by cooneylaw | Jun 7, 2022 | Criminal Defense, DUI
Washington State DUI law sets mandatory minimum penalties for convictions. The law also sets sentencing enhancements, or higher penalties, when folks have other DUI’s within 7 years. To determine whether a misdemeanor DUI is a first, second or third offense you must...
by cooneylaw | May 17, 2022 | DUI
You can’t get a DUI in Spokane on a Lime Scooter, according to law enforcement. This doesn’t mean you should hop on an electric scooter after drinking heavily since this could lead to serious injuries for yourself or others. Setting aside the obvious safety...
by cooneylaw | Mar 8, 2022 | Criminal Defense, DUI
A DUI charge In Spokane, Washington will normally lead to a First Appearance court hearing within a few weeks of the arrest. During this hearing the judge will recite your constitutional rights and the potential consequences of a DUI conviction, which may include jail...
by cooneylaw | Feb 22, 2022 | Criminal Defense, DUI
A Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge in Spokane or anywhere in Washington State will most likely lead to two separate cases: a criminal DUI charge in court and a separate Department of Licensing (DOL) administrative case. These truly are two different and...
by cooneylaw | Feb 15, 2022 | Criminal Defense, DUI
DUI convictions have a wide range of penalties. Everyone accused of a DUI in Washington State is at risk of: Jail time, Fines, fees and court costs, Loss of driver license, Installing the ignition interlock device, Paying high automobile insurance rates, Attendance at...
by cooneylaw | Jan 4, 2022 | Criminal Defense, DUI
Most DUI’s in Washington State are misdemeanors and have a 7 year look back period to determine whether it’s a first offense. An old DUI or Physical Control arrest might count as a prior offense or “sentence enhancer” for a new DUI arrest if the old arrest occurred...
by cooneylaw | Dec 21, 2021 | DUI
Historically, DUI arrests are higher during the holiday season than other months. Many people take time off from work around the holidays. They might have an extra drink with dinner or while watching their favorite sports team. Others might travel to their childhood...
by cooneylaw | Nov 9, 2021 | Criminal Defense, DUI
Roadside DUI tests or Field Sobriety Tests (FST’s) are supposed to be voluntary. Even if you refuse them, law enforcement can still arrest you for DUI if they observe other signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Recently, a high profile Spokane Resident was arrested for...
by cooneylaw | Oct 19, 2021 | DUI
A DUI arrest can end with a blood draw in a couple different circumstances. If a law enforcement officer believes a driver is impaired by something other than alcohol, then the officer may try to draw blood as part of the DUI investigation. Another common scenario is...
by cooneylaw | Aug 31, 2021 | Auto Accidents, Bodily Injury, Car Accidents, DUI
Driving habits got a lot worse during Covid. Even though there were fewer cars on the roadways, too many folks saw the open roads as an opportunity to speed… or worse. These bad habits led to a rise in the number of deaths on our highways despite the sharp drop in...
