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Mark Wesley Garka
About Mark
Biography
Mark W. Garka is an attorney in the State of Washington, limiting his practice to DUI defense. Mark is a Sustaining member of the National College for DUI Defense. Further, Mark is qualified to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFTS) according to NHTSA standards and to evaluate an officer’s opinion as to sobriety. In addition, Mark has been qualified as an SFST instructor by NHST and International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 28 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Location
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Mark Wesley Garka's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
27 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (27)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Trustworthiness
Posted by Jenn | May 06, 2020 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Wonderful Attorney
Mr. Garka acted fast, professional and we got the best case scenario. I got a DUI in July of 2019. After our first meeting, I knew I would be in great hands. He explained everything, in a way where I could understand and felt comfortable on what his end goal was for my case. Unlike most Attorneys, th...
Posted by anonymous | May 10, 2013 | Administrative Law
WON the DOL hearing!
Mr. Garka set realistic expectations and nailed my DOL hearing! I am extremely satisfied with the results Mark and staff attained. He focused on key details surrounding my case and kept overall strategy for the "BIG Win" at the forefront at all times, should we be going to court with the state. I was...
Posted by anonymous | May 18, 2011 | DUI & DWI
Not Recommended
I hired Mr. Garka after he had been recommended by a friend. At first I got a good feeling but then through the legal process I noticed Mr. Garka didn't seem to put any weight on my wide of what occurred. It took days to get in touch with him at times and emails went un-responded to. I really got the...
Posted by anonymous | January 06, 2011 | Criminal Defense
Mark saved my driving record
I have know Mark for many years as a co worker and friend. I never thought I'd need to hire him to help me with a criminal traffic ticket! Yes, bad stuff happens to good people but there are good people out there to help with the bad stuff, and Mark is one of them. Mark is a former law clerk, prosecu...
Posted by anonymous | March 26, 2009
An Ace in the hole
Mark made a painful and awkward probelm seem manageable. He covered all the bases and made me feel like he TRULY had my back at every turn. He kept me informed every step of the way. He is extremely knowledgeable and shares that volume of knowledge in a way that does not intimidate. His knowledge was...
Mark Wesley Garka's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mark is one of the most knowledgeable DUI attorneys I have ever met, and I would not hesitate to refer him to a friend."
"Mr. Garka has few peers when it comes to offering effective representation to people accused of driving under the influence. I would strongly encourage anyone with such a problem to seek out his services."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mark is an excellent lawyer and is dedicated to defending those accussed of DUI offenses. His dedication is shown in the training he does to learn all he can about this area of criminal defense. Mark attended the Forensic Gas Chromatography training course in Chicago, IL this April. This is a course put on for elite DUI lawyers from across the country and very few have taken this course. Mark now knows more about chromatography than the people who run the tests. If you are arrested for DUI in the areas Mark practices in you should hire this man."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mark and I practice in many of the same courts and from what I've seen, he is an excellent advocate for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Few attorneys that I know are able to balance professionalism and personality in the way that Mark can. He is a commanding presence in any room with both his wisdom and professional credibility and his sense of humor and fun. He is clearly respected by judges and admired by his peers. Having had the opportunity to collaborate with him recently I am even more impressed with this great lawyer."
"Great lawyer and friend. I would recommend Mark if you are in any trouble."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mark has a tremendous amount of experience in DUI/DWI litigation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mark is professional, smart and a good advocate for his clients."
"I first met Mr. Garka as a student in my SFST Training and new he was something special then. He has now risen to one of the top DUI attorneys in Washington and has moved on to be an SFST Instructor himself. He also owns and operates breath testing devices to better help his clients. If you need an attorney, he is you best choice."
"Having been a member of the National College for DUI Defense for over 10 years now, and as an annual attendee of two to three national DUI defense seminars, I have been privileged to get to know many of our nation's finest DUI defense attorneys. Mark Garka is undoubtedly amongst this select group. His reputation for professional excellence far exceeds the borders of Washington. His reputation as a well trained, experienced, ultra talented yet deeply compassionate, DUI defense attorney is not only national but matched by very few. I proudly and loudly endorse Mark Garka. The citizen accused could be in no better hands. Period. The fact that he is a personal friend is but a bonus."
"I have been fortunate to get to know Mark over the past couple of years at several National DUI seminars. As a fellow member of the National College for DUI Defense, it is evident that he enjoys an excellent reputation among his peers both in the State of Washington and Nationally. He is one of a select few that are recognized as the tops in the field of DUI DEfense in the State of Washington. He has my wholehearted endorsement in the field of DUI Defense."
"Mark is a hard working, highly intelligent lawyer. He is tough, practical and fearless. Perhaps more importantly, he is the kind of attorney who will tells his client exactly what he thinks. Getting honest advice from an intelligent, experienced attorney is what the practice of law is all about. They are not many attorneys who are able to offer all of those qualities to their clients. Mark Garka is one of those who can and does."
"Mr. Garka is the consummate professional. I have spent time with him at numerous educational seminars across the country in furtherance of our quest for greater knowledge in the area of DUI/DWI defense. Although I practice in California, I have found him to be a great resource for fleshing out ideas and strategies in defense of clients. Most importantly, in addition to superior knowledge of the subject matter, he is a superior human being (a trait sorely missing from too many attorneys). I heartily endorse him to anyone in need of representation in a DUI/DWI case."
"I have known Mark since his days as a prosecutor for Snohomish County. He is an outstanding attorney aand one of the most respected members of the DUI defense bar. Mark Garka receives my highest endorsement."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Mark is highly respected by fellow attorneys as a successful DUI/DWI attorney. If arrested for DUI/DWI, call him first!"
"Attorney Garka is a skilled and artful litigator of the highest order. His ability to advocate effectively for his position is commendable. His reputation for achieving great results for the citizen accused by the government of a crime is well known. His reputation for excellence in all matters is a hard earned national one. This reputation far exceeds the bounds of his state as evidenced by this lawyer from Central Pennsylvania not only knowing of him but in that I can personally attest through first hand observation his high level of proficiency in litigation and in the defense of the citizen accused. Superior, fantastic and skilled. He is the one I would put in my corner every time."
"When working at the Public Defender's office Mark always gave us insightful classes about new DUI issues. He always lets younger attorneys ask questions, He makes the legal community a cooperative one."
"Mark is one of the best DUI attorneys I have met. He is well versed in the current issues and a leader in developing new defefnses in the complex world of DUIs."
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Experience
Honors
2020
Attendee, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice
2020
Attendee, National College of DUI Defense
2018
Attendee, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice
2017
Attendee, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice
2017
Attendee - "Play It Again Sam — Appeals & Getting a New Trial", Citizens for Judicial Excellence
2017
Attendee, National College for DUI Defense
2016
Attendee, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice
2016
Attendee: Criminal Convictions & Canada, CJE
2016
Attendee - Washington Regional Seminar: Voir Dire, Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College
2015
Attendee, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice
2015
Attendee - Incarceration & Alternatives to Incarceration, CJE
2014
Certificate of Instruction - SFST Training, La Pier & Associates
2013
Attendee, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice
2013
Attendee: Defending the Marijuana DUI, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice
2013
Certificate of Completion, Forensic Chromatography Theory & Practice IX - Axion Training Institute
2012
participant DWi = Defend With Integrety, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2012
Certificate of Instruction - SFST Training, La Pier & Associates
2012
ARIDE Certificate of Completion, La Pier and Associates
2012
Mastering Scientific Evidence - Certificate of Completion, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
2011
attendee, California Public Defenders Association DUI CLE
2010
Certificate of Completion - SFST Instructor, La Pier & Associates
2010
Certificate of Completion, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & National College for DUI Defense
2010
participant, DWI: Defend With Integrety
2010
Favorite Place on Google, Google
2010
Mastering Scientific Evidence - Certificate of Completion, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
2009
Certificate of Completion, CareerTrack
2008
Certificate of Completion - Winter Session, National College for DUI Defense
2007
Certificate of Completion - Summer Session, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & National College for DUI Defense
2007
Certificate of Completion Mastering Scientific Evidence, Texas Crininal Defense Association & National College of DUI Defense
2006
Certificate of Completion - Winter Session, National College for DUI Defense
2006
Certificate of Completion, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & National College for DUI Defense
2006
Certificate of Completion DRE Examination, La Pier & Associates
2006
Award of Excellence, DUI-Help.com
2006
Understanding Substance Use Evaluations, Praxis
2005
Certificate of Completion - Winter Session, National College for DUI Defense
2005
Certificate of Completion - SFST Instuctor, La Pier & Associates
2005
Bocce Ball Champion, Riu
2005
Certificate of Completion, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & National College for DUI Defense
2005
Certificate of Completion, Mastering Scientific Evidence / Texas Criminal Defense Association & National College of DUI Defense
2004
Certificate of Completion - DataMaster Training, Charles Rathburn & Associates
2004
Certificate of Completion Drug Evaluation & Classification, Walden & Platt & Associates
2004
Certificate of Completion, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & National College for DUI Defense
2003
Certificate of Completion SFST Student, La Pier & Associates
2002
Certificate of Appreciation, Kiwanis - Snohomish Tillicum Retirees
2002
Certificate of Completion, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & National College for DUI Defense
2001
Certificate of Completion, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & National College for DUI Defense
2000
Certificate of Appreciation, Snohomish County District Court - South Division
1996
Certificate of Appreciation, Washington State Attorney General - Corrections Division
1995
Client Counseling Competition Regional Competition Participant, American Bar Association
Work Experience
2002 - Present
, Law Office of Mark W. Garka
1998 - 2001
Prosecuting Attorney, Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney
1997 - 1998
, Snohomish County Superior Court
1996 - 1997
Law Clerk, Washington State Attorney General
Associations
2012 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseWashington State Delegate
2012 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseWestern Regional "Super" State Delegate
2010 - Present
Mill Creek Condo AssociationSecretary
2007 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseSustaining Member
2007 - Present
Citizens for Judicial ExcellencePlatinum Member
2001 - Present
Washington Association of Criminal Defense LawyersGeneral Member
1997 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
1997 - Present
Snohomish County Bar AssociationMember
1995 - Present
Phi Alpha Delta
2015 - 2016
Citizens for Judicial ExcellenceVice President
2013 - 2014
Citizens for Judicial ExcellenceTreasurer
2011 - 2016
Citizens for Judicial ExcellenceBoard Member
2002 - 2007
National College of DUI DefenseGeneral Member
2001 - 2013
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersGeneral Member
1998 - 1998
Association of Trial Lawyers of AmericaMember
Sample of Legal Cases
In the Licensing Matter of S.S.
Client won the Department of Licensing hearing.
Education
2021
National College of DUI Defense
2013
National College of DUI Defense
2011
National College of DUI Defense
2009
National College of DUI Defense
2007
National College of DUI Defense
2005
National College of DUI Defense
2003
National College of DUI Defense
1997
Seattle University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1994
University of Washington
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2021
Kittitas County Bar Association
An Outsider's Guide to the DOL
2013
Lunch Series
The Other Field Sobriety Tests – Dealing with the Officers Observations
2013
2013
Alcohol/Drug Assessment 101
Ethical Obligations and Considerations of the Alcohol Evaluation Process
2012
Defending DUIs Seminar
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests: An Ideal or a Standard?
2011
The Essentials of Handling DUI & DOL Cases
Cross Examination of the Arresting Officer in DUI Cases
2011
DUI Strategies for Defense Attorneys
SFST - Fun & Games
2011
DUI Refresher CLE
Introduction to the Drager BAC Machine
2010
DUI Defense
The Last Gasp for the BAC DATAMASTER? Comparing the new Drager Alcotest Machine
2009
Understanding Standardized Field Sobriety Tests
DUI Defense
2009
Standardized Field Testing Instruction
NHTSA SFST Practitioner Certification Course
2009
Rights & Responsibilities as a Driver
Constitutional Issues as Drivers
2008
The "Real" Field Sobriety Tests
DUI
2008
Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instruction
NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instruction
2008
SFST Basics
DUI
2007
The Basics of DUI Defense - Spokane
Testing the Validity of SFSTs
2007
The Basics of DUI Defense
The Validity of SFSTs
2006
The Pros and Cons of DUI & DRE CLE
Defending against Drug Recognition Examinations
2006
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests In Washington
Field Sobriety Tests: What a DUI Attorney Needs to Know About The Tests, and How To Defend Against Them
2006
NHTSA SFST Instruction
Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instruction
Languages
English