Washington State DUI: Third Offense
A person facing a third DUI offense in Washington State is in a very precarious situation starting at the moment he is arrested. Not only would a conviction mean a mandatory penalty of anywhere between 210 to 270 days of incarceration (where it is a third in seven years), there are likely to be significant pretrial consequences as well. The bottom line is that if it is your third offense, you will need the immediate assistance of an experienced DUI attorney at Snohomish Law.
Pretrial Conditions for a Third Offense DUI
Where someone is facing an allegation of a third time DUI offense in Washington, all courts are going to take a heavy handed approach to pretrial monitoring. Whether it is the imposition of a high bail amount, the requirement that the person remain on home detention while the case is pending, placing them on pretrial probation monitoring or requiring that he or she get an ignition interlock device or a SCRAM bracelet, the court will be ordering some kind of onerous condition. Going into your arraignment prepared is vitally important. Being in alcohol treatment, proactively equipping your car with an ignition interlock device, or acquiring the assistance of a bail bondsman prior to the arraignment can all help you avoid unwanted pretrial incarceration.
Third Offense DUI Alcohol Treatment Considerations
On a third offense it is highly likely that you have either already done a Deferred Prosecution or that you will be giving great consideration to it. In either case, getting an evaluation and starting the recommended treatment plan as soon as possible is probably the single greatest thing you can do to help yourself.
Preparation for Trial on a Third DUI in Washington
On a third offense, unless you are eligible and plan on participating in a Deferred Prosecution program, preparation for trial needs to begin right away. That is because a prosecutor is highly unlikely to negotiate the case and will be giving high priority to your conviction. Sitting back and hoping for the best is not a viable strategy.
If you have been arrested for a third offense DUI in Washington State, you need to contact a qualified Washington DUI lawyer from the moment you are released from custody. How and what you do in the first 72 hours after you are arrested can have a tremendous impact on the success of your DUI case.
If you are facing criminal charges, it is crucial to have effective representation immediately. An alleged DUI charge does not mean Guilty! Even if you think the facts of the case aren’t in your favor, having the best possible criminal representation can be the difference between jail time and probation, or having your record destroyed with an avoidable felony or misdemeanor conviction. At Snohomish Law, our criminal defense attorneys give you time and attention, to ensure you are treated fairly under the criminal justice system.
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“He is very knowledgeable in the DUI field and was able to guide me throughout the process. My case did go to trial as the public prosecutor was not giving any good negotiation. Scott analyzed the case and told me to take it to trial.”- Former Client
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“We appreciate his rapid responses to our questions, and the peace of mind knowing we had his experience on our side.”- Elizabeth
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“Not only did he win my trial, but his knowledge of the details and his negotiation skills were instrumental in achieving a successful outcome. He was able to navigate the complex legal system with ease and always had my best interests in mind.”- Former Client
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“As an experienced attorney, Scott worked diligently to present the facts of the case and ended up winning the case at trial. We would recommend Scott Lawrence, Attorney at Law, to anyone facing criminal charges.”- Former Client
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“I am incredibly grateful to Snohomish Law for their dedication and expertise in resolving my case. They were professional, compassionate, and kept me informed throughout the process.”- Justin K.
