Jonathan Rands is a DUI attorney in Bellingham, WA. His practice focuses solely on DUI defense — both drug and alcohol based, as well as other alcohol-related crimes, such as minor DUI, minor in possession of alcohol, felony DUI by way of priors, or vehicular assault, and the most difficult case of all, vehicular homicide. Defending people charged with widely detested crimes — such as DUI — became a passion for him as the system does not respect citizens’ rights. When Jonathan is defending someone in court, he is not only protecting them and their freedom but the freedoms and rights of everyone living in this state and nation.
Jonathan is also currently serving as a Judge Pro Tem (temporary judge) at the Bellingham Municipal Court.
Jonathan practices regularly in every District and Municipal Court in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Northern Snohomish Counties. He is well respected by Judges and Prosecutors alike, and it is not unusual for other DUI attorneys in every area Jonathan is established in, to turn to Jonathan for help, guidance, and creative solutions and collaborations in their own DUI cases.
Jonathan is qualified under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards to administer roadside sobriety tests. Jonathan is also A.R.I.D.E qualified. Knowledge of these tests is critical in defending citizens charged with DUI- Alcohol and DUI-Drugs. Jonathan regularly discusses DUI topics on KGMI's "The Legal Docket" and publishes monthly blog posts on legal topics. He was also a contributing writer for the third edition of a DUI textbook for fellow lawyers: Defending DUIs in Washington. In addition, he has been called upon to lecture both Washington State attorneys and judges about how to defend and handle DUI cases.
Completing his undergrad studies in criminology at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and law school at Seattle University School of Law, Jonathan's unique education and current proximity to the Canadian border has also allowed him to create a sub-specialization of immigration consequences for DUI and alcohol related convictions with respect to Canadian Immigration. Jonathan regularly educates other Washington attorneys with respect to DUI immigration consequences specifically regarding travel to Canada.
Outside of client work, Jonathan has his own passions and hobbies that he tends to – like being outdoors running marathons or snowboarding, acquiring certifications, or volunteering with the Whatcom Humane Society.
Whatcom Humane Society Fundraiser
Harvard Law Summer Session on DUI Law
Fairhaven Runners 15k
| Year | Award / Certification / Publication | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Judge Pro Tem | Bellingham Municipal Court |
| 2015 | Forensic Principles of DUI-D | Axion Labs |
| 2015 | DUIDLA National Conference Speaker: The DUI-Drug Defense Roadmap | DUI Defense Lawyers Association |
| 2015 | Became a DUIDLA Ambassador | DUI Defense Lawyers Association |
| 2015 | Became a DUIDLA Faculty Member | DUI Defense Lawyers Association |
| 2015 | Winter Seminar Completion | DUI Defense Lawyers Association |
| 2014 | Hands-On Forensic Drug Analysis IV | Axion Labs |
| 2014 | Helped to Found DUIDLA | DUI Defense Lawyers Association |
| 2013 | Top 40 Under 40 | The National Trial Lawyers |
| 2013 | Super Lawyer Rising Star 2013 | Law & Politics Magazine |
| 2012 | Best Legal Website Finalist | Stevie® Awards |
| 2012 | 10.0 Superb 100+ Client Reviews | Avvo |
| 2012 | Super Lawyer Rising Star 2012 | Law & Politics Magazine |
| 2012 | Hands-On Gas Chromatography (GC) Fundamentals | Axion Labs |
| 2012 | Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) Course | La Pier & Associates, NHTSA, IACP |
| 2012 | Standardized Field Sobriety Tests | La Pier & Associates, NHTSA |
| 2011 | Super Lawyer Rising Star 2011 | Law & Politics Magazine |
| 2011 | AWB Community Service Award | Association of Washington Business |
| 2010 | The DRE Process: Drug Evaluation Classification Program | La Pier & Associates, NHTSA |
| 2010 | Super Lawyer Rising Star 2010 | Law & Politics Magazine |
| 2009 | Super Lawyer Rising Star 2009 | Law & Politics Magazine |
| 2008 | Forensic Toxicology | Toxicology Labs Inc |
| 2007 | Super Lawyer Rising Star 2007 | Law & Politics Magazine |
| 2007 | Mastering Scientific Evidence | National College of DUI Defense |
| 2007 | Completion of the Jury Insight Project | National College of DUI Defense |
| 2007 | Standardized Field Sobriety Tests: Qualified Administrator | La Pier & Associates, NHTSA |
| 2006 | Beating DUI's with Science | National College of DUI Defense |
| 2006 | Harvard Summer Session | National College of DUI Defense |
| 2006 | Super Lawyer Rising Star 2006 | Law & Politics Magazine |
* The "Rising Star" award is given by Law and Politics Magazine to attorneys who have distinguished themselves, are under 40 years old, and have been in practice ten years or less.
Jonathan is a proud sponsor of the following organizations and numerous other local non-profit organizations serving the community.
“Jonathan, thank you for bringing the best possible outcome today in my case. It was a humbling and very sobering experience and I am mindful everyday of my personal responsibility and actions and those around me. My career has taken off and I’m glad to have this chapter behind me and will move onward past probation!”Julie