Washington State DUI Arrest
In Washington State, it is against the law to operate any type of motor vehicle - whether it is a car, motorcycle or boat - with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher. Washington’s zero tolerance laws also make it illegal for minors to drive with a BAC of 0.02 percent or higher. If your BAC is over the legal limit, you face a Washington State DUI arrest.The first step in a DUI arrest is being pulled over. If an officer stops you because he or she suspects that you are under the influence of alcohol, you will be required to take a breath, blood, or urine test to determine your BAC. If you are stopped for a different reason, such as running a stop sign, and the officer has a reason to believe you have been drinking, you will also be asked to take a sobriety test. Due to Washington’s implied consent laws, refusing to take the test will result in fines and a license suspension.
If you fail the breath test, or refuse to take it, you will probably be brought to the police station, where you will stay until someone comes to get you or until you sober up in the morning.
Next, you will have to go to court. In Washington, you have 20 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing with the Department of Licensing to challenger your administrative license suspension. You are also required to go to criminal court to enter a plea. If you plead guilty, you will be sentenced at that time. If you plead not guilty, your case will go to trial.
If you are convicted of DUI, it is up to the judge to determine your penalties. Even for a first-time offense, you will be sentenced to at least one day in jail and face fines as well as a driver’s license suspension and probation. You may also be ordered to get an alcohol evaluation and treatment. If you have a prior DUI or your BAC was extremely high (0.15 percent or higher), you face additional penalties.
After your driver’s license is reinstated, you will receive a probationary license for five years and will be required to obtain SR22 insurance for three years.
If you have a question about your Washington State DUI arrest, you should contact Callahan Law today. Our firm limits our practice to DUI law. To discuss your case, contact us today.
