If you were arrested for a Renton DUI (in the city of Renton by the Renton Police Department), your case will be filed in the Renton Municipal Court. The filing of your DUI in Renton means that the prosecutors working on your case will be from a private law firm that contracts legal services to the city of Renton. Your Judge will be the elected judge of the City of Renton or a Judge Pro Tem. A Judge Pro Tem is a substitute Judge.
A DUI that occurs in Renton generally is filed very quickly. You may be held in custody until you see the judge or you may be released but required to return for arraignment within 72 hours. It is unusual for cases in Renton to take more than two weeks to be filed. If you or someone you know has been arrested for a DUI in Renton, it is important to contact a Renton DUI lawyer immediately. Not only is your privilege to drive at risk of administrative suspension through the Washington Department of Licensing (you have 20 days from the date of your DUI arrest to request an administrative hearing) but the prosecutor may be asking for very restrictive conditions of release. There are several steps that you can take now that will be helpful both at your arraignment and with the negotiation of your case. By being proactive you and your Renton DUI attorney will be prepared when your case is filed. This will save you money, time and stress.
In Renton, the prosecutors will often ask for conditions of release that may include home detention, appearing at the jail every morning and every evening to submit to a breath alcohol test and only operating a vehicle with an ignition interlock device installed. Aside from being incredibly restrictive, these requirements are expensive and you are the one required to pay for them. Having retained an experienced Renton DUI lawyer, you will have the benefit of our insights into the issues regarding these conditions and the judge who will be overseeing your DUI case. This will influence not only the conditions of your release but the future outcome of your case as well.