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BELLEVUE MINOR DUI ATTORNEYS
Underage Driving Under the Influence, or what is commonly referred to as a "Minor DUI" is a commonly charged offense here in Bellevue and throughout Washington State. Often times, our clients are arrested for underage DUI where they did not have any other choice but to drive home. It is no secret that DUI offenses are among the most widely publicized, criticized, emphasized criminal offenses not only in Washington state, but throughout the Untied States.
Prosecutors do not take these charges lightly, especially when the person was not legally able to consume alcohol in the first place. You absolutely MUST hire an attorney if you want your rights and your future protected. The police and the prosecutor's office are not your friends. You need someone on your side, that has your best interests in mind, and that has the experience to know when, and how hard to push back at the State. The attorneys of Washington Criminal Attorneys absolutely understand the dilemma that City of Bellevue residents face, and we know how to represent your interests in court.
So what exactly is underage DUI?
Washington State's DUI statute, RCW 46.61.503, governs what the State must prove to convict you of underage DUI. Washington State's underage DUI statute applies where: (1) the person was operating or in physical control of a motor vehicle within Washington State; (2) the person was under the age of 21; and (3) had an alcohol concentration between .02-.079, or a TCH concentration between 0.00-4.9. If your concentrations were higher than these ranges, typically the prosecutor will charge you with the traditional version of DUI.
Underage Driving Under the Influence is a misdemeanor, unlike a traditional DUI, which is a gross misdemeanor. If you are convicted of Underage DUI, you could face a maximum of 90 days in jail, and a $1,000 fine, and a 90 day license suspension from the Department of Licensing. Unlike a traditional DUI, there are no mandatory minimum requirements upon conviction. Here is the Washington State DUI sentencing grid. That means that the penalty is entirely within the judge's discretion up to the statutory maximums. This is a serious offense!
A conviction of racing on your record will have negative consequences beyond the potential statutory maximums. For example, your insurance rates following relicensing will increase. A criminal conviction has other far-reaching consequences that could affect: college admissions, eligibility for federal student loans, job applications, military enlistment, residential rental applications, and even travel to other countries.
If you are convicted and given the maximum penalty, your life will be severely interrupted. Spending months in jail is always a life changing experience--and most times not for the better. When you retain our firm, our primary goal is to make sure that you avoid jail time of any kind.
Most of our clients do not understand what they can and cannot do when they are pulled over, and unfortunately make the mistake of cooperating with whatever the police officer asks them to do. This is not your fault! We've been taught since a very young age to respect authority.
But, most people do not understand that cooperating with the police only gives them more information to work with, and ultimately to arrest you. Getting arrested is an overwhelming experience. The police emergency lights are bright, obnoxious, and distracting. The officer often asks that you exit the vehicle, and then before you know it you are participating in bizarre and confusing tests.
Then, the officer usually asks that you take a breath test, and most people comply. Again, you've been raised to respect police officers, and you thought that by participating, you could help yourself out. Unfortunately, that is not the case, but that doesn't mean that you can't fight back now.
We will look for any violation of your rights or grounds for challenging your arrest. We will look to see whether the police had any basis to pull you over in the first place. We will go over those field sobriety tests to make sure the officer conducted them property, and recorded everything accurately in the police report.
We will verify the existence of actual evidence of intoxication, and pour through your arrest report for any inconsistencies, or exonerating information. We will fight to preserve your driver's license, and if your license is suspended, see whether you qualify for an Ignition Interlock Device (IID). We will not rest until every last piece of information is challenged. You deserve the best, and that is exactly what you receive when you hire Washington Criminal Attorneys.
If any of this sounds like it happened to you, call us immediately. YOU ONLY HAVE 7 DAYS TO REQUEST A DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING HEARING TO PRESERVE YOUR LICENSE. Now that you have been criminally charged, a million thoughts are running through your mind. What happens next? How will I get to work? Will I lose my job? Will I be prevented from advancing my career? Can I relocate? Am I on probation right now? When you call our offices, you will speak to one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys, and we will take the time to go through all of your questions in detail.
The initial consultation is free, and we will take the time to learn about your specific case, and give you our honest assessment of where your case stands. Remember, NEVER speak to the police, detectives, or anyone from the prosecutor's office without an attorney. They have one job, and that is to make sure you are convicted. If you are reading this page you have been charged with a criminal offense. It is now them against you. With something as important as your freedom at stake, don't make the mistake of handling your criminal charge alone.
Washington Criminal Attorneys will be there for you, and is prepared to go to battle for you. Get the help, the answers, and the personal attention that your case deserves.
