The Smith & White Blog

If you are asking how long a DUI stays on your record in Washington, the answer depends on which record you mean. A DUI does not simply fall off after a set number of years. Washington tracks DUI history in more than one system. People get misled because they hear one timeline, like seven years, […]

Many Washington drivers assume that if they feel sober, they are safe to drive. But for frequent cannabis users, that may not always be the case. Even after the intoxicating effects of marijuana have faded, residual THC in the bloodstream can sometimes exceed Washington’s legal limit for driving. Below, our DUI defense attorneys explain what […]

If you’re facing a marijuana-related DUI in Tacoma, Lakewood, or elsewhere in Pierce County, you may wonder: do Washington’s THC rules actually reflect real impairment? The short answer is no. Washington’s law treats THC like alcohol — assuming a specific number in your blood equals intoxication — even though every major scientific body says the […]

If you’re stopped in Tacoma or elsewhere in Pierce County on suspicion of driving under the influence, one of the first questions you may ask is: Is a marijuana DUI treated the same as an alcohol DUI in Washington? The short answer: No. Washington’s DUI law covers both alcohol and cannabis, but the standards, science, […]

If you were found with a gun that wasn’t yours, it can still lead to criminal charges.  In fact, many situations can result in even more charges if the gun isn’t yours. If you were found in possession of a gun that wasn’t yours, and that possession was illegal or you used the gun to […]

Drunk driving may seem like it is just a more severe traffic offense, but the penalties for DUI are truly criminal penalties.  You should always take these cases seriously and work with a lawyer to defend you and potentially work to get charges reduced or dismissed. Under RCW 46.61.5055, the penalties for a DUI conviction […]

Dealing with domestic violence charges can be difficult. Not only might you face serious criminal penalties, including jail time, but you might be unable to see your children or other family members while your case is pending. Even so, our legal team may be able to help you fight your charges and possibly see your […]

Do You Have to Submit to DUI Checkpoints in Pierce County, Washington? DUI checkpoints are illegal in Washington. Unlike some states, Washington does not allow police to stop drivers at sobriety checkpoints without individualized suspicion of wrongdoing. That does not mean officers cannot stop drivers to investigate impaired driving. Police throughout Tacoma and Pierce County […]

Do You Have to Submit to a DUI Blood Draw in Washington? Police may ask for a blood sample when they suspect someone of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But does that mean you have to agree? Not necessarily. Washington law does not require you to consent to every blood test an […]

Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most common criminal charges in Washington. For many people, a DUI arrest is their first experience with the criminal justice system. Understandably, the biggest question defendants ask is: What is the most common sentence for a first DUI in Washington? While the exact outcome depends on […]