Finding a DUI Lawyer in Lake Oswego, Oregon

Lake Oswego, Oregon is a beautiful, sprawling city that spans three counties: Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington, the last of which is home to the state’s largest city, Portland. An affluent Portland suburb, the Lake Oswego community is situated—you guessed it—around Oswego Lake, affording its residents a beautiful view of the Oregon scenery.

Beyond the beauty of the city, there are plenty of things to see and do, like the Lake Oswego Farmer’s Market, the Portland Temple Visitors’ Center, and the Willamette Shore Trolley. Locals and visitors alike share drinks and break bread at Pepper’s Lake Oswego or the Firehouse Pub, where there’s always a game to play. Unfortunately, not even the fun and serenity of the Pacific Northwest can stop Oregonians from making the terrible and sometimes fatal decision to drive while intoxicated.

DUI’s (or DWI’s, or DUII’s as they are known in Oregon) are a criminal offense involving the action of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In most states, that means your BAC (or Blood Alcohol Content) is 0.08% of your bloodstream. According to the Oregon Metro’s 2012 State of Safety report, driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is the number one cause of fatal traffic collisions in the area.

Lake Oswego is steadily making improvements in its DUII arrest numbers, going from 204 arrests in 2004 to 121 in 2008, and though this is not the case in every Oregon city, DUII numbers across the Metro area are, overall, on the decline, as are the number of DUII-related deaths. In 2007, there were 138 deaths in the state of Oregon as a result of a DUII. That number dropped to 56 in 2010 and slightly rose to 87 in 2011. Some people believe that this number could be eradicated altogether if Oregon reinstated DUI checkpoints.

Remember that Oregon is just one of 12 states in the United States that has banned DUI checkpoints. There have been studies completed that show DUI checkpoints reduce the number of alcohol related crashes by around 9%. The only way DUI checkpoints could be reinstated would be to go through the court system. An amendment to the state constitution of Oregon would be required and Senator Rod Monroe (D) is leading that charge at the moment. On Senate Bill 13 he proposes a reinstatement of DUI checkpoints in his home state of Oregon. He hopes to have this on voter ballots in 2016 according to KGW.com.

There are some that believe DUI checkpoints are a violation of personal rights and freedoms. Others, including Rod Monroe (D), feel that reinstating this policy would be a deterrent to those considering drinking and driving, and ultimately a life saver for them and unsuspecting sober drivers out on the road.

A major legal decision like this, as with the decision to drink and drive, would rest solely on the people if the bill made its way through the legislature; the proposal would come up for vote during the next election which happens to also be a presidential election. Communities and individuals should be vigilant about safety on the roads, streets, highways and Interstates, but what happens if you are the one who gets pulled over for driving under the influence of intoxicants? Your first step is always to get in touch with a criminal defense lawyer specializing in DUI cases.

When you are searching for an attorney for your DUI case, you’ll want a legal professional with the experience and knowledge in navigating this specific type of crime. A Portland, Oregon DUII lawyer will have knowledge of how the court system works, as well as the plea deals and bargains that come with this type of case.

If this is your second or third DUI, you will definitely want to seek legal representation. When it comes to finding the best DUII lawyer in the Portland, Oregon area look no further than Mr. Andy Green. He has years of experience representing clients in the court of law and he knows the ins and outs of how the court system works.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUII in the state of Oregon, contact Portland DUI/DUII lawyer Andy Green at 503-477-5040.