Lynnwood DUI Law Firm - Law Firm of David N. Jolly

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

What do I do if an Officer Stops me for DUI? DUI King County, DUI Lawyer Skagit County, DUI Island County, DUI Snohomish County

By Riley S. Lovejoy – Getting back to the basics, there are a few tips that everyone should remember. First and most importantly, the best way to avoid a DUI is Don’t Drink and Drive! But if you do and are pulled over: (1) Be Polite – It can only benefit you in the long run if you are polite to the officer throughout the process. (2) Don’t Admit to Anything – You will not be able to talk your way out of a DUI! Anything you say will be used against you when you are charged. (3) Do Not Do Any Field Sobriety Tests – Again, you are just helping the Officer prove his case that you are intoxicated! Nobody “passes” the field sobriety tests! (4) DEMAND to Speak to an Attorney – Saying “I think I need a lawyer” is not enough. You need to say “I want to speak to an attorney,” and not another word until you have spoken privately with an attorney. Whatever you say will be used against you. (5) Follow the Attorney’s Advice – Your Attorney knows the law and knows what is required of you. Be honest with them and you can soften the impact of the arrest process. (6) Meet With an Attorney After You’re Released – The sooner you meet with an attorney, the more time they will have to spend on your case.

For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com

If I'm Suspected of DUI, are the Police Required to tell me the Result of the Portable Breath Test? DUI Lynnwood, DUI Marysville, DUI Edmonds, DUI Everett, DUI Attorney Mukilteo

By Riley S. Lovejoy, Attorney at Law – Most police agencies utilize what is known as a “portable breath test” (PBT) after a DUI suspect has voluntarily performed field sobriety tests (i.e. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, One Leg Stand Tests). The PBT is an old and largely unreliable device that is supposed to aid the Officer in deciding whether they have enough probable cause to arrest you for DUI. The PBT is completely voluntary, and you can refuse to give a sample without any legal consequences. The PBT does not replace the official Breath Test administered at the police station. Since the result of the PBT is not your “official” breath test result and the result can’t be used against you, the officer does not have to show the number to you. Also, even though your PBT result may be less than .08, the officer will still arrest you for DUI based on your field sobriety test results. The PBT is merely another way for the police to beef up their argument that they had probable cause to arrest you.

DUI Jury Trials in Snohomish County, King County, Skagit County, and Island County

I am presently in the middle of a jury trial. My colleague, Stephanie Hartung, and myself have participated in several DUI jury trials over the last several months (many more over the years) in Snohomish and King Counties and are constantly reminded of several things. First, do not assume that the Officer will testify consistent with his/her police report ("new" information may suddenly appear at trial); do not assume the Officer has any thorough and competent understanding of the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (assume the opposite); do not assume the Prosecutor will be fair, ethical and knowledgeable (most are, but a few are not); do not assume that the Judge will understand the nuances of DUI law and make proper rulings (most will, but an alarmingly high number will not); and finally, assume that the best odds (generally) at winning a DUI trial are 50/50. To increase your odds be sure you hire an attorney who truly understands DUI law and who will be far better prepared than any prosecuting attorney.
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com

The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. Get busy.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Man Arrested for DUI and Reckless Driving after he Weaves His BMW M6 through 520 Traffic and Reaches 150 MPH : King County DUI Lawyer, Bellevue DUI, Seattle DUI Attorney

By Riley Lovejoy, Attorney at law – A man driving a 2008 BMW M6 was arrested and charged with DUI and Reckless Driving after he was (eventually) stopped for driving 150 Miles Per Hour on Eastbound SR 520. The speed limit on the 520 bridge is a mere 60 mph. Vladislav Orlovski, a Bellevue resident plead not guilty to the charges this morning. Read the full story here: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/92708379.html.

Port Orchard Mayor Arrested for DUI : DUI Attorney Marysville, DUI Mukilteo, DUI Island County, DUI Lawyer Skagit County, DUI Everett, DUI Lynnwood

By Riley S. Lovejoy, Attorney at Law - State troopers arrested Port Orchard Mayor Lary Coppola for DUI Sunday morning. Mayor Coppola was initially stopped by a City of Port Orchard police officer. The Officer subsequently called the Washington State Patrol to assist, in order to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Mayor Coppola was arrested, processed and will be arraigned in district court Monday afternoon. Read the full story at: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/92690184.html.

If you are arrested for DUI, can you Argue that You have a Religious Objection to giving a Blood Sample? : DUI Edmonds, DUI Everett, DUI Lynnwood, DUI Attorney Marysville

By Riley S. Lovejoy – If you are arrested for DUI, can you refuse to provide a breath or blood sample based on a religious objection. A Religious objection (Jehovah’s witnesses, etc.) may be a tough one to win, but we’ve raised and briefed this issue before. The police reports confirmed that our client refused because she was concerned she would be excommunicated by the church if she submitted to a blood draw (an accident case). The argument of course was that her constitutional right to freedom of religion is superior to the statutory authority for sanctions. To date, courts have been wary to grant this exception.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Oak Harbor man arrested for DUI after colliding with Island County Sheriff's Deputy

Whidbey New Times reports that a 25-year-old Oak Harbor man, driving a Dodge Stealth collided with Island County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Garden's patrol SUV on Highway 20 at Monroe Landing Road early Saturday morning.
The driver has now been arrested and will appear in Island County District Court. Thankfully neither the driver or Deputy were injured.
For more information on this story check out this website: http://www.seattlepi.com/sound/419376_sound92579099.html
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, or Skagit County DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com

Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Learn more.

DUI Books by David N. Jolly

Detailed Information on DUIs - www.washdui.com