As a Seattle traffic lawyer, I see a lot of people come into my office charged with a lot of things: DUI primarily, but also speeding, reckless driving, running red lights, running stop lights, and failures to yield. But, no matter how many people keep coming in, the amount of people that needs my services never seems to go down. But isn't that the point of many criminal law statutes, particularly DUI and Seattle traffic tickets?
For example, I was out in Seattle last night, having a couple of drinks. Because I am a traffic attorney, I tend to keep my actions pretty under control, particularly if I know I'm driving (there is nothing worse than a Seattle DUI attorney who has a DUI conviction, know what I mean?). But there were people there who were really tying one one. And you know what? A lot of those people drove home. And you know what? Probably less than 1% were stopped and issued DUI tickets. So, does the law really do what it is meant to do, and if it doesn't, what is the solution? Harsher penalties? Just let it go?
I don't know the answer to that question necessarily, but I will tell you that DUI punishments are already about as harsh as any penalty out there, considering what is actually going on with the facts. What I mean is, if people are texting while driving, playing with the radio, eating, talking on the phone, or driving with unruly children, their ability to drive is impaired in much the same way. But no one loses their license and faces jail time for talking on a phone while driving or eating while driving. It is the DUI special interest groups that have managed to lobby for extremely harsh DUI penalties.
If you are pulled over for Seattle DUI, the best thing you can do is know your rights: (1) don't talk to the police; (2) don't take field sobriety tests' (3) don't take a portable breath test; and (4) exercise your right to talk to a Seattle traffic attorney before you decide whether or not to take a breath test. Doing these four things can dramatically increase your bargaining power if you are charged with DUI and give you a real chance to beat your DUI.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
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