Few people would consider a vehicle a weapon but when a person steps into the driver seat, his vehicle becomes a potentially deadly instrument. And anyone in its path becomes a potential victim. Vehicular Assault is when someone injures another person while driving under the influence or operating the vehicle recklessly. A Class B Felony, Vehicular Assault can land someone in prison for three to nine months, or longer depending on the driver's driving record.

Penalties for Washington Vehicular Assault

Felony charges are serious. Vehicular assault routinely results from a collision that injures another person and law enforcement believes the driver that caused the accident was influenced by drugs and/or alcohol. Washington law provides for police to take you to the hospital from the scene of the accident to get a blood draw, whether you consent to it or not. Unlike when a driver is pulled over for a traffic stop and is discovered to be under the influence, the police cannot force a blood test. In a Vehicular Assault situation, the driver can still refuse but a warrant is not required to take a blood draw.

If you were involved in an accident and the police are investigating you for a possible DUI charge, you will need an experienced attorney to advise you. Vehicular Assault charges can turn your life upside down instantly. The costs to you financially will be heavy with fines, safe driver classes, court fees, and possibly being compelled to install an ignition interlock device to continue driving. What's more is the cost to you personally regarding your reputation, your employability, and your freedom can weigh even more heavily.

If you are found guilty, you could face permanent revocation of your license, license suspension, be forced to submit to drug and alcohol treatment, and jail time or prison time. Securing an attorney early on who has intricate knowledge of the best defenses against a Vehicular Assault case could make all the difference in your case.

Defense Against a Washington Vehicular Assault

There are several possible defenses against your Vehicular Assault charge.

• Blood test challenge – Often the best defense is to dissect the blood test process. Analyzing the manner in which the blood was drawn, how it was handled, what happened during the actual test, and also inspecting the results, all may reveal flaws affecting the accuracy of the results.
• Crime scene revelations – When mistakes are made in determining exactly how the accident occurred, your case could benefit. An experienced attorney could find that the investigators mishandled or misinterpreted evidence and exploit that.
• Experts in traffic flow and reenacting events can be retained and could supply vindicating information to your attorney to bolster your defense.

Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

Former prosecutor Steve Karimi has worked both sides of the courtroom. When you hire him, you retain a detailed, aggressive defense attorney who knows where to develop a defense strategy according to the facts of your case. He will immediately go to work to sort out all the details of the accident, your background, and the investigation, and he will propose the very best strategy to help you fight your charges and regain your life. Call today.