Washington State DUI Penalties

In Washington State, driving under the influence is a serious crime. While DUI is only a gross misdemeanor in Washington, the penalties are more severe than for certain types of felonies.

It is illegal for drivers over the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or above.

There are many factors that are looked at when determining the minimum penalties. These include: the number of prior drunk driving convictions in the past seven years, the driver’s BAC, and whether or not the driver refused to take the breath test.

Below is a basic summary of the penalties you face if convicted of DUI. If you have any questions, please contact a qualified DUI defense attorney today.

If this is your first offense, you will spend at least 1 day in jail or 15 days with electronic home detection. You must pay $823 in fines and your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days. Additionally, an ignition interlock device must be installed in your vehicle and you may be ordered to attend alcohol evaluation and treatment.

If this was your first offense, but your BAC was 0.15% or higher, or you refused to take a breath test, you are subject to additional penalties. You must spend at least 2 days in jail or 30 days with electronic home detection. You will be ordered to pay $1,078. If you had a BAC over the legal limit, your license will be revoked for one year. Even if you simply refused to take the breath test, your license will be revoked for two years, an ignition interlock device will be installed in your car for one year, and you may be ordered to attend alcohol evaluation and treatment.

For a second offense within the last 7 years, you may be ordered to a minimum of 30 days in jail as well as 60 days of electronic home detention. You must pay at least $1,078 in fines and your license will be revoked for 2 years. Again, you will be ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed on your car for at least one and up to five years. Plus, you may be ordered to complete at least two years of alcohol evaluations and treatment.

As you can see, the punishments for a second offense are much stricter for a BAC over 0.15% or a breath test refusal.

If you or someone you love has recently been arrested in Washington, please contact us today. Our experienced defense attorneys are here to discuss your case with you and help you understand your options.