DUI License Suspension | Driver's License Attorney

Washington State Driver’s License Hearing

In Washington, before the Department of Licensing (DOL) revokes or suspends your license, you are entitled to request a hearing to dispute the suspension or revocation. This hearing must be requested within 7 days of your arrest or you give up your chance at a hearing.

Common Reasons for a License Suspension

DUI
Physical Control of a Motor Vehicle
Hit and Run
Reckless Driving
Vehicular Assault
Failure to Pay Traffic Tickets
Failure to Pay Child Support
Too Many Traffic Tickets

DUI License Hearing

If you are arrested and charged with a DUI, you should have been given paperwork telling you that you have 7 days, from your date of arrest, to request a hearing to contest your license suspension. The Department of Licensing charges a non-refundable $375 for the hearing. The DOL may waive the $375 if you qualify for a financial hardship.

You are entitled to have a hearing within 30 days of your arrest date. The hearing is conducted over the phone and involves a hearings officer appointment by the DOL who will evaluate the arresting officer’s report and any evidence submitted by the defense. The police officer will appear at the hearing if requested by the driver.

The hearings officer will consider these 4 issues:

Whether you were under lawful arrest
Whether the officer had reasonable grounds to believe you were driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any drug.
Whether you were properly advised of your rights under RCW 46.20.308(2)
Whether you refused to submit to a test.

If the hearings officer finds that the police officer followed the law and that you were sufficiently intoxicated while driving a vehicle, you will have your license suspended. However, if your attorney can point out mistakes in the police investigation and evidence the DOL will not suspend your license.

While you wait for your DOL hearing, your license will not be suspended unless there is another reason for the DOL to do so. You can check the status of your driver’s license with the DOL here.

Contact an Experienced DUI Attorney

DUIs and DOL hearings are complicated areas of the law. If you are facing a DUI or you are facing a license suspension call our office or use our contact form. There is no charge for contacting us and sitting down with us to discuss your case.

Feb 29, 2024

by GC on Kris Carrasco Attorney at Law

Out of State Restraining Order

I was in a horrible situation where the mother of my son had me arrested on false claims so she could kidnap our son and move to Washington from California. She filed a restraining order when she got to Washington, listing our son as a protected party and claimed I had been abusive to her and him, writing a statement filled with lies and stories going back many years. She went so far as to have her family members, whom had never left Washington submit statements as well. The whole thing was disturbing and as a result I wasn't able to see my son for months. Kris didn't get dragged into arguing the meritless claims she made but instead focused on the actual law. Washington did not have jurisdiction over me and as a result a restraining order was not legal. A temp judge granted the restraining order and Kris made the judge explain on the stand multiple times how Washington had jurisdiction. She could not. He filed a motion for reconsideration shortly after outlining case law and making it clear that the temp judge had made a mistake. A commissioner reviewed and granted the motion for reconsideration. As a result, I was able to be reunited with my son, 102 days later. Kris is an amazing lawyer and I can't thank him enough for what he did for me and my son. Don't hesitate to hire him.