DUI Charges

Many Washington drivers are under the mistaken impression that they can only be charged with driving under the influence if their blood alcohol content (BAC) level is .08 or higher. That assumption is false. The BAC test is just one test. The police can also stop you and charge you if your driving is impaired…

Advanced alcohol detection devices aren’t new. They are commonly called Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs). Drivers who are convicted of driving while intoxicated in Washington are generally required to install IID devices on their vehicles. The IID device tests the driver before he/she starts the car. The driver is also required to use the IID device…

The pandemic is affecting people in different ways. The isolation caused by social distancing, closures of many activities, and more people working from home – makes life a little rougher for many. Some people find comfort in alcohol and drugs. As the coronavirus pandemic continued through 2020, the good news appears to be that fewer…

In 1970, the Seattle police department developed a special Driving Under the Influence (DUI) police unit. The unit was created with the help of federal funds. Now comes word that the officers in the unit, including many with expertise in drug recognition and suspicion of DUI arrests, will be reassigned to patrol duty. The news…

If a police officer pulls you over for suspected drinking and driving, they may conduct what’s called field sobriety testing (FST). The first thing you should know and share with others is you have an absolute right to refuse field sobriety tests in the State of Washington. If you are pulled over and an officer…

On a strict reading of Washington’s DUI law, an argument could be made that you can be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol while riding a bicycle. Fortunately, the Washington courts have wrestled with this issue and ruled that, while a bicycle is a type of “vehicle,” the legislators did not intend to…