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DUI

DUI Penalties in Washington

CheckNo one can tell you the penalty for your DUI arrest. Not until the facts are in and we – Knauss Law – have conducted our investigation.

CheckThere are too many variables, and no chart can cover all or adequately convey how they come together to inform the court when a sentence is rendered.

CheckWe can, however, tell you what you may be facing after you’ve been arrested for DUI - in court and out.

Criminal Penalties

CheckAs a gross misdemeanor charge, a DUI conviction could lead to a mandatory jail sentence, loss of license, fines, and a probationary period.

CheckWith a prior DUI on your record, these penalties will increase – dramatically.

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Sentencing

A DUI or physical control charge in Washington usually means you face a ‘gross misdemeanor.’

This means a judge can impose a sentence of 364 days in jail and a $5000 fine.

You will lose your license, be sentenced to a term of probation, undergo a drug and alcohol assessment, and quite possibly be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle when you drive.

Understand that the penalties depend on several factors, including the result of the breath test, a refusal to take a breath test, and prior DUIs, among others. It is also important to know that you can be prosecuted for DUI even if the breath test showed you were under the legal limit. In Washington State, a driver can be charged with DUI based on the totality of the circumstances.

DUI or physical control charge in Washington

DUI

This is a chart of possible DUI penalties:

Penalty
First DUI
Second (or More) DUI
tickMinimum Jail Time or Home Monitoring
24 hours consecutively or 15 days monitoring
120 days consecutively or 30 days monitoring
tickMaximum Jail Time
364 days
364 days
tickFines & Fees
Up to $5,000
Up to $5,000
tickLicense Suspension
90 days
Up to 4 years
tickIgnition Interlock
One year after suspension
Up to ten years after suspension
tickAlcohol/Drug Assessment
Yes
Yes
tickProbation
Five years
Five years

As you can see, the ranges of
penalties are wide

Very little is written in stone. There are other factors – like the validity of the breath test.

You are entitled to a defense; you are entitled to tell your story. Knauss Law is very knowledgeable on Washington state DUI penalties, and we will be there with you.

We will help you get your life back.