You're not the only one who got arrested for DUI in Puyallup. A recent study found there were over 18,000 impaired driving arrests statewide in a single year. Many of those drivers had never been in trouble with the law before. A single mistake, misunderstanding, or misstep can risk your future. You're probably feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and wondering what will happen next. Our Puyallup lawyers are here to help.
They bring over 30 years of combined experience defending clients throughout Pierce County and Washington State. DUI charges move fast, and prosecutors waste no time building their case. Our Puyallup lawyers step in right away to defend your rights and work aggressively to protect your record. We've handled everything from routine first-time offenses to felony-level charges involving prior convictions, injuries, or refusals.
Puyallup prosecutors often build DUI charges on more than just numbers. Puyallup police usually base DUI arrests on what they see, like unsteady movements, red eyes, or trouble during roadside tests. However, these observations are often unreliable and open to interpretation. This is why we examine every part of the case: Did the officer have legal grounds to stop you? Were the tests handled correctly? Was the officer properly trained to judge impairment? With so much at stake, your defense must be thorough, strategic, and unrelenting.
What Happens If I Get A DUI In Puyallup?In Washington State, you can be charged with a DUI if law enforcement has reason to believe you were operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or any drug, including prescription medications. Washington State's DUI statute reads:
"A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, cannabis, or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state…"
The law sets multiple legal thresholds and conditions for charging a DUI. It's important to understand that you don't have to exceed the legal limit to face serious criminal charges. Puyallup prosecutors can use several types of evidence against you with a DUI:
Even a first offense can trigger harsh consequences, including jail time, license suspension, mandatory ignition interlock, costly fines, and a permanent criminal record.
What Are the Legal Penalties for a DUI in Puyallup?Courts in Puyallup and throughout Washington State treat DUI charges as serious criminal matters, not traffic violations. If you're facing your first DUI, you could still end up serving time in custody, even without a prior record. A conviction can follow you into job applications, housing searches, and insurance renewals. Below are the penalties you can expect:
For a first DUI with a BAC below 0.15%, you will face:
For a first DUI with a BAC of 0.15% or higher or test refusal, you will face:
With a second DUI (within 7 years), you will face:
With a third DUI or more, you will face:
The Pierce County Court can enhance penalties if the DUI involves an accident, injury, or a child passenger. Washington State treats DUI as a gross misdemeanor, giving judges the authority to impose up to 364 days in jail and fines as high as $5,000. Courts have wide latitude when sentencing within these limits. If you have multiple prior convictions, prosecutors may escalate the charge to a felony under Washington State law.
No two DUI cases are the same. A strategic, individualized defense is essential to reduce or avoid the most serious penalties.
Get Answers To Your Puyallup DUI FAQsA: Washington law allows drivers to refuse field sobriety tests, as officers cannot legally require you to perform them. While declining a test might limit the evidence an officer can gather, it won't stop them from arresting if they believe they have probable cause. After an arrest, refusing a breath or blood test triggers an automatic license suspension under Washington State statute.
A: A second DUI within seven years carries 30 to 45 days in jail, 60 to 90 days of electronic home monitoring, license suspension for 2 to 3 years, and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device (IID). You'll also be required to complete a substance abuse evaluation and may face higher fines and extended probation.
A: Yes. DUI charges can sometimes be lowered to reckless (RCW 46.61.500) or negligent driving (RCW 46.61.5249), especially if your BAC is near the limit or if there are problems with how the officer handled the stop or testing. These outcomes depend on the strength of the evidence, your criminal history, and the discretion of the Pierce County Prosecutor.
A: Yes. If a substance, even one legally prescribed or medically authorized, affects your ability to drive safely, a prosecutor can charge you with DUI. Washington State law bases it on impairment, not whether the drug is legal. If an officer sees signs like slowed reaction time, confusion, or poor coordination, they can make an arrest and request a blood test to check for drugs in the system.
A: For drivers younger than 21, Washington State law does not allow any measurable alcohol in the system. A 0.02% BAC or higher will result in a minor DUI charge, which may still carry license suspension, fines, and criminal penalties. Although minor cases are typically less severe than adult DUI cases, prosecutors may also pursue a full DUI charge, depending on the circumstances.
A: A DUI conviction in Washington State is permanent and cannot be expunged or vacated, even for a first offense. It stays on your criminal record and driving abstract indefinitely and will count as a prior if you're charged again within a seven-year lookback period. Insurance companies, employers, and licensing boards can access that record.
As longtime residents and criminal defense attorneys based right here in Puyallup, we know how stressful it is to be pulled over near familiar places, whether it's leaving downtown after happy hour at Crockett's Public House, heading home from the Washington State Fairgrounds, or driving back from South Hill after dinner. We've defended clients arrested near Meridian Street, Pioneer Park, and even just blocks from the Puyallup River. These cases aren't just numbers to us; they're about protecting people in our community.
Pierce County prosecutors take DUI enforcement seriously throughout the region, including in areas like the Valley Avenue corridor, near the Puyallup Tribal lands, and the Sunrise neighborhood. Whether your arrest involved the Pierce County Sheriff's Department or Puyallup Police, we know their procedures, local courts, and how the Puyallup Municipal Court and Pierce County District Court handle DUI cases. Our team has deep working knowledge of diversion options, probation standards, and how to use local sentencing practices to your advantage.
Pierce County Courts Take DUIs Very SeriouslyDUIs are very serious. If the court finds you guilty, you could go to jail. You will also have to pay fines and lose your license. Judges can't just let you off, either. DUI laws have mandatory sentences, meaning you will serve them no matter what. Our attorneys can help. We know how to fight DUI charges in court and help you achieve a favorable outcome. Call us now to speak to an attorney for free.
Call Our Puyallup Law Offices To Secure Your Free DUI Consultation NowOur Puyallup-based attorneys understand the local court system, the nuances of DUI law, and how to build a defense that fits the facts of your case. We'll take the time to listen, explain your position clearly, and begin shaping a strategy for your future.
Contact our Puyallup DUI attorneys today to arrange a free consultation and take the first step toward resolving your case.
Have You Been Charged With Driving Under the Influence in Puyallup?If you or a loved one has been pulled over and charged with a DUI in Pierce County, your very first step should be to call a lawyer. Under Washington state law, your right to speak with an attorney is guaranteed, so do not hesitate to ask to speak to a lawyer immediately. Getting an experienced Puyallup DUI defense attorney on your side as quickly as possible is the best way to make sure a driving under the influence (DUI) charge does not get out of hand.
No matter how hopeless your situation may seem, it helps to have assistance from a Pierce County DUI lawyer you can trust. We know that each case needs a unique approach, so we always invest the time into researching your case, listening to your concerns, and making sure you understand what is happening throughout the entire process.
This website was designed to give you a basic introduction to DUI charges in Pierce County. For more information on your specific case, please contact our firm directly. We offer a no-cost case evaluation for each prospective client so that you can get to know us, and we can discuss how we can help you fight your charges.
Understanding DUI Laws in Pierce CountyDUI laws in Washington state have become more strict in recent years due to the rise in accidents and fatalities that occur from driving under the influence.
Currently, Washington State Statute RCW 46.61.50 states that
(1) A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, 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 ….or
(b) The person has, within two hours after driving, a THC concentration of 5.00 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's blood …. or
(c) While the person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug; or
(d) While the person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor, marijuana, and any drug.
In order to understand this law, you should know that alcohol concentration refers to the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of the driver. Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) refers to the percent of alcohol in a person's bloodstream. For example, a BAC of .10% means that an individual's blood supply contains one part alcohol for every 1000 parts of blood.
In order to check the BAC of a driver pulled over for a suspected DUI, the law enforcement officer may try to administer a field sobriety test. The most commonly used field sobriety tests are
According to Washington State law, you are allowed to decline field sobriety tests without penalty. If you have been pulled over for a suspected DUI it may be in your best interest to refuse a field sobriety test.
After the field sobriety test, the officer will move on to a more accurate test for a BAC. In Washington state, this test generally takes the form of a breathalyzer. Breath analyzers do not directly measure blood alcohol content or concentration, instead, they estimate BAC indirectly by measuring the amount of alcohol in one's breath.
More accurate BAC testing will be done at the police station once you have been arrested. These tests can either be done via a blood draw or through a urine sample.
Most states, including Washington, have an implied consent law. This means that if you accept a driver’s license in the state and operate a motor vehicle, you are automatically agreeing to submit to breath or blood tests if an officer of the law suspects you of driving under the influence. Should you refuse the breathalyzer or blood draw, you will receive a more harsh punishment at the time of sentencing.
Punishments for DUI Convictions in Washington StateIn the state of Washington, the DUI sentencing structure is dependent upon several determining factors. These factors include
Each of these factors will determine if your DUI charge is a misdemeanor or a felony. Maximum penalties for a gross misdemeanor charge include up to 364 days in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor DUI in Puyallup, you will most likely have to make a court appearance at the Pierce County District Court, located in Tacoma.
A felony DUI charge is much more serious than a misdemeanor and is generally only charged if;
Maximum penalties for a Felony DUI in Washington include up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. All Felony DUI charges brought in Puyallup are adjudicated at the Pierce County Superior Court, also located in Tacoma.
Washington state law also mandates a minimum sentencing grid for all DUI charges. Two examples are listed below:
First Offense DUI-
Third Offense DUI-
Whether you are a first-time offender or facing a new charge with prior offenses, our team of Pierce County DUI defense attorneys understands how to navigate the Washington State justice system. Our team can help you understand the State’s evidence against you and assist in your decision to take a charge to trial or in negotiating a plea to keep this serious offense off of your criminal record.
While each case is unique and no attorney can guarantee any particular result for a client, our Puyallup DUI attorneys have the knowledge and experience to handle whatever charges you are facing. Contact our firm today for a free consultation.