Driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), or driving under the influence (DUI) are all ways to describe the same thing: intoxicated driving. Intoxication may be the result of alcohol or another chemical substance (e.g., marijuana) or both. To be a criminal offense in Kittitas or Yakima County, your blood alcohol content must be at or above the legal limit, you have an illegal chemical substance in your system, or your driving abilities were otherwise impaired.
In Washington, there are many arrests made daily for intoxicated driving. Those arrested are often people like you and me: law-abiding citizens. At Law Office of Tony Swartz, Tony works hard to help you beat a DUI charge or, in most cases, he at least wants you to walk out of court with the best possible outcome in your unique situation. Contact us at 509-293-7593 to learn more about how we will help you. In the meantime, here are some of the most commonly asked questions I get from our clients when I first meet them about their intoxicated driving charge.
What is “blood alcohol content” level?
Blood alcohol content (BAC) is a measurement of the amount of alcohol found in the blood expressed as a percentage. It is calculated in grams per 210 liters of breath, and a BAC of 0.08 means there is 0.08% alcohol by volume. Measuring BAC is a way for law enforcement to calculate the amount of alcohol someone has had and their ability to drive a motor vehicle.
What are my rights during DUI traffic stops?
If you are pulled over due to suspicion of drunk driving or pulled over for a traffic stop and then the police officer suspects intoxicated driving, you should remember you have certain rights as a U.S. citizen. Namely,
- The driver and any passengers have the right to remain silent (except you must show the police your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance upon request); and
- If you are a passenger, you are free to leave.
If you are arrested or detained, you have additional rights, including Miranda warnings.
- You can say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately.
- You have the right to make a phone call before you give a breath test.
If you believe your rights were violated in any way, try to write down everything you remember, including the police officer's agency (state police, county police, etc.), badge number, and patrol car number.
Can I refuse a breathalyzer test in Kittitas or Yakima County?
You can refuse a breathalyzer test - but it's complicated and there are consequences. A portable instrument police have with them to test your breath for alcohol will not suspend your license. The results of these tests are typically not admissible if you are, in fact, arrested and charged with an intoxicated driving offense. The government can use the fact you refused this test against you if you fight the case later for probable cause, or in other words it will likely hurt your argument of lack of probable cause.
Refusal of the main breath test, however, carries with it significant consequences. You can expect any of the following:
- Your license may be revoked.
- You may be sentenced to more jail time because you refused.
- You may still face a DUI charge based on other criteria, such as field sobriety test results, witness testimony, and the police officer's observations.
- You may be fined.
Also, if you refuse, the police officer may request a warrant to take a blood sample. Blood tests are more reliable than breath tests, and they can be more challenging to defend against if a case is filed against you.
What are standardized field sobriety tests (FSTs)?
Standardized field sobriety tests (FSTs) are tests approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These tests are allegedly designed to help police determine whether a driver is intoxicated or not.
There are three standardized FSTs:
- the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test (HGN test)
- the One-Leg Stand Test (OLS test)
- the Walk-and-Turn Test
The results of these tests may be used as evidence against you in an intoxicated driving case. Non-standardized tests, on the other hand, are not validated by NHTSA but that doesn't stop cops from trying to use them.
Non-standardized FSTs include:
- finger to nose test
- the finger count test
- the hand pat test
- the alphabet test
- the reverse counting test
Can I refuse field sobriety tests in Washington?
The ability to refuse a field sobriety test is allowed, as it is your right to not provide them. Similar to a portable breath test, courts do allow a prosecutor to say you refused because you were thinking you would fail them. A refusal to complete a field sobriety test does not carry the same serious repercussions as refusing a breathalyzer test - such as license suspensions or revocations, for example.
After a DUI arrest in Washington, will my driver's license be suspended or revoked?
There are two different types of suspensions. The first is an administrative suspension, and Washington will suspend your license if you refuse a breathalyzer or have a BAC over a .08. This happens nearly immediately. Call me ASAP because you only have 7 days to ask for a hearing and if you miss that request timeframe, they'll suspend or revoke your license in 30 days from the arrest date. This means you can lose your driving privileges even when you have not been found guilty of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a chemical substance.
The other type of suspension occurs when you are convicted of an intoxicated driving offense. Whether your driver's license will be suspended or revoked depends on your jurisdiction, your BAC level, and whether this is your first offense.
What happens after a drunk driving arrest in Kittitas or Yakima County?
If you are arrested for drunk driving, what happens next depends on the facts and circumstances. It's important to know that DUI arrests result in two processes after an arrest: (1) the administrative hearing, which results in a driver's license suspension; and (2) the criminal process, which can result in a conviction that goes on your permanent record. A conviction can lead to fines, driver's license suspension/revocation, imprisonment, ignition interlock device (IID) installation, and other penalties.
Can I still get auto insurance in Kittitas or Yakima County after a drunk driving conviction?
Your ability to obtain or maintain auto insurance after a drunk driving conviction depends on whether it was your first conviction. You will likely find insurance after a first conviction, although your rates will increase significantly.
Note, however, that even if you have been convicted of only one drunk driving offense, you may still be required to obtain SR-22 insurance. SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility required by either your jurisdiction or a court order. This form is not insurance, but rather proof that your auto insurance policy meets the minimum liability coverage required by state law.
Can I beat a drunk driving charge in Washington?
It is possible to beat a drunk driving charge, although it is not typically an easy process. It will require a thorough understanding of the law and a thorough understanding of the technical nature of field sobriety tests, breath tests, blood tests, and other factors. Understanding the latter tests is critical to identifying errors (technical or human-made errors) to highlight the unreliability of the results.
Aside from errors or unreliable test results, an alleged DUI offender may have had their constitutional rights violated. This happens more often than you might imagine. A violation can lead to the inadmissibility of some or all evidence. Without sufficient evidence, the case will be dismissed, or a jury may return with an acquittal.
You will need a drunk driving defense attorney to help you beat an intoxicated driving charge. These cases can be highly technical, as much as legally complex.
Can I just plead guilty to drunk driving?
An arraignment is a hearing where the defendant can plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty. You can plead guilty, but the real question is whether you should or not. It would be a mistake to plead guilty at this time, especially without the counsel of a drunk driving lawyer in Kittitas or Yakima County, and there are multiple reasons for this.
- If you plead guilty immediately, you lose any opportunity to fight the DUI charge.
- If you plead guilty immediately, you also lose any opportunity for a plea deal, if that is what would be best in your unique circumstances. Admittedly, a plea deal means you would plead guilty, but the process can render a better outcome than an immediate plea of guilty. In some jurisdictions, you may be able to plead down to a lesser offense.
- The sentencing is often harsher when given in response to a plea of guilty during the arraignment, as opposed to what a plea deal would entail or a sentencing after a conviction would impose. The reason is simple: you have time to mitigate and negotiate.
If it's your first drunk driving charge, it can be tempting to plead guilty right away so that you can get the case over faster and get on with your life. But if you do not fight to get the charge dismissed or to get yourself acquitted, it will be your first drunk driving charge. With the latter on your record, you want to keep in mind that subsequent DUI convictions will assuredly lead to harsher penalties.
Do I need a drunk driving lawyer in Washington to win my DUI case?
If you plan to fight your drunk driving charges, it is in your best interest to have an attorney represent you. The law can be complex. The evidence can be highly technical and scientific. Police and state expert testimony can be damaging. All these things can lead to a conviction, unless you have the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully counter them. Most alleged DUI offenders do not have that kind of knowledge and skills.
At Law Office of Tony Swartz, Tony knows the law and the technical, scientific make-up of field sobriety tests, blood tests, breath tests, and he's actually even gone through the same certification training that cops have had to do some of these tests. He knows how to identify and proactively address any constitutional rights violations to benefit your case. Contact Tony today at 509-293-7593 to schedule a free consultation and get honest advice on your best legal options.