A Tacoma DWI Law Firm That Fights For A Positive Resolution

Is there a difference between DUI and DWI in Washington State?

At The Woods Law Office, PLLC, serving clients in Tacoma, Puyallup and Auburn and throughout King County and Pierce County, we hear this question from clients regularly. DUI is “driving under the influence” and DWI is “driving while intoxicated.” Although in many states there is a legal distinction between DUI and DWI, in Washington, DUI is the standard term used.

Criminal defense attorney Doug Woods has more than a decade’s worth of experience helping people who are facing DUI charges. As DUI defense lawyers in Tacoma, we spend a lot of time making sure that our clients understand their legal options and know what the law has to say about DUI charges.

According to Washington State’s RCW 46.61.502:

(1) A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state:

(a) And the person has, within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person’s breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or

(b) While the person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug; or

(c) While the person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor and any drug.

(2) The fact that a person charged with a violation of this section is or has been entitled to use a drug under the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense against a charge of violating this section.

(3) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section which the defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant consumed a sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of driving and before the administration of an analysis of the person’s breath or blood to cause the defendant’s alcohol concentration to be 0.08 or more within two hours after driving. The court shall not admit evidence of this defense unless the defendant notifies the prosecution prior to the omnibus or pretrial hearing in the case of the defendant’s intent to assert the affirmative defense.

(4) Analyses of blood or breath samples obtained more than two hours after the alleged driving may be used as evidence that within two hours of the alleged driving, a person had an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more in violation of subsection (1)(a) of this section, and in any case in which the analysis shows an alcohol concentration above 0.00 may be used as evidence that a person was under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug in violation of subsection (1)(b) or (c) of this section.

(5) Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, a violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.

(6) It is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9.94A RCW, or chapter 13.40 RCW if the person is a juvenile, if:

(a) The person has four or more prior offenses within ten years as defined in RCW 46.61.5055; or

(b) The person has ever previously been convicted of:

(i) Vehicular homicide while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.520(1)(a);

(ii) Vehicular assault while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.522

(1)(b);

(iii) An out-of-state offense comparable to the offense specified in (b)(i) or (ii) of this subsection; or

(iv) A violation of this subsection (6) or RCW 46.61.504(6).

What does it all mean?

Yes, the law is confusing. Law enforcement officers count on the fact that you are confused by the law and probably too scared to challenge their authority. For example, you have the right to refuse a standard DUI procedure for Washington State — the often unreliable roadside sobriety test. If you have been stopped, you DO have to provide your license, insurance and registration. You DO NOT have to submit to a test. You SHOULD call DUI attorney Doug Woods as soon as possible.

Whether you call it DUI or DWI, call us to schedule a free consultation with a DWI attorney in Tacoma

If you have been charged with drunk driving, learn more about your rights under the law and your legal options. To schedule your free, confidential consultation with drunk driving lawyer Doug Woods, please contact us online. Weekend or evening appointments can be arranged, and we offer flexible, affordable payment plans.

What to Do When Arrested in Tacoma

How can you protect your legal rights in Washington State?

At The Woods Law Office, PLLC in Tacoma, we get calls almost every day from people who have been charged with a crime and don’t know what to do. It is natural to be frightened and confused. Law enforcement knows this and will often try to use your fear against you in the hopes that you will say something you shouldn’t. As the expression goes, “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

For more than a decade, defense attorney Doug Woods has advocated for people who find themselves in difficult legal situations. Whether you need a DUI attorney, have been cited for domestic violence or are facing a white collar crime charge, we want you to know that you are not alone and can count on us to give you effective representation and responsive service.

Five top things you should do if you have been charged with a crime
Consult with a competent criminal defense lawyer and speak only to your lawyer about what happened. Do not discuss the case with anyone else, including family, and especially police and investigators.
Keep documents related to your charge in a safe place to have available for your attorney.

Make a detailed record of what happened, including the dates and times of events, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses, and what was said. Maintain the confidentiality of this information and provide it only to your lawyer.
Strictly comply with any pretrial conditions of release imposed on you by the judge.

Arrange for financial resources to address bail and attorney’s fees.
If you have been charged with a crime, the counsel of an experienced criminal lawyer can make a tremendous difference in your outcome. Doug Woods is a former prosecutor with a track record of success in defending clients against criminal charges.

Schedule a free consultation with Tacoma criminal lawyer Douglas Woods

Regardless of the type of criminal charge you face, talk to us before you talk to the police or the prosecutor. To schedule a free consultation, please call The Woods Law Office, contact us online. Weekend or evening appointments can be arranged. We also offer flexible, affordable payment plans.

Tacoma Vehicular Homicide Attorneys With Extensive Knowledge Of The Criminal Justice System

When you need a vehicular assault lawyer in Pierce County, put your trust in us

Although every fatal traffic accident is a tragedy, vehicular homicide is also a crime. Unlike a car crash caused by poor weather, blown-out tires or road conditions, a vehicular homicide is caused by reckless behavior and, most commonly, drunk driving.

At The Woods Law Office, PLLC in Pierce County, Washington, we cannot help you turn back the clock and make a better choice, but we can build a solid, strategic and effective defense on your behalf. As Tacoma vehicular homicide attorneys, we have helped clients from Seattle and Puyallup to Auburn and Everett who needed an advocate with the experience and calm demeanor of former prosecutor and criminal lawyer Doug Woods.

It is called homicide for a reason

In the eyes of the law, the only difference between vehicular homicide and any other homicide is the weapon; instead of by a gun or a knife, the death was caused by a car, van, truck or motorcycle. Vehicular homicide is a Class A Felony, with penalties that can include a life sentence in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. As your defense attorneys, we treat your case with the same intensity we would devote to any other serious crime. Your liberty is on the line, so we apply all our skill, knowledge and understanding of how the prosecution is likely to proceed to creating a successful defense.

If you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, additional penalties may apply depending on the circumstances, including your BAC (blood alcohol content) and any previous DUI charges or convictions. These penalties include an additional two years of incarceration for each prior DUI charge, an Interlock device and revocation of your driver’s license. If drugs or alcohol were a factor in your vehicular homicide or vehicular assault, contact Tacoma DUI attorney and vehicular assault lawyer Doug Woods immediately.

If you are facing vehicular homicide charges, talk to Tacoma vehicular assault attorney Doug Woods before you talk to the police!

If a person dies within three years of an incident you caused, you can be charged with vehicular homicide. To learn more about your legal options, please contact us online to schedule a free consultation with vehicular homicide lawyer Doug Woods. Evening and weekend appointments can be arranged. We also offer flexible, affordable payment plans.