If your DUI case is going to trial in Bellevue, you have a fundamental constitutional right: the right to have a jury of your peers decide your fate. Six citizens from King County will hear the evidence, weigh the testimony, and determine whether the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. That’s a high bar—and the right jury trial lawyer knows how to make the prosecution clear it.
Eastside DUI has tried DUI cases before juries in King County for 15 years. Our attorneys—Roberto Yranela, Matthew Skau, and Robin Tu—understand how to select juries, present evidence persuasively, cross-examine prosecution witnesses, and deliver closing arguments that give jurors a path to acquittal. A Bellevue, WA DUI lawyer from our firm can evaluate your case for trial and fight for you in front of a jury if that’s the best path forward.
Contact us for a free consultation.
Why Choose Eastside DUI For DUI Jury Trials In Bellevue, WA?
Jury Trial Experience That Matters
Jury trials require skills that settlement negotiations don’t. Reading potential jurors during voir dire. Telling a compelling story through witness examination. Thinking on your feet when unexpected testimony emerges. Connecting with six strangers and persuading them that reasonable doubt exists. These aren’t skills you develop by handling plea deals. They come from actually trying cases.
Roberto Yranela has been trying cases since 2013. He understands what resonates with King County juries and how to present DUI defenses in ways that make sense to everyday people—not just lawyers. He graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in political science and psychology before earning his J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law. That psychology background isn’t incidental. Understanding how people process information, form opinions, and reach decisions shapes every aspect of jury trial preparation.
Recognition for DUI Defense
Courtroom results build reputations. Super Lawyers has named Roberto Yranela to the Top 40 Under 40 for DUI defense. He’s received the Avvo Client’s Choice award. The National Trial Lawyers included him in their Top 40 Under 40. When you need a DUI attorney in Bellevue who can stand before a jury and fight for your freedom, our track record demonstrates that capability.
Preparation Creates Persuasion
Effective jury trials don’t happen by accident. They result from exhaustive preparation—reviewing every piece of evidence, anticipating prosecution arguments, preparing cross-examination outlines, developing jury instructions, crafting opening and closing statements. A Bellevue DUI jury trial attorney who puts in the work before trial performs better during trial. Our team prepares every case thoroughly, whether it settles or goes to verdict.
What Our Clients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It was easy working with Roberto! Our appointment was quick, he kept me informed of what he needed from me and followed up immediately as well. He took care of everything smoothly and was able to dismiss my traffic ticket. I highly recommend Roberto and I will be using him again if ever needed!” – Ashley Wadsworth
Types Of DUI Jury Trial Cases We Handle In Bellevue
Jury trials work better for some cases than others. Our DUI defense attorneys evaluate each situation to determine when a jury offers the best chance at acquittal.
- Cases with sympathetic defendants. Juries are human. They respond to people, not just facts. If you’re a first-time offender with a clean record, strong community ties, and a compelling story, jurors may be more inclined to find reasonable doubt. A Bellevue DUI lawyer presents your humanity to the jury in ways that create connection and credibility.
- Cases with questionable police conduct. Jurors often distrust government overreach. If the arresting officer made mistakes, cut corners, or acted improperly, a jury may hold that against the prosecution. Knowing your rights after arrest helps identify police conduct issues that resonate with juries.
- Cases with weak evidence. When prosecution evidence has gaps—missing video, conflicting testimony, questionable test results—juries provide six opportunities for reasonable doubt. One skeptical juror can hang a jury. Six skeptical jurors produce acquittal.
- Breath test challenge cases. Challenging breathalyzer results can be effective with juries who distrust machines and appreciate that technology isn’t infallible. Presenting calibration errors or procedural mistakes in accessible terms gives jurors concrete reasons to doubt the number.
- Field sobriety test disputes. Jurors understand that field sobriety tests are subjective. They’ve seen people struggle with balance for reasons unrelated to alcohol. Demonstrating the limitations of these tests—and the officer’s potential bias in interpreting them—connects with common sense.
- Refusal cases. When there’s no breath test result, the prosecution relies entirely on officer observations. Jurors can evaluate whether those observations actually prove impairment beyond reasonable doubt—or whether they could have innocent explanations.
Washington Legal Requirements For DUI Jury Trials
The right to a jury trial in criminal cases is guaranteed by both the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 21 of the Washington Constitution. These protections ensure that the government cannot take your liberty without convincing a jury of your peers.
In Washington, misdemeanor DUI trials use six-person juries. Under CrRLJ 6.1.1, the verdict must be unanimous—all six jurors must agree on guilt for conviction. If even one juror has reasonable doubt, the jury cannot convict. This unanimity requirement is powerful protection for defendants.
The prosecution bears the burden of proving every element of RCW 46.61.502 beyond reasonable doubt. They must prove you were driving or in physical control of a vehicle and that you were impaired or had a BAC of 0.08% or higher. A DUI lawyer in Bellevue doesn’t have to prove innocence—just create reasonable doubt about any element.
Jury selection follows procedures established by the Washington State Courts. Both sides can challenge potential jurors for cause (demonstrable bias) or use peremptory challenges (limited strikes without stated reason). A Bellevue DUI attorney uses voir dire strategically to identify jurors likely to be fair—and to begin building rapport with those who will decide your case.
Key Elements Of DUI Jury Trial Advocacy
A Bellevue DUI jury trial lawyer focuses on these critical components of effective jury advocacy:
- Voir dire and jury selection. Trial begins before opening statements—during jury selection. Potential jurors bring biases, experiences, and assumptions into the courtroom. Some assume anyone charged with DUI must be guilty. Others have lost loved ones to drunk drivers. Still others distrust police or government. Identifying these attitudes through careful questioning allows us to shape a jury capable of fair deliberation. Knowing what to avoid saying during your stop prevents statements that might prejudice any juror.
- Opening statement storytelling. Jurors form impressions early. Opening statement frames the entire trial—establishing themes, previewing evidence, and giving jurors a lens through which to view testimony. Effective openings don’t argue; they promise. And they make jurors want to hear what comes next.
- Cross-examination of officers. The arresting officer is usually the prosecution’s star witness. Effective cross-examination challenges observations, exposes inconsistencies between reports and testimony, and questions conclusions. Did field sobriety tests follow standardized protocols? Does the video match the written report? Our drunk driving defense team prepares detailed cross-examination for every prosecution witness.
- Presenting defense evidence. Depending on the case, defense evidence might include independent witnesses who observed you before the stop, testimony challenging breath test accuracy, or video footage contradicting officer claims. Not every case benefits from defense witnesses, but when they help, presenting them effectively matters.
- Jury instructions. Before deliberation, the judge instructs jurors on the law. These instructions define what the prosecution must prove and explain concepts like reasonable doubt. We propose instructions that accurately state the law in ways favorable to the defense—and object to prosecution-friendly instructions that misstate standards.
- Closing argument. This is where everything comes together. Closing argument summarizes the evidence, highlights reasonable doubt, and asks the jury for acquittal. It’s part logic, part emotion, part storytelling. Working with a DUI defense attorney who can deliver a compelling closing gives you the best chance when it matters most.
Contact Eastside DUI
A jury trial puts your fate in the hands of six citizens who will evaluate the evidence and decide whether the prosecution met its burden. That’s an opportunity—if you have the right attorney presenting your case. Our Bellevue DUI jury trial lawyers have spent 15 years fighting for clients in front of King County juries.
We offer free consultations to evaluate your case and discuss trial strategy. DUI defense fees start at $3,500, and we explain all costs upfront before you make any commitment.
Your right to a jury trial is fundamental. Contact Eastside DUI today to exercise it effectively.
