Washington State DUI Penalties

In Washington, driving under the influence (DUI) is against the law. Since this is a “per se” state, a driver over the age of 21 with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher may be arrested and convicted of this crime. A driver under the age of 21 will be found guilty with a BAC of .02 percent or higher, and a commercial driver may be convicted with a BAC of .04 percent or higher.

The first thing you should worry about after being arrested for drunk driving is your license. Whether you fail the breath test, or refuse to take it, you have within 30 days to request a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you do not request a hearing within this time, your license will be automatically suspended 60 days after your arrest. This is known as an administrative license suspension.

If your BAC was over .08 percent, your license will be suspended for 90 days. This is separate from any punishment you will receive in criminal court. The license suspension for a driver who refused to take the breath test is even longer, lasting one year.

If this is your first DUI offense, you will face no less than one day and no more than one year in jail. The court may also order 15-days of electronic home monitoring in lieu of jail time. You will also face fines ranging from $350 to $5,000. This does not include other fees and surcharges. You will also be ordered to attend DUI School. This is normally an 8-hour program

For a second DUI offense, you will face 30 days of jail time, with 1 year being the maximum allowable, and 60 days of electronic home monitoring. You will also face fines ranging from $500 to $5,000. The driver’s license for this offense will last for 2 years. Probation and community service may also be ordered.

Jail time, fines, and license suspension will also be greater for drivers with a BAC of .15 percent or higher.

If you are interested in speaking to a DUI defense attorney in Washington, please submit your case online. An attorney will contact you to discuss these penalties and the options available for your case.