Washington DUI Attorney
Washington DUI Law
Driving under the influence and driving while intoxicated are against the law in the state of Washington. This means that, if you are caught while committing a DUI or DWI offense, you will be arrested and charged with criminal charges. You may face penalties including jail time, loss of your driving privileges, fines, and additional insurance requirements. Having these penalties imposed on you if you are convicted can make it difficult to lead a normal life. You will be stuck with a criminal record that can make it difficult to obtain or maintain employment. Losing your driving privileges will make it difficult for you to get to work or school and to keep up with all of your family obligations. Because these can cause a great impact on your life, you need to consult with a Washington DUI attorney immediately after your arrest. An experienced Washington DUI lawyer will know how to handle your specific case and will come up with a strategy that gives you the best chance of winning your case.
Washington DUI Prosecution
Washington is very different from many states in terms of filing charges and pretrial release policies. In many states, it can take up to a month or more to have your case filed in court. In Washington, you will be required to appear in a court within 48 hours of the next business day after your offense. If your offense occurs on a Saturday or Sunday, you will have to go to court early in the next week. Washington also has substantial bail amounts for DUI offenders and prosecutors may try to impose other pre-conviction penalties for a DUI offense. If you represent yourself at your pretrial hearing, there is a good chance that you will be put in jail until you can make bail. Having a Washington DUI attorney on your team can help you be released immediately.
Washington DUI Criminal Penalties
The penalties for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated can be severe, especially if you have prior offenses or aggravating factors are present in your specific case. The penalties for a first offense include a minimum of one day in jail up to one year of jail time, $823 minimum to $5,000 maximum fines, 90 day license suspension, additional insurance, five year probationary license, ignition interlock device installation for up to five years, alcohol treatment and evaluation, and probation monitoring. A second offense can result in 2 days minimum or one year maximum in jail, $1078 minimum fine to a $,5000 maximum fine, one year license revocation period, additional insurance requirements, five year probationary license, ignition interlock device usage of not less than one year, alcohol treatment and evaluation, and probation monitoring. A third offense with a prior DUI offense within a 7 year period results in increased penalties. They include 30 days in jail up to one year in jail, 60 days of house arrest, $1,078 minimum to $5,000 maximum fine, two year license revocation, driving exams, additional insurance requirements, 5 year probationary license, up to five years of monitored probation, ignition interlock usage for one year, alcohol evaluation and treatment, and probation monitoring. This type of offense with a blood alcohol content level of 0.15% or higher will result in even stiffer penalties. They include a minimum of 45 days in jail, 90 days of house arrest, $1,503 minimum to $5,000 maximum fine, 900 day license revocation period, driving exams, additional insurance requirements, probationary license for 5 years, five years of monitored probation, ignition interlock usage of not less than one year, alcohol evaluation and treatment, and probation monitoring. Two prior DUI offenses within a 7 year period will result in 90 days in jail minimum, 120 days of house arrest, $1,928 minimum fine, thee year license revocation, additional insurance requirements, driving exams, five years of monitored probation, 5 year probationary license, ignition interlock for one year with no previous interlock use, 5 years if one previous interlock use requirement, and 10 years with two previous interlock sentences, alcohol evaluation and treatment, and probation monitoring. This offense with a BAC of 0.15% or higher will result in a minimum 120 days in jail, 150 days of house arrest, $2,778 minimum fine, four year license revocation period, driving exams, additional insurance requirements, probationary license for 5 years, 5 years of monitored probation, ignition interlock device usage, and alcohol evaluation and treatment. Because these penalties are serious, it is imperative that you contact a Washington DUI attorney so you have the best chance of winning your case.
DMW Penalties in Washington
You will also face DMV penalties for a DUI offense in Washington. If a chemical test shows a BAC of 0.08% or greater, the penalties will include a 90 day license suspension or a two year license revocation for a second or subsequent offense. Your license is marked for 60 days and you have 30 days to request a hearing on your suspension. The fee for this hearing is $100 unless you cannot afford the fee. The hearing will take place within 60 days of your arrest and a decision will be made. Refusal to take a breath test results in a one year license revocation period or a two year license revocation period if it is a second or subsequent offense. These penalties can seriously impact your life, so working with a Washington DUI lawyer will give you the best chance of saving your driving privileges.
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