Our Services

DUI LAWYER

North County Public Defense assists indigent defendants charged with Driving Under the Influence in Bellingham, Blaine, Everson and Sumas Municipal Courts.  

 

In Washington State, a DUI conviction carries mandatory minimum consequences based on the breath test reading and any prior convictions for DUI or prior convictions for certain lesser charges where the original offense was DUI.  

 

Mandatory consequences include:

  1. Fines: a minimum $991 fine. 
  2. Jail time: a minimum 24 hours in custody 
  3. Mandatory imposition of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
  4. Driver's license suspension for at least 90 days for a breath test result over 0.08%

There are also administrative consequences from the Washington Department of Licensing.  Those include: 

  1. A minimum 90 day license suspension for a breath test reading of 0.08%
  2. A minimum 1 year license revocation if a person refuses to provide a breath sample.  

North County Public Defense, PLLC does NOT represent clients in administrative license revocation hearings.  If you wish to contest the suspension or revocation of your license before the Department of Licensing you must contact a private attorney.  


CRIMINAL LAW

North County Public Defense, PLLC represents indigent clients charged with misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal charges in Bellingham, Blaine, Everson and Sumas Municipal Courts.  

 

A gross misdemeanor is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.  

 

A simple misdemeanor is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.  


DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

North County Public Defense, PLLC represents indigent clients charged with misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal domestic violence charges in Bellingham, Blaine, Everson and Sumas Municipal Courts.  

 

In Washington State, Domestic Violence is defined as: 

  1. Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, sexual assault, or stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 of one intimate partner by another intimate partner; or
  2. Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, sexual assault, or stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 of one family or household member by another family or household member.  

The broad definition of Domestic Violence includes family members such as siblings, parents, grandparents or children.  The definition of Domestic Violence can also include roommates or friends when they live in the same space.   

 

Domestic Violence charges are typically accompanied by No Contact Orders.  These orders prohibit the person charged with a crime of Domestic Violence from contacting the protected party in any way.  Typical prohibitions include: 

  1. Not to come within 500-1000 feet of the protected party
  2. Not to contact the protected party in any way.  This includes phone calls, text messages and posts about the protected party on social media.  

It is VERY important to abide by the terms of a No Contact Order.  Violating the terms of a No Contact Order is a separate crime of Domestic Violence that carries penalties up to 364 days in jail and $5,000 in fines.  

 

It is very important to take any criminal charge seriously, and Domestic Violence charges are no exception.  Washington law does not allow people to vacate (get a charge off their record) if they have more than 2 Domestic Violence convictions.