DUI Defense Attorney with over 25 years of Experience!

Call: (425) 455-4784

Have you been charged with a DUI in Bellevue, Seattle, Everett or the surrounding area? I have handled hundreds of DUI cases.  This has taught me that every case is unique. I don’t negotiate based only on your breath or blood level percentage and advise a deal based on that information alone. I look at the totality of the circumstances; the reason for the initial stop, the wording of and inconsistencies in the police reports, the maintenance of the test equipment, your driving history, the reliability of any witnesses, etc. I look at everything.

If you are facing DUI charges call or email me or fill out the contact form on this page. I have 3 decades of experience defending people like you who are facing harsh penalties such as license suspension, fines, and jail. I understand the impact this would have on your career as well as your life.

Over 25 Years refining my legal skills

I have many strategies and methods to help you stay out of jail.  Starting with examining the evidence to find reasons to convince the prosecutor to not file charges after an arrest. For example,  such as in a recent case where I was able to show pictures of loose gravel on a road that caused an accident, instead of my client. If that fails I work on negotiating a discreet and favorable plea bargain, to get the charges as low as possible.  Such as by removing aggravating factors like having a weapon, or being in a school zone.  Hence, demonstrating to the prosecution the weaknesses in their case. Finally, if needed, convincing the judge to give a minimal sentence, or a sentence that can be better tolerated, such as home detention, or attending counseling sessions.

The first attorney in this area to introduce a dual-diagnosis defense.

In 1992 I was one of the first attorneys in this area to introduce a combined mental-health and chemical dependency approach to DUI defense. Thus utilizing the help of a well-published, renowned psychiatry professor from Johns Hopkins University, John A. Liebert, MD, who specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of complex psychiatric problems. Also with the assistance of Seattle attorney Mike Frost, a pioneer on diminished capacity defenses.

RCW 46.61.5055 (‘Alcohol Violators’)

Another example of just one special DUI / criminal defense approach I have developed and refined over many years, the Washington State DUI statutes now contain RCW 46.61.5055 (‘Alcohol Violators’). This sets the sentencing factors for DUI convictions and contains a rarely used exception to the usual imposition of the applicable mandatory minimum jail time for a DUI conviction. In fact, it reads in part: “…the imprisonment may not be suspended or deferred unless the court finds that the imposition of this mandatory minimum sentence would impose a substantial risk to the offender’s physical or mental well-being…”

I will help you stay out of Jail, using an extensive toolbox of techniques.

If one of my clients has some physical condition that cannot be well managed in the jail setting, I’ll try to pursue that as a basis to avoid jail time. But, those cases are challenging to prevail on to avoid jail time. As the jails do have healthcare staff. But is usually not of the best quality of medical care. Over the years, I have kept hundreds of people from going to jail based upon documentation from private mental health care professionals. In fact, I routinely work with, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed mental health counselors.

Familiar with excellent local Mental Health experts

I work with many mental care providers. In addition, which professional to use somewhat depends on your budget, and which one’s expertise applies to your case. If incarceration would impose a substantial risk to your mental well-being. I am skilled and successful at presenting that situation and its risks to the courts to keep you out of jail.

Often, these clients may not realize that they suffer from mental issues. In particular, low-level ones such as depression or panic anxiety disorders, until it eventually impacts their lives, resulting in legal and other problems. After all, many people self-medicate with alcohol and drugs to alleviate untreated depression and similar emotional problems.

It is a very effective approach to a case that is otherwise not winnable for a client with mental health issues. But, for clients who do not fit this defense, I keep up on the DUI laws that are constantly changing. Thus develop new arguments and strategies to challenge the probable cause for the DUI. For example, to challenge the blood draws, to attack breath test evidence, fight to suppress as much of the state’s evidence as possible. In general,  to advocate for clients with tact and effectiveness.

Holistic and Caring Approach to Solving DUI Defense

Finally,  any given defense approach would not apply to every case, and these are just examples of my creative defense approaches. But hundreds have benefited from them. After all, I always strive to understand the individual client’s situation as well as their case. Thus take a holistic and caring approach to solve problems. Explain your goals to me, and I’ll use my library of legal knowledge.