Washington DUI Consequences

The consequences for driving drunk in the state of Washington vary, but the majority of them are fairly serious and difficult to deal with. For example, a first time offender may be charged with such consequences as imprisonment, the payment of extensive fines, community service, an ignition interlock system being installed in their vehicle, as well as the need to take several alcohol education classes.

However, it is important to understand exactly how an individual is charged for driving drunk. For example, in the state of Washington, an offender can be prosecuted for a DUI if they violate one of two legal concepts. The first legal concept states that if an individual is under the effects on an intoxicant (such as alcohol/narcotics), they are then susceptible to being both mentally and physically impaired and thus not able to drive safely.

The second legal concept is a little different from the first, as it deals less with impairment and more so with an offender’s overall “body chemistry”. Otherwise known popularly as “per se” law, this concept is grounded in the belief that an individual with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher is technically intoxicated, and though they might not show it, they are actually unfit to drive.

Washington DUI Consequences in Detail

If a first time offender is charged with driving drunk, he or she may be faced with consequences such as imprisonment for one day to one year, a fine of $823, a 90-day license suspension, monitored probation for up to five years, alcohol evaluation and treatment, and so on.

It is important to note though, that the washout period in Washington is seven years, which means that if an individual had a prior DUI offense, and he or she receives a second charge seven or more years later, that latter charge would actually only be treated as a first time offense. That being said, if an offender receives a second DUI charge in the last seven years since their first offense, the offender may be charged with consequences such as 45 days up to one year in jail, a fine of $1,503 up to $5,000, a license suspension for 900 days, five year monitored probation and so on.

A third offense is just as serious as a second offense, as the consequences may result in a jail sentence of 90 days up to 1 year, a three year license revocation, five years monitored probation, an ignition interlock system being installed, as well as the need to complete a series of driving exams.

The penalties a defendant may face for a DUI in Washington are serious, but contacting a DUI defense lawyer immediately following arrest can lessen them. Therefore, if you are charged with a DUI in the state of Washington, contact a DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible.