I was driving 95 in i5 NB in Shoreline when I was pulled over with my lights off as well. I found out that my lights do not work at all... it's in the shop now. I have the receipt showing it's in the shop for multiple things, including the lights. I did not take breathlizer, I had one drink, and failed the FSTs. I was extremely tired from driving 5 hours from Spokane, WA after having only had 3 hours of sleep between the hours 9pm Monday night, till 12am Tuesday... I did that sleep in order to readjust to my work schedule, as I work the night shift. I am often tired driving. As well, I have bad night vision from having lazer in 2004/05. So, lack of dash lights and outside lights caused the speed, and being tired caused all of the issues, slurred speech, not slurred, but confused.
I would recommend two things to do. First, do not again post the details of your offense online to the public like you just did. A prosecutor could read this and see how very reckless you were. Second, hire an experienced DUI attorney who appears frequently in the courtroom you appear in. You need help from an attorney.
If you don't have an attorney already you need to hire one as soon as possible, i.e. today. You need to make sure that you file a timely request for an implied consent hearing. I don't know when you got your DUI but I suggest that you do that today. If you don't know how to do that you need to hire an attorney as soon as possible, i.e. today to help make sure that you do this right AND in a timely fashion. Do not again post the details of your offense online to the public like you just did. A law endorsement official can read this and see how very reckless you were.
Don't delay, get an experienced DUI attorney today. No kidding, today.
Good luck.
This is the type of case we DUI attorneys love to take to trial. Very little in the way of real evidence and a good reason for the driving. Washington State Patrol regularly issued warnings about the hazards of drowsy driving and how that fatigue mimics intoxication. Reckless Driving is very hard to prove, although 95, no headlights, a beer and driving all night is not a great set of facts. Hire a good DUI attorney that has trial experience to help you with the DOL licensing action and the criminal case ASAP (you have 20 days to demand DOL hearing or your license will be suspended by default).
Lennard Anthony NahajskiCriminal Defense AttorneyBellevue, WA ·
Pleading not guilty is the first step, but every DUI charge requires a defendant to retain the most experienced DUI attorney available. All of the issues you mention may well turn out to be significant, but equally significant is the opinion of the trooper who pulled you over, believed you were impaired, and arrested you.
An experienced DUI attorney will be able to start the process of having you obtain an alcohol evaluation, which looking for every legal and factual challenge to the case.
What do you do? You get an attorney immediately, because given the facts you described, despite the defenses you posit, I can almost guarantee that if you represent yourself at trial you will be convicted as charged.
First, you were going 95 mph without lights which will be used against you in both the DUI and the Reckless. Second, despite your defenses as to the FSTs, juries accept police officers' determinations about impairment as gospel absent a good cross examination by an experienced attorney. Third, your refusal to do the breathalyzer is admissible against you as consciousness of guilt pursuant to statute and case law. Fourth, this will be a very tough case withojt a skilled attorney.
Get an attorney right away. Good luck.
Next step is get a lawyer. Second, do not discuss details on this website as it is not privileged, which means whatever you say can be used against you. What you are telling me is what your defenses would be but the prosecuting authority has their accusations and alleged facts and you probably lack the skills to resent your defense in court. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you do get to have a public defender.
It is very true, get an attorney now. Do some research and find one in your area that is experienced and knows the prosecutor's. I was just in your area with my family, we stayed at the Staybridge Suites there in Mukiteo for a night and then camped in a "yurt" at the Kayak Point County Park. It was nice. Checked out the tulips of course.
This sounds like a very winnable case. Even if it wasn't, I would say contact an attorney immediately, but in your situation it's crucially important. I'm guessing your case was filed in King County, but what division of that court it was filed in could also have an impact on the result and options you have. An arraignment on a first time DUI is possible to handle alone, but from here on out you need someone to help you. I'm guessing the Judge probably told you to come back to court with an attorney next time, and I would follow his or her advice!
