In Washington, it’s illegal to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You can be convicted of a DUI (driving under the influence) for getting behind the wheel while:
DUI offenses based on impairment (drugs or alcohol), THC concentration, and BACs under .15% typically carry the lowest penalties. DUI offenders who refused chemical testing (blood or breath) in violation of Washington’s implied consent laws or had a BAC of .15% or greater generally face more severe consequences.
Below are some of the administrative and criminal penalties for a first-offense DUI. Generally, a DUI is considered a first offense in Washington if the motorist has no prior DUI convictions within the past seven years. The penalties for a second and third DUI are more serious.
“Administrative penalties” are those imposed by the Washington State Department of Licensing. Some administrative consequences are triggered by the arrest and apply even if the defendant is never actually convicted of a DUI in criminal court. For a first DUI, the administrative penalties include:
The Department of Licensing also requires all motorists convicted of a first-offense DUI to have ignition interlock devices (IIDs) on their vehicles for at least one year. And DUI first offenders who had a passenger under the age of 16 in their vehicle at the time of their offense are required to have IIDs for at least 18 months.
“Criminal penalties” are those imposed by a criminal court following a DUI conviction. For a first DUI, the criminal penalties include:
Depending on the circumstances, a judge might also order a DUI offender to participate in an educational or substance abuse treatment program. And for any first offender who had a passenger under the age of 16 at the time of the offense, the judge must impose an additional one day in jail and increase the fines and fees to $1,200 to $5,200. Also, the actual costs of a first DUI can be substantially more when you count attorney fees and other expenses.
Washington DUI law is complex, and the facts of every case are different. If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence, talk to an experienced DUI attorney in your area. A qualified DUI lawyer can tell you how the law applies to the facts of your case and help you decide on the best course of action.
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