Experienced Washington State Drunk Driving Defense

(253) 627-2828

We will fight to keep you out of jail and able to drive.

A Tacoma DUI arrest is NOT a conviction!

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Pierce County, you are no doubt feeling confused and anxious.  You are also probably in a bit of a state of shock and feeling extremely frustrated.  Our Tacoma DUI lawyers understand exactly what you are going through right now.  No one sets out to with the intention of being arrested for drunk driving and having their entire life turned upside down and put on hold.

We're here to help protect you.  Our experienced Tacoma DUI lawyers will help you to understand your legal rights and your options so that you can make an informed decision about how best to proceed.  We know the questions you have right now, and we're her to answer them?

• Will my Tacoma DUI affect my employment?
• Will my Tacoma DUI cause my license to be suspended?
• Will my Tacoma DUI result in me going to jail?
• How will my Tacoma DUI affect my family?
• How will my Tacoma DUI affect my future employment opportunities?

Tacoma DUI attorneys fighting to keep you out of jail and legally able to drive.

Our Pierce County and Tacoma DUI lawyers are experienced Washington State criminal defense lawyers.  We understand Washington DUI law, and we know how your Tacoma DUI will be processed here in King County.  We know the procedures, the courts, and the prosecutors.

If you have questions about your Pierce County or Tacoma drunk driving charge, we invite you to call our offices for a free consultation.  One of our Tacoma DUI attorneys can review your case in detail and go over your legal rights and options.  You can then make an informed decision about how best to proceed.

Washington State's New Ignition Interlock Device License.

What is an Ignition Interlock Driver's License (IIL)?

Our Tacoma DUI attorneys are very familiar with Washington's new Interlock License law.  An Ignition Interlock Driver's License (IIL) allows you to drive vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device while your regular license is suspended or revoked for an alcohol-related arrest or conviction for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUI) or Physical Control.

The ignition interlock device acts as a type of "kill switch".  The device will not allow the vehicle to be started if it detects alcohol on your breath.  The device may also require additional “rolling retests” while the vehicle is being driven.  If it detects alcohol during one of these rolling retests, it will shut the car down.

In either case, if the alcohol is detected, the installer will be notified, and they are required to report the violation.

Here is the new Washington State Ignition Interlock Device Driver's License Application.

Requirements

To be eligible for an IIL, your driving record must show that:

To be eligible for an IIL, your driving record must show that:

• You have been arrested for, or convicted of, an alcohol-related DUI or Physical Control.
• You have had a valid driver license.
• You haven’t been convicted of vehicular assault or vehicular homicide within 7 years before the incident for which you are requesting an IIL.
• Your current suspension or revocation isn’t for, or doesn’t include, Minor in Possession, Reckless Driving reduced from an alcohol-related DUI, Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide, or Habitual Traffic Offender.

Vehicles that require an interlock device

While driving with an IIL, you must maintain an interlock device on all vehicles you drive, including employer’s vehicles you drive during work hours.  You cannot drive a commercial motor vehicle while you have an IIL.

Work vehicles

If you drive vehicles owned by your employer during work hours, the vehicles must be equipped with an interlock device.  However, this requirement may be waived if your employer signs an Employer Declaration for Ignition Interlock Waiver.  You must send us a copy of the signed declaration before you drive your employer’s vehicles, and you must carry a copy of the declaration with you whenever you drive a work vehicle that isn’t equipped with an interlock device.

Washington's DUI laws are tough and unforgiving.

Washington's DUI laws are among the toughest in the country.  Many people, however, make the mistake of believing that their Tacoma DUI arrest is indefensible.  This is completely untrue.  It is extremely rare that we evaluate a case that does not have at least some significant issues weighing in our client's favor.  In reviewing your case, we literally look for dozens of critical issues that can weigh in your favor.

It is important, however, to act quickly and try and find an experienced Washington State DUI attorney as soon as possible.  The clock on your driving privileges starts ticking the day after you are arrested.  If you do not properly challenge your Washington State Department of Licensing Suspension within 20 days of your arrest, your driving privileges will almost certainly be suspended for a period of at least 90 days to one year, even if this is your first offense.  We can assist you in ensuring that your request is proper and timely.

A Pierce County or Tacoma DUI arrest requires preparing for two different kinds of cases.

If you have been arrested for Drunk Driving here in Washington State, it is important to understand that you actually have to prepare for two different cases.  It is also important to understand that your Washington DUI arrest demands immediate attention and immediate action.  Your driving privileges are at stake.  In addition to fighting your DUI criminal charges, which carry harsh mandatory penalties, you must also fight the Washington State Department of Licensing if you want to retain your driving privileges.

The Washington State Department of Licensing Hearing.

With most DUI arrests here in Washington, the first case that requires action is the one with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).  At the time of your arrest, you were offered an opportunity to submit to breath test once you were back at the police station.  If you either took the test and the result was above .08 (.02 if you are a minor), or if you refused the test, the WA State Department of Licensing is planning on suspending your license.  At the time that you were released, you should have been provided with a WA DOL Hearing Request Form. 

If you read this form carefully, you will see that you have 20 days from the date of arrest to request your hearing.  If you fail to request a hearing within 20 days, the WA State Department of Licensing will simply move forward with the suspension or revocation, and you will not have a chance to challenge its validity.  It is therefore imperative that you file a timely request for a hearing.

The length of the proposed suspension or revocation depends on several factors.  First, did you take a breath test or refuse one?  Also, is this your first, your second, or your third offense within the last seven years?  For example, if this is your first offense and you provided a breath sample that is alleged to have been .08 or higher, your license will be suspended for 90 days. 

If this is your first offense and you refused to provide a breath sample, your license will be suspended for one year.  If this is your second or third offense within the last seven years, the length of your suspension will be much higher.  For example, if this is your second DUI and you provided a breath sample that is alleged to be .08 or higher, your are looking at a mandatory two year revocation.

The Criminal Portion of Your Washington DUI Arrest.

The criminal portion of your Washington DUI case typically begins when you receive a Notice to Appear for Arraignment in the mail.  In some cases, you will ordered to appear for your arraignment by the DUI citation or other paperwork that you receive when you are released. 

If you are convicted of a Pierce County or Tacoma DUI, you face stiff mandatory minimum penalties, even if this is your first offense.  The mandatory minimum sentence that you are facing will depend on your alleged breath test result, whether you refused to take a breath test, and whether or not this is your first, second, third or greater drunk driving offense within the last seven years.

At a minimum, however, if you are convicted of a WA DUI, you will be sentenced to the following:

1. Mandatory Jail

2. Mandatory License Suspension

3. Mandatory Alcohol Evaluation & Follow Up Treatment

4. Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device for One Year

5. Mandatory Attendance at at Victim Impact Panel

6. Mandatory SR-22 Insurance to Reinstate Your Driving Privileges for at Least Three Years

7. Mandatory Fines, Costs and Assessment

Don't simply forfeit your rights without a fight!

Don't simply forfeit your legal rights without having your case properly reviewed and analyzed by an experienced Tacoma DUI attorney.  Washington's drunk driving laws are tough.  Even if this is your first offense, if you are convicted of a charge of DUI here in Tacoma or elsewhere in Pierce County, you are facing serious mandatory consequences.  A good Tacoma DUI lawyer can help minimize these consequences.

Don't let a Tacoma DUI arrest or a Pierce County Drunk Driving charge ruin your family, your finances, of your career.  We're here to help.

Our attorneys have successfully resolved hundreds of DUI cases in Tacoma, Pierce County and throughout Washington state.  The simple truth is that Washington's drunk driving laws are complex, tough, and unforgiving. 

Although most Tacoma Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants charges are filed as gross misdemeanors and not as felonies.  Any experienced Pierce County or Tacoma DUI lawyer with the appropriate background, training, and experience to properly evaluate your case will tell you that WA State DUI Law is one of most complicated areas of Washington State Criminal Law.  Our Pierce County and Tacoma DUI attorneys are here to help.

Our Pierce County offices are conveniently located in downtown Tacoma.

The Law Offices of Jason S. Newcombe
1008 S. YAKIMA AVENUE, SUITE 202
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 627-2828

Our lawyers also serve all Pierce County Municipal Courts, including Fife DUI cases, Puyallup DUI cases, Sumner DUI cases, Milton DUI cases, Lakewood DUI cases, Gig Harbor DUI cases, Orting DUI cases, Steilacoom DUI cases, Bonney Lake DUI cases, Buckley DUI cases, Dupont DUI cases, and Edgewood DUI cases.