Seattle DUI lawyer Tim Milios has been defending people charged with DUI and criminal traffic offenses throughout the state of Washington since 1993. Dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals charged with any criminal offense, his practice emphasis has been DUI and DUI related defense since that time. The Washington DUI Blog is intended to provided insight and perspective into the always changing landscape of DUI defense and commentary on the the issues, laws, cases, stories and events that effect DUI defense and those charged with DUI in Washington State.
Can You Go to Jail for a First-Time DUI in Washington?
Yes. A conviction for a first-time DUI in Washington can result in mandatory jail time. For a person with no prior qualifying DUI offenses, the current Washington sentencing grid provides for a minimum of 24 consecutive hours in jail when the BAC is below 0.15 or there is no test result for reasons other than… Read More
What’s the Difference Between Drunk Driving and a DUI?
If you are searching for the difference between drunk driving and a DUI in Washington, the short answer is that “drunk driving” is a common phrase, while DUI is the formal criminal offense. Washington law calls the offense Driving Under the Influence, or DUI, under RCW 46.61.502. The distinction matters because a person does not… Read More
The Two Types of DUI Charges in Washington
A DUI arrest can turn your life upside down in a matter of minutes. Whether you were stopped after consuming alcohol or accused of driving under the influence of drugs, the consequences can be significant and long-lasting. In Washington, impaired driving laws are aggressively enforced, and a conviction can affect your driver’s license, employment opportunities,… Read More
Should I Get a Lawyer for My First DUI?
Yes, it’s worth getting a defense lawyer for your first DUI. Facing a first-time DUI charge in Washington State can be overwhelming. Even a single arrest can carry serious consequences, including jail time, fines, license suspension, and long-term impacts on employment, insurance, and personal opportunities. Many people do not realize how complex DUI laws are… Read More
Many Washington Courts Allowing Zoom Video Hearings During Covid-19 Pandemic
Going to court during ordinary circumstances can be stressful. The global pandemic has made court feel even more concerning. At Milios Defense, we have been working with the courts we practice in to determine each court’s policies for hearings and how best to support our clients through their case under new and ever-changing circumstances. One… Read More
Seattle Municipal Court to Return from Covid-19 Closure, Re-Opening in Phases
After shutting its doors to the public for the better part of three months in order to combat the spread of Covid-19, Seattle Municipal Court is preparing to return to “normal” operations. In an email to attorneys who regularly practice in Seattle Municipal Court, the chief clerk provided both a calendar of prospective dates as… Read More
Inslee Waives DUI Statute of Limitations During Covid-19 Closure
Citing his emergency powers and the need to help courts “maintain the criminal justice system” during the global Covid-19 pandemic, Washington Governor Jay Inslee waived the requirement that the government file criminal charges pursuant to the existing statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is the time limit imposed on a prosecuting authority, mandating that… Read More
Alcohol Treatment During COVID-19 State of Emergency
During the COVID-19 State of Emergency, the Washington State Secretary of Health has waived state statutory requirements that all substance use disorder services be provided in person. Accordingly, treatment agencies are temporarily authorized to conduct group and individual treatment sessions online via Skype, Facetime, Zoom and other such digital means. This also means that during… Read More
Supreme Court Strikes Down Hailey’s Law as Unconstitutional
Today the Washington Supreme Court, by way of a unanimous 9-0 en banc decision, struck as unconstitutional the eight year old statute commonly referred to as Hailey’s Law. Enacted in 2011 by the Washington State Legislature, Hailey’s Law required law enforcement to impound personal vehicles when a driver was arrested for suspicion of DUI. No… Read More
Felony DUI Law Comparisons
Despite recent changes to strengthen Washington’s felony DUI laws, two state legislators are introducing new legislation that will make these laws even tougher. Citing a belief that Washington’s DUI laws are too lax compared to the rest of the country, State Senators David Frokt and Mike Padden want to decrease the number of DUI convictions… Read More