Deferred Prosecution

This once in a lifetime option in Washington State allows you to defer prosecution  of your DUI charges. Your DUI file is for all practical purposes put away for five (5) years as long as you qualify (meaning that you have a problem with alcohol/drugs), complete the two year treatment program, stay out of trouble, and comply with other similar DUI conditions.
 
If you comply, your DUI case will be dismissed at the end of the five year period. This option, in most DUI cases, will allow you to keep your driver's license without interruption. You will be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. 

 

Plea Bargain/Agree to a Reduced Charge

This is where your DUI attorney, after reviewing all the evidence (police reports, etc.) and fully investigating your DUI case, comes to an agreement with the Prosecutor on reducing the DUI charges. (Typically Reckless or Negligent Driving 1st Degree). Most often, this happens at the DUI pre-trial hearing, but can happen at any time in the proceedings, even right before the trial itself. The plea bargain (or dismissal) may also be obtained by the suppression of critical evidence at DUI pre-trial motions. Therefore, it is important your DUI attorney is aggressive in contesting all the evidence against you at the DUI pre-trial motions hearing. See also COURT PROCESS for more information

 

Plead Guilty as Charged to DUI

Although at first you may be tempted to go this direction, you must keep in mind that the ramifications of a DUI conviction are long term and severe, and should not be entered into lightly. The DUI mandatory minimums provide the DUI sentencing Judge with very little flexibility. It is always best to obtain experienced DUI counsel and have them advise you of all the options open to you in your DUI case. See also COURT PROCESS for more information

 

Trial

If the Prosecutor is not willing to reduce the DUI charges, the evidence against you in your DUI case is weak, or you feel you are completely innocent, sometimes it is simply better to go to trial and take your chances. A Jury Trial is usually the best option if you do decide to have a DUI Trial. See also COURT PROCESS for more information

DUI Jury Trial or Bench Trial

In a bench trial, the Judge alone is in charge of deciding your guilt or innocence in your DUI case. In a Jury Trial, six of your peers decide your guilt or innocence on your DUI charges and they must all agree. Either way, it is up to the government to prove your guilt of the DUI charges brought up against you beyond a reasonable doubt.