You can get a DUI in Washington State while driving almost any type of vehicle. Most DUI’s occur when someone consumes too much alcohol at a restaurant or social event and tries to drive their car home. Law enforcement often pulls them over for speeding or failure to signal and then they’re arrested for DUI. However, “Driving” Under the Influence doesn’t necessarily mean driving a car or truck.
Washington State’s legal definition of a motor vehicle is surprisingly broad. A lot of folks don’t realize that most ATV’s (All Terrain Vehicles) are considered motor vehicles for DUI purposes. Last year a man was convicted of DUI after driving an ATV south of Spokane County. Over the years our office has defended many cases where folks were arrested while driving non-traditional vehicles. These include UTV’s (Utility Terrain Vehicles), ATV’s, golf carts and others.
Preparing to fight a DUI charge involving a non-traditional vehicle is substantially the same as normal DUI involving a car or truck. We still review police reports and witness statements, but there’s an added layer of comparing the type of vehicle allegedly driven with the legal definition of motor vehicle. Most DUI’s involve a breath or blood test. We’ll analyze whether law enforcement followed all procedures required for obtaining, storing and testing forensic samples. In Spokane County most DUI allegations also include audio/video recordings made by law enforcement. This evidence helps determine if there were any violations of our client’s rights and or other protocols for administering Field Sobriety Tests and breath or blood tests.
Uncertainty and anxiety go hand in hand when someone is accused of a DUI or other criminal charge. Let the experienced criminal attorneys at Cooney Law Offices be your guide. We can help!