If your DUI case is heading to trial in Bellevue, you need an attorney who actually tries cases. Many DUI lawyers negotiate plea deals but rarely step into a courtroom. When the prosecution won’t offer acceptable terms—or when the evidence against you has real weaknesses—trial becomes necessary. And trial requires a different set of skills.
Eastside DUI has tried DUI cases in King County courts for 15 years. Our attorneys—Roberto Yranela, Matthew Skau, and Robin Tu—prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, because that preparation creates leverage even when cases settle. When trial is the right option, we’re ready. A Bellevue, WA DUI lawyer from our firm can evaluate whether trial makes sense for your case and represent you aggressively if it does.
Contact us for a free consultation.
Why Choose Eastside DUI For DUI Trial Representation In Bellevue, WA?
We Actually Try Cases
Some attorneys talk about trial. We do it. There’s a difference between knowing courtroom procedures in theory and executing them under pressure with a client’s future on the line. Cross-examining the arresting officer. Challenging the breath test operator’s credentials. Presenting reasonable doubt to a jury. These skills develop through experience, not textbooks.
Roberto Yranela has been trying cases since 2013. He’s handled DUI trials in Bellevue Municipal Court, King County District Court, and courts throughout the region. He earned his undergraduate degrees from the University of Washington and his J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law. His background in psychology informs how he approaches jury selection and witness examination—understanding what persuades people matters as much as knowing the law.
Recognition for DUI Defense
Trial 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 take your case to verdict if necessary, we have the courtroom experience to back it up.
Trial Preparation Creates Leverage
Even cases that settle benefit from trial preparation. Prosecutors know which defense attorneys are willing to go to trial—and which ones always take deals. When you’re represented by a Bellevue DUI trial attorney with a track record of courtroom success, prosecutors negotiate differently. They offer better terms because they know what happens if they don’t.
What Our Clients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I cannot express enough gratitude for Roberto’s exceptional legal assistance in getting my traffic ticket dismissed. From the moment I reached out to him, Roberto exhibited the utmost professionalism, expertise, and dedication to my case. His thorough understanding of the legal system, combined with his strategic approach, resulted in a favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. I would recommend him to any one looking to win a case.” – Kevin Kangara
Types Of DUI Trial Cases We Handle In Bellevue
Trial strategy varies based on the specific charges and evidence involved. Our DUI defense attorneys handle trials across all DUI case types.
- First offense DUI trials. First-time defendants sometimes assume they should just accept whatever deal is offered. Not always true. If the evidence has weaknesses—questionable stop, problematic breath test, missing video—trial may produce a better outcome than a guilty plea. A Bellevue DUI lawyer evaluates whether the evidence actually supports conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
- High BAC DUI trials. Cases involving BAC of 0.15% or higher often hinge on breath test accuracy. Challenging breathalyzer results at trial—through cross-examination of the operator, calibration records, and scientific testimony—can create reasonable doubt even when the number looks damning.
- Repeat offense DUI trials. Second and third offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences that make trial stakes higher. But those same stakes mean fighting harder when the evidence is weak. Prior convictions don’t prove the current charge.
- Felony DUI trials. Fourth offenses within ten years or DUIs causing serious injury are tried in superior court before juries of twelve rather than six. The procedures differ, the stakes are higher, and the preparation is more intensive.
- Breath test refusal trials. Cases without BAC evidence present unique trial opportunities. The prosecution must prove impairment through officer observations alone—field sobriety tests, driving patterns, physical symptoms. These subjective observations are often more vulnerable to cross-examination than chemical test results.
- DUI trials with accident. Collision cases add complexity—accident reconstruction, witness testimony, injury evidence. Trial preparation must address both the DUI elements and the circumstances of the crash.
Washington Legal Requirements For DUI Trials
Washington’s DUI trial procedures follow rules established by the Washington State Courts and constitutional protections that apply to all criminal defendants.
The Sixth Amendment guarantees your right to a speedy and public trial, to confront witnesses against you, and to have a jury decide your guilt. In Washington, misdemeanor DUI trials use six-person juries. Felony DUI trials use twelve-person juries. Either way, the verdict must be unanimous—every juror must agree on guilt for conviction.
Under RCW 46.61.502, the prosecution must prove two elements beyond reasonable doubt: that you were driving or in physical control of a vehicle, and that you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs or had a BAC of 0.08% or higher. A DUI lawyer in Bellevue attacks both elements when the evidence allows.
The burden of proof—beyond reasonable doubt—is the highest standard in American law. Prosecutors must eliminate reasonable doubt in every juror’s mind. Defense attorneys don’t have to prove innocence. They create doubt. Understanding your rights after arrest from the beginning helps preserve arguments that create doubt at trial.
Speedy trial rules under CrRLJ 3.3 require the case to reach trial within specified timeframes. Missing these deadlines can result in dismissal. A Bellevue DUI attorney tracks these deadlines and uses them strategically when appropriate.
Key Elements Of DUI Trial Defense In Bellevue
A Bellevue DUI trial lawyer focuses on these critical components of courtroom advocacy:
- Jury selection. Trial begins with voir dire—questioning potential jurors to identify bias and select a fair panel. Some jurors assume anyone charged with DUI must be guilty. Others have had negative experiences with police. Identifying these attitudes and using challenges strategically shapes the jury that will hear your case.
- Opening statement. The defense presents its theory of the case—not guilt or innocence yet, but the lens through which jurors should view the evidence. A clear, compelling opening frames everything that follows and tells jurors what to watch for during testimony.
- Cross-examination of officers. The arresting officer is usually the prosecution’s key witness. Effective cross-examination exposes inconsistencies, challenges observations, and questions conclusions. Did the officer follow proper procedures? Were field sobriety tests administered correctly? Does the video match the written report? Knowing what to avoid saying during your stop limits what officers can testify about.
- Challenging breath test evidence. Breath test results require foundation—proper calibration, qualified operator, correct procedures. Our drunk driving defense team examines every element of breath test administration for errors that undermine reliability.
- Presenting defense evidence. Depending on the case, defense evidence might include independent witnesses, surveillance footage contradicting officer testimony, or testimony challenging the accuracy of chemical tests. Not every case benefits from defense testimony, but when it does, presenting it effectively matters.
- Closing argument. The defense summarizes the evidence, highlights reasonable doubt, and asks the jury for acquittal. This is where preparation meets persuasion—connecting the dots for jurors and giving them a path to not guilty.
- Verdict and aftermath. If the jury acquits, the case ends. No fines, no jail, no license consequences from the criminal case. If convicted, sentencing follows. Working with a DUI defense attorney who prepares for both outcomes means you’re protected regardless of the verdict.
Contact Eastside DUI
Trial isn’t right for every case. But when it is, you need an attorney who has been there before. Our Bellevue DUI trial lawyers have spent 15 years fighting for clients in King County courtrooms—and we’re ready to fight for you.
We offer free consultations to evaluate your case and discuss whether trial makes sense. DUI defense fees start at $3,500, and we explain all costs before you make any decisions.
Your freedom is worth defending. Contact Eastside DUI today.
