Experienced DUI Defense Lawyer for Eastern Washington
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Mr. Graham's first DUI jury trial was as an intern 16 years ago. Mr. Graham has been trying DUI cases ever since. DUI charges pose unique challenges for citizens. A person needs a lawyer who can defend the criminal charge and also defend against the Department of Licensing. There are many defenses to a charge of DUI, and a DUI defense lawyer should leave no stone unturned. Steve Graham can provide the highest level of legal representation on these serious traffic offenses based on his former years as a prosecutor, and his winning record as a defense lawyer. Mr. Graham has an 86 percent "Not Guilty" rate on criminal defense jury trials, and wants to bring his tenacity to the defense of you case.
DUI Charges
Under Washington law, a person can face up to 364 days in jail, and a $5000 fine for being convicted of a Driving Under the Influence charge. While these penalties might seem more like the theoretical maximum, every year we see the judges impose tougher and tougher sentences on defendants. For first-time offenders, the mandatory minimum sentence for DUI is either one or two days jail, and a fine of $823.00 or $1078.00 depending on how high the breath test result reads. Sentences also includes a requirement for EHM (electronic home monitoring), a requirement of SR-22 or high-risk insurance, court-ordered license suspension, ignition interlock, and five years probation. Courts require a defendant to obtain a chemical dependency evaluation, and to comply with any required treatment. With the new charge of felony DUI, a person can face up to 5 years in the state prison if they have 4 or more prior alcohol-realted convictions within the last ten years. Increasingly, police departments are drastically increasing their arrest rates for individuals suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana. Marijuana DUI's involve an entirely different field of science then alcohol DUI's. (See more from Mr. Graham on Marijuana DUI.) Mr. Graham has seen the largest increase in marijuana DUI arrests along Interstate 90 in Grant County, Adams County, and Lincoln County.
The goal for any DUI defense lawyer is to try to get the case dismissed, to win at trial, or to try to get the charge reduced down to such offenses as Negligent Driving in the First or Second Degree, Reckless Driving, or Minor Operating a Motor Vehicle above .02. In order to obtain such a plea offer, a prosecutor needs to know that your lawyer is serious about being willing to take a case to trial, and to do the work necessary to fight the charge.
Department of Licensing
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The DUI criminal charge in court is not the only legal consequence of a DUI arrest. An arresting officer also faxes the arrest reports to the Department of Licensing (DOL). The officer punches a hole in a driver's license, and a driver must appeal this planned license suspension within 20 days. There is a $200.00 appeal fee. Even if the criminal DUI charge is dismissed or reduced to another charge, the Department of Licensing will still attempt to suspend a driver's license. The hearing for the DOL license suspension is held by phone, and such hearing is typically on a different date from any court hearing. It is important for a DUI defendant to have a lawyer who can defend a person's rights both in court and also at the DOL hearing. Unlike a court hearing that involves live testimony from a police officer, usually the DOL hearing is based on the written police report. The job of the DUI lawyer is to go through the reports thoroughly to look for procedural errors. The administration of the breath test is highly technical, and it is important to have an attorney who can spot technical defenses.
An Aggressive DUI Lawyer is Needed:
Attorney Steve Graham will apply his training and experience to defending your innocence and keeping your driver's license. A serious crime like DUI, calls for a lawyer that is aggressive and dedicated to your defense. Whether your case is in Spokane, Okanogan, Stevens County or elsewhere, it is important to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer by your side.
Free Consultation:
If you would like to discuss your case with Mr. Graham, feel free to call. He does free consultations on eastern Washington criminal cases. You will receive his honest opinion on your case, and he will listen and answer your questions. Call (509) 252-9167. If he is out, he can usually get back to you within a couple hours.
Mr. Graham practices criminal defense in the following areas: Spokane County, WA; Okanogan County; Stevens County; Colville WA; Ferry County; Republic, Washington; Lincoln County; Davenport WA, Cheney WA; Grant County; Ephrata WA; Moses Lake; Whitman County; Colfax and Pullman; Adams County; Ritzville WA; Nespelem; and the Colville Tribal Courts.
Please visit our most recent blog post on the Ignition Interlock in Washington. The ignition interlock instrument is being mandated for more and more driving offenses, but it gives many people the opportunity to avoid having their license taken away. The ignition interlock device allows many citizens in rural areas the opportunity to continue to drive their vehicles and maintain their livelihood.