Many people do not realize until it is too late that a Washington State DUI arrest creates not one but two separate cases. Not only do drivers have to deal with criminal prosecution in the criminal courts, but they also have a simultaneous case with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
At Veitch Ault Defense, we understand the ins and outs of Washington State DUI cases and how to defend you and your best interests. We will fight for your right to a fair trial, ensure all your legal documents are processed correctly and on time, and will help you uphold your rights throughout the duration of your case. Our Lynnwood DUI Defense Attorneys & King County DUI Defense attorneys have helped over a thousand clients successfully resolve their cases throughout Washington and look forward to doing what we can for you.
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If this is your first offense ever or in more than seven years and your breathalyzer result is .15% or less, the penalties you can expect include:
If you test .15% BAC or higher or if you refuse to take a breath test, you can expect:
Like first offense DUI charges, the penalties for a second arrest can vary depending on how high your BAC (blood alcohol content) is at the time of your test and whether you refused to take a breathalyzer.
Penalties may include:
And more
Get Started with a Free Consultation
If you are facing a DUI Charge in Washington State, it’s a serious matter that requires your
careful attention. The fact is that a conviction can lead to fines and penalties that can include
jail time and driver’s license suspension – in addition to your reputation being tarnished.
Because protecting your legal rights is key, having a skilled Washington State attorney in your
corner is paramount.
If a DUI charge has been levied against you, you have serious questions, and the answers to
those asked most frequently by others in your position can help.
The cost of hiring a trusted DUI lawyer in Washington State is quite reasonable in relation to the
consequences you face. The fact is that having professional legal counsel on your side could end
up being a real bargain. The cost of simply admitting guilt and accepting the fines and penalties
imposed by the court is too consequential not to bring your strongest defense.
Without the skilled legal guidance of a dedicated Washington State DUI lawyer in your corner,
your risk of facing the full force of the law escalates. With a savvy DUI attorney on your side,
however, you’ll be far better prepared to fight the charge – in pursuit of your case’s best
possible resolution.
A DUI charge can only be dismissed in the State of Washington if one of the following applies:
● Dismissal via a decision made by the prosecutor
● Dismissal by the court based on a lack of evidence or successful motions
Even if your case isn’t dismissed, you may be able to obtain an acquittal at trial. The only way to
implement any of these options is by effectively challenging the state’s evidence in your case,
which requires the keen legal insight that only a practiced Washington State DUI lawyer can
offer.
It is your legal right to fight any criminal charge levied against you in the United States or in the
State of Washington, but doing so is challenging. In order to fight your DUI charge, you’ll need
to build your strongest defense, which includes either refuting the state’s evidence or
establishing that the police made legal errors in relation to evidence collection. Common
examples include:
● Not having the probable cause – or reasonable suspicion – necessary to pull you over in
the first place, which is granted by the Fourth Amendment
● Failure to follow appropriate procedures for conducting your breath test or field
sobriety tests or failing to maintain chain of custody in a blood draw
● Failing to thoroughly document your arrest
● Failing to faithfully catalog the field notes related to the investigation that led to your
arrest
The police are held to strict rules and regulations when it comes to arresting the citizens of
Washington State, and your focused DUI lawyer will ferret out any irregularities in your case.
If you can’t get the DUI charge against you dropped, and you aren’t acquitted at trial, the most
important factor becomes the sentence you receive. Another option, however, may be having
the DUI charge reduced to a lesser charge, such as negligent or reckless driving, which a
knowledgeable DUI lawyer can help you with.
If you cannot have your charges reduced, you may be able to enter a deferred prosecution
program. In this program, the state does not proceed with its case against you and imposes
certain conditions such as not drinking or engaging in any other illegal activity. If you
successfully complete the program, the state will drop its case against you. If, however, you
violate the conditions imposed by the court, it will trigger a DUI conviction. An attorney can
advise you as to whether this option is available to you.
To begin, it’s important to recognize that jail time is a possibility for a first DUI in the State of
Washington. Washington actually has some of the harshest DUI penalties on the books, and
first DUI offenses are typically charged as gross misdemeanors, which come with the following
penalties:
● Jail time of up to 364 days
● Fines of up to $5,000
There are also considerations like the following to keep in mind:
● Driver’s license suspension
● House arrest
● A mandatory ignition interlock device
● Alcohol or drug treatment
If your blood alcohol content (BAC) was above .15 or you refused a breath or blood test, the
chance that you will do jail time increases. It is important to note, however, that – while jail
sentences for first-time DUI offenses are not required and are often bypassed – there is a non-
suspendable requirement that anyone who is convicted of DUI in Washington State spend 24
consecutive hours in jail.
In Washington, a DUI conviction will remain on your record permanently, which makes having
professional legal counsel in your corner that much more important. It is also important to
note, however, that the gravity of a DUI conviction lessens after 7 to 10 years without
additional infractions.
If you are convicted of a first DUI offense – or of a DUI with no offenses in the seven years prior
– you will be looking at a 90-day suspension of your driver’s license, which can seriously
interfere with your ability to make a living and to be there for your family.
The accomplished DUI lawyers at Veitch Ault Defense – proudly serving both Bellevue and
Lynnwood – together have more than four decades of imposing experience guiding challenging
cases like yours toward optimal outcomes, and we’re on your side. Learn more by reaching out
and contacting or calling us at 425-312-6753 today.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
