Last month Rima Fakih, the first Arab-American to be crowned Miss USA, pleaded no contest to a December driving while visibly impaired charge in Detroit, Michigan. Fakih faced a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail for the criminal charge. Sentencing in the case took place May 9, 2012. Suprisingly, Fakih avoided jail in the case. Fakih was put on six months of probation, ordered to perform 20 hours of community service, pay $600 in fines and costs, and attend an alcohol safety class.
Police said Fakih was driving 60 mph in a 30 mph zone and weaving in and out of traffic before they pulled her over, and officers found an open bottle of champagne behind the driver's seat of the car driven by Fakih. One breath test put her blood alcohol content at 0.20 and another put it at 0.19. The legal limit in Michigan is .08.
As many DUI lawyers know, DUI is not an intent or knowledge based crime, there is no mens rea element for DUI. Fakih acknowledged that she understood this by stating, "even though my intentions weren't to drive drunk, I did put myself and a lot of people in danger.”
As the country’s DUI laws get stricter and more onerous, it is imperative that a person arrested for DUI in Washington seek the legal assistance of a Seattle DUI attorney. In many instances, a qualified Seattle DUI lawyer can significantly reduce the impact that a DUI charge will have on an individual’s life. The right Seattle DUI lawyer will be worth his/her weight in gold when protecting a person’s rights, freedom and future. The Seattle DUI attorneys that make up the litigation team of SQ Attorneys are dedicated to defending those accused of drunk driving. They have the experience, knowledge and resources to successfully defend your case. Unlike other law firms that practice in many areas of the law, SQ Attorneys is focused on criminal defense representation with an emphasis on DUI defense in Western Washington.
If you or a loved one is faced with a DUI charge in Western Washington, you deserve the assistance of a reputable and qualified Seattle DUI attorney who will relentlessly defend your case. You deserve a Seattle DUI lawyer who has an intimate understanding of Washington DUI laws and the legal issues that could win your case. You deserve a Seattle DUI attorney who is not afraid to stand up against the prosecution and aggressively fight for your rights and interests. SQ Attorneys is the right Western Washington DUI law firm for the job. Call for a free initial consultation – (206) 441.0900 (Seattle); (425) 998-8384 (Eastside) – it will be the best decision you make all day.