DUI and Other Alcohol Related Charges
Washington law is tough on Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and other related charges, such as Negligent Driving 1st Degree, Minor DUI, and Minor in Possession. It is important to know what you should and should not do if you are stopped for any such charge. Be prepared by reviewing What to do if Stopped by Law Enforcement.
A DUI is a gross misdemeanor as established in RCW 46.61.502 and 46.61.504. The law provides for a person to be guilty of driving under the influence if his or her blood or breath level is over .08 or higher for alcohol or a concentration of 5.00 ng or higher for THC within two hours after driving. This is commonly referred to as a per se DUI. A person may also be found guilty of a DUI if he or she is affected by intoxicating liquor, marijuana, any other drug or combination of drugs. The law also provides that a person may be guilty of a Physical Control DUI, where the person is under the influence and is in physical control of the vehicle, even if not driving.
Although our nation is founded on the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty, a person charged with a DUI may feel like it is the other way around. Consider that if you are arrested for a DUI:
- The first penalty is that our vehicle will be impounded and held for a minimum of 12 hours. You will be required to pay the impound and storage fees, even if you are later found innocent at trial or the charges are dropped.
- The court will issue pre-release conditions, such as causing you to report to probation for pre-trial release, order you to have abstinence from alcohol and all non-prescribed drugs, order you to be administratively booked, or a number of other pre-conviction penalties, including wearing an ankle bracelet to detect alcohol (also referred to as SCRAM).
- If you have had prior DUI convictions, the court may also order you to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID).
- If you fail to comply with all pre-release conditions, you could be held with or without bail pending trial or resolution of your case.
- Department of Licensing (DOL) will issue a notice of suspended license, which you may challenge, but your license could be suspended even if not found guilty of a DUI.
- DOL may also order you to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) even after you if you are found not guilty or the charges are dropped. You may request a hearing with the DOL to fight this requirement and the license suspension.
- What Can You Expect at Court Hearings?
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Criminal Charges
Washington's penalties for a first DUI offense with a BAC under .15 would include:
- A minimum of 24 consecutive hours in jail (or a maximum of 364 days in jail)
- A minimum of $945.50 in mandatory court costs/ fines (or a maximum of $5,000.00)
- Probation for five years, along with probation costs as much as $60 per month
- Court ordered drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment
- DOL ordered license suspension of 90 days and installation of ignition interlock device
- Other court ordered sanctions
Washington's penalties for a first DUI offense with a BAC over .15 would include:
- A minimum of 2 days in jail (of a maximum of 364 days in jail
- A minimum of $1,245.50 in mandatory court costs/ fines (or a maximum of $5,000.00)
- Probation for five years, along with probation costs as much as $60 per month
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- Court ordered drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment
- DOL ordered license suspension of 1 year and installation of ignition interlock device
- Other court ordered sanctions
Other penalties for all DUI's are likely to include:
- Completion of a drug/ alcohol evaluation and completion of all recommended treatment.
- Completion of a Victim's Impact Panel
- Probation up to 60 months and payment of probation fees (up to $60 per month)
- Abstinence from all alcohol and non-prescribed drugs, including marijuana
- Cost recoveries (payment to law enforcement for time spent on your case
- DOL license suspension
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Ignition Interlock Device (IID)- The law requires the installation of an IID following a conviction for a DUI, and sometimes while your DUI is pending. Please call to discuss this in more detail:
- SR22
- Probation
- Evaluation & Treatment
- Resources
The penalties for a DUI if you have had any prior DUI's in the preceding 7 years or there were children under the age of 16 as passengers cause the penalties to increase, adding jail time, fines, electronic home monitoring, longer suspensions, and longer requirements for ignition interlock devices.
If arrested for a DUI or other drug or alcohol related driving offense what can Heritage Law Office do for me?
If you have been charged, Heritage Law Office can be an invaluable asset. We understand that your future and freedom are at stake. In addition to fighting the case in a criminal court, Heritage Law Office would represent you at your DOL hearing challenging any suspension and any traffic infraction you may have received at the same time.
On the criminal side of the case, we will examine the traffic stop, arrest and evidence to determine whether police procedure was handled correctly and whether it is possible to suppress evidence. This includes in part:
- Did the officer have probable cause to stop you ?
- Did the officer have probable cause to detain you beyond the scope of the infraction?
- What were the results of the field sobriety tests, if you did them?
- Whether the BAC or blood tests were done appropriately?
- Whether your constitutional rights were violated
If your constitutional rights were violated, we may be able to get evidence suppressed and argue for reduced or dismissed charges.
Deferred prosecution may be an option if you are an alcoholic and agree to complete a treatment program. Please speak with an attorney to learn if you may be eligible for this program.
At Heritage Law Office, we represent individuals in misdemeanor offenses in Kittitas (Upper and Lower), Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Roslyn, Yakima, Benton county, and Kennewick. We understand that your future and freedom are at stake and the laws are complicated. An attorney is a valuable and must-have asset to have on your side.
Contact Heritage Law Office Today
Since Heritage Law Office is centrally located in Cle Elum, we are able to serve clients in Kittitas County, as well as areas throughout Eastern and Central Washington. As your advocates, we can protect your rights from overzealous law enforcement and prosecutors. For a free consultation with a DUI lawyer, please call 509-899-5375 or contact us online.