425-260-9366
Matthew Skau, Associate Attorney, Yranela & Associates
You’ve been arrested for driving under the influence. You’ve made it through this stressful and perhaps confusing process and the law enforcement officer has let you go. What do you do now?
If you blew into the breath-test machine and got a result of .08 or higher, or if you refused to take the test, you have a deadline of 7 days to contest your license suspension with the Department of Licensing. Your arresting officer should have given you a form to fill out to do so. If they neglected it you can find the form here: https://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/525001.pdf
Your next deadline will likely be your arraignment date in court. The court will send you notice of when and where to appear. At your arraignment, the prosecutor will formally charge you and you will have an opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty. The judge will also set the conditions under which you will be permitted your continued freedom from jail.
I highly recommend you seek the services of an experienced DUI attorney prior to your arraignment. Although the arraignment is, in many cases, a formality, a judge might impose costly and cumbersome conditions on you like an alcohol-sensing ankle bracelet or an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. Without an attorney to help advocate for you, the prosecutor may well be able to persuade the judge that such onerous requirements are appropriate in your case.
During this COVID-19 pandemic, courts are closed to all out-of-custody matters. That means, unless you’re in jail your court dates will be delayed. This provides an opportunity for you to shop around, get free consultations with attorneys, and choose the attorney who best suits your needs.
