If you’re facing a third DUI charge in Bellevue, you’re in serious trouble. There’s no other way to say it. Washington law requires at least 90 days in jail for a third conviction within seven years. Prosecutors push for more. Judges have little sympathy. And if this is your fourth arrest within ten years, you’re looking at felony charges with potential prison time.
But serious doesn’t mean hopeless. The prosecution still has to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The evidence still has to be legally obtained and scientifically valid. And every defense that applies to first and second offenses applies here too—with even higher stakes making aggressive defense more important.
Eastside DUI has defended clients facing third DUI charges in King County for 15 years. Our attorneys—Roberto Yranela, Matthew Skau, and Robin Tu—understand what’s on the line and how to fight when the consequences are this severe. A Bellevue, WA DUI lawyer from our firm can evaluate your case and pursue every possible defense.
Contact us for a free consultation.
Why Choose Eastside DUI For Third Offense DUI Defense In Bellevue, WA?
We Don’t Back Down From Difficult Cases
Third offense DUI cases intimidate some attorneys. The mandatory minimums seem insurmountable. The prior record feels like an anchor. Some lawyers just want to plead these cases out and move on. We don’t operate that way. Difficult cases require more fight, not less. A Bellevue third offense DUI attorney who approaches your case with determination rather than resignation gives you the best chance at a favorable outcome.
Roberto Yranela has handled third offense and felony DUI cases throughout his career. He knows how to find weaknesses in prosecution cases regardless of the defendant’s history. He earned undergraduate degrees from the University of Washington and his J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law. That experience means we look at your current charge with fresh eyes—your prior convictions don’t prove anything about what happened this time.
Recognition for DUI Defense
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 won’t be intimidated by the charges you’re facing, our credentials reflect years of successful DUI defense.
Every Defense Matters More Now
When you’re facing 90 days minimum, every potential defense becomes more valuable. A successful suppression motion doesn’t just improve your negotiating position—it might eliminate mandatory jail time entirely. Challenging the breath test doesn’t just create doubt—it could mean the difference between three months in custody and walking away. We pursue every viable defense because the stakes demand it.
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 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 Third Offense DUI Cases We Handle In Bellevue
Third offense cases involve varying circumstances that affect both charges and defense strategy. Our DUI defense attorneys handle all variations.
- Third offense within seven years. Washington’s enhanced penalties apply when your third DUI occurs within seven years of your second. The lookback calculation matters—arrest date to arrest date. A Bellevue DUI lawyer verifies these dates precisely because the difference between second and third offense penalties is dramatic.
- Third offense with high BAC. If your BAC was 0.15% or higher, mandatory minimum jail time increases from 90 days to 120 days. Challenging breathalyzer results can potentially reduce your exposure by eliminating the high-BAC enhancement even if the underlying charge stands.
- Third offense with refusal. Refusing the breath test on a third offense triggers the same enhanced penalties as high BAC—120 days mandatory minimum. But refusal cases lack the BAC evidence prosecutors typically rely on, creating different defense opportunities.
- Fourth offense within ten years. If this is actually your fourth DUI within ten years, you’re facing felony charges under Washington law. Felony DUI carries potential prison time, not just county jail. The defense approach changes significantly.
- Third offense with accident or injury. Collisions elevate prosecutor attention and judicial severity. If injuries occurred, additional charges may apply, and felony exposure increases regardless of prior history.
- Mixed jurisdiction priors. Prior DUI convictions from other states count toward Washington’s repeat offender enhancements if they meet the definition of comparable offenses. Knowing your rights after arrest in each prior case helps us evaluate whether those convictions properly qualify.
Washington Legal Requirements For Third Offense DUI
Washington imposes severe mandatory penalties for third DUI offenses within seven years. Understanding these requirements helps you grasp the stakes.
Under RCW 46.61.5055, a third DUI conviction within seven years carries mandatory minimum jail time of 90 days—with a maximum of 364 days. If your BAC was 0.15% or higher, or if you refused testing, the mandatory minimum increases to 120 days. These minimums cannot be reduced by judges regardless of circumstances.
Fines for third offenses range from $2,045.50 to $5,000 for standard BAC levels, and from $2,545.50 to $5,000 for high BAC or refusal. These amounts don’t include court costs, victim assessments, or other fees.
The Washington Department of Licensing imposes a three-year license revocation for third offenses—significantly longer than the two-year revocation for second offenses. Ignition interlock requirements extend correspondingly. A DUI lawyer in Bellevue helps you understand how these administrative penalties interact with criminal consequences.
Fourth offenses within ten years cross into felony territory under RCW 46.61.502(6). Felony DUI is a Class B felony carrying up to ten years in prison. The Washington State Courts handle felony cases in superior court with different procedures and dramatically higher stakes. A Bellevue DUI attorney evaluates whether your case falls into misdemeanor or felony territory based on your complete history.
Defense Strategies For Third Offense DUI In Bellevue
A Bellevue third offense DUI lawyer pursues every viable defense with the intensity these stakes demand:
- Challenging the traffic stop. Police needed reasonable suspicion to stop you. Prior DUI history doesn’t give officers permission to pull you over without cause. If the stop lacked legal justification, everything that followed—field tests, breath tests, arrest—may be suppressed. Knowing what to avoid saying during the stop preserves these arguments.
- Attacking breath test reliability. Breath tests require proper calibration, qualified operators, and correct procedures. At 0.15% BAC, the difference between standard third offense penalties and enhanced penalties is 30 additional days in jail. Our drunk driving defense team scrutinizes every element of breath test administration looking for errors that matter.
- Challenging prior conviction validity. The prosecution must prove your prior convictions exist and qualify as predicate offenses. We examine whether each prior was constitutionally obtained. An invalid prior could reduce your exposure from third offense to second offense—cutting mandatory jail time from 90 days to 30 days.
- Verifying lookback calculations. The seven-year window for third offense enhancement runs from arrest date to arrest date. If your second DUI arrest occurred more than seven years before this arrest, third offense enhancements may not apply. We verify every date rather than accepting prosecution calculations.
- Pursuing dismissal or reduction. Even with two priors, evidence problems create leverage. If the breath test was improperly administered, if the stop was unconstitutional, if witnesses are unavailable—these weaknesses can lead to dismissed charges or reduced charges regardless of history.
- Preparing for trial. Juries decide guilt based on current evidence, not prior convictions. Your DUI history typically isn’t admissible during the guilt phase. Working with a DUI defense attorney prepared to try your case forces prosecutors to evaluate whether their evidence actually proves guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Contact Eastside DUI
A third DUI charge carries consequences that will reshape your life for months or years. Ninety days minimum in jail. Three-year license revocation. Potential felony exposure if your history extends further. Our Bellevue third offense DUI lawyers have spent 15 years fighting for clients facing these charges—finding defenses, challenging evidence, and achieving outcomes that seemed impossible.
We offer free consultations to evaluate your case honestly. DUI defense fees start at $3,500, and we explain all costs upfront before you make any decisions.
When the stakes are this high, you need attorneys who fight. Contact Eastside DUI today.
