Vancouver's Trusted
DUI Defense Attorney

In Washington State, it is illegal to drive with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, any detectable amount (0.02% or higher) can result in a DUI charge under Washington's zero-tolerance law. A DUI can also be charged below these limits if the officer believes your driving ability was impaired.

After a DUI arrest in Vancouver WA, you face two parallel proceedings: a criminal case in Clark County District or Superior Court, and a DOL administrative hearing about your driver's license. You have only 20 days from your arrest date to request the DOL hearing — missing this window results in automatic license suspension. Your arraignment typically occurs within 2–30 days of the arrest.

Yes — DUI charges can be dismissed or significantly reduced in Washington. Common defense strategies include: challenging whether the traffic stop was lawful, attacking breathalyzer or blood test accuracy, questioning field sobriety test administration, examining officer training records, and identifying constitutional violations. Contact us to evaluate what defenses apply to your specific situation in Clark County.

Washington is an implied consent state — by driving on public roads, you've implicitly agreed to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusing a breathalyzer results in automatic license revocation for 1–2 years, and the refusal can be used against you in court. You do have the right to refuse field sobriety tests (FSTs) without direct legal penalty. Call an attorney immediately if you've been arrested.

A DUI conviction in Washington stays on your driving record permanently and can enhance future DUI charges for 10 years. Washington does not allow DUI convictions to be vacated or expunged, making it critical to fight every charge aggressively from the start. An attorney may negotiate a reduction to a lesser charge — such as negligent driving — which carries far fewer long-term consequences.

Deferred prosecution is a diversion program for first-time DUI defendants in Washington who acknowledge they have an alcohol or drug problem. If you complete a 2-year treatment program and comply with all conditions for 5 years, the DUI charge is dismissed. It can only be used once in a lifetime and requires admitting facts sufficient for conviction. An attorney can help determine if deferred prosecution is right for your situation.

While you have the right to represent yourself, DUI cases in Washington are complex — involving criminal proceedings, DOL administrative hearings, constitutional issues, scientific evidence, and strict deadlines. Represented defendants consistently achieve significantly better outcomes. Given the permanent consequences of a DUI conviction on your license, employment, and insurance, professional representation is almost always the right choice.