Tacoma Defense Attorney Discussing DUI Penalties

Washington State DUI Penalties

Penalties for DUIs in Washington state vary according to the number of prior offenses, whether or not the driver took a breath test, and the blood alcohol level (BAC) results. DUI penalties are harsher when the offense is considered aggravated. Our team at Daryl Graves Law, PLLC can provide you with representation that is focused on pursuing the best possible outcome.

In addition to jail time, those convicted of a DUI face additional penalties including:

• Fines
• Driver’s license suspension
• An order to use an ignition interlock device

First Time DUI Convictions

If you have no prior DUI convictions, penalties are as follows:

• BAC Result < .15 – if your BAC result was under .15, the judge can order up to 364 days in jail or an alternative electric home monitoring sentence (EHM). Each day of a jail sentence will be converted to 15 days of EHM sentencing. In other words, if you were sentenced to 30 days in jail, you can ask for 450 days of EHM instead. You will also face up to $5,000 in fines and a 90-day driver’s license suspension.
• BAC Result ≥ .15 – if your BAC result was .15 or over, or you refused to take the breath test, you can get up to 365 days in jail, and the EHM conversion raises to 30 EHM days for every one day of jail sentencing. You will also face up to $5,000 in fines, and your license will be revoked for one year if your BAC was .15 or higher, or for two years if you refused the breath test.

Penalties for a Second DUI

If you are convicted of a DUI and you already have a prior DUI on your record, you face the following penalties:

• BAC Result < .15 – if your BAC result was under .15, the judge can order up to 364 days in jail, with no less than 30 days. EHM is converted at a rate of 60 days EHM to one day of jail and requires four days of jail minimum. You will face up to $5,000 in fines and a two-year driver’s license suspension.
• BAC Result ≥ .15 – if your BAC result was .15 or over, or you refused to take the breath test, you can get up to 365 days in jail, and no less than 45 days. EHM is converted at a rate of 90 days EHM to one day of jail and requires six days of jail minimum. You will face up to $5,000 in fines. Your license will be suspended for 900 days, or three years if you refused the breath test.

DUI Penalties for Multiple Offenses

If you are convicted of a DUI and you already have two or more offenses on your record, the penalties are as follows:

• BAC Result < .15 – if your BAC result was under .15, you must spend a minimum of 90 days behind bars, but the judge can order up to 365 days at his or her discretion. EHM is converted at a rate of 120 days EHM to one day in jail with eight days of jail minimum. You will face up to $5,000 in fines and your license will be suspended for three years.
• BAC Result ≥ .15 – if your BAC result was .15 or over, or you refused to take the breath test, you will spend no less than 120 days behind bars, and no more than 365. EHM is converted at a rate of 150 days EHM to one day in jail with 10 days of jail minimum. You will face up to $5,000 in fines. Your license will be suspended for four years.

EHM option will not be available if you have a DUI on your record in the last seven years.

Speak to a DUI Offense Attorney in Washington State

There are numerous additional penalties and consequences of a conviction that you should speak to a lawyer in detail about.