Racing in Kent

Racing charges in Washington state can be tricky because you don't have to be racing to face charges. Law enforcement can still charge you if they believe you were engaged in racing-related activities. These charges carry serious penalties because of the dangerous risks associated with racing, and the high penalties are intended as a deterrent. Unfortunately, this means that even a minor infraction can lead to severe consequences.

This is where our attorneys come in. We've been fighting unfair racing charges in Kent for over 20 years, using our knowledge of local courts and the law to protect our clients. If you're facing racing charges, don't wait. Call us today for a free consultation, and let us put our experience to work for you.

When you're facing charges for racing or reckless driving, you need more than just legal representation. You need a team that knows the roads you're on, both figuratively and literally. With over two decades of experience, our King County attorneys have handled tough cases, including those involving street racing and high-speed driving offenses. Racing charges carry severe consequences, but we'll work tirelessly to protect your license, your record, and your future. With our expertise and unmatched dedication, we're the defense team you want in your corner.

In Washington state, the law broadly defines racing as driving behaviors that suggest competition or reckless intent. So you could face racing charges even if you weren't intentionally trying to race another vehicle. The key elements the police look for are speed, acceleration, and actions that create danger or disruption on the roadway. Here are some examples of where you could be ticketed for racing when you were not racing:

• Quickly Accelerating Next To Another Vehicle: If you and another driver accelerate simultaneously from a stoplight, police may interpret this as an attempt to race.
• Driving In A Convoy Of Modified Cars: Being part of a group of vehicles driving aggressively or drawing attention, even without direct competition, could lead to racing charges.
• Revving Your Engine Or "Burnouts": Demonstrating the power of your vehicle in a way that suggests you're showing off or provoking others can be seen as racing behavior.
• Weaving Through Traffic: Aggressive lane changes or reckless driving to "get ahead" of another vehicle may be mistaken for a competitive race.
• Challenging Another Driver: Gestures or behaviors that suggest a challenge, even without actual speeding, could lead to charges under the broad interpretation of racing laws.
• Driving At Excessive Speeds Together: Traveling alongside another vehicle at high speeds on highways or back roads may be construed as racing, even if it's unintentional.
• Being Present At A Street Racing Event: Merely participating as a driver in a location known for illegal street racing could lead to charges, even without active racing.

In Washington state, racing is treated as a gross misdemeanor, and the penalties include:

• Up to 364 days in jail, depending on the severity of the case
• Up to $5,000 in fines
• A mandatory 30-day license suspension for a first offense. Repeated offenses can result in longer suspensions.
• Racing convictions cause substantial insurance premium increases or policy cancellations.
• Probation
• Traffic school

Additionally, repeat racing offenses or cases involving injuries, property damage, or other aggravating factors could lead to harsher consequences.

In Washington state, the prosecution relies on evidence and witness testimony to establish that you were attempting to outdistance, outgain, or compete with another vehicle. Here are the common elements they use:

• Prove High Speeds: Evidence of excessive speed compared to the posted limits or surrounding traffic
• Demonstrate Sudden Acceleration: Witness or officer observations of rapid acceleration alongside another vehicle
• Show Aggressive Driving: Maneuvers like weaving through traffic, tailgating, or cutting off other vehicles
• Evidence Of Side-by-Side Driving: Maintaining parallel positions with another car over a distance
• Provide Proof Of Challenges Or Signals: Gestures, honking, revving engines, or other behaviors indicating a challenge to race
• Witness Statements: Testimony from other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians about observed racing behavior
• Video Or Surveillance Footage: Dashcams, traffic cameras, or recordings from bystanders showing racing activity

The prosecution must prove these actions beyond a reasonable doubt.

Our skilled attorneys can counter the prosecution with several defense strategies, including:

• Lack Of Intent: Argue that you were not intentionally competing or racing with another vehicle.
• No Evidence Of Competition: Challenge claims of side-by-side driving, gestures, or signals that suggest racing.
• Reasonable Driving Behavior: Demonstrate that your actions were lawful or necessary.
• Mistaken Identity: Prove that the police misidentified you as one of the racing drivers.
• Mechanical Issues: Explain that sudden acceleration or erratic driving was due to a vehicle malfunction, not racing.
• Improper Police Procedures: Highlight procedural errors or lack of credible evidence from law enforcement.
• Video Or Witness Discrepancies: Point out inconsistencies in video evidence or witness testimony.

These defenses can cast doubt on the prosecution's case and help protect your driving record, license, and freedom.

Kent is a great place to drive, with scenic routes like Lake Meridian Road and Pacific Highway South, and the drive through Covington with its beautiful views of the Cascade foothills. However, it's not an easy place to live without a car. While public transportation options like King County Metro, Sound Transit, and Pierce Transit are available, they don't take you wherever you need to go. A car is still a necessity to get to key areas like Southcenter Mall, Kent Industrial Park, or the more remote neighborhoods.

If Kent Courts convict you of racing, you could lose your driving privileges, which can disrupt your daily life. Our racing defense attorneys are here to help. We believe that every charge can be challenged, especially given the gray areas of Washington state's racing laws. With over 20 years of experience defending clients, we know the strategies that work and use these nuances to your advantage. Call us today to find out how we can help you fight these charges and protect your ability to drive.

Drag racing in Kent is considered a serious crime, and if you're convicted you will face mandatory and discretionary penalties that could detrimentally affect your life. According to the law, racing is defined as engaging in a contest of relative speed with another vehicle. In Washington State reckless driving and racing are handled similarly, and the penalties are identical. In either case, the perpetrator shows wonton disregard for person and property, so the law seeks to punish this behavior. The racing attorneys at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe can help you prepare a defense designed to keep you from feeling the full effects of a conviction.

Our team of Kent racing lawyers have handled countless reckless driving cases, so let us put our knowledge of the law to work for you. In Kent, a racing conviction results in a gross misdemeanor, incurring penalties that include up to a year in jail and fines of up to $5,000. Your driver's license will also be suspended, and you'll be required to carry SR-22 (high-risk) auto insurance for three years.

Mitigating these penalties is a good idea, and our Kent racing attorneys can help you determine your legal options. Racing crimes can be confusing to deal with, and there is a lot of misleading legal information on the internet. You need to realize that failure to resolve your case could land you in jail or cause you to lose your driver's license.

Sometimes drivers are falsely accused of street racing in Kent, which is a situation that warrants extra diligence. Nobody likes being accused of a crime that they didn't commit, so our Kent racing lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation in an effort to reveal any information that can be used to have the charges dropped, or the penalties mitigated in some way.

If you've been charged with racing in Washington, contact our Kent law office and talk to one of our experienced lawyers. We will use our extensive legal experience to ensure you get treated fairly. As your personal advocate with the court, we make sure that you get to tell your version of the events. Schedule your free case evaluation today.

Don't let a street racing charge force you into an unwanted pit stop. Speak with one of our Kent racing lawyers, and find out more detailed information concerning the law. Our Kent attorneys offer various payment options, so you can afford quality legal care from legal professionals who care about the end result.