Fife DUI Lawyers

Over one-third of all traffic fatalities in Washington State involve a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs. As a result, Fife law enforcement has gotten very strict on DUI enforcement, which means more arrests, more prosecutions, and more pressure on anyone accused. However, an arrest is not the same as a conviction. If you've been charged with DUI in Fife, you still have options.

Our team of DUI attorneys based right here in Fife brings over 30 years of combined experience in criminal law across Washington State. We don't just know the law–we know how DUIs are enforced in Pierce County, what evidence holds up in court, and what can be thrown out. Whether you're a first-time offender or facing enhanced penalties, we build an aggressive, customized defense based on facts, not assumptions.

A DUI charge in Washington is serious. You're looking at mandatory jail time, license suspension, ignition interlock devices, and significant fines even for a first offense. The legal process moves fast, and the system isn't built to help you. That's why you must have an experienced DUI defense team that knows how to push back. We protect your rights, guide you through every court appearance, and fight for a result that keeps your future intact. Call our Fife law office now and speak with a DUI attorney for free.

Washington State law doesn't leave much room for interpretation when it comes to DUI charges. Under RCW 46.61.502, the law states:

"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."

This law gives officers and prosecutors several angles to pursue a DUI charge, whether or not you took a breath test and whether or not your driving appeared impaired. The threshold is low, and the discretion is broad.

Fife law enforcement can arrest and charge you with DUI if:

• Within two hours of driving, your BAC is 0.08% or higher.
• Your THC concentration is 5.00 nanograms or more per milliliter of blood.
• You are visibly impaired due to alcohol, drugs, or a combination, even if your levels are below the legal limits.
• You refuse a breath or blood test, triggering implied consent laws.
• Police claim they observed erratic driving, poor coordination, or failed field sobriety tests.
• Prescription or over-the-counter medications contributed to impaired driving ability.
• You were involved in a collision and suspected of impairment.

In Washington State, especially in cities like Fife, a DUI charge doesn't require a high BAC or even a failed test. Officers can rely on subjective observations, field sobriety tests, or circumstantial evidence. Even legal drugs, including marijuana and prescription medication, can result in DUI charges under RCW 46.61.502. The statute is written to cover a wide range of scenarios, which means the law is often enforced aggressively, even when the facts are debatable.

Washington State's DUI sentencing structure is rigid. Once you're convicted, the penalties aren't flexible–they're mandatory. That means judges in Pierce County don't have the discretion to waive jail time, drop license suspensions, or overlook ignition interlock requirements. The court is bound by RCW 46.61.5055, which sets out increasing penalties based on your blood alcohol level, prior DUI history, and whether you refused chemical testing.

Each case starts with a mandatory minimum, but penalties can increase significantly based on the facts of your arrest.

Here's how sentencing can unfold:

• The court can sentence jail time in a mix of custody and electronic home monitoring, but jail is not optional for most DUI convictions.
• Even a first offense comes with a suspended license and the need to apply for a restricted driver's license or IID license through the Department of Licensing.
• You'll be assigned a probation officer and be required to check in regularly, often for years.
• While DUI fines are tiered, most clients end up paying thousands in total financial impact once court costs, treatment, insurance, and DMV fees are included.
• The court will require a full alcohol and drug evaluation, and you may be ordered into treatment, counseling, or long-term monitoring based on the outcome.
• You'll also be expected to attend a Victim Impact Panel, which is a required part of sentencing across most courts in Pierce County.

Many of these requirements take effect immediately after conviction, not weeks later. That's why it's critical to take action early in your case. Once the court issues a sentencing, reversing course is extremely difficult. Prosecutors in Fife and throughout Pierce County rarely offer leniency unless your attorney identifies specific legal weaknesses in the evidence, procedure, or officer conduct.

Fife may be a small city, but the law enforcement presence here is anything but casual. Whether you're pulled over near Emerald Queen Casino, coming off I-5 by the Port of Tacoma, or heading home from dinner at Thai in Fife or Poodle Dog Restaurant, DUI patrols are active, especially on River Road, Pacific Highway East, and around the city's main hotel corridor. The Fife Police Department is aggressive about enforcing DUI laws, and the city contracts with Fife Municipal Court, which handles hundreds of DUI cases each year.

We live and work in this community, so we know exactly how DUI charges are handled locally. From traffic stops near Dacca Park to arrests around the Fife Milton Edgewood (FME) area, we've represented clients in every part of the city. Our relationships with local prosecutors and familiarity with Fife's unique court procedures give us an edge when negotiating or filing pretrial motions. We also help clients navigate Department of Licensing hearings and compliance issues specific to Pierce County. When you hire us, you're getting attorneys who know the difference between a case out of Seattle and one that came out of a stop near Brookville Gardens Park.

A DUI is more than just a ticket. It can mean losing your license, going to jail, and paying big fines. It can also hurt your job, your family, and your future. DUI cases move fast in Fife and all across Pierce County. First, you go to court for arraignment. Then there's a pretrial hearing. After that, you might face plea deals or even a trial.

If you've been arrested for DUI in Fife or anywhere in Pierce County, don't wait. The sooner you have an experienced defense attorney on your side, the better your chances are. Call our Fife law office now to schedule your free consultation.