Kirkland, WA DUI Attorney

Integrity. Accountability. Experience.

Kirkland, WA DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers

Your DUI Case Is Really Two Cases for One Arrest

Many people do not realize until it is too late that a Washington State DUI arrest creates not one but two separate cases. Not only do drivers have to deal with criminal prosecution in the criminal courts, but they also have a simultaneous case with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).

At Veitch Ault Defense, we understand the ins and outs of Washington State DUI cases and how to defend you and your best interests. We will fight for your right to a fair trial, ensure all your legal documents are processed correctly and on time, and will help you uphold your rights throughout the duration of your case. Our Lynnwood DUI Defense Attorneys & King County DUI Defense attorneys have helped over a thousand clients successfully resolve their cases throughout Washington and look forward to doing what we can for you.

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What Happens After A DUI Arrest?

After being arrested for a DUI, the state’s Department of Licensing (DOL) initiates an immediate suspension action against your driving privileges completely independent of your court case.

A police officer should give you a DOL Hearing Request Form at the time of your arrest and release. You must request a DOL hearing within seven days (including holidays and weekends). However, if the seventh day falls on a weekend or holiday, the following weekday would be the deadline.

If you do not request your hearing promptly, your license will be automatically suspended or revoked. If you do not prevail at the DOL hearing, your license will be automatically suspended or revoked even though your criminal case has not concluded. If you had a valid license before your arrest, you can keep driving while the outcome from your DOL hearing and the criminal court is pending.

The DOL hearing will take place over the phone between a Department of Licensing hearing examiner and you and your attorney, though you may be able to request an in-person hearing under certain circumstances. In most circumstances, the DOL hearing will occur within 60 days of your arrest.

About Kirkland, Washington

Located on the shores of Lake Washington just north of Bellevue, Kirkland is known for its waterfront parks, breathtaking scenery, art galleries, boutique shops and restaurants. From Bellevue, visitors head north on Bellevue Way until Lake Washington Boulevard, which leads to downtown Kirkland. No other city in the Puget Sound area has more seaside parks and beaches than Kirkland. Kirkland is also home to award-winning hotels, wineries and restaurants, and hosts a dynamic array of events, from art openings and performances to sporting events, wine festivals and outdoor concerts.

The town of Kirkland is named after the English-born steel magnate Peter Kirk, who came to the North West in the 1880s in search of new development opportunities. Kirk envisioned developing the “Pittsburgh of the West” on the eastern shore of Lake Washington. This is a bustling new town whose main economy is steelmaking.

In 1880, Moss Bay was built by Kirk and several prominent Seattle businessmen. They hoped to take advantage of the rich mineral resources of the Snoqualmie Pass, and that a shipping canal would soon open through Seattle to Puget Sound, opening up trade from Lake Washington to the Pacific Rim. Kirk believed Both a railroad to the Pass and a ship canal to Puget Sound  built, but it was too late to save Kirk’s dream. The stock market crash of 1893 closed the mill without producing steel. Although the ironworks closed, Kirkland was incorporated in 1905 and had a population of 400. A major concern of the new Kirkland City Council was improvements to the roads, buildings, and Lake Washington shoreline.

Two of the most prosperous industries in Kirkland’s early history were wool mills and shipbuilding. Washington’s first wool mill was established in Kirkland in 1892. It produced wool products for prospective customers in the Alaskan Gold Rush and for the US military during World War I.

Kirkland Court

Call Us for Representation

If arrested for DUI by a City of Kirkland police officer, your case will be filed in Kirkland Municipal Court. Because there can be stringent pre-trial conditions of release at DUI arraignment hearings, we highly recommend hiring an experienced Kirkland DUI attorney well before your first hearing to give your case a fighting chance.
Thus, it is imperative that one arrested for DUI in the City of Kirkland immediately contact Veitch Ault Defense to ensure they provide themselves the best opportunity to fight the charge.

What Are The Penalties For DUI In Kirkland, Washington?

DUI penalties can include:

First DUI Offense (Or No Prior DUI Offense In The Last 7 Years)

If this is your first offense ever or in more than seven years and your breathalyzer result is .15% or less, the penalties you can expect include:

  • A minimum of one day in jail OR 15 days of Electronic Home Detention
  • $990.50 or more in fines with a statutory assessment
  • 90-day license suspension
  • SR-22 insurance required for three years
  • Probationary driver’s license for five years after reinstatement
  • Probation monitoring by the court for up to five years
  • Ignition interlock for a minimum of 1 year (with 6-month compliance required for removal)
  • Alcohol evaluation and treatment as determined by the court

If you test .15% BAC or higher or if you refuse to take a breath test, you can expect:

  • At least two days in jail OR 30 days of Electronic Home Detention
  • A fine of at least $1,245.50
  • One-year license revocation for breath test over .15%; two-year revocation following a refusal
  • Alcohol evaluation and treatment as determined by the court
  • Ignition interlock for at least one year
  • Probation monitoring by the court for up to five years
  • Probationary driver’s license for five years after reinstatement
  • SR-22 Insurance for three years

Second DUI Offense (Or One Prior DUI Offense In The Last 7 Years)


Like first offense DUI charges, the penalties for a second arrest can vary depending on how high your BAC (blood alcohol content) is at the time of your test and whether you refused to take a breathalyzer.

Penalties may include:

  • A minimum of 30-45 days in jail and 60-90 days of Electronic Home Detention OR 4-6 days in jail and 180 days of Electronic Home Detention
  • A minimum of $1,245.50 – $1,670.50 in fines
  • Probation monitoring by the court for up to five years
  • Probationary license for five years after reinstatement
  • SR-22 Insurance for three years
  • Two-year license revocation if you blew .15% or over; three-year license revocation if you refused to take a breathalyzer
  • And more

Third DUI Offense (Or 2 Prior DUI Offenses In The Last 7 Years)

Penalties for a third offense can include:

  • At least 90-120 days in jail AND 120-150 days of Electronic Home Detention
  • A minimum $2,095.50 – $2,778 fine with statutory assessment
  • Ignition interlock for up to 10 years
  • Probation monitoring by the court for up to five years
  • Three-to-four-year driver’s license revocation
  • Probationary license for five years after reinstatement
  • SR-22 Insurance for three years
  • And more

Our Team is On Your Side

If arrested for DUI in the City of Kirkland by a Kirkland Police Department (KPD) officer, the charge will be filed by the city attorney’s office, and a summons will eventually be sent to a mailing address associated with the arrestee. Barring the existence of a prior DUI or blood having been drawn on the date of arrest, a first court date will likely occur within four to six weeks from the date of arrest. The City of Kirkland matters is handled in Kirkland Municipal Court, located at 11740 NE 118th St, Kirkland, WA 98034. The judge hearing matters in the court is Judge John Olson. The City Attorney’s Criminal Division designates four to five attorneys responsible for prosecuting matters for the city. The City of Kirkland vigorously pursues alcohol-related driving offenses.

Contact us

Call 425-452-1600 or contact our firm online to request your free and confidential case evaluation.

Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help.

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Bellevue Office

2122 112th Ave. NE, Suite A200
Bellevue, WA 98004

Lynnwood Office

20102 Cedar Valley Rd., Suite 104
Lynnwood, WA 98036

Why Choose Our Firm?

Selected as Super Lawyer for the past 7 years in a row

Successful Defense of Hundreds of DUI Cases

7 years as Super Lawyer

NHTSA training in both DWI Detection/Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (FST) along with Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection Enforcement (ARIDE)

Your First Initial Consultation Is Free

Dedicated to the Highest Level of Advocacy on Behalf of Their Clients

Each client is given their attorney’s personal cell phone # and can reach out at any time

We Have Successfully Defended Hundreds of DUI Cases

Reach Out to Us as Soon as Possible to Get the Best Solution For Your Case

For a free consultation to discuss your pending case or other legal matters, please call us any time at 425-452-1600 or complete our online contact form. Our attorneys will explain the entire process surrounding your charge and remove the fear and uncertainty regarding your arrest. Our team should be your first call if you need a top-rated, dedicated, and responsive DUI/DWI or criminal defense attorney. If success in your legal matters is your only option, we hope that you will place your trust in top-rated Washington State DUI attorney Robert Ault.  

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