Washington DUI Laws
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Washington State, there are several things that you will need to consider. Jail time, probation, expensive fines, and a driver’s license suspension are all real possibilities. You may also be required to attend alcohol and drug education classes (at your expense) as well as perform community service.
A DUI conviction is no laughing matter. You may be tempted by the idea of representing yourself, but in the long run it will cost you more. You need a DUI attorney who knows Washington DUI law inside and out.
Washington has a “per se” law. This means that a driver can be convicted of drunk driving if his or her blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher. If you have a commercial vehicle license, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .04 percent or higher.
A DUI charge does not go away – it stays on your record forever.
After being arrested for drunk-driving, you face an administrative license suspension. If your BAC is above the legal limit, or you refuse to take a breath test altogether, your license will be suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles. For a first time offense, with a BAC over the legal limit, your license will be suspended for 90 days. For a breath test refusal, your license will be suspended for one year.
A first-time DUI offense is a gross misdemeanor. You will face no less than one day and up to one year in jail. The judge may also require you to wear an electronic home monitoring device for 15 days in lieu of jail time. This device will be installed at your expense and may even include an alcohol detection breathalyzer.
You will also be responsible for fines ranging from $350 to $5,000 and a license suspension of 90 days.
If you have had a prior DUI in the past seven years, or your BAC was .15 percent or higher, you face even stiffer penalties. The length of jail time and license suspension is even longer than for a first-time offense.
All is not lost! You can fight a DUI charge! To get started, please fill out our online form today. An experienced attorney in your area of Washington will contact you shortly to discuss your case.
