restriction.

It is possible that someone who has an ignition interlock device installed was ordered to do so by a court due to DUI, physical control, reckless driving, or negligent driving. A person accused of driving without an ignition interlock device faces a gross misdemeanor charge. They could be jailed for up to 364 days and fined $5,000 as a result of failing to comply with the ignition interlock requirement. 

Reckless Driving

RCW 46.61.500 Reckless driving—Penalty.

(1) Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. Violation of the provisions of this section is a gross misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to three hundred sixty-four days and by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars.

the criminal charge of “Reckless Driving” is a gross misdemeanor in Washington. There is a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail on a reckless driving charge, as well as a maximum fine of $5,000. When someone speeds excessively or drives erratically, they may be accused of reckless driving. DUI plea negotiations can also result in a reckless driving conviction. 

Negligent Driving

RCW 46.61.5249 Negligent driving—First degree.

(1)(a) A person is guilty of negligent driving in the first degree if he or she operates a motor vehicle in a manner that is both negligent and endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property, and exhibits the effects of having consumed liquor or marijuana or any drug or exhibits the effects of having inhaled or ingested any chemical, whether or not a legal substance, for its intoxicating or hallucinatory effects.

RCW 46.61.525 Negligent driving—Second degree.

(1)(a) A person is guilty of negligent driving in the second degree if, under circumstances not constituting negligent driving in the first degree, he or she operates a motor vehicle in a manner that is both negligent and endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property.

Washington has two degrees of negligent driving. There are two types of negligent driving: first-degree and second-degree. It is more serious to engage in negligent driving in the first degree. An individual who commits this crime faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in prison and $1,000 in fines. Driving negligently in the second degree is not punishable by jail time.

Boating Under the Influence

RCW 79A.60.040 Operation of vessel in a reckless manner—Operation of a vessel under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug—Consent to breath or blood test—Penalty.

(2) It is unlawful for a person to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug. A person is considered to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug if, within two hours of operating a vessel: (a) The person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person’s breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or (b) The person has a THC concentration of 5.00 or higher as shown by analysis of the person’s blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or (c) The person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug; or (d) The person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor, marijuana, and any drug.

It is a gross misdemeanor to boat under the influence. The maximum sentence for this gross misdemeanor is 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Law enforcement agencies work hard to catch drunken boaters, especially during SeaFair. Weekends and holidays are particularly active times for enforcement on Lake Union, Lake Washington, and Lake Chelan.

Reckless Boating

RCW 79A.60.040 Operation of vessel in a reckless manner—Operation of a vessel under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug—Consent to breath or blood test—Penalty.

(1) It is unlawful for any person to operate a vessel in a reckless manner.

The crime of reckless boating is a misdemeanor. An individual who commits this crime faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in prison and $1,000 in fines. Boating under the influence may result in a plea to reckless boating.