There likely are two separate legal actions pending against you: 1) in criminal court, where you will be charged with the crime of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI), and 2) in the Department of Licensing (DOL), where, by "administrative action," the DOL seeks to suspend or revoke your license (no matter what happens in court).

1. Court Basics:

If you received a ticket, check it now to see if there is a date, time, and location listed for you to appear in court. In some Washington State jurisdictions the first court appearance can even be on a Saturday. This is particularly true of a Seattle DUI in Seattle Municipal Court.

If you did not receive a ticket or if a court date is not written on your ticket, then the court will probably mail a notice of your court date to your address of record.

At your first appearance in court you will probably have to enter a plea, the court may set bail, and the judge may impose restrictions and conditions on your release.

2. DOL Basics:

If a hole was punched in your driver's license, it means the DOL intends to suspend or revoke your license effective 60 days from your arrest.

It is important to timely request an Administrative Hearing from the Department of Licensing. If you took a breath test or refused the test, your hearing request must be postmarked within 20 days of the arrest.

The arresting officer should have given you a Hearing Request form to send to the DOL so that you can fight your license suspension.

Administrative license penalties vary according to the driver's record and include suspension for 90 days or revocation up to two years plus three years of SR-22 insurance.

3. Attorney Basics:

Attorney and law firm experience, knowledge and reputation are all important. The Internet is a good way to start, but an in-person consultation is the best way to decide if a specific attorney and law firm is right for you.

Fox Bowman Duarte has more combined experience than any other DUI defense firm in Washington State.

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