Motorists can receive a DUI charge in Washington if they are visibly intoxicated by drugs or alcohol and/or if they have blood alcohol content above 0.08%. For minors, the BAC threshold for driving under the influence is 0.02%, and commercial drivers can receive a DUI for BAC above 0.04%.
If you face a DUI court date in Washington, understand the potential penalties for a conviction.
First-time offense
If you have no history of DUI within the past seven years, you may face the following penalties:
- At least one and up to 364 days in jail
- Fines of $350 to $5,000
- License suspension
Offenders can opt to serve 90 days in a 24/7 drug and alcohol treatment program or 15 days on house arrest instead of the mandatory one day in jail. Drivers who either refuse to take a breath test at the scene of the arrest or who have a measured BAC above 0.15% must pay fines starting at $500 and serve either a minimum of two days in jail, 120 days in a sober living program or 30 days of house arrest.
Second-time offense
If you have one DUI already in the past seven years, the penalties for conviction may include the following:
- At least 30 days and up to 364 days in jail, or a minimum of four days in jail along with 120 days in a drug treatment program or 180 days on house arrest
- Fines of $500 to $5,000
- License suspension
- Seizure and sale of vehicle
Elevated penalties for breath test refusal or BAC over 0.15% also include the following:
- At least 45 days and up to 364 days in jail, or a minimum of six days in jail along with 120 days in a drug treatment program or six months on house arrest
- Fines of $750 to $5,000
Subsequent convictions within the same seven-year period result in extended penalties. This is also true for DUI convictions involving an underage passenger.
