What Happens When You Get a DUI in Washington

What happens when you get a DUI in Washington? Those charged with driving under the influence can have their driver’s license suspended and face various criminal penalties.

Speak with a Seattle DUI lawyer if you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence. Your attorney can start preparing your legal defense right away.

In Washington, Your Driver’s License Will Be Suspended Immediately If You’re Arrested for Driving Under the Influence

The State of Washington takes DUI offenses seriously. One of the things that will happen when you get a DUI in Washington is that your driver’s license will be suspended for 30 days following your arrest. To contest your suspension, you may need to request a hearing with the Department of Licensing (DOL) within 7 days.

Choosing not to request a hearing means that your driver’s license may be suspended anywhere from 90 days to two years. How long your driver’s license suspension lasts is based on whether you have any prior DUI convictions and other factors. Meanwhile, even if you request a hearing and keep your license, a court can convict you, which can result in a suspension.

If you’re unsure what happens after a DUI arrest, seek legal help from the team at Puget Law Group. We have more than 150 years of combined experience. Our DUI attorneys can share FAQs and other legal resources with you. Plus, we’re available 24/7 to discuss your case with you. Contact us today.

Expect the Prosecutor in Your Washington DUI Case Will Do Everything They Can to Make Sure That You Are Convicted

In terms of what will happen when you get charged with a DUI in Washington State, you can be convicted of a criminal offense. At this point, you may be subject to various penalties outside of having your driver’s license suspended, such as:

Jail Time

At a minimum, you may be subject to 24 hours in jail for a first DUI conviction. In some cases, jail time can be substituted with 15 days of electronic monitoring, which is defined in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 9.94A.736. A first DUI jail sentence may last up to 1 year. Jail time may increase if you were previously convicted of a DUI.

Fines

Someone convicted of a DUI may be fined a minimum of $350 if they have no prior offenses in the last 7 years. Fines can be substantial, particularly for offenders who have been convicted of driving under the influence. If you were convicted of a DUI two or more times in the past 7 years, you may have to pay a $5,000 fine for your third conviction.

Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in Your Car

You’re required to install an ignition interlock device if you’ve been convicted of driving under the influence once or multiple times. This device will require you to perform a BAC test before you can drive. How long you have to keep your IID in your car depends on the severity of your offense.

The prosecutor in your case will likely commit substantial time and resources to make sure that you have to deal with these penalties and many others. As you debate what to do following your DUI arrest, get legal help. Let a criminal defense attorney who has helped past clients get outstanding DUI case results represent you. This lawyer can get your case ready for trial.

You Will Face Collateral Consequences Because of Your DUI in Washington

When you look at what can happen if you get a DUI in Washington, consider the collateral consequences of your conviction. Ultimately, you may have to serve jail time, pay a fine, or deal with other criminal penalties. However, the collateral consequences may affect you long after you get arrested for driving under the influence. These consequences can include:

• Difficulty landing a job, buying a home, or achieving other life milestones
• Suspension or revocation of a professional license
• International travel restrictions
• An increase in your car insurance premiums
• A social stigma that can disrupt your relationships with family and friends

Along with these things, think about how long a DUI can stay on your record. In Washington State, a driving under the influence conviction may not be expunged. Thus, your DUI conviction may remain on your criminal and driving records for life.

You Have a Say in What Happens When You Get a DUI in the State of Washington

After a driving under the influence arrest, you may feel helpless and alone. You may question whether you have any say in what happens to you after you get a DUI in Washington. But remember, you have access to legal services and support. By partnering with criminal defense lawyers with DUI case experience, you can fight back against your charge.

Your lawyer can share information about Washington State’s DUI law and other rules and regulations that apply to your case. On top of that, they can investigate your arrest. When your lawyer does, they may find that the police violated your constitutional rights or that there were errors in your BAC testing. This can help your lawyer lay the foundation for your legal defense.

If you are a first-time offender, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution. For example, your attorney may get you a plea bargain in which you accept a reckless driving charge in lieu of a DUI. If you take this deal, you may face fewer penalties than the ones you would have if you had been convicted of driving under the influence.

The Bottom Line on What Happens to Those Who Get a DUI in Washington

Bad things tend to happen when a person gets a DUI in Washington. At Puget Law Group, we help those who have been arrested for driving under the influence dispute the charges against them. Trust us to help you with your driving under the influence case. Schedule a free consultation with us.