Washington DUI Penalties

Penalties for conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in Washington are harsh when compared to other states, even if it is a first time offense. In Washington, the “per se” law states that you may be convicted of DUI if your blood alcohol content is .08% or higher at the time of arrest. Refusal to take a chemical test, such as a breathalyzer, blood or urine test at the time of arrest usually results in harsher consequences should the accused be subsequently convicted of DUI. Whether it’s your first or subsequent drunk driving conviction in Washington, you will be required to carry SR-22 insurance.

Washington DUI Criminal Penalties: 1st Offense

If convicted of a first DUI offense in Washington or if it is the first DUI offense you’ve had in seven (7) years, penalties are dependant upon your blood alcohol content at the time of arrest. If your blood alcohol content is .15% or above at the time of arrest or if you refused to take a chemical test to determine your blood alcohol content, penalties do increase.

Overall, penalties for a first DUI offense include one (1) day to one (1) year jail time or fifteen (15) days to thirty (30) days Electronic Home Detention. Fines of $823 to $5,000 may be imposed by the court, and your license will be suspended for ninety (90) days to one (1) year. Your license will be reinstated as a “probationary” license for five (5) years during which time you may be on monitored probation for which you may incur fees and/or be ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed on your car at your own expense. In addition, an alcohol evaluation will be ordered by the court, the outcome of which will determine whether or not you are ordered to attend an alcohol treatment program for up to two (2) years.

2nd Offense

Again, penalties for individuals whose blood alcohol content is .15% or above and those who refuse to take a chemical test at the time of arrest face steeper penalties than others. In total, a second DUI offense in Washington within seven (7) years of the first will result in thirty (30) days to one (1) year in jail in addition to sixty (60) days to ninety (90) days of Electronic Home Detention. Fines of $1,078 to $5,000 will be imposed, a driving and knowledge exam will be given and driving privileges will be revoked for two (2) years to nine-hundred (900) days. You will be issued a “probationary” license for five (5) years following the reinstatement of your driving privileges, and may be given up to five (5) years of monitored probation for which you will incur fees. You may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle at your own expense for one (1) year. Again, the court will order an alcohol evaluation and may require attendance at an alcohol treatment program for up to two (2) years depending on the recommendations of the evaluator.

3rd Offense

If you’re convicted of a third DUI offense in Washington within seven years of the first, you will face ninety (90) days to one (1) year in jail in addition to one-hundred twenty (120) days to one-hundred fifty (150) days of Electronic Home Detention. Fines of $1,928 to $5,000 will be imposed by the court, and you will be subject to driving and knowledge exams as well as a three (3) year to four (4) year driver’s license revocation. Upon the reinstatement of your driver’s license, you will be issued a “probationary” license for five (5) years. You may also be given up to five (5) years of monitored probation for which you will incur fees, be required to install an ignition interlock device in your car at your own expense for one (1) to ten (10) years. Lastly, you will be subject to a court ordered alcohol evaluation which will determine whether you are assigned to mandatory attendance at an alcohol treatment program for up to (2) years.

Contact a Washington DUI Attorney

If you or someone you care about has been recently arrested for drunk driving in Washington, it is extremely important to contact a qualified Washington defense attorney who specializes in drunk driving law. Among other nuances within the law, the Seattle Municipal Court has certain rules and requirements that differ from other courts as they relate to DUI violations. Contacting a Washington DUI attorney will help ensure your rights are protected under the law and that you are able to successfully navigate the criminal justice system in Washington.