Legal Question in DUI Law in Washington

Just got first DUI, what next?

Friday night I got arrested for a DUI. I blew .187 and had not eaten

all day. $500 bail. So now what? I'm going to my first court

appearance tomorrow and dont know to plead guilty or not guilty-

get a court appointed lawyer or buy an expensive good one... I'm

pretty lost here. I'm 22 and this is my first ticket of anykind, EVER. A

few things went wrong when I spent the night in jail- first thing, they

didnt give me my asthma inhaler until I had been there for 8 +

hours (I'm supposed to use it 2 times every four hours, it says so on

the container which is a perscription) also, I wear hearing aids and

they wouldnt give me my batteries. My father called and asked

them to give me some because the ones in my aids were dying

and they did not.

Any suggestions? I'm helpless!


Asked on 11/01/04, 5:22 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
James J. White, attorney Law Offices of Smith & White, PLLC

Re: Just got first DUI, what next?

Plead not guilty until a lawyer can look over the particulars of your case. Some court appointed lawyers are good ones but if you can afford to hire an attorney than you should. The treatment in the jail, although you were there because of your criminal charge, is separate from your criminal charge. For any remedy there, you need to talk to a civil lawyer about the possibility of suing the jail. I do not know much about that but, although you were placed at risk, it doesn't sound like you suffered any actual injury so you may not have a claim. However, you should speak to an attorney who works in that field before deciding. If you would like to set an appointment to talk about your case e-mail me directly at [email protected] or call my cell 206/898-5042.

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Answered on 11/01/04, 11:38 am


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