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DUI Lawyers in Vancouver and Clark County
Flat-fee DUI defense from attorneys who have worked both sides of the courtroom. Free consultation, available 24/7.
Get a Free Case ReviewFlat-fee DUI defense from attorneys who have worked both sides of the courtroom. Free consultation, available 24/7.
Get a Free Case ReviewWe are available 24/7
Nearly 30 years of combined criminal defense experience
A former Oregon prosecutor now fights on your side
More than 60 trials fought in the courtroom
A DUI case is built on procedure: the reason for the stop, how the field tests were run, whether the arrest had probable cause, and how the breath or blood evidence was collected. Police make mistakes at every one of those steps, and a mistake can mean suppressed evidence, a reduced charge, or a dismissal. Most people never find out, because they never ask a DUI lawyer to look.
VanWa Legal has defended DUI charges in Clark County courts since 2009, with attorneys who have worked as prosecutors and public defenders before defending private clients. We know the local judges, the local prosecutors, and where DUI cases in this county are won.
Cases we handle
How a DUI Case Moves
Why you were stopped is often the most important question in the case. An unlawful stop or badly run field sobriety tests can get evidence thrown out entirely.
An arrest needs probable cause, and the testing that follows has strict scientific and legal rules. Both are common places where DUI cases fall apart.
Your first court appearance: the judge sets release conditions and you enter a plea. It sets the tone for the whole case.
Separate from the criminal case, the Department of Licensing moves to suspend your license, and the window to request a hearing is short. We handle it as part of every defense.
We demand the prosecutor's evidence, interview witnesses, bring in experts where needed, and negotiate from strength. The best offers go to lawyers who are ready for trial.
Flaws in police procedure become suppression motions here. This stage can turn a losing case into a winnable one, and many DUI cases are decided at this step.
If the right outcome is not on the table, we try the case. With roughly 60 jury trials behind our attorneys, we prepare every case as if it is going in front of a jury.
Contact us
Free consultation. Available 24/7. We quote a flat fee up front and offer payment plans on most cases. The number we quote is the number you pay, no matter how many hearings your case takes.
Meet the Team
Criminal defense and DUI attorney. Former Oregon prosecutor and Washington public defender. Practicing criminal law since 2009, with approximately 60 jury trials. Leads the firm's felony work.
About Roger Priest
Criminal defense attorney. Practicing criminal law since 2014. Interned as a prosecutor before becoming a Washington public defender. Focuses on the firm's misdemeanor defense.
About Kevin O'Brien
Guides clients from the first call to resolution, so nothing falls through the cracks between hearings.
About Vanessa Cavanaugh4.9 star reviews based on 110+ reviews
Areas We Serve
VanWa Legal handles criminal defense and DUI matters from our office at 712 W Evergreen Blvd in downtown Vancouver, minutes from the Clark County Courthouse.
FAQ
The Department of Licensing moves to suspend your license after a failed or refused test, separately from the criminal case, and the window to request the hearing that can stop it is short. We handle DOL hearings as part of every DUI defense.
Refusing a breath test in Washington triggers its own consequences under the implied-consent law, including a longer license suspension and the refusal being used against you in court. Taking it gives the state evidence but can also expose testing errors we can challenge. There is no single right answer for every stop, which is why it's worth having a lawyer review exactly what happened in yours.
The arraignment is your first court appearance. The judge tells you the charges, sets conditions of release such as no-drinking or ignition-interlock requirements, and you enter a plea, almost always not guilty at this stage. Having an attorney there early can help keep those release conditions reasonable and protect your options going forward.
Washington allows a deferred prosecution for drivers whose DUI is tied to alcohol or drug dependency, in exchange for completing a lengthy treatment program and meeting strict conditions. It can ultimately lead to the charge being dismissed, but it is a serious multi-year commitment and is not the right fit for everyone. We can tell you whether you're likely to qualify and whether it's your best option.
We handle DUI cases on a flat fee, so you know the cost up front instead of watching an hourly bill grow. The exact amount depends on the charge and how far the case goes, and we offer flexible payment plans. Every case starts with a free consultation where we'll give you a clear number.
Contact us
Free consultation. Available 24/7. We quote a flat fee up front and offer payment plans on most cases. The number we quote is the number you pay, no matter how many hearings your case takes.
