Welcome to Seattle DWI.com

	Did You Know?
	A well known is the fact that the consumption of alcohol can cause impairment Perhaps less recognized is that fact that impairment rises gradually at a lower level but dramatically at a higher level of blood alcohol concentration BAC. About half of auto fatalities involve drivers with BACs of .16 or higher. Impairment occurs at a lower level, but it's especially important to prevent driving with high BACs.

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, or "drunk driving," in Seattle is by far the most commonly encountered offense in the courts today. In 2002, it is estimated that nearly 17,500 people were killed in automobile collisions involving alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this represents 41 percent of the 42,815 people killed in all traffic accidents and crashes that year.

	Washington Drunk Driving BAC Related Deaths
	Motor Vehicle Fatalities Involving High Blood Alcohol Concentration in Washington Total fatalities 1995 653 Fatalities involving high blood alcohol 248 Percent 38 Total fatalities 2000 632 Fatalities involving high blood alcohol 217 Percent 34 Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, Traffic Safety Facts 2000:

Defending against a charge of drunk driving in Seattle is tricky business. A Seattle DUI defense attorney needs to understand scientific and medical concepts, and must be able to question tough witnesses including scientists and police officers.

If you want to fight your drinking and driving charge in Seattle, you're well advised to hire an attorney who specializes in these types of cases. They may be able to get you off the hook, or lessen the fine or punishment imposed.

The laws concerning "drunk driving" have changed radically over recent years. A person arrested today for driving under the influence of alcohol ("DUI", also referred to as "DWI" or driving while intoxicated) faces complicated criminal procedures and a potentially devastating punishment that can be more severe than a penalty handed down in a felony case.

An experienced attorney who specializes in blood alcohol analysis and drunk driving cases can effectively handle criminal and administrative proceedings. It is an unfortunate fact, however, that many general practitioners or general criminal attorneys attempt to represent clients with little or no training or experience in this very complex field and the results are disastrous.

Drunk Driving Punishments

The punishment in drunk driving cases is set forth by state statute and can be incredibly complex. The basic statute determines the range of possible sentences, with modifications for such things as:

• Having a prior conviction within seven years
• Speeding 20 mph over the limit
• Having a child under 14 in the car
• Having a blood alcohol content reading over .20%
• Refusing to submit to chemical testing

Within the range, the actual sentence in a drunk driving case will be affected by:

• The facts of the case
• Any policies of the local court and prosecutors
• The weaknesses in the case uncovered by the defense attorney
• The reputation of that attorney
• All of this is independent of a DMV suspension, which is determined separately and which can be very complicated.

Contact a DUI Lawyer in Seattle now!

Seattle Audio & Video         DUI Not Grounds for Deportation, High Court Rules Audio, RM, 44 Kbps, 3:33, 11/9/2004 The Supreme Court rules that driving under the influence is not a crime of violence that can occasion deportation, finding unanimously that the law requires that the defendant showed intent to injure. Source: National Public Radio

Seattle External Sites         Address Presented to the Surgeon General's Workshop Title:: Address Presented to the Surgeon General's Workshop on Drunk Driving, Washington, DC pdf (1010282 Bytes); Number of Image Pages:: 20 (101 Surgeon General's Workshop on Drunk Driving: Backgr Office of the Surgeon General: Janus Associates; Contributor:: Conference: Surgeon General's Workshop on Drunk Driving (14-16 December 1988, Wash