Jon Fox

Jon Scott Fox has over 35 years of experience defending DUIs in King County, Snohomish County, Pierce County, and elsewhere in Washington State. His clients range from professional athletes to corporate officers to working citizens. Jon was essential to the landmark challenge to the DataMaster breath testing machine when it was introduced in this state in 1985. That fight laid the groundwork for the current challenges to the Draeger 9510 breath test machine that replaced the DataMaster and is used today for DUI prosecutions. For three years before the first DUI suspect was tested on the Draeger 9510 in Washington, Jon conducted research on the machine and spoke at seminars educating lawyers and judges about issues with this new device. Jon is a primary author of the book Defending DUIs in Washington, the treatise that is regularly used as a reference by attorneys and legal professionals. In addition, Jon is the author of Washington state’s first and still most comprehensive web site devoted to helping those accused of DUI (this webpage). Jon’s goal is to use his knowledge and experience, both in and outside of the courtroom, to obtain the best possible result for his client.

Jon has been widely recognized by his peers as one of Washington state’s top DUI attorneys. He has repeatedly been honored as a Washington state “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law and Politics magazine, and Seattle Met Magazine has listed him as one of King County and Washington State's “Top Lawyers.” Avvo has repeatedly given Jon its very highest professional ranking, and Washington Law and Politics magazine has honored him as one of the “Top 25” criminal defense lawyers in Washington state. Jon has received an AV Preeminent peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell. This rating is given to attorneys who demonstrate the highest ethical standards and professional ability. However, Jon will tell you that while the legal accolades are important, the most meaningful recognition comes from a client whose burden has been lifted:

“Like most people who face the challenge of having to defend against a DUI charge, I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. I consulted with a few DUI attorneys but it wasn’t until I met with Jon that I truly had piece of mind. Jon took the worry and pressure I felt and took it on himself. While I knew I had a difficult DUI case against me, Jon assured me he would do nothing less than his best.” (See this and other reviews posted on AVVO.com)

Jon has spoken at DUI trial lawyer seminars in eight states and has acquired a national reputation as one of the most knowledgeable critics of alcohol breath testing machines in the United States.

An innovative trial lawyer, Jon created the first “e-brief” ever filed in a trial court in the State of Washington. He is known for his masterful cross-examination of expert witnesses and few can compete with his encyclopedic knowledge of alcohol breath testing machines. In the last two decades, Jon has led numerous legal challenges to Washington’s DUI laws.

Jon has litigated DUI cases in courts across Washington state including those in King, Snohomish, Pierce and Spokane counties. He has appeared in Municipal Courts in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Lynnwood, Bothell, Everett, Renton, Kent, Auburn, Tukwila, Tacoma, Bellingham and Vancouver in Western Washington; and the cities of Spokane, Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, Yakima, Wenatchee and Ellensburg in Eastern Washington, to name a few.

Some of Jon’s additional accomplishments include:

• Principal, The Fox Law Firm, providing leading DUI defense services

• Founding member of the National College for DUI defense with seminars held at Harvard Law School

• Founding member and first chair of the Northwest Academy of DUI Defense

• Founding and former board member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

• Founding member, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice

• Former Chair of Washington State Bar Association Criminal Law Section

• Lecturer, National Institute for Trial Advocacy

• Speaker at the Washington State Patrol Academy and Seattle Police DUI Emphasis Training regarding courtroom tactics

• One of only three attorneys ever who have attended the lengthy and intensive Breath Test Technician Training program given by the Washington State Patrol for its own breath testing experts

• Authored numerous articles critical of breath testing and unjust DUI laws and has been featured in the Washington State Bar News, the Washington State Trial Association Trial News, Lawyers Weekly USA, Defense and Overruled magazines.

• Featured speaker at DUI trial practice seminars in eight states including speaking engagements at the Washington State Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Institute, the annual trial practice seminar of the Northwest College for DUI defense, and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy

• Featured speaker at the DUI Issues Update seminar presented to judges at several locations in seminars given by the Washington State District and Municipal Court Judges Association

Called upon by news media to comment on high profile DUI issues and cases.

• Experienced in the challenging issues pertaining to high profile professional athletes, pilots, medical professionals, legal professionals, executives, and of course, also the needs of hard working folks who seek a path through the legal minefield that is a DUI charge.