While beer, wine, and liquor certainly contribute the majority of alcohol-related DUI arrests, it isn't the only intoxicating substance that can land a person in legal trouble. A Connecticut woman was arrested this week for driving under the influence of alcohol after consuming several bottles of vanilla extract. The woman was found by officers sitting behind the wheel with her eyes closed on Wednesday afternoon. Police became suspicious when the noticed that the woman was slurring her words and unable to answer their questions. When police noticed that the woman smelled strongly of vanilla, they searched the vehicle and found several bottles of pure vanilla extract that were empty in her vehicle--a liquid which contains around 35 percent alcohol by volume. The woman was arrested after failing field sobriety tests and refused to take a blood alcohol test.

Could This Arrest Happen in Seattle?

While the DUI scenario listed above is certainly unique, don't be fooled into thinking that such an arrest couldn't happen in your area. Washington's DUI statute states that a person can be charged with driving under the influence if the person drives a vehicle if the person has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, or if the person drives "[w]hile under the influence or affected by intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug." The italicized phrase is important, as it implies that a person can be charged with driving under the influence even if he or she was not above the legal limit of 0.08--what matters in an officer's eyes is that a person was affected by the alcohol to a point that his or her ability to drive was impaired.

This can be especially true for individuals who have medical conditions or take prescription medication that can have an adverse reaction if paired with alcohol--even though a person might be below the legal limit for alcohol consumption, but as long as his or her driving ability was impaired by the alcohol, he or she can face a charge of driving under the influence in the state of Washington. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it's critical to get the help of a DUI defense attorney who can fight your charge on your behalf.

Arrested for DUI in Seattle? Steve Karimi Can Help

If you're facing a charge of driving under the influence in the Seattle area, the best decision that you can make for your future is to obtain legal representation from an experienced DUI defense attorney. Former prosecutor Steve Karimi is dedicated to defending those accused of criminal charges to the best of his ability. By knowing how prosecutors think and formulate their case, Steve Karimi is able to attack weak spots in a prosecutors case and help you defend against your charge. You should never try to fight your DUI charge alone, and with Steve Karimi by your side, you don't ever have to. Don't wait until it is too late to obtain the legal representation you need and deserve--to speak to a member of our legal team about your charge, fill out an online contact form or call (206) 621-8777 today.