Did you get a DUI in Seattle? Looking for answers about your Seattle DUI? Getting a DUI is stressful. Possible jail time, license suspension, probation, and fines.
Seattle Municipal Court oversees many DUI in the Seattle city limits. Seattle Municipal Court is located at 600 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Their website contains useful information regarding payments, probation, and access to community resources.
King County District Court Seattle also hears DUI cases. King County District Court Seattle is located at 516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Their website, and the King County Court website contains lots of useful information.
What is the Process of a Seattle DUI Case?
There are several stages to a DUI case. A defendant will first be asked to appear for a DUI arraignment. The court will set another day while the attorneys review the case, engage in negotiations, and otherwise prepare the case. The case might move forward to a motions hearing or trial, but many cases resolve by way for a plea agreement. A sentencing hearing follows a plea or a guilty finding at trial. Of course, a case that is taken to trial and results in a “not guilty” verdict will end the process.
What is a DUI Arraignment?
In Washington, a person charged with DUI is required to appear, in person, in front of the judge. A person cannot have their attorney appear for them. DUI arraignment cannot be waived and must be done in person. At this hearing, a person will be advised of the charges against them, bail/bond and other conditions of release will be set.
DUI Arraignment - Conditions of Release
At the arraignment hearing, the judge may release the individual without requiring a bail or bond amount – but the judge will impose conditions of release. If a person violates those conditions, a warrant may be issued for their arrest – they could be taken to jail. Among other requirements, most people who are charged with DUI are required to abstain from drugs and alcohol, don’t commit any crimes, show up for future court dates, and keep their address updated. The law requires judges to impose some conditions of release in certain situations. Talk to your attorney about your situation.
DUI Arraignment - Information About the Alleged Crime and Possible Sentence
At a minimum, the judge needs to inform the defendant of the nature of the charges against them, the right to counsel, and the right to remain silent.
What are the Possible Penalties for DUI in Seattle
A DUI is usually charged as a gross misdemeanor. This means that it carries up to 364 days in jail and up to a $5,000 fine. DUI charges in Washington carry up to five years of probation. I some circumstances, people end up on probation for longer than five years. DUI probation is very restrictive. A mistake on probation can result in jail time.
What Are the Expected Treatment Requirements for a Seattle DUI?
A treatment component is usually a part of a DUI or reckless driving plea. That treatment component can be as minimal as a one day class or it can be as extensive as several months of classes. An evaluator makes a decision about a person’s relationship with drugs or alcohol.
Talk to an attorney if you have been arrested for DUI. A good attorney may be able to get your case reduced or dismissed.
DUI Plea Entry - Enter "Not Guilty" Plea
It is unusual for anyone to plea to a charge at arraignment, especially for a gross misdemeanor. It is also unusual to ask the matter to be set immediately for trial. Your attorney should enter a “not guilty” plea on your behalf. The judge will set another court date. This will allow the attorneys to review the case, engage in negotiation, and do any further investigation necessary.
If you have been arrested for DUI, you should talk to an attorney as soon as possible. A good attorney, through careful examination, may be able to identify issues in the government’s case that can lead to a reduction of charges or a dismissal of your case.
How do I Beat a DUI in Seattle
- Is there a problem with the stop?
- Is there a problem with the arrest?
- Is there a problem with the breath test or blood draw?
- Are there other issues in the case?
- Consult an attorney
Is it Possible to Have a DUI Under .08?
Yes. In Washington, it is possible to be charged with DUI while your blood alcohol content (BAC) is under .08. This happens primarily in two ways:
1. Where a DUI via controlled substance is alleged
2. Where someone is “appreciably affected by alcohol”
In WA, the .08 legal limit represents a threshold where the legislature has determined an individual is “per se” over the limit. It is possible to be charged with DUI in WA at a lower BAC.
What is the Maximum Penalty for a Misdemeanor DUI in Washington?
The maximum penalty is 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. The sentence may also include a license suspension, disqualification from driving a commercial motor vehicle, and a lengthy term of probation, among other things.
Will I Need to Go to Treatment if I Get a DUI?
If you are convicted of DUI you will have to attend some form of treatment. That treatment may take the form of a day-long class or it may be much more intensive. The amount of treatment you will be required to do as part of a DUI sentence is determined by a state-certified evaluator.
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.