Credentials.

Geoff Burg | Patricia Fulton | Aaron Kiviat

Geoff Burg

Geoff has been practicing criminal defense law since 1994.

The majority of his time is spent working with people accused of drunk driving offenses and issues surrounding these charges.  

Here are some of his professional highlights:

• Named "Super Lawyer" and "Rising Star" by Washington Law & Politics.

• Recipient of Certificate of Appreciation by Washington Association for Criminal Defense Attorneys for work on DUI Legislation.

Success Stories (A few of the many where evidence has been suppressed, charges dismissed, or client found not guilty):

• Argued the case of State of Washington v. S.S. in which the court suppressed every breath test taken by the Washington State Patrol in King County. Successfully argued the same motion in Island County and Skagit County, as well as numerous cities.

• Not guilty verdict by jury in State of Washington v. B.B. where police report states that client was pulled over for swerving on the road, failed 6 field sobriety tests, admitted to drinking a "bucket" of Rolling Rock, or around 8 beers, and had a breath test of .13/.13.

• Not guilty verdict by jury in City of University Place v. J.P. where police report states client drove through a roundabout and crashed, failed 3 field sobriety tests, admitted to drinking 8 beers and refused to take breath test.

• Not guilty verdict by jury in State of Washington v. D.K. where police report states client was contacted while already pulled over to the side of the road, admitted to driving, admitted to several drinks, became irate and escaped from her handcuffs and was thrown to the ground and later refused the breath test.

• 2^nd Offense DUI charge dismissed in State of Washington v. R.H. where police report indicated that client was traveling 90 mph and client failed all field sobriety tests.  Client refused to take the breath test.  Case dismissed by State after jury hung 4-2 to acquit.

• DUI charge dismissed in City of Lakewood v. C.T. where client was stopped for swerving within his lane and rapidly accelerating.  Client failed all field sobriety tests and breath test results were a .09.  Court found that the stop was unlawful and dismissed the charges.

•  DUI charge dismissed in State of Washington v. B.J where client was stopped for swerving outside his lane.  Failed all field sobriety tests and had a breath alcohol content of .10.  Court found stop was unlawful and dismissed the charges.

• DUI charge dismissed in State of Washington v. T.S. where client was stopped for not yielding to oncoming traffic and traveling into another lane.  Client failed all sobriety tests and had a breath content of .14/.15.  Case was dismissed after the court found that the initial stop was unlawful.

Teaching / Writing:

• Lectured at legal seminars to hundreds of attorneys on criminal defense and DUI law.

• Wrote articles on DUI issues that were published in journals for the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association.

• Presenter at the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice "Defending DUIs" Continuing Legal Education Program in 2005.

Legislative Work:

• Lobbied on behalf of those accused of DUI in front of the Washington State Legislature and successfully had many amendments he wrote to the 2004 DUI bill passed into law during that legislative session.

•  Authored and lobbied on behalf of Senate Bill 5644. The bill was signed into law by Governor Gregoire in 2005.  This Washington DUI law helps people accused of DUI who are seeking a DUI deferred prosecution avoid license suspension

Advanced Training:

• One of 48 lawyers in the country selected in 2001 to attend a three-week advance trial training program with acclaimed attorney Gerry Spence at the Trial Lawyers College (www.triallawyerscollege.com).

• Attended the National College for DUI Defense.

Organizations:

• Founding member of the Northwest Academy of DUI Defense.

• Elected to the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice - a select group of the most acclaimed and experienced DUI attorneys practicing law in Washington State.

• Member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Member of King County Bar association.

• Admitted, Washington State Bar, 1994.

• Admitted, Federal District Court, Western Washington Division, 1994.

Education

• J.D., Chicago Kent College of Law, 1994 Bar and Gavel Award winner.

• B.A., University of Vermont, 1990. ^back to top

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Patricia Fulton

Patricia devotes her practice to defending clients accused of crimes. Practicing in Superior, District and Municipal courts throughout the region, Patricia has earned a reputation as an articulate and thoughtful advocate. Since graduating from the University of Washington School of Law in 1999, Patricia has pursued excellence in her field.

In addition to membership in numerous criminal defense and trial organizations, Patricia is a past President of the Northwest Academy of DUI Defense. In 2002 Patricia attended Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College and has been named a “rising star” by Washington Law and Politics Magazine.

Patricia’s professional highlights:

• Named a "Rising Star" by Washington Law & Politics.

Success Stories (a few of the many where evidence has been suppressed, charges dismissed, or client found not guilty):

• Dismissal of Physical Control charges due to prosecutor’s inability to proceed after successful defense motions to suppress evidence.  State of Washington v. M.D.

• Not guilty verdict where client was alleged to have swerved her car into oncoming lanes of travel, performed poorly on field sobriety tests, and blew .15 on the breath test. State of Washington v. T.M.

• Not guilty verdict where client was stopped for speeding, alleged to have stumbled and fallen over during the field sobriety tests and blew .20 on the breath test. City of Redmond v. B.T.

• Reversal on appeal of the drivers license suspension based on the application of the “safely off the roadway” defense.  Department of Licensing v. M.D.

• Not guilty verdict when client’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, not intoxication, caused the behavior the officer contributed to alcohol intoxication. State of Washington v. S.P.

• Hung jury in 2^nd offense DUI where client was alleged to have driven his truck off the shoulder of the roadway -- charges later reduced to Negligent Driving in the First Degree. City of North Bend v. M.T

• Not guilty verdict where police report states client was driving at excessive speeds and weaving in and out of freeway traffic. State of Washington v. R.S.

• Not guilty verdict where client was alleged to have refused the breath test and performed poorly on field sobriety tests.  State of Washington v. M.A.

Advanced Training:

• Selected in 2002 to attend an exclusive three-week advance trial training program with acclaimed attorney Gerry Spence at the Trial Lawyers College (www.triallawyerscollege.com).

• Attended the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice “Defending DUIs” Continuing Legal Education program in 2000, 2001, 2003.  

Teaching/Writing:

• The DOL Labyrinth: Basic Questions - Complicated Answers
Published in Washington Criminal Defense, February 2004, Volume 18 No. 1.

• Presenter at the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice "Defending DUIs" Continuing Legal Education Program in 2005.

Organizations:

• Past President and current member of the Northwest Academy of DUI Defense.

• Member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

• Member of King County Bar association, Snohomish County Bar Association, and Pierce County Bar Association.

• Admitted, Washington State Bar, 1999.

• Admitted, Federal District Court, Western Washington Division, 1999.

Education

• J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 1999.  Member Moot Court Honor Board.

• B.A., Western Washington University, 1994.

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