Felony DUI Aggressive Representation. Personalized Attention.

Felony DUI Defense in Kitsap County

Over 1,000 DUI Cases. Former Prosecutorial Experience. Serious Defense for Serious Charges.

A felony DUI isn’t an enhanced traffic ticket. It’s a Class B felony prosecuted in Kitsap County Superior Court, with potential prison time measured in years and consequences that can follow you permanently. When the charge reaches that level, the defense has to match it. At Ramirez & Cooper, Inc., we’ve handled more than 1,000 DUI cases and thousands of criminal cases across misdemeanors and serious felonies in state and federal courts, with over 30 years of combined legal experience behind every defense we build.

We represent clients throughout Kitsap County, including Bremerton and Bainbridge Island, and extend our practice into Clallam and Jefferson Counties. A free consultation is available to get started.

A felony DUI charge moves quickly. Call Ramirez & Cooper, Inc. today at (206) 222-7701 to speak with our team and understand your options before critical deadlines pass.

Former Prosecutorial Experience Where It Counts Most

The Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s office staffs dedicated DUI Deputy Prosecutors who focus specifically on building the state’s case. Facing that kind of prosecution requires an equally focused defense. Tom Brotherton, a former prosecutor on our team, brings direct knowledge of how the state constructs its case from the inside out, and that perspective shapes how we approach every felony DUI we take on.

Our attorneys have appeared in Kitsap County Superior Court and courts across Western Washington, including Mason, Jefferson, Clallam, and Thurston Counties. We’ve tried hundreds of cases to verdict or judgment, including felonies, in state and federal courts, and have appeared before the Washington Supreme Court. That litigation record matters when your case is headed toward a Superior Court judge and a potential multi-year sentencing range.

How We Build a Felony DUI Defense

Generic defense strategies don’t hold up against a felony DUI prosecution. We tailor the approach to the specific facts of each case, starting with the fundamentals: whether the initial stop was lawful, whether the breathalyzer was properly calibrated and administered, and whether any blood test results can withstand a suppression challenge. Equipment maintenance records, testing procedures, and officer conduct all become part of the analysis.

The prior offense record used to elevate the charge to felony status deserves its own scrutiny, too. Prior offenses within the lookback period can sometimes be contested. For qualifying defendants, we evaluate treatment-based sentencing alternatives under RCW 9.94A.661, effective January 1, 2026, as a potential path outside the standard felony penalty range. We can engage before formal charges are filed, which preserves options that can close once prosecution begins. Affordable payment plans are available.

Act Before Deadlines Close Your Options

A felony DUI arrest sets two clocks running simultaneously. Washington law requires that a request for an administrative hearing to challenge the Department of Licensing suspension be filed within 7 days of arrest. Missing that window forfeits the right to contest the license action entirely. Separately, prosecutors can file felony charges months after the arrest once blood test results return from the crime lab, meaning early legal engagement can protect options that may not exist once charges land.

We offer free consultations and flexible payment plans because affordability concerns shouldn’t stand between someone and a serious defense when the stakes are this high. Call Ramirez & Cooper, Inc. at (206) 222-7701 to schedule your free consultation.

When a DUI Becomes a Felony in Washington State

Washington law under RCW 46.61.502(6) establishes two distinct paths to a felony DUI charge. Understanding which applies to a specific case is the first step in building a defense.

The Prior Offense Threshold
A DUI is charged as a Class B felony when the driver has three or more prior offenses within 15 years as defined under RCW 46.61.5055. That lookback window was extended from 10 years to 15 years by 2024 legislation, effective January 1, 2026. The expansion means prior offenses that many people believed were no longer relevant may now count toward the felony threshold. Prior offenses under RCW 46.61.5055 include prior DUI convictions, deferred prosecutions, and when the conviction resulted from a charge originally filed as a DUI or physical control, reckless driving and negligent driving in the first degree. Vehicular assault or homicide while under the influence also counts. A deferred prosecution that was successfully completed still counts as a prior offense for lookback purposes.

The Predicate Conviction Trigger
A DUI is also charged as a felony if the driver has ever been convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence under RCW 46.61.520(1)(a), vehicular assault while under the influence under RCW 46.61.522(1)(b), a comparable out-of-state felony offense, or a prior felony DUI. This trigger applies regardless of when the prior conviction occurred and carries no lookback limitation.

Penalties for a Felony DUI Conviction in Washington

A Class B felony DUI carries up to 10 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines. The actual sentence is determined under Washington’s Sentencing Reform Act using an offender score. Because the prior offenses that trigger the felony charge are also used to calculate that score, a felony DUI defendant won’t enter sentencing with an offender score of zero. A defendant with an offender score of four faces a standard range of 22 to 29 months. A treatment-based sentencing alternative under RCW 9.94A.661, effective January 1, 2026, may provide qualifying defendants a path outside the standard penalty range; whether a defendant qualifies depends on the specific facts of the case and criminal history.

The consequences extend well beyond incarceration:

Firearm rights: A felony DUI conviction results in revocation of firearm rights under federal law
Treatment requirements: Courts often impose substance abuse evaluation and treatment as part of the sentence
License sanctions: DOL reinstatement fees, SR-22 high-risk insurance for at least three years, and mandatory ignition interlock device installation on every vehicle driven
Permanent record: A felony DUI creates a permanent criminal record unless later vacated by a court under RCW 9.96.060

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Why Choose Ramirez & Cooper, Inc.?

At Ramirez & Cooper, Inc., our team has successfully handled thousands of cases across a broad spectrum of criminal offenses, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, in both state and federal courts. We understand the anxiety and fear that come with being arrested, and we are here to guide you through the complexities of the criminal justice system. The attorneys at Ramirez & Cooper, Inc. have a thorough understanding of the legal proceedings and criminal statutes. We are able to give our clients the resources, advocacy and legal advice they need to be successful inside and outside the courtroom. Our legal team will stand by your side every step of the way and always keep you updated on the status of your case. We handle criminal cases throughout Washington state. Let us build a case strategy for you or your loved one, we may be able to take action before charges are even filed.

Over 30 Years’ of Combined Legal Experience
Former Prosecution Experience*
Thousands of Criminal Cases Handled

Over 1,000 DUI Cases Handled
Hundreds of Cases Tried to Verdict or Judgment
Appeared Before the Supreme Court

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