DUI Drugs

A charge of driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious charge that should be challenged or fought with the very best Seattle DUI lawyer rather than a general defense lawyer. The DUI attorneys Seattle has to offer have experience not only in defending DUI charges but also in communicating with law enforcement officers, DUI suspects, and medical and driving experts who can impart knowledge on the effects of drug and alcohol on driving.

Good Seattle DUI lawyers are well versed in the laws regarding driving under the influence as well as law enforcement procedures and protocols concerning Field Sobriety Tests, blood and breath tests to determine blood alcohol content, and the legal repercussions of refusing any tests requested by the arresting officer. The DUI attorneys Seattle offers understand that one misstep by a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop, while administering a breathalyzer test; can result in the dismissal of a DUI charge. A good DUI attorney can also argue that the defendant was not made aware of Washington’s Implied Consent Law or was not properly informed of his or her right to refuse a Field Sobriety Test.

Field Sobriety Tests are often thought of as an indicator of alcohol or drug impairment in a suspect. In fact, they are only used to give a law enforcement officer probable cause to administer a blood or breath test, which is the only accurate way to assess the amount of drugs or alcohol in a suspect’s system.  There are no legal repercussions to refusing to participate in a Field Sobriety Test. Expert Seattle DUI lawyers can argue that a suspect who does not understand that premise cannot be held responsible for the results of that test.  Probable cause based on a misunderstanding or faulty instructions regarding the tasks in the Field Sobriety Test may be inadmissible in court. The best DUI attorneys Seattle has to offer can successfully argue to have both Field Sobriety Tests and breath or blood tests declared inadmissible.

Seattle DUI lawyers can also submit a motion to have the charge dropped if the breath of blood test was not administered within two hours of the initial traffic stop or were not administered correctly. Under Washington’s Implied Consent Law, drivers in  Washington State agree to submit to a breath or blood test if law enforcement officials have reason to believe that the driver is operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. But there are many ways for the test to be administered incorrectly and the best DUI attorneys Seattle has to offer will make sure that each officer followed the procedures correctly.

Originally published here.