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In America, many people take advantage of the opportunity to drink at particular times during the year, and one of those times is the holiday season. It seems natural because it looks as if everyone is doing it, and this makes it more difficult for those with problems with alcohol abuse to remain...

Many assume that driving under the influence (DUI) arrests will always lead to criminal convictions, but that's far from the truth. Today, our firm will show you why the accused should think about fighting their DUI charges. DUI Charges Are Subjective Unfortunately, many people are under the impr...

Since more states have legalized and decriminalized recreational and medical marijuana, the public is worried about the increase in car accidents involving high drivers. However, several companies have developed new breathalyzers that detect when a person recently had THC, which is the psychoacti...

Police and workers of the Washington State Ferry System have reported an increase in the number of people riding ferries while under the influence of alcohol. In 2019, there have been 16 such incidents. Ferry boat DUIs lead to sailing delays and canceled travel, inconveniencing other drivers tryi...

There are many questions a person might have regarding a drunk driving arrest. One of those questions may be whether or not to take a breathalyzer test. What few do not realize is that it is perfectly legal to refuse a breathalyzer test in the state of Washington. At the Law Office of Mark W. Gar...

The state gives cops the authority to stop and arrest citizens; however, officers can only make arrests when they have probable cause. Unfortunately, many do not understand how cops establish probable cause, but the Law Office of Mark Garka is here to clear up the confusion. Arrests & Probable Ca...

One drink could be the difference between driving fine and receiving a driving under the influence (DUI) charge. Unfortunately, many people believe it's impossible to fight DUI charges, but that's not true. Based on this misinformation, let's look at what a DUI attorney can do for you. Review You...

Most people know little about criminal law and the statutes of the state. Unfortunately, this leads people to believe that criminal law is a straightforward process, but that's not the case. Today, we will look at factors that can impact the severity of driving while under the influence (DUI) cha...

Many circumstances can impact the validity of a Washington driver's license, outstanding fees, reckless driving, etc. This begs the question: how does a driving while under the influence (DUI) conviction impact a license? DUIs & Licenses A driver's license is a privilege, not a right. This means ...

“Innocent until proven guilty” is one of the many mottos of the American justice system, but it doesn't always hold in real-life scenarios. This is especially true when people are talking about those who are accused of driving while under the influence (DUI). However, the Law Office of Mark Garka...

The manufacturer of DUI blood testing kits used in the state of Washington issued a recall of defective vials. Between August of 2018 and the present day, the company delivered hundreds of vials that did not contain the preservative necessary to prevent alcohol fermentation. That means the result...

When officers suspect people of a DUI they typically use breathalyzers to determine if peoples' blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Because of this mouthwash can trigger a breathalyzer to mistakenly read your BAC higher than is true. Looking at the Research In a study performed...

Culpability is a noun that means, “responsibility for a fault or wrong; blame.” In the legal world, culpability plays a vital role in every criminal case; especially when the accused is underage. In general, the law sees minors as less culpable than adults for their crimes, which is why the penal...

Minors and adults have different freedoms and different responsibilities, but minors can be charged and tried for crimes just like adults. Therefore, teens and parents should know how the law views minors. In this blog post, we will examine the juvenile booking, detention, and trial process. Juve...

Easter Sunday isn't the only thing that is happening this weekend. 4/20 is a day in popular culture involving the celebration of smoking cannabis. Washington residents at least 21 years old are allowed to consume marijuana in honor of this cult holiday. However, law enforcement will be out patrol...

Thanks to our Constitution, American citizens have the right to remain silent during police questioning. In fact, pleading the fifth and waiting for your experienced Mill Creek criminal defense attorney is undoubtedly the best thing you can do for your case; however, some people have a hard time ...

Selling drugs can turn a quick profit, but it can be difficult to find buyers. For this reason, many suppliers sell in and around schools to maintain a low profile while maximizing potential sales. However, authorities aren't blind to this lucrative tactic and have cracked down on selling drugs i...

So, your neighbor is bothered by your second-hand marijuana smoke. Can they call the police to report it? Well, that depends upon a few factors. Unfortunately, those factors can be the difference between you going maintaining your freedom or going to jail. If you are facing such issues, you shoul...

Although the laws are changing to recognize the medicinal value of marijuana and its benefits as a safer social drug than alcohol, the use of marijuana is still illegal in many locations throughout Washington state. In fact, the only certain place where you can safely smoke marijuana is within th...

A DUI is a serious charge that can bring with it a hefty amount of penalties in the state of Washington. These penalties can be more severe if you have a previous criminal history or this is your second or third offense for a DUI with marijuana. When you've been charged with a DUI, the consequenc...

Washington DUI Attorney Mark W. Garka Says Not All DUI Arrests Are Legitimate Not all arrests for driving under the influence are legitimate or provable beyond a reasonable doubt. In fact, certain medical conditions can mimic the symptoms of drug or alcohol intoxication, as evidenced by the Decem...

Penalties for Underage Marijuana Possession On December 6th, 2012, the state of Washington legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Since that time, hundreds of marijuana shops have grown throughout the state. Despite the legalization of marijuana, Washington has declared it illegal for anyon...

Police in Snohomish County have made extra efforts to crack down on DUIs in the area. In fact, just fifteen minutes after having officers emphasize DUIs, Snohomish County Sheriffs made their first DUI arrest. John Axtman has been a Washington State Patrol trooper for 13 years, and he had the foll...

When we think of driving under the influence (DUI) laws, we typically think of straightforward processes and procedures. However, there are some aspects of DUI laws that everyone should know about. If you don't know these things already, you may be surprised by what you'll learn. DUIs Are Crimina...

According to a report published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS, two studies recently indicated that states with legalized recreational marijuana have higher incidence rates of car crash claims. Although neither study offers a clear explanation of why this link exists, it's...