Snohomish County Drunk Driving Defense Attorney
Washington DUI Penalties
It is illegal in the state of Washington to drive if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 % or higher. For those who are below 21 years of age, a BAC of 0.02 percent or simply the presence of any alcohol in the system of an underage driver could also be the basis for a DUI arrest.
If you get stopped by a police officer on suspicion of DUI in Seattle, Washington's implied consent law dictates that by holding a driver's license, you agree to take a blood or breath test to determine if drugs or alcohol are present in your system. By declining to take a BAC test, you will be giving up your driver's license and driving privileges for at least one year. In Washington State there are a number of financial and other penalties that come with just being convicted of DUI.
Some Washington DUI penalties include:
- Suspension of your license
- Jail/prison time
- Possible revocation of your license
- If you get arrested a second time for a DUI within seven years of your first arrest, then your license will be revoked for two years
- Higher insurance rates
- You may have to reapply for your driver's license, take the written test again and pay the required fees.
- Monetary fines
- Probation
- Court-ordered alcohol or drug rehabilitation programs
- DUI arrest will remain on your driving record for 15 years
- Your vehicle may be seized or impounded
In the state of Washington, a first-time DUI conviction is punishable by a $5,000 fine and other court penalties, including probation or jail time. Drivers convicted of drunk driving in Washington could face up to one year in jail and driver's license suspension for 90 days with a first DUI conviction. Repeat offenders could receive more severe punishment including home detention, suspension or revocation of license for up to four years.
If you have been charged with drunk driving and wish to speak with an experienced Seattle DUI defense lawyer, please contact McNeese & Trotsky. The stakes are extremely high in Washington DUI cases. A conviction will not only result in severe punishments and penalties listed above, but will also have far-reaching consequences as far as your career and job prospects are concerned. Call us today to find out how you can build a winning DUI defense.
Free consultations ● Our Washington DUI law firm is located in the heart of downtown Seattle, just a few blocks from the King County courthouse