The best way to beat a DUI is through a strong legal defense. Being charged with driving under the influence is always serious, but an arrest doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be convicted.
Through careful review of the evidence and a finely crafted defense strategy, there may be a way to challenge the prosecution’s case against you and have the charges dropped.
If you’re wondering how to beat a DUI in Washington, we have the answers. With the help of a Washington State DUI lawyer, you can fight these charges more effectively and achieve a better outcome for your case. Let’s look at what you need to do.
1. Hire a DUI Criminal Defense Lawyer
The first thing you should do is speak to a criminal defense lawyer in Washington State to discuss your options. From the outset, these attorneys can:
- Speak on your behalf so you don’t accidentally say anything incriminating.
- Evaluate the evidence in search of any inconsistencies that may weaken the prosecution’s case.
- Challenge the validity of the traffic stop and field sobriety tests.
- Protect your rights and make sure all procedures are followed to the letter.
- Negotiate with prosecutors to reduce or dismiss the charges.
All of this will help to create an air-tight defense that will work in your favor throughout the legal process. And it’s always better coming from an experienced professional who knows how the system works. Plus, they can help you with the steps that follow.
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2. Challenge the Traffic Stop
DUI attorneys will start by looking at the arrest. In Washington, police officers must have a legal reason to stop you. This means they cannot conduct a traffic stop without reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation or crime has been committed.
If there was no reason to pull you over and arrest you, then the stop would be considered unlawful. This may negate any evidence that might have been gained during or after the stop, such as field sobriety tests or the officer’s report.
By reviewing police reports and dashcam footage, lawyers can determine whether the arrest was lawful or not and use this as part of their defense to challenge the DUI charge.
3. Review DUI Test Results
A DUI arrest will usually involve a number of different tests designed to determine whether you are impaired and by how much. However, these tests are known for their inaccuracies and can be easily influenced by operator error, poor calibration, certain environmental factors, and medical conditions. Here’s an overview of what an attorney will review:
Field Sobriety Tests
During the initial traffic stop, you may be asked to undergo a field sobriety test. This is used to assess your physical and cognitive function.
These tests are highly subjective and do not take into account pre-existing medical conditions, age, fatigue, anxiety, or other potential limitations, making them somewhat unreliable. Experienced lawyers can tell if this examination was administered incorrectly, helping you beat the DUI charge.
BAC Results
When you get stopped for a potential DUI, you’ll likely be presented with a breathalyzer known as a Dräger Alcotest device. Under Washington law, RCW 46.61.502, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or above.
But Dräger Alcotest machines aren’t always accurate. Through improper calibration, they may produce incorrect results, and the presence of other substances, such as mouthwash, can also affect the accuracy of the reading. This is why a careful review by someone who knows what they’re looking for is needed.
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4. Look for Rights Violations
When thinking about how to beat a DUI in Washington, one of the main things legal representatives will do is look for areas where your rights have been violated.
For example, unlawful searches and seizures by law enforcement are a direct breach of your constitutional rights. Failure to advise you of your rights before custodial questioning can result in any statements you made being suppressed.
Police have a legal responsibility to follow strict procedures when conducting a DUI investigation. So, if any illegal practices take place during this time, a lawyer may be able to use that in your defense.
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5. Negotiate a Fair Outcome
Sometimes beating a DUI charge comes down to negotiation tactics. After a thorough review and identifying any weaknesses in the case, DUI attorneys in Washington will use what they’ve found to discuss a better outcome with prosecutors.
This can include negotiating a reduction in the charges or the complete dismissal of the DUI.
Either way, these conversations can help prevent your case from going to trial, which is often more beneficial for everyone involved.
While negotiations may not work for every situation, having professional legal representation handle these conversations is more likely to lead to a successful result.
Call Dan Next to Learn How to Beat a DUI in Washington
Knowing how to beat a DUI in Washington is only half the battle. Putting all this into practice requires precision and experience, something you can find through NextLaw.
Our legal team has 100 years of combined experience in supporting clients across Washington with DUI cases. And our defense attorneys are exclusively former prosecutors with over 100 combined jury trials to their credit, so they know how to handle the prosecution and develop an effective strategy.
Have you been arrested for a DUI and need help fighting your case? Call Dan Next for a free consultation!
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