Mercer Island, WA DUI Attorney
Integrity. Accountability. Experience.
Mercer Island, 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.
Contact us today to learn more information about our legal services. We offer free and confidential consultations to all prospective clients.
Get Started with a Free Consultation
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 Mercer Island, Washington
Mercer Island is a city in King County, Washington, named after the island in Lake Washington where the city is located. The population has seen a significant increase in residence.
Located in the Seattle metropolitan area, it’s one of the most populous lake islands in the United States. Settlement of the island began in the late 1870s. The island is named after one of the Mercer brothers (probably Thomas), an Illinois pioneer. In 1854, in a speech by Thomas Mercer, he suggested that the citizens of Washington should call the state’s largest inland lake “Lake Washington.”
The Mercer brothers did not live on Mercer Island, but they often hunted and explored the island’s remote forests. Early island settlers paddled to neighboring Seattle communities for supplies. Occasionally, the boat would carry items too large to be rowed by a rowboat. The settlement was delayed until C.C. Calkins arrived due to the inconvenience of island life.
Calkins purchased a large amount of land on the island as part of his 22,000-acre land in the Puget Sound area of East, He took hold of the city of Seattle in 1888. In 1891 he built a luxury resort on the west side of the island. This spurred the construction of ferry docks and small streamers began making regular trips. The availability of this mode of transportation has attracted more residents. Ferry service continued when the Floating Bridge from Mercer Island to Seattle was opened. Mercer Island is primarily a single-family residential development. Commercial facilities and condominiums are concentrated at the northern end of the island.
DUI Cases in Mercer Municipal Court
Discuss Your Case with Our Experienced Team
What Are The Penalties For DUI In Mercer Island, 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
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 Mercer Island by a Mercer Island Police Department (MPD) 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 Mercer Island matters is handled in Mercer Municipal Court, located at 9611 SE 36th Street Mercer Island, WA 98040. The judge hearing matters in the court is Judge Jeff Gregory. The City Attorney’s Criminal Division designates four to five attorneys responsible for prosecuting matters for the city. The City of Mercer Island vigorously pursues alcohol-related driving offenses.
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.
WA Courts
Client Reviews
Contact Us
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
Contact Us Today
Get Started with a Free Consultation
