DUI Criminal Penalties

Washington State has some of the toughest drunk driving laws in the country and local prosecutors have declared a war on drunk drivers. Consequently, it is important to find DUI defense attorney to be your advocate. A DUI is usually considered a gross misdemeanor, which means that the maximum sentence one could receive is 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. However, if the defendant has history of a prior Vehicular Homicide or Vehicular Assault based upon a DUI or if this is the defendant’s fifth DUI in 10 years, they will be facing a class B Felony which can result in up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Even a conviction for the most trivial DUI may include mandatory incarceration, fines, license suspension, Ignition Interlock Device (IID), alcohol and drug treatment, and probation. Factors in determining the mandatory minimum sentence include how many “prior offenses” the defendant has within seven years, whether the breath test was accepted or refused, and the breath test was taken above or below a 0.15.