After an arrest, you’ll typically receive paperwork with your court date and information about your driver’s license. The prosecutor will file charges, the court will set deadlines and hearing dates, and your attorney can begin requesting evidence (police reports, dash/body cam, breath or blood records) and evaluating defenses. Early steps matter because key decisions—like how to handle statements, testing issues, and scheduling—can impact the direction of the case.

A DUI arrest can trigger an administrative license suspension through the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) that is separate from the court case. In many situations, you must request a DOL hearing within a short deadline after the arrest to challenge the suspension. An attorney can help you request the hearing, prepare the best arguments, and guide you through what to expect while the criminal case is pending.

Penalties can include jail, fines and court costs, license suspension or revocation, ignition interlock requirements, probation, alcohol/drug evaluation and treatment, and other conditions such as a victim impact panel. The risk level can change based on factors like the alleged BAC/THC level, prior history, and whether there was an accident or other related allegations. A consultation can help you understand what penalties may apply in your specific situation.

Yes. Washington allows DUI charges under an “affected by” theory even when a chemical test is below the per se limit—or when there is no test result at all. In those cases, the prosecution often relies on officer observations, driving pattern, and field sobriety tests. A defense attorney will look closely at whether those observations are reliable, whether procedures were followed, and whether the state can meet its burden.

Field sobriety tests and the roadside portable breath test are commonly used to build evidence and establish probable cause, and they can be difficult to “pass” under real-world conditions. Many attorneys recommend politely declining voluntary roadside tests. This is general information, and your situation may be different—if you were already arrested or you’re worried about what you did at the stop, a lawyer can explain how it may affect the case and what can still be challenged.

Our DUI representation requires a minimum retainer of $5,000, which allows us to begin work immediately. The retainer is typically placed in a client trust account and billed against as work is performed, with total cost depending on complexity (court, hearings, motions, experts, trial preparation, and any additional charges). During your consultation, we can outline what your case is likely to require and how billing will work under your fee agreement.