Washington DUI Laws & Drunk Driving Penalties


Overview of the penalties upon conviction of DUI in Washington

Washington DUI Laws, BAC limits, fines, jail times, IID requirements, suspension/revocation periods and SR22 insurance requirements for first time and repeat offenders with multiple DUI's.

If you've been charged with DUI in Washington, the law allows only 20 days for a Washington DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Washington Department of Licensing for a hearing to help save your drivers license.

What are the penalties for DUI in Washington?

The penalties for driving under the influence in Washington will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses (if any) a person has.

WA DUI Penalties

Washington is a state with a 7 year 'washout period' also known as a 'look back period'

DEFERRED PROSECUTION

A person charged with certain misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, including DUI, in district or municipal court may petition the court for a deferred prosecution in certain circumstances. A deferred prosecution program requires the person to, among other things, undergo treatment in a two-year program. The court will dismiss the charges three years after the completion of the treatment program.

1st DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor

Possible Deferred Prosecution

The penalty upon conviction of a first DUI offense in Washington:

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2nd DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor

Possible Deferred Prosecution

The penalty upon conviction of a second DUI offense in Washington:

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3rd DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor

The penalty upon conviction of a third DUI offense in Washington:

FELONY DUI

A conviction for DUI is a Class C Felony if the driver has:

Penalties for felony DUI are governed by the Sentencing Reform Act, and the driver's presumptive sentence depends, in part, on his or her "offender score" (based on prior criminal history). A DUI offender with four prior misdemeanor DUI's will receive a presumptive sentence range of 22 to 29 months.

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Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws

Washington Chemical Testing Laws

It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Washington and implied consent laws are enforced.

In Washington, if the accused refuses to take a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine, their drivers license will be suspended/revoked.

FIRST CHEMICAL TEST REFUSAL

SECOND Chemical test REFUSAL

Third (and subsequent) Chemical test REFUSAL

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What is the legal alcohol limit in Washington

The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Washington for driving are as follows:

ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Washington it is an offense for adult drivers to drive any regular motor vehicle with 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.

DRIVERS UNDER 21 - BAC LIMIT = 0.02%
In the State of Washington it is an offense for drivers under the age of 21 (minors) to drive any motor vehicle with 0.02% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.04%
In the State of Washington it is an offense for drivers who drive commercial vehicles to drive any commercial motor vehicle with 0.04% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.

Cities in Washington

Aberdeen, Arlington, Auburn, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bothell, Bremerton, Camas, Centralia, Chehalis, Chelan, Clarkston, Colville, Coupeville, Edmonds, Ellensburg, Ephrata, Everett, Federal Way, Friday Harbor, Gig Harbor, Hoquiam, Issaquah, Kelso, Kenmore, Kennewick, Kent, Kirkland, Lacey, Lakewood, Longview, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mercer Island, Moses Lake, Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor, Olympia, Pasco, Port Angeles, Port Orchard, Port Townsend, Poulsbo, Pullman, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Richland, Seattle, Sequim, Shelton, Silverdale, Snohomish, Spokane, Sumner, Tacoma, University Place, Vancouver, Vashon, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Woodinville, Yakima.


Counties in Washington

Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcorn, Whitman, Yakima.


DUI Laws - Drinkdriving.org

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