With summer on the way, Washington state will be taking steps to make the roads safer by taking a harsher stance against people who are suspected of DUI.
According to statistics, the summer months see a drastic increase in overall alcohol related accidents throughout the U.S., with the period that occurs between Memorial Day and Labor Day being called the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.
As a result, law enforcement officers will be increasing their DUI enforcement efforts to try and keep impaired drivers off the road.
Potential Penalties for DUI Charges in Washington State
If you are facing DUI charges, then knowing the possible penalties can be beneficial. In Washington State they are as follows:
1st Offense
If you have a BAC that is under .15 percent or no test results, the minimum amount of jail time you will face is 24 hours consecutively or 15 days EMH, with 364 days being the maximum penalty allowed. You will face fines and fees ranging from $823 to $5,000 and a 90-day license suspension. You will also have to undergo an alcohol and drug assessment, use an ignition interlock device for a year after your suspension, and face five years of probation.
If you have a BAC that is .15 percent or higher or refuse the test, the consequences are also higher. Your jail time will be raised to 48 hours consecutively or 30 days EMH as a minimum and fines can range from $1,015 to $5,000. Also, you will face a license suspension of one to two years. Everything else is the same as above.
2nd Offense
If you have a BAC that is under .15 percent or no test results, the minimum amount of jail time you will face is 30 days consecutively, with 364 days being the maximum penalty allowed. You will receive a penalty of 60 days electronic home monitoring and face fines and fees ranging from $1,015 to $5,000 along with a two-year license suspension. You will also have to undergo an alcohol and drug assessment, use an ignition interlock device for five years if previously restricted, and face five years of probation.
If you have a BAC that is .15 percent or higher or refuse the test, the consequences are also higher. Your jail time will be raised to 45 days consecutively as a minimum and EHM of 90 days. The fines can range from $1,405 to $5,000 and you will face a license suspension of 900 days to three years. Everything else is the same as above.
3rd Offense or More
If you have a BAC that is under .15 percent or no test results, the minimum amount of jail time you will face is 90 days consecutively, with 364 days being the maximum penalty allowed. You will receive a penalty of 120 days electronic home monitoring and face fines and fees ranging from $1,805 to $5,000 along with a three-year license suspension. You will also have to undergo an alcohol and drug assessment, use an ignition interlock device for 10 years if previously restricted, and face five years of probation.
If you have a BAC that is .15 percent or higher or refuse the test, the consequences are also higher. Your jail time will be raised to 120 days consecutively as a minimum and EHM of 150 days. The fines can range from $2,605 to $5,000 and you will face a license suspension of four years. Everything else is the same as above.
What are the BAC Limits in Washington State?
To ensure you don’t drive impaired and put yourself and others in jeopardy and put yourself at risk of being charged with a DUI, knowing the BAC limits is a must. These limits are as follows:
- For those who are under the age of 21, their BAC can’t be higher than .02 percent
- For those who are 21 years of age or older, any BAC over .08 percent is grounds for a DUI
- For commercial drivers, those who have a BAC over .04 percent are considered impaired and can be charged with a DUI.
If you have been stopped or are stopped in the summer months due to a DUI charge, then you need quality legal representation. The team at the Law Offices of Kim E. Hunter can help.
