Few things will turn your life upside down faster than getting a DUI. The state of Washington tends to punish DUIs more harshly than many other states and territories. At a minimum, you could be looking at a license suspension and a fine, not to mention jail time, depending on how many DUIs you’ve had. 

While things might look grim, there’s a chance you can avoid each of these things if you hire a DUI defense attorney. 

How Can a DUI Defense Lawyer Help Me Get My License Back?

DUI defense lawyers are professional attorneys who specialize in all things related to DUIs. Therefore, if you have recently had a DUI and are wondering what your next steps should be, a DUI defense attorney can help. In addition to offering guidance and instruction, a DUI defense attorney can fight on your behalf and help you get your license back. 

Talk With the DMV 

If you have had a DUI, your first stop after hiring an attorney should be at the DMV office. The DMV will be responsible for handling and enforcing your license suspension. They also have the power to withhold an immediate suspension of your license depending on whether or not you appeal. You have up to 10 days after the initial DUI to file an appeal, and a DUI defense lawyer can help you. 

Petition the Court 

If the DMV doesn’t listen to your pleas, your license will get suspended, and you’ll have to fight your case in court. In most cases, you’ll have up to 15 days after the initial DUI to appeal the verdict. If you can give a good enough reason for the court not to enforce the suspension or refute evidence brought forth by the prosecution, you can hold off on the suspension. 

If the court denies your appeal and suspends your license, you’ll lose it for a minimum of 30 days. At the 30-day mark, you can again appeal the suspension and regain your license. 

Examine the Evidence of Your Case

One of the most crucial and difficult aspects of winning your court appeal is your ability to examine and refute the evidence against you. For instance, if the arresting officer used a portable breathing machine, breathalyzer, or blood test to prove your guilt, a DUI defense attorney can use the same things to prove your innocence. 

Each of these tools is fallible and can produce false results if there’s an operator error. If your lawyer can prove this and produce reasonable doubt of your guilt, there’s a good chance you can get your license back. 

Additionally, certain medical conditions or occurrences can cause false results with these tools. Things like throwing up, burping, or blood diseases can make your blood alcohol content seem higher than it is. Your lawyer can argue for these things on your behalf. 

Make Arguments on Your Behalf 

In addition to arguing that the person or tool used to prove your guilt was faulty, your lawyer can pursue other avenues. For instance, you might not lose your license if the arresting officer didn’t follow proper protocol or stopped you despite a lack of evidence. Sometimes, even if you’re guilty, you can be found innocent due to a mistake by your arresting officer. 

Additionally, if you have a clean driving record and this is your first offense, the judge might be more lenient depending on how well your DUI defense lawyer argues on your behalf. 

Which DUI Defense Attorney in Washington Should I Contact for Help?

As you can see, proving your innocence after a DUI and getting your license back is difficult. However, with the help of a DUI defense lawyer, you stand a much better chance of success. Contact us at Roach and Bishop for the best DUI defense assistance in Washington.