While the statutes and penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs may vary from state to state, individuals in most states will face serious criminal penalties if they are apprehended and charged with DUI. In Washington and several other states, DUI charges are often also accompanied with “Physical Control” charges that help define the person's use of a vehicle while he or she was legally intoxicated.
Actual physical control of a vehicle often means that the person chose to drive his or her car within two hours of having a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. DUI and physical control charges can have a serious effect on your livelihood. If you or someone you love has been charged with DUI, contact the Seattle DUI attorneys of Cowan Kirk at 866-822-1230 today.
Physical Control of a Vehicle
Persons may be charged with physical control of a vehicle if they:
- Were shown to be in physical control of a vehicle with a BAC of .08 or above
- If it can be proved that they were in actual physical control of a vehicle within two hours of having a .08 BAC
- If the individual was apprehended by law enforcement officers while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- If the defendant caused serious injury or damage, he or she may face physical control charges as well as criminal liability charges
Physical control of a vehicle is considered to be a gross misdemeanor in Seattle, and may include fines, jail time, and suspension of driving privileges.
Contact Us
The Seattle DUI defense lawyers of Cowan Kirk are here to help defend you if you or someone you love has been charged with DUI or physical control of a vehicle. Contact us at 866-822-1230 to discuss your legal options.
