In Washington, you can be arrested for a DUI with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least .08 percent (or .04 percent for commercial drivers), with a THC concentration of at least five nanograms per ml of blood, or while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or cannabis.
If you are convicted, the penalties range from fines, driver’s license suspension, and even jail time. These penalties are based on the facts and circumstances of each case, as well as the number of prior offenses within a seven-year period.
The following is a breakdown of the DUI penalties in Washington State:
First DUI – A first DUI conviction with no prior offenses within the last seven years is punishable by a maximum jail term of 364 days (with a mandatory minimum jail sentence of one day), fines of up to $5,000 (with a mandatory minimum fine of $990.50), and driver’s license suspension for 90 days. However, you can serve 15 days of house arrest or 90 days in a 24/7 sobriety program, rather than serve the mandatory day in jail.
Second DUI – If you were previously convicted of a DUI in the last seven years, a second offense carries a maximum jail sentence of 364 days (with a mandatory minimum jail term of 30 days), fines of up to $5,000 (with a mandatory minimum fine of $1,245.50), and driver’s license suspension for two years. A judge can also order a jail term of up to four days and either house arrest for 180 days or participate in the 24/7 sobriety program for 120 days.
Third DUI – If you were previously convicted of two DUIs in the last seven years, a third offense is punishable by a jail term of up to 364 days (with a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 90 days), fines of up to $5,000 (with a mandatory minimum fine of 2,095.50), driver’s license revocation for three years, and six months in the 24/7 sobriety program. In lieu of sobriety monitoring, the court can add eight more days of jail time.
In addition, a DUI conviction will also result in ignition interlock device (IID) installation. Alcohol/drug counseling or treatment may also be ordered by the court.
If you have been arrested for a DUI in Tacoma, call Hester Law Group at (253) 300-3034 or complete our online contact form today to request a free consultation. Our legal team has more than 130 years of combined legal experience!