Olympia, Washington DWI Attorney

Being charged with Washington DWI raises some difficult questions, and the penalties for being found guilty of drunk driving can be life changing. The process of redeeming yourself appears confusing and stressful, but Olympia, Washington DWI Attorney Sharon Chirichillo can help.

The Law Offices of Sharon E. Chirichillo provide both personal service and aggressive legal representation to give you peace of mind during this stressful time. The law firm focuses exclusively on DWI defense and serious traffic violations. Thurston County, Washington DWI Attorney Sharon Chirichillo and her team of lawyers will answer your questions and outline the best defense strategy to fight your DWI.

For immediate help with your Washington DWI, contact Thurston County DWI Criminal Defense Lawyer Sharon Chirichillo by calling (360) 943- 8999 or filling out the consultation request form to the left. The initial review of your case is free and confidential.

Penalties for Washington DWI

Washington DWI laws establish a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher as being legally intoxicated for most motorists. The threshold for intoxication is 0.04% if you are a commercial driver and 0.02% if you are under the age of 21.

Being found guilty of driving under the influence, even a first offense, can result in loss of driver’s license, a jail sentence, installation of an ignition interlock device, alcohol awareness classes and fines.

A conviction will also mean you have a permanent criminal record. That could make it difficult to find or keep a job. With the proximity of the international border, you should be aware that Canada is increasingly applying its policy of denying entry to anyone with a criminal record, regardless of the type of crime or when it occurred.

Olympia DWI Lawyer Sharon Chirichillo will work to keep your record clean. She and her team of attorneys have a reputation as skilled litigators, and they will protect your rights.

The court process

Thurston County, Washington DWI Lawyer Sharon Chirichillo will represent you during all portions of your DWI defense, from petitioning to preserve your driving privileges to preparing for a jury trial if necessary. At every step of the process Sharon Chirichillo and her team will be working for the best possible outcome in your case.

The courtroom sequence of criminal defense can include an Arraigment, Pre-Trial Hearing, Motions Hearing, Omnibus Hearing and Trial. During each step Olympia DWI Attorney Sharon Chirichillo will seek dismissal or reduction of the charges filed against you.

Arraignment marks the first courtroom appearance and you will be asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty and then be asked if you want a judge or jury trial. Though seemingly simple, the details of your case can influence which answer is the best. This is why it is critical to seek legal help as quickly as possible. A DWI attorney can immediately begin laying the groundwork for a successful defense.

During a pre-trial hearing the defense team learns more about the prosecution’s case and their strategy for trying your case. After reviewing this information Thurston County DWI Attorney Sharon Chirichillo will begin to build your legal defense. She will file motions to suppress or dismiss the case, challenge any physical evidence, interview witnesses, study recent court rulings and analyze the police report for discrepancies and errors.

This is followed by a motions hearing, where the judge weighs the defense team’s challenges to the prosecution’s case. This could result in dismissal of all charges or a beneficial plea bargain. If you and the defense attorney feel that the outcome of the motions hearing is not the best possible result, the case can be taken to a jury trial.

Prior to trial there is an omnibus hearing that determines if all parties wish to continue with the seating of a jury. This is another opportunity to negotiate an advantageous plea bargain. During this entire process Olympia, Washington DWI Attorney Sharon Chirichillo will be preparing for trial, where she will seek acquittal or dismissal of all charges.

The courtroom defense process can be arduous, and having Thurston County DWI Lawyer Sharon Chirichillo as legal consul will not only make things easier, it will provide you with peace of mind.

About The Law Offices of Sharon Chirichillo

The entire law practice of Olympia DWI Lawyer Sharon Chirichillo is dedicated to the criminal defense of Washington drunk driving cases.

Sharon E. Chirichillo, principal of the law firm, is a member of the Thurston County Bar Association, the Washington Defender Association, the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the Washington Bar Association, the National College for DUI Defense, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. She is also an Eagle Member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association.

Olympia, Washington DWI Lawyer Sharon Chirichillo received an undergraduate degree from The Evergreen State College and earned her juris doctorate from Seattle University School of Law.

Patricia Talbott, Associate Attorney, works on DWI defense, Department of Licensing hearings, controlled substances law and appellate cases for the law firm. She is a member of the Thurston County Bar Association and the Washington State Bar Association.

Patricia Talbott is a graduate of The University of Washington and she earned her law degree at the Seattle University School of Law.

For more information on how Olympia, Washington DWI Attorney Sharon Chirichillo can help you, fill out the consultation request form to the left or call (360) 943-8999.

The Law Offices of Thurston County DWI Lawyer Sharon Chirichillo serves the Puget Sound region, including Bucoda, Grand Mound, Lacey, Olympia, Ranier, Rochester, Tenini, Turnwater and Yelm, Washington.

The Law Office of
Sharon Chirichillo, P.S.
2120 State Ave. NE
Suite 201
Olympia, Washington 98506
Phone: (360) 943-8999
Fax: (360) 357-2299