Jahnis John Abelite

DUI & DWI

Traffic Tickets

Suspended License

Criminal Law

Expungement, Gun Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

Business Law

Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

Estate Planning

Health Care Directives, Wills

Probate

Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted
  I accept MasterCard, VISA, Discover and American Express as well as Debit cards with either a MasterCard or VISA logo on them.

Washington

Washington State Bar Association

Since 1981

U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

Since 1984

Seattle University School of Law

J.D. (1975)

1972 - 1975

Washington State Bar  # 11644

Member

1981 - Current

Q. Is it worth hiring a traffic lawyer for a moving violation in a rental car?

9 February 2021

A: That depends. That the rental car company insurance will pay for the damage is not the point. You received the ticket because of your driving and the vehicle damage issue is not relevant. If you decide to defend the ticket yourself and you lose because the court rules against you, it will go on your driving and insurance records and could very likely affect your insurance record and may cause an increase in your insurance rates. You should contact an experienced traffic ticket defense lawyer so that you have the ability to minimize any impact on your license and insurance. Good Luck!

Q. For a traffic ticket received in Snohomish County by a WA State Trooper, who is the Plaintiff and who is the prosecutor?

7 December 2020

A: Unless you are issued a traffic infraction or citation by a city policeman or a federal officer, e.g., national park ranger, the plaintiff is the State of Washington and not the county. You must respond within 15 days of the date you received the infraction or traffic ticket. You address your request for discovery to the court clerk and send a copy to the prosecutor's office (you will not be told his or her specific name) with proof of delivery, e.g., first class certified mail or priority mail with return receipt. Good Luck!

Q. What will my consequences be when my court date comes around?

5 September 2020

A: It depends. If the officer did not have you do any field sobriety tests and he did not get a warrant for a blood draw, then there shouldn't be any basis for a DUI charge to be filed against you. It appears that he could issue a traffic infraction for expired tabs which is not a criminal traffic violation but a non-moving traffic violation. However, as you are under 21, you could be charged with possession of marijuana which is a criminal offense that is a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000.00 fine. Get a lawyer immediately and schedule a consultation. Good Luck!

View More Answers ›