Washington’s DUI/Physical Control Law

DUI/physical control laws in Washington are among the toughest in the nation. You need a lawyer whose practice focuses on DUI defense and who is at the cutting edge of the latest challenges to DUI law, breath tests, blood tests, and evidentiary issues. Simply put, you need a lawyer board certified in DUI defense.* With offices in Bellevue, Vern Smith is a DUI attorney who represents clients in Bellevue, Seattle, Kirkland, and cities in King County, Washington

A DUI or Physical Control conviction will trigger mandatory jail time, loss of license, up to 5 years of probation, 3 years of high risk insurance, no driving without an Ignition Interlock Device for at least one year, possible electronic home detention, and you will be barred from Canada!

THE STOP: A police officer needs a legal basis to stop you as you drive on the roads and highways of Washington. Legal stops can range from any moving violation (e.g., speeding, un-signaled lane change, driving too fast for conditions) to something as simple as a burned out license plate light. Also, a police officer may contact you after even a minor traffic accident of if you are parked on the side of the road under a doctrine known as the Community Caretaker Function.