Washington DUI Laws & DWI Laws
Driving under the influence is a serious offense, and Washington DUI Laws are harsh–the penalties for other Washington traffic tickets and violations pale in comparison. If you are pulled over for driving under the influence, you will be asked to take a breathalyzer test. The following Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels will lead to arrest:
- 08 or above – 21 and older
- 04 or above – Drivers of commercial vehicles
- 02 or above – Minors (under 21)
Keep in mind that you can be charged with DUI for having any concentration of alcohol on your breath or blood. If you are found operating a motor vehicle under the influence of/affected by alcohol or a drug of any kind, or a mixture of alcohol and drugs, this qualifies as driving under the influence. If you are arrested for DUI, you will be subject to a blood or breath test. Washington’s Implied Consent Law states that any individual who drives a motor vehicle has agreed to be tested for alcohol or drugs in their system if a police officer believes that the person has been driving under the influence. Refusing to take one of these tests is justifiable cause for you to forfeit your drivers license and driving privileges for a minimum of 1 year.
DUI Penalties in Washington
If you are convicted of a DUI in Washington, Washington DUI laws dictate that you will face a number of penalties. If this is your first DUI conviction, penalties include:
- A suspended license in Washington for 90 days
- A fine between $865.50 and $5,000
- Between 1 day and 1 year of jail time, or 15 days of Electronic Home Monitoring in lieu of jail time (Electronic Home Monitoring enables you to serve your jail sentence from home. You may go to work/school and to treatment programs if required, but otherwise you must stay at home. You are monitored by either the county/city jail or by a private company.)
- Ignition Interlock Device and Drivers License (This license allows you to drive a vehicle that is equipped with an Ignition Interlock Device during your drivers license suspension/revocation.)
- Possible Alcohol/Drug Education course or treatment, as ordered by the court
The penalties get increasingly harsher the more DUIs a driver gets. You will face the following consequences for a second DUI:
- 2-year drivers license revocation
- A fine between $1,120.50 and $5,000
- Between 30 days and 1 year of jail time
- 60 days of mandatory Electronic Home Monitoring
- Ignition Interlock Device and Drivers License
- Possible Alcohol/Drug Education course or treatment, as ordered by the court
And for a third DUI conviction, the penalties are:
- 3-year drivers license revocation
- A fine between $1,970.50 and $5,000
- Between 90 days and 1 year of jail time
- 120 days of mandatory Electronic Home Monitoring
- Ignition Interlock Device and Drivers License
- Possible Alcohol/Drug Education course or treatment, as ordered by the court
DUI in Seattle
If you arrested for a DUI in the city of Seattle, you are required to show up to court within 2 days of the arrest for your arraignment. There, you will find out what your bail is set at as well as your release conditions. You might want to consider hiring a lawyer to help you through this process.
The legal process is a lengthy one. Driving under the influence is simply not worth it. Washington DUI laws are strict, and a DUI is an offense that follows you around for the rest of your life. If you think that Washington traffic tickets and fines are bad, imagine what it’s like to be convicted of a DUI. But if you refrain from drinking and driving, you’ll avoid the hassle altogether.
