Selah, Washington
DUI & Misdemeanor Defense in Selah, Washington
In Selah, a DUI or misdemeanor conviction can significantly disrupt your life and put you in jail – even for a first offense. You could face a substantial fine, the loss of your driver's license, and the possibility of a lengthy probation.
Working with an experienced defense attorney in Selah is one of the best ways to protect your legal rights and minimize – or even avoid – the consequences that a conviction can bring.
Attorney Tyler Gallaway, of the Law Office of Tony Swartz, lives in Yakima and handles misdemeanors, probation cases, and traffic infractions throughout Yakima County, including Selah. He works alongside attorney Tony Swartz, an experienced DUI attorney, so your case gets dedicated local attention and the right experience for the charge you're facing.
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How a DUI Affects Your Life
Even the minimum penalties for DUI in Washington State are harsh.
For your first offense, you could spend up to a year behind bars and face a monetary fine as high as $5,000. You could lose your driver's license for as long as two years even for a first offense. You could be facing up to five years of probation and the State could make you install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for at least one year.
If you tested with a high blood alcohol content (BAC), or if you refused to take a breath test, you will face the potential for even harsher penalties. Additional offenses carry penalties that are even harsher.
Even after you do your jail time and pay your fine, you will be left with a permanent criminal record.
Having a DUI on your record can prevent you from getting jobs, getting into good schools, and can even affect your ability to rent a house or apartment. Even getting auto insurance can become expensive and difficult, or in some instances close to impossible.
Why Get Help from a DUI Attorney?
Before you provide any statement or answer any questions – and definitely before you consider accepting any type of plea deal – it makes sense to talk to a defense attorney in Selah.
An attorney can carefully review the details of your case and provide you with all the potential options that might be beneficial for you. Having an attorney means you will have an advocate fighting for your future and protecting your legal rights.
Depending on your circumstances, your attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor, fighting to get your charges reduced or even dismissed.
Local Police, Courts & Probation in Selah
A Selah DUI or misdemeanor charge can involve more than one agency. Selah Police Department handles stops inside city limits, the Yakima County Sheriff's Office covers the surrounding unincorporated areas, Washington State Patrol (District 3) works I-82 and the surrounding highways, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers are full peace officers who can make a DUI stop, not just enforce hunting and fishing rules.
Which court hears your case comes down to the city boundary, not just where you were stopped. A stop inside Selah city limits goes to Selah Municipal Court, which hears criminal and traffic cases on Tuesday mornings. Outside city limits, it's Yakima County District Court. Yakima County is unusually court-dense, and several nearby smaller cities run their own municipal courts too. Felonies go to Yakima County Superior Court, and misdemeanor probation, including DUI supervision, is handled by Yakima County District Court Community Supervision.
Choosing the Right Attorney for Your Selah Case
You have many options for choosing a defense attorney in Selah and the surrounding Yakima County communities. Selecting the right attorney for you can make a significant difference for your future.
Attorney Tony Swartz has handled over one thousand DUI cases throughout his career, with additional training and certifications specific to DUI defense. Attorney Tyler Gallaway focuses on misdemeanors, probation violations, and traffic infractions, and lives in Yakima, close enough to Selah to meet in person when it matters.
In Selah, defense from Tyler Gallaway and Tony Swartz can help you get the justice you deserve. Contact us now to learn more or to schedule your confidential consultation with an experienced Selah-area defense attorney.