A DUI arrest in Washington starts two cases at once. One is the criminal charge in court. The other is an administrative action against your driver’s license through the Department of Licensing (DOL). What you do in the first few days can affect both, and the Rossback Firm in downtown Aberdeen regularly meets people who wish they had known the basics sooner. Below are seven practical steps, followed by five Grays Harbor area law offices you can contact.
What should you do in the first days after a DUI arrest?
1. Do request a DOL hearing within 20 days
Washington gives you 20 days from the date you receive notice, which is usually the day of the arrest, to request a hearing contesting your license suspension under RCW 46.20.308. If you miss that window, the suspension generally takes effect on its own. This deadline runs separately from your court dates, which is why people often overlook it.
2. Don’t discuss the facts with anyone but your lawyer
Anything you say to police, friends, or coworkers can be repeated in court. You have a constitutional right to remain silent, and using it is not an admission of guilt. The same applies to texts and social media posts about the night of the arrest.
3. Do write down everything you remember
Within a day, record where you were stopped, the time, what you ate and drank and when, which field sobriety tests you were asked to do, and whether a breath or blood sample was taken. Memory fades quickly, and something as small as the timing of a breath test can matter later.
4. Don’t drive on a suspended license
Driving while suspended or revoked is a separate criminal charge in Washington. If you need to drive for work, ask an attorney whether you qualify for an ignition interlock driver’s license, which the DOL can issue during a suspension.
5. Do keep your paperwork together
Keep the citation, any DOL notices, release documents, and court dates in one folder. A defense attorney will ask for these first.
6. Don’t assume a first offense is minor
Under RCW 46.61.502, you can be charged with DUI for a breath or blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, a THC blood concentration of 5.0 nanograms per milliliter or higher, or driving while affected by alcohol or drugs. A first conviction still carries mandatory minimum penalties under RCW 46.61.5055, including possible jail time, fines, license consequences, and an ignition interlock requirement.
7. Do talk to a defense attorney early
A lawyer can examine whether the stop was lawful, whether the breath test instrument was properly maintained, and whether a reduced charge is realistic. Some people may qualify for deferred prosecution under RCW 10.05. This is a one-time program for people whose offense stemmed from alcohol, drug, or mental health problems and who complete treatment. Getting advice early keeps more options open.
Which law offices near Aberdeen can help after a DUI arrest?
- The Rossback Firm
- Hagen & Bates, P.S.
- Winkelman Law Firm, Inc.
- The Campbell Law Firm
- Douglas B. Bitar
The Rossback Firm
Attorney Thomas H. Rossback, Esq., handles criminal defense and bankruptcy from his office on West Market Street in downtown Aberdeen. His criminal defense work covers DUI, drug crimes, assault and domestic violence, and theft and property offenses. For someone facing a DUI, that means guidance on the court case and the DOL license hearing, with a clear explanation of each stage and honest expectations about likely outcomes. The firm serves clients in Grays Harbor, Mason, Pacific, Thurston, Cowlitz, and Lewis counties. Consultations are available, and rates are provided on request. A DUI can bring fines and lost work hours, so it also helps that the same attorney can advise on bankruptcy if debt becomes a problem down the road.
Hagen & Bates, P.S.
Hagen & Bates is a law firm on East 1st Street in Aberdeen. Contact the office directly to ask whether it is taking DUI matters.
Winkelman Law Firm, Inc.
Winkelman Law Firm has an office in Hoquiam, a short drive west of Aberdeen. The firm can tell you which practice areas it currently handles.
The Campbell Law Firm
The Campbell Law Firm is located in Montesano, the Grays Harbor County seat. Reach out to the office to see whether your case fits its practice.
Douglas B. Bitar
Douglas B. Bitar is an attorney with an office in Hoquiam. Contact the office to ask about availability for criminal cases.
How do you protect your license and your record?
The days after an arrest feel chaotic, but most of what protects you comes down to a few steps. Meet the 20-day DOL deadline, keep the facts to yourself, write down what happened, and get legal advice before your first court date. If you are facing a DUI charge anywhere in Grays Harbor County or the surrounding area, schedule a consultation with the Rossback Firm to review your arrest and talk through your next steps.
