As a skilled Seattle DUI Lawyer, I bring experience, service and a proven record of courtroom victories to the aggressive and effective legal representation of those charged with drunk driving related offenses throughout Washington State.
A DUI can be a stressful and fearful event. It is no secret that people convicted of drunk driving offenses can lose their drivers licenses, and as a result, their jobs. The fear of financial difficulty is quite real. For most people, the very thought of a jail or prison sentence raises concerns about personal safety.
My Firm is widely recognized for the innovative and successful litigation techniques that have benefited thousands of DUI clients. As an experienced Seattle DUI Lawyer, I provide aggressive legal representation within the following practice areas:
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Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (DUI)
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Misdemeanor
- 1st Offense
- Repeat Offenses
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Misdemeanor
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Felony
- Serious Repeat DUI Offender
- Accident With Serious Injury or Death
- DUI Vehicular Homicide
- DUI Vehicular Assault
- DUI With a Child Passenger
- Hit and Run Driving
- Reckless Driving
- Contests of Speed
- Driving on a Suspended License
- Other Traffic Crimes
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Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or other state licensing agency Suspension/Revocation Hearings
- DUI Conviction
- Chemical Test Refusal or Per Se Violations
Located in Seattle, Washington, our Firm was founded in 1960 by Alfred J. Bianchi, a former Washington State Assistant Attorney General and King County Deputy Prosecutor. From the outset, The Bianchi Law Firm first began to emphasize DUI defense. After leaving the King County Prosecutor’s Office in 1985, George L. Bianchi joined The Bianchi Law Firm where he has become recognized as an innovator in the defense of DUI and other alcohol and drug related crimes. George has lectured at numerous CLE programs throughout the United States concerning DUI defense and has been lead counsel in a number of cases resolving significant criminal law issues. He is a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers’ Association, and is currently President of Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice. In 1999 Martindale-Hubbell awarded him with their highest accolade, an AV rating in the legal profession. George is a Founding Member, graduate, and guest lecturer of the National College for DUI Defense. He was elected to the position of Regent with the National College for DUI Defense in July of 2000 and is currently Assistant Dean and Parliamentarian to the National College for DUI Defense. He has been named to the "Super Lawyers" list by Washington Law & Politics annually since the year 2000. In 2003, he was presented with the prestigious Dean's Service Award from the National College for DUI Defense. In 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 George was named one of the Top 25 in Criminal Defense on the Washington "Super Lawyers' list.
If you or someone you know in Washington State needs the assistance of an experienced Seattle DUI Lawyer, call Attorney George Bianchi today at 866-646-0753, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.
Driving with a Suspended License:
Driving with a suspended or revoked license is usually charged as a serious misdemeanor punishable by substantial fines and up to a year in jail. Under some circumstances, as where someone is killed or injured in an accident caused by a driver whose license is suspended or revoked, the offense can be charged as a felony, with a high fine and a possible state prison sentence. Fines and jail sentences are typically heaviest in cases where the license suspension or revocation resulted from a traffic offense involving alcohol and/or drugs.
Reckless Driving:
Reckless driving is operating a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others or the property of others. It generally involves drastic misconduct on the road, such as driving on the wrong side of the road or driving at dangerously high speeds. It is generally charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine and a local jail sentence. It sometimes results in a driver's license suspension or revocation, and it very often results in the cancellation of insurance. Automobile insurance companies know that people who drive “recklessly” are more likely than others to get in traffic accidents. Also, “reckless driving” convictions are commonly seen as part of a plea bargain in which an initial DUI charge is “reduced” to reckless driving.
Hit and Run Driving:
Hit and Run Driving is a serious offense that involves leaving the scene of an accident without first stopping and identifying oneself to the other driver or drivers. It is, at minimum, a serious misdemeanor punishable by jail time and a high fine. If someone is injured or killed in the accident, hit and run driving is charged as a felony that can result in a state prison sentence. In either case the charge has nothing to do with who was at fault in the accident. Apart from the other penalties, hit and run driving can result in long-term driver's license suspension or, in some cases, actual license revocation.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI):
DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance, to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, it typically results in higher insurance premiums and an offender may become ineligible for credit.
Driving Under the Influence – Murder:
Murder is the criminal charge for unlawfully killing someone, either deliberately and intentionally or recklessly with extreme disregard for human life. In some states, when someone driving under the influence causes an accident in which someone is killed the driver may be charged with murder if the circumstances are particularly aggravated.
Driving Under the Influence – Manslaughter:
Manslaughter is the criminal charge for unlawfully killing someone without actually intending to do so. When someone is driving under the influence and causes an accident in which someone is killed, the driver may be charged with manslaughter.
Driving Under the Influence with Prior Convictions:
In all 50 states, repeat DUI offenders face progressively stiffer penalties. In some states, the third or fourth offense may be charged as a felony and, upon a conviction, result in a multi-year state prison term. The elements of the offense are the same, whether or not there are prior convictions.
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Prescription Medications:
Most people know that it is illegal to drive under the influence of illegal drugs, but many believe they can avoid a conviction for DUI by producing a prescription for the drug in question. This is not true. A DUI (drugs) charge has nothing to do with whether or not possession of the drug was lawful. The legal issue in any DUI case is whether, as the result of "impairment," the driver has lost the ability to drive safely. It is just as unlawful to drive under the influence of a properly prescribed medication as it is to drive after drinking too much alcohol.
Contests of Speed (Drag Racing):
In most states, engaging in contests of speed (racing) is a serious misdemeanor punishable by local jail time and a fine. It can also trigger license suspension or revocation by the Department of Motor Vehicles or other state licensing agency. It is also fairly certain to result in cancellation of automobile insurance. Repeat offenders usually face escalating penalties including felony prosecution in aggravated circumstances.
Other Traffic Crimes:
Every state has its own set of laws governing the operation of motor vehicles on public streets and highways. Most of these laws classify violations as infractions - relatively minor offenses for which a fine is the only penalty. One cannot be given a jail sentence for an infraction. It can be very important to fight infraction prosecutions in some situations. Many states have “point” systems to track individual driving records and the accumulation of too many points can have serious consequences, ranging from license suspension to revocation. Automobile insurance carriers often cancel the policies of drivers with too many “points.” The decision whether or not to fight an infraction ticket is one that should receive very careful consideration.
Administrative License Suspension Hearings:
Most states provide for administrative driver's license suspension in certain circumstances, but in every case the driver is entitled to a hearing in which the suspension can be contested. If a hearing is not requested within the time provided by law the right to a hearing is waived, and the suspension goes into effect automatically. In some cases the time for requesting a hearing is very short, and the scope of the hearing is usually very narrow and highly technical, from a legal standpoint. Self-representation at a suspension hearing is rarely successful. The different types of administrative suspension include:
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Medical/Drug Suspension
Some medical conditions require administrative driver's license suspension. These include certain diseases involving seizures, blackouts, fainting spells, serious physical coordination problems, some mental disorders and loss of vision. The defense to this type of suspension usually involves the submission of written reports from health care providers and other experts. -
Negligent Driver Suspension
This involves situations in which a driver has accumulated too many “points” for traffic tickets or has been involved in an unusually high number of accidents. -
Drunk Driving Suspension Based on BAC
If a defendant’s chemical test shows a BAC of .08% or more most states impose a 30 to 90 day suspension. This varies from state to state and may be longer than that. At the hearing, skilled counsel may attack the probable cause for the defendant’s detention and arrest and/or the validity of the chemical test. -
Drunk Driving Suspension Based on Test Refusal
Where the defendant refuses to submit to a chemical test most states provide for a license suspension ranging from six months to a year, but in at least one state the term is three years. The refusal suspension is not affected by the outcome of a DUI trial. If there is a refusal suspension it remains in place even if the defendant is adjudged “not guilty.” At the hearing, skilled counsel may attack the probable cause for the defendant’s detention and arrest and/or the validity of the chemical test.
If you or someone you know in Washington State needs the assistance of an experienced Seattle DUI Lawyer, call Attorney George Bianchi today at 866-646-0753, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.
If you or someone you know in Washington State needs the assistance of an experienced Seattle DUI Lawyer, call Attorney George Bianchi today at 866-646-0753, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.
ADDRESS OF THE FIRM:
The Bianchi Law Firm
605 Thomas
Seattle, WA 98109
Telephone: 866-646-0753
Fax: 206-728-9305
George L Bianchi
EDUCATION:
- J.D., Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, Washington, 1981
- B.S., Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, 1978; Major: Business
BAR ADMISSIONS:
- Washington, 1982
- U.S. District Court Western District of Washington, 1982
CLASSES/SEMINARS TAUGHT:
- Guest Lecturer, DUI Defense, CLE Programs Guest Lecturer, National College for DUI Defense
HONORS AND AWARDS:
- Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics, 2000-2008
- Top 25 in Criminal Defense on the Washington “Super Lawyers” list, 2006 & 2007
- DWI Specialist, The Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, 1991
- Certificate of Completion - Standardized Field, National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration - approved, 1995
- Certificate of Completion - Drug Evaluation and Classification (DECP) Overview Course, 2007.
- Award for Creative Advocacy, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice, 1999
- Dean's Service Award, National College for DUI Defense, 2003
- Trainer - DUI Defense Skills, University of Washington Law School, 1995
- National Registry of Who's Who, Lifetime Member
- AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell 1999
- Regent, National College for DUI Defense, 2000
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:
- Washington State Trial Lawyers Association Member
- Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Member
- Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice Vice-President
- National College for DUI Defense Founding Member
- National College for DUI Defense, July, 2000 Regent
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
PAST EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS:
- King County Prosecutor's Office