How an Attorney Can Help Those Facing DUI in Washington

A DUI charge is a serious offense that carries with it the threat of serious penalties. In the state of Washington, a person who is found to be driving under the influence of intoxicants may face charges from the court as well as the Washington Department of Licensing. A person can be charged with separate penalties for the same DUI charge. These penalties can stem from the initial arrest, a conviction by the court and Washington DOL penalties after a DUI conviction in the court of law.

Blood Alcohol Levels in the State of Washington

A driver can be charged with a DUI if their blood alcohol level is over the legal limit. The limit is set at .08% for drivers 21 and older, at .04% for commercial vehicle drivers, and .02% for drivers under the age of 21. The penalty for a DUI will be increased the higher the blood alcohol level. A driver can receive penalties even if their blood alcohol level is under the legal limit if they are found to be driving recklessly.

A Serious Offense

There’s no doubt that a DUI is a crime that carries serious consequences. A driver with no previous DUI charges over the past seven years can face a 90-day driver’s license suspension and one to 364 days in jail (if their blood alcohol level is under .15 percent). The driver could also face fines from $940 to $5,000.

Given the ramifications of a DUI charge, hiring a DUI attorney to defend a case can be well worth the fees involved. Even first-time offenses in the state of Washington can carry high penalties, which is why hiring an attorney who can bring the penalties down may be worth the legal fees.

Beyond just the practicality of bringing down, the cost of a penalty is the issue of jail time and the impact on a driver’s reputation. A skilled attorney who is well familiar with the laws surrounding DUI in Washington will be able to negotiate with the courts more effectively than a layperson. Though a DUI driver may end up with some legal fees, the value of one’s reputation must be considered more than worth the costs.

If you’ve been charged with a DUI, consider contacting DUI attorney in Vancouver to handle your defense. In most cases, the fees are well worth paying.

5 Myths About Social Security

Social Security is the retirement and disability insurance program that is used most often in the United States. Currently, about 66 million people in the U.S. are beneficiaries of Social Security. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone has a clear understanding of Social Security.

Here are five myths concerning Social Security that U.S. citizens need to be aware of how to plan for retirement properly.

Social Security Has Gone Bankrupt

This myth is not true, but some misinformed Americans have been passing this rumor around. However, there are some financial issues with Social Security retirement that need to be addressed. Social Security will have enough funds to pay beneficiaries for another 17 years. There is plenty of time for the Social Security Administration to get its finances in order so that the money won’t run out in 2034 as it is expected to. Even if Social Security funds are depleted in 2034, tax revenue will cover the cost of benefits.

There’s More Money In Waiting

Contrary to popular opinion, people don’t get more Social Security funds if they wait to claim their benefits. Individuals will receive more monthly benefit checks if they delay retirement, but this doesn’t mean that these people will receive more money overall. Earlier retirees simply get less money so that the average person will receive around the same amount of Social Security assistance in his/her lifetime.

People Can’t Get Social Security While Working

It’s not true that people have to retire to get Social Security benefits. Depending on a person’s age, benefits can be reduced depending on income. Those who will reach retirement age in 2017 have an earnings threshold of $16,920. It’s important to contact your local Social Security office for additional details.

The Last Few Years of Work Determine Benefit Amounts

It’s a myth that the last few years of employment are what determine the amount of Social Security benefits. People who work at public sector establishments and those who are employed by private companies may have a pension plan, and this retirement plan is based on the employee’s last few years of income.

However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t apply to Social Security benefits. These are designed for your entire working life in mind. Each year that you earned money is indexed and your top 35 years of earning will be taken into account when determining your average earnings.

Social Security Benefits Are Not Taxable

Some people don’t pay income taxes on Social Security benefits. However, if you have a significant amount of taxable income as well as Social Security benefits, up to 85% of your benefits could be taxable. To find out if any of your benefits can be taxed, the IRS takes your combined income (adjustable gross income and nontaxable interest) into account. No matter how much you earn, no more than 85% of your benefits can be taxed.

Keep these principles in mind when applying for Social Security, or when calculating how much you can expect from Social Security upon retirement. This will make for more secure financial planning, so you can truly live the life you want after retirement.