Kenmore DUI Attorneys

Exclusive DUI Defense, Two Former Prosecutors, 95% First-Offense Success Rate*

A DUI charge in Washington is serious. The window to act is short. From the moment of arrest, deadlines begin running, evidence starts to fade, and the state begins building its case. Our team at DUIHeroes handles DUI defense and nothing else, which means every resource we have is focused on your case. Our approach includes analyzing every detail of your arrest, challenging the accuracy of field sobriety tests, and identifying any procedural errors that could affect the outcome.

Founding attorney Jonathan Dichter has spent over 20 years defending DUI charges across Western Washington. He leads a team that includes two former prosecutors who know exactly how the state builds its DUI cases and where those cases have gaps. We take the time to explain your charges clearly, walk you through what a conviction could mean, and go to court as your advocate every step of the way.

Call (425) 296-9358 for a free consultation. We answer 24/7 with no answering service and no gatekeeper.

Legal Help with DUI Charges in Kenmore & King County

From the moment of your DUI arrest, the firm you hire matters. Since 2009, we’ve achieved a 95% average reduction or dismissal rate for first-offense DUI charges*: a track record built case by case over more than 15 years. We know how to challenge the breath and blood tests behind most DUI charges, and we handle the full range of charge types: first-time DUI, felony DUI, multiple offenses, marijuana-related DUI, vehicular assault, Department of Licensing (DOL) administrative hearings, and more.

Our two former prosecutors bring firsthand knowledge of how the state approaches DUI cases, including the evidence it leans on, the arguments it favors, and the weaknesses it tries to hide. That insight shapes how we build and argue your defense. When you work with our drunk driving attorneys in Kenmore, you’re working with a team that understands what’s at stake and is built specifically to handle it.

Where Kenmore DUI Cases Are Heard

Kenmore misdemeanor DUI cases are generally heard at the King County District Court, West Division, Shoreline Courthouse. It is the court the City of Kenmore contracts with for all criminal charges. Felony DUI charges, which apply when a person has three or more prior offenses within 15 years or when certain aggravating factors are present, typically move to King County Superior Court.

There’s a second deadline most people don’t know about until it’s too late. Washington’s Department of Licensing will move to suspend your driver’s license 30 days after arrest regardless of whether criminal charges have been filed. You have just seven (7 days from the date of arrest to request a DOL administrative hearing to contest that suspension. The DOL process and your criminal case run on separate tracks. Letting either deadline slip can cost you your license before your case ever reaches the courthouse. We practice regularly in KCDC - Shoreline and know the judges, prosecutors, and local procedures that shape how a defense is built and argued there. If you need a drunk driving lawyer in Kenmore who knows this courthouse, call us before that 7-day window closes.

What Sets DUIHeroes Apart from General Criminal Defense Firms

Our team practices DUI defense and nothing else. That focus produces a level of technical depth that a general criminal defense firm can’t replicate.

NHTSA Instructor-Level Training

Jonathan Dichter is a Qualified Instructor for the NHTSA/IACP DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) course. It is the same course Washington DUI-arresting officers must complete. He has also completed the Advanced Roadside Impairment Driver Enforcement class. Because we know exactly how sobriety tests are supposed to be administered, we know precisely where officers fall short of those standards and how to use those failures in your defense.

National College for DUI Defense Credentials

Dichter serves as Washington State Delegate for the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and has taught DUI law as a member of the NCDD faculty. He authored Innovative DUI Trial Tools (7th ed., James Publishing), a national strategy guide used by drunk driving defense attorneys across the country. Our team holds over 50 years of combined legal experience, all within DUI defense. That record has earned Washington Super Lawyers recognition from 2023 through 2026 and the Seattle Times Best in the PNW for DUI/DWI law: Silver in 2024 and 2026 and Gold in 2025.

Washington DUI Laws & What They Mean for Your Case

Under Washington RCW 46.61.502, operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08 or higher is prohibited. Penalties increase significantly at .15 BAC. Even a first-time conviction can mean mandatory jail time, significant fines, a license suspension of 90 days or more, and a required ignition interlock device. Refusing a breath test triggers a separate DOL license suspension on top of any criminal penalties. 

In Washington, DUI is typically charged as a gross misdemeanor except in certain circumstances, where it may become a felony. For example, three prior offenses within 15 years increases charges to a Class B felony. The presence of certain aggravating factors, such as a minor in the vehicle, may increase penalties. Marijuana DUI carries its own threshold: a THC blood concentration of 5 nanograms per milliliter or higher.

These laws create real urgency. The penalties compound quickly, and the decisions made in the days immediately after arrest affect every stage of the case. We help you understand exactly what you’re facing and build a defense strategy aimed at the best possible outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Consequences of a DUI Conviction in Washington?

A conviction can affect far more than your criminal record. Direct legal penalties include fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education, and potential imprisonment. Beyond those, a DUI conviction can raise your auto insurance rates, put professional licenses at risk, and create obstacles with employers. The severity depends on your BAC at the time of arrest, whether you have prior offenses, and other factors specific to your case. We work to minimize these consequences through a defense strategy tailored to your situation.

How Can DUIHeroes Help with My DUI Defense?

We start with a detailed review of your arrest: how field sobriety tests were administered, whether proper procedures were followed, and whether the breath or blood test evidence holds up to scrutiny. From there, we build a defense strategy, handle all communication with prosecutors, manage any DOL hearing deadlines, and keep you informed at every stage. Our goal is to reduce or seek dismissal of the charges against you while making sure you understand what’s happening and why.

What Should I Do Immediately After a DUI Arrest?

Call a DUI attorney as quickly as possible. You have only 7 days from the date of arrest to request a DOL hearing to contest your license suspension. That deadline doesn’t wait. When you contact us, we can walk you through what to preserve, explain the charges you’re facing, and start building your defense before your court date arrives. The sooner we’re involved, the more options we may be able to identify.

Where Will My Kenmore DUI Case Be Heard, and What Is the DOL Hearing Deadline?

Kenmore misdemeanor DUI cases are heard at the King County District Court West Division, Shoreline Courthouse. Felony DUI charges move to King County Superior Court. Separately, Washington’s Department of Licensing requires you to request an administrative hearing within 7 days of arrest to contest a license suspension: a deadline that runs on its own track, independent of your criminal case. Contact a drunk driving attorney in Kenmore immediately after your arrest so neither deadline is overlooked.

Contact a Kenmore DUI Lawyer at (425) 296-9358 today to schedule a consultation!

Additional Information on Kenmore, WA

• Kenmore Map 
• Information on Kenmore, WA 

Courthouses We Serve

• Snohomish County District Courts (South, Everett, Cascade, and Evergreen Divisions)
• King County District Courts (Redmond and Seattle)
• Kirkland Municipal Court
• Edmonds Municipal Court
• Everett Municipal Court
• Marysville Municipal Court
• Bothell Municipal Court
• KCDC - Shoreline
• Seattle Municipal Court
• Lynnwood Municipal Court
• Skagit County District Court