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Vernon A. Smith
also known as Vern Smith
About Vernon
Biography
Criminal defense attorney with over 3000 DUI and criminal cases. Practice focused on DUI defense and appeals since 1991. Board Certified in DUI Defense from the National College for DUI Defense. Graduate, National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Certified in NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and trained on the BAC Datamaster. Guest speaker at numerous DUI defense training seminars over last 20 years.
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Biography of Vernon A. Smith
I have been defending those accused of DUIs for most of my 20 plus year career in the law, first as a public defender and since ’91 in private practice. I am not only one of the founding members of the National College for DUI Defense, but I am also one of the first lawyers in the nation to be Board Certified in DUI defense by that organization.* I am one of only 3 lawyers so certified in Washington am also a member of the following organizations:
- The Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Board of Governors, 2001-2002)
- The Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice, a state organization dedicated to DUI defense
- Washington State Bar Association
- The National College for DUI Defense
- The University of Washington Law School Foundation
- The Northwest College for DUI Defense
- The Washington Foundation For Criminal Justice
- The Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
- The Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice
- The Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
DUI and DWI
95%
38 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 38 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Location
Vernon A. Smith
400 - 108th Ave. N.E., Suite 500, Bellevue, WA, 98004-5890
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Vernon A. Smith's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
21 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Compassion
Posted by anonymous | August 04, 2014 | DUI & DWI
Great Lawyer!
Vern was great. I had one prior DUI (had a PD at the time) and I couldn't afford another. He never pressured me to take a deal and he took the time to explain the pros and cons of each offer. After months of negotiations, the DUI charge was reduced. I highly recommend Vern Smith. He was patient,...
Posted by anonymous | September 03, 2009 | DUI & DWI
Recommending Vern Smith
I highly recommend Vern Smith to anyone that is currently facing a charge of DUI, or other potential ramifications due to drinking and driving. Vern represented me during 2008. He was there every step of the way, and was always honest and up front with regards to the options that I had. He’s persiste...
Vernon A. Smith's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse Vernon. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Vern is as tough of a lawyer as you will find. I have known him for 20 years and can attest to his ability to achieve results for his clients. He challenges prosecutors like no other. Figuratively, prosecutors who fight him always come away with a big black eye. He has fine tuned the craft of DUI defense. Dismissal and Neg. 1 are his middle names. I strongly encourage anyone seeking the assistance of a DUI attorney to call Vern. A real professional."
"Vern Smith is hard working, highly capable attorney who knows his way around a courtroom. Vern understands how to prepare, negotiate and try a case. Anyone who is represetned by Vern has one of the most professional and effective attorneys in this area."
"I have known of Vern's excellent work and stellar reputation for a number of years. Vern fights for his clients. He is tenacious, knowledgeable and effective. I endorse Vern without hesitation."
"Vern is an excellent DUI attorney with a wealth of specialized knowledge about how to defeat the BAC machine. He is also an outstanding trial attorney, with over 20 years of criminal defense experience, and the respect of fellow lawyers and Judges. I endorse this lawyer's work."
"Vern is a great lawyer. He is smart, ethical and dedicated to his clients. Most importantly, he gets great results for those he defends clients. As a colleague of Vern for many years I highly recommend him if you are in need of a DUI attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
"I unreservedly endorse this lawyer's work. I have known Vern Smith for the last ten years or so (we shared office space in Seattle for a while), and I can honestly say that Vern is one of the most knowledgable and hardworking DUI attorneys I have ever encountered. I have consulted with Vern on several DUI cases in the past, and in each of those occasions, Vern has provided excellent advice on how to handle the defense effectively. I would highly recommend Vern for any DUI defense case."
"Vern is a FANTASTIC lawyer. He is creative, inovative and successful in his defenses for his clients. For an experienced advocate Vern is your man."
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Experience
Honors
2015
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics
2014
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2012
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Policitcs
2010
Board Certification, National College for DUI Defense
2009
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2008
Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
2007
Super Lawyer,
2006
Super Lawyer,
2005
Board Certification, National College for DUI Defense
2003
Certificate of Appreciation, Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2003
Certificate of Appreciation, Washington Association for Criminal Justice
2000
Board Certification, National College for DUI Defense
1996
Certificate of Appreciation, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice
1995
Certificate of Distinction, University of Washington Law School Foundation
1994
Certificate of Appreciation, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice
1993
Certificate of Appreciation, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice
1991
Certificate of Appreciation, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
1988
Diploma, National Institute for Trial Advocacy
Work Experience
2008 - Present
Attorney at Law, Vernon A. Smith
1997 - 2008
Partner, Cowan Smith Kirk Gaston
1991 - 1997
, Vernon A. Smith, Attorney at Law
1990 - 1991
, Hallmark, Keating & Abbott
1987 - 1989
, The Public Defenders Association
1968 - 1971
, U.S. Army
Associations
1995 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseFounding Member
1992 - Present
Lawyer Pilots Bar Associationmember
1991 - Present
Washington Foundation for Criminal JusticeMember
1989 - Present
Aircraft Owners & Pilots AssociationParticipating Lawyer Panel
1989 - Present
Aircraft Owners & Pilots AssociationParticipating Lawyer Panel Member
1987 - Present
Washington Association of Criminal Defense AttorneysMember
1987 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
2006 - 2008
King County Bar Associationmember, judicial screeing committee
2001 - 2002
Washington Association of Criminal Defense AttorneysBoard of Governors
2001 - 2002
Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneysliason to WSBA
1987 - 1997
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. Knox
Challenge to DUI stop of sleeping driver on ferry.
Bothel v. Guttschmidt
over 300 cases dismissed
Education
2000
National College for DUI Defense
Board Certification
1987
University of Puget Sound Law School
JD Magna Cum Laude
1975
Johns Hopkins University
Speaking Engagements
1995
DUI Defense Skills Certification Program
Cross of the BAC breath test technician
Languages
English