Mary Richardson Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife, was arrested and cited for driving under the influence (“DUI”) on August 21, 2010 in Hudson Valley, New York. Ms. Kennedy was initially pulled over for speeding on the Taconic State Parkway. After investigating, police determined that her ability to drive a motor vehicle was impaired due to prescription medication.

As of Friday, July 22, 2011, Ms. Kennedy no longer faces DUI drug charges. A New York judge found that the evidence showed Ms. Kennedy did not know that the medications she had taken would impair her ability to drive a car and thus dismissed the charges pending against Ms. Kennedy, over the prosecutions opposition/ objection – of course.

In Washington State, if a person is found to have impaired driving as a result of prescription medication, they will be convicted of driving under the influence. In other words, just because a driver has been proscribed the drug which causes his impaired driving, this simple fact does not vitiate his guilt; it is not an affirmative defense to DUI. Driving under the influence can, and does, include driving while impaired by prescription medication. Generally speaking, law enforcement is authorized to obtain a blood draw if they reasonably believe that a driver is impaired by something and it has been determined that alcohol is not the cause of the impairment

Now, more than ever, it is critical to retain a reputable and qualified Seattle DUI lawyer when arrested for DUI in Washington State. The right Seattle DUI attorney will be worth his/her weight in gold when protecting your rights, freedom and future. The Seattle DUI attorneys that make up the litigation team of SQ Attorneys are dedicated to defending those accused of drunk driving. They have the experience, knowledge and resources to successfully defend your case. Unlike other law firms that practice in many areas of the law, SQ Attorneys is focused on criminal defense representation with an emphasis on DUI defense in Western Washington.

If you or a loved one is faced with a DUI charge in Western Washington, you deserve the assistance of a reputable and qualified Seattle DUI attorney who will relentlessly defend your case. You deserve a Seattle DUI lawyer who has an intimate understanding of Washington DUI laws and the legal issues that could win your case. You deserve a Seattle DUI defense attorney who is not afraid to stand up against the prosecution and aggressively fight for your rights and interests. SQ Attorneys is the right Western Washington DUI law firm for the job. Call for a free initial consultation – (206) 441.0900 (Seattle); (425) 998-8384 (Eastside) – it will be the best decision you make all day.