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Western Washington DUI Defense

19 years defending DUI cases in the courtrooms where yours will be heard.

For 19 years, attorney Chester Baldwin has defended clients facing DUI charges across Olympia and Western Washington. He began his career on the other side of the courtroom, so he knows how the state builds these cases. He has spent the nineteen years since defending against them.

Baldwin DUI Defense, a DBA of Baldwin Legal Group, PLLC
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Chester or his team will personally review your situation and reach out, typically within hours.

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★★★★★ 5-star rated · 20+ years · No obligation
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20+ Years
Defending DUI
Same-Day
Response
10 Counties
Western Washington
Olympia
Home Courtroom
7
Spotted in the Wild
Seven coasters. Seven things worth knowing.

Baldwin DUI Defense coasters are appearing on bar tops across Western Washington. Each one covers one aspect of what actually happens during a DUI stop. Two are out now and the rest on the way. Scan the QR code on any coaster to read the full version, then keep an eye out for the next one. Scanning two unlocks a special offer, and collecting the full set unlocks a larger one once all seven are out.

The Chester Baldwin Advantage

He knows how the state builds its case. He’s spent 19 years taking them apart.

As a former Thurston County Rule-9 Prosecutor, Chester gained foundational experience inside a prosecutor's office learning how DUI cases are charged, how evidence is gathered, and how to thoroughly review every aspect of a case from the inside. He's spent the 19 years since on the defense side, putting that perspective to work for clients.

  • Knows how DUI cases are built, charged, and reviewed from the inside
  • Established working relationships with Western Washington courts and prosecutors
  • Strategic license preservation, including IIL applications and DOL hearings when appropriate
  • Cases dismissed, reduced, and won across Thurston, Pierce, and beyond
  • Direct attorney access. Your case isn't handed off to junior staff
Understanding the Charge

Washington DUI law in plain English.

A DUI in Washington triggers two separate processes, a criminal case and an administrative license proceeding. Each has its own rules, deadlines, and consequences. Knowing how they work is the first step toward making informed decisions.

01
What Happens After a DUI Arrest
A DUI in Washington triggers two parallel processes: a criminal case (where the prosecution must prove specific elements beyond a reasonable doubt) and an administrative license proceeding through the DOL. The criminal case has paths to dismissal or reduction depending on the facts. The DOL process moves quickly. You'll have a 7-day window to either contest the suspension at a hearing or apply for an Ignition Interlock License (IIL) to keep driving. Most clients today choose the IIL path.
02
Stakes & Consequences
Washington's implied consent law makes breath test refusals a separate matter, with their own consequences and defense considerations distinct from cases with test results. Beyond the immediate penalties of a DUI, the conviction can affect employment, professional licensing, insurance rates, and immigration status for years. Some impacts are permanent. Some can be challenged. Some can eventually be sealed. Building a defense means understanding all of them from day one.
How We Work

Three steps. No mystery.

From the moment you reach out, you'll know exactly where your case stands and what's next.

01
Free Consultation
Call, text, or fill out the form. We respond same-day, often within an hour. We'll listen to what happened, ask the right questions, and tell you what we see.
02
Strategic Defense
We pull the police report, breath test records, dash cam, and every other piece of evidence. Then we identify any issues and build a real plan.
03
Aggressive Representation
Court appearances. License preservation strategy. Negotiations. Trial if necessary. Chester and his team represents you at every stage.
Chester Baldwin, J.D., attorney at Baldwin Legal Group, PLLC in Olympia, Washington
Chester Baldwin, J.D.
About Chester Baldwin

Attorney · Olympia

20+ Years · Thurston County

Chester Baldwin is a Washington-based attorney with more than two decades of experience defending clients in DUI and criminal matters. Early in his career, he served as a Thurston County Rule-9 Prosecutor, gaining foundational experience in how the state charges and builds its cases that has informed his defense work ever since.

  • Former Thurston County Rule-9 Prosecutor
  • 20+ years in criminal law, 19 of them on the defense side
  • J.D. (Honors), Seattle University School of Law
Full background and credentials ›
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Client Stories

Real clients. Real results.

★★★★★

I was facing a DUI charge and was terrified about what it could mean for my job and my family. Chester took my case, went to work immediately, and got it completely dismissed. His knowledge of how prosecutors build these cases is unmatched. He knew exactly where to attack the evidence. I cannot thank him enough.

Jason DUI Defense: Case Dismissed
Read all client reviews ›

All reviews shown are from actual clients of Baldwin Legal Group, PLLC. Names and identifying details may be altered to protect client privacy. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is decided on its own facts and circumstances.

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Media inquiries: chester@baldwinlegalgroup.com · 360.206.2826

Common Questions

Quick answers from Chester.

DUI defense fees vary based on case complexity. First-offense cases differ from felony or refusal cases. Baldwin DUI Defense uses transparent flat-fee retainers so you know exactly what you're paying upfront, with no surprises. The quoted flat fee covers your case through pre-trial resolution; if a case proceeds to trial, trial representation is quoted separately and discussed with you before anything moves forward. The free consultation includes a clear quote tailored to your case.
Washington imposes an administrative license suspension separate from your criminal case. There are two main paths: request a DOL hearing within 7 days to contest the suspension (these hearings review only four narrow issues and have limited success rates), or apply for an Ignition Interlock License (IIL) to continue driving during the suspension with an ignition interlock device installed. Most clients today choose the IIL path because it's the most reliable way to keep driving. We help you decide which option fits your situation.
Washington's implied consent law triggers separate consequences for breath test refusals, including longer license suspensions and use of the refusal itself as evidence. Refusal cases require specialized strategy. Chester has handled refusal cases throughout his 19 years as a defense attorney.
Yes. DUI cases get dismissed when there are issues with the stop, the evidence, equipment calibration, the chain of custody, the officer's procedure, or the legal sufficiency of the case. Dismissals aren't guaranteed and depend on the specific facts, but they happen, and a thorough review of every case is where they start.
The deadline to request a DOL hearing is just 7 days from arrest, and missing it removes that option entirely. Court arraignments typically follow shortly after release. Whether you choose to fight the suspension at a DOL hearing or pursue an Ignition Interlock License (IIL), the first 24-72 hours after an arrest matter. The earlier we get involved, the more options you have.
A local education campaign. Seven different coasters are being released across Western Washington, each covering one aspect of what happens during a DUI stop, from your rights at the window to what a conviction actually costs. Two are out now and the rest on the way. Scan the QR code on any coaster to read the full page behind it. Scanning two unlocks a special offer, and collecting the full set unlocks a larger one once all seven have been released. Reading them is free, and no purchase is necessary.
DUI arrests don't keep business hours, and our intake doesn't either. Call or text any time, day or night. We respond as quickly as possible, even on weekends and holidays, because the early hours after an arrest are often the most important.
Free & Confidential

Tell us about
your case.

Baldwin Legal Group, PLLC, handles every DUI inquiry personally. Fill out the form and Chester or his team will review your situation and reach out, typically within hours. All consultations are completely confidential.

123 Fir Street NE
Olympia, WA 98506
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The Roadside Rights Glovebox Guide

Pulled Over in Washington State? Here's What to Know.

A plain-language guide to your rights at any Washington traffic stop, from a routine pull-over to a DUI investigation. Enter your name and email and we'll send it to your inbox right away. Phone is optional; add it only if you'd like occasional Washington DUI updates by text.