Lakewood DUI lawyers

Between 2018 and 2023, fatalities from impaired drivers increased by 55% from 204 to 373. DUIs have been so rampant that lawmakers are considering measures like lowering the blood alcohol content (BAC) level for a DUI charge. As a result, Pierce County Courts are going very hard on DUI convictions.

Even first-time DUI offenders can face serious penalties in Lakewood. Depending on the details of your DUI stop, you may even have to serve jail time. Fortunately, our Lakewood defense attorneys specialize in DUI. We'll review your charges and look for any holes. Then, we'll craft a solid defense to help reduce or even dismiss your charges.

We don't play games with people's lives. When you hire us, you get a legal team with 30 years of combined experience that knows the law, the courts, and how to challenge every angle the prosecution throws at you. We know how law enforcement builds DUI cases, and we use that knowledge to challenge charges throughout Washington. Call us now for a free consultation with a qualified Lakewood DUI lawyer.

Under Washington State law RCW 46.61.502, it is a punishable criminal offense to drive under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or any drug:

"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."

Under RCW 46.61.500, prosecutors have two main ways to try and prove you were driving under the influence:

• Per Se DUI: This is all about the numbers. If your BAC is 0.08% or higher (or THC is 5.00 ng/mL or more), you'll automatically be considered impaired under the law, even if you feel fine.
• Impairment DUI: Impairment DUIs use the officer's judgment. Even if your BAC is under 0.08%, they can still arrest you if they believe your driving was affected by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, including your legal prescriptions.

Now, the exact DUI charge depends on your age, the type of intoxicant, and the results of any chemical test taken after your arrest. RCW 46.61.502 states:

• A 0.08% BAC or higher is legal intoxication for adults, while A BAC of 0.02% is legally intoxicated for minors.
• For drivers under 21, a BAC of just 0.02% is enough for a DUI charge under RCW 46.61.503.
• The legal THC limit is 5.00 ng/mL of whole blood.
• DUI is a gross misdemeanor, but the courts may charge it as a felony under certain circumstances (like repeat offenses or serious injuries).

Washington State's DUI laws are harsh, and prosecutors in Pierce County are known to pursue these cases aggressively, even when the evidence is shaky. That's why your defense needs to start immediately with attorneys who know how to spot constitutional violations, challenge traffic stops, suppress test results, and expose procedural errors.

If you're dealing with a DUI charge in Lakewood, we know how overwhelming it feels. The courts here in Pierce County don't go easy on DUI cases. Prosecutors take these charges seriously, and the penalties get worse fast if you have prior convictions. Our DUI defense attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience handling criminal cases across Washington State, and we've spent years defending people just like you right here in Lakewood Municipal Court and Pierce County District Court. Here's what you're facing:

First-Offense DUI: Under RCW 46.61.502, it is a crime to drive "while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug," and a 0.08 BAC or higher is per se illegal.

Penalties under RCW 46.61.5055 (1)(a):

• Minimum 1 day in jail up to 364 days
• $990.50 to $5,000 fine (plus mandatory court costs)
• License suspension for 90 days (through DOL)
• Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for at least 1 year
• Alcohol and drug assessment with mandatory treatment
• Probation for 5 years, standard in Pierce County
• SR-22 insurance is required for 3 years

If your BAC is 0.15 or higher, or you refused the breath test required by Washington's implied consent law (RCW 46.20.308), your penalties will be:

• Minimum 2 days in jail
• License suspension for 1 year (refusal = 2 years)
• Higher fine floor: $1,245.50

Second DUI Offense (within 7 years): Penalties increase sharply for repeat offenses.

Penalties under RCW 46.61.5055 (1)(b):

• Minimum 30 days in jail, plus 60 days of electronic home monitoring
• $1,245.50 to $5,000 in fines
• 2-year license revocation
• IID is required for 5 years
• Mandatory substance abuse treatment
• Pierce County courts may impose inpatient treatment if applicable
• 5-year probation with strict compliance monitoring

Third DUI Offense (within 7 years): Lakewood prosecutors treat a third DUI like a felony in terms of how aggressively they push.

Penalties under RCW 46.61.5055 (1)(c):

• Minimum 90 days in jail, plus 120 days of electronic monitoring
• $1,970.50 minimum fine
• 3-year license revocation
• IID for 10 years
• Possible drug court or deferred sentencing, if eligible
• Long-term probation and frequent alcohol testing

Felony DUI (Fourth Offense or More / Prior Vehicular Assault / Homicide DUI)

If you have four or more prior DUI-related offenses in ten years or a prior felony DUI, prosecutors can charge you with a Class B Felony under RCW 46.61.502(6) and RCW 46.61.5055(4).

• Up to 10 years in prison (standard range starts around 13–17 months)
• $20,000 fine
• Permanent felony record
• Lifetime license revocation possible

Prosecutors try felony charges in Pierce County Superior Court, not Lakewood Municipal.

Call our Lakewood-based DUI lawyers before you step into court. Your defense starts with strategy, and we're ready.

Our DUI attorneys are local to Lakewood, and we know the area well. Whether you were pulled over near Gravelly Lake Drive, coming home from a night out at The Ram, or leaving a friend's house near Steilacoom Lake, we've helped people in every corner of the city deal with DUI charges and move forward. We've represented clients coming from Tillicum, Oakbrook, Lake City, and throughout Pierce County.

Many DUI arrests in Lakewood happen near hotspots like Lakewood Towne Center and I-5 or after visits to local favorites like Carr's Restaurant. From Fort Steilacoom Park to the neighborhoods around Western State Hospital, we've stood beside Lakewood residents in tough situations and fought for fair outcomes.

Getting a DUI in Lakewood is serious. You could lose your license, pay big fines, or even go to jail. The court might make you go to classes, use a breath machine in your car, or stay out of trouble for a long time. Even one mistake can change your future. That's why it's so important to have a lawyer who knows how to help.

If you've been arrested for DUI in Lakewood or anywhere in Pierce County, don't wait. The sooner we get involved, the more we can do to protect your license, your record, and your future. Call our law offices to schedule a free, confidential consultation with our experienced Lakewood DUI defense attorneys.