I am so worried about my brother because he was already convicted for DUI before here in Washington and he is once again charged for it. What are the possible consequences should he be convicted again this time?

Clarissa

Seattle, WA

First of all, it is highly advised that he should have a strong representation on his second DUI case so it is important that he hires a DUI lawyer. A second DUI in Washington means having committed the offense within seven years after the first conviction. This time, the consequences are severely bigger because he might be facing a mandatory jail time. Also, his driver’s license may be suspended for a longer period of time. So don’t ever wait to seek the advice of a DUI lawyer about this matter.

The consequences for a second DUI conviction in Washington include 30 days to one year in prison, 60 days of electronic home monitoring, at least $500-fine and two-year driver’s license suspension.

However, there are also consequences involved even if the case is still in trial, specifically if the first offense was just a recent one. The prosecutor would demand that the suspect has substantial conditions to be released from supervision while the DUI case is still pending. While the real aim of conditions of release is to safeguard the community and keep them secured, prosecutors contend that these conditions would make the accused sober, thus keeping the community safe. Alcohol supervision, electronic home monitoring and some other preventive devices are included in these conditions.

I know that the penalty for DUI offense here in Washington involves jail time. I’m not quite sure though for how long. Can you tell me? Also, can you tell me the other penalties for DUI conviction?

Beth

Olympia, WA

Sure Beth!

For first time offenders, the penalty for DUI offense in Washington includes a jail time for 24 hours up to one year. However, instead of a jail time, the court may allow you to serve a 15-day home electronic monitoring program, which is the minimum time.

Moreover, the fine would be $350 to $5,000. Also, your operating privileges would be suspended for 3 months minimum or 90 days. And after a month or 30 days, you may get a restricted license depending on the court’s ruling. Also, you may be required to get an ignition interlock for your car which you would pay personally.

It would never be a good idea to be cited for a DUI offense. As you can see, the DUI penalty is serious. Plus, once convicted of DUI, your auto insurance rates will be astronomical. And you will be labeled as a high risk driver and this normally makes it difficult for DUI offenders to get insurance provider that would insure them.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for ways on how you can lower DUI insurance rates, you can use the Internet. Shopping for DUI insurance through the Internet can give you affordable DUI insurance rates. So start getting your insurance quotes now to save on your insurance premiums.

I had recently been convicted of DUI and my insurer here in Washington canceled my current policy and they said I should get a DUI SR22 Insurance. I felt very bad about this for I have been insured with them for several years already and now that I had a problem they suddenly canceled my policy. Are they right in doing this to me and what is DUI SR22 Insurance and how does this work?

Bryan

Tacoma, WA

Once a driver is convicted of DUI in Washington, most car insurers will either cancel your current policy or they will never renew it even if you have been having business with them for many years. A DUI SR22 Insurance is a policy that is designed for those who have been convicted of driving under influences’ offense. There are car insurance companies that can give you DUI SR22 Insurance but since you are labelled as a high risk driver it could create more problems in time that’s why you should get a DUI SR22 Insurance.

When a driver is convicted of DUI, they usually want you to present a proof that you have car insurance with DUI for around three to five years with Washington’s Department of Motor Vehicle. Your insurers will file an SR22 form to DMV in order for your driver’s license suspension to be lifted. The car insurance company will charge you the rate depends on your policy and state rules. Every states has a different length of time on how long your DUI conviction remain on the record and as long as the record remains then that is also how long your premium is affected. If you have a DUI SR22 Insurance and had another conviction, the process would be easier and faster and this is something you should get as a responsible driver for we don’t know when accident strikes.

In 2005, I was pulled over and charged with DUI in Washington where I live and I plead guilty of negligent driving second degree. I was wondering when will this be removed from my driving record, when the plea was entered or at the time of the incident?

Alicia

Kent, WA

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) states that violations are placed on your driving record at the time of the violation conviction.

According to the DOL site the most convictions, court findings stating a violation was committed are place on your driving record for a period of five years from the conviction or adjudication date. Alcohol related offense are kept on your Washington driver’s abstract for a period of fifteen years from the conviction date.

Departmental actions, such as revocations, suspension or disqualifications are kept on a WA State driver’s record for five years from the final release date. So if your drivers license was suspended during this process of pleading down the DUI to a negligent driving charge in Kent, WA then that will remain on your record for five years as well.

If you have other questions regarding the amount of time convictions/violations are kept on your driving history or want a copy of your driving record, you may contact the WA DOL directly.

Will my current auto insurance company find out I have had a DUI conviction here in Tacoma, Washington?

Margarita

Tacoma, WA

Auto insurance companies can sometimes miss DUI convictions so it’s possible that your current insurance company will not find out you have had a DUI conviction in Tacoma, Washington if they don’t check your motor vehicle report and if you are not required to file an SR22 insurance with them. Computer error and human error, as you know, happen all the time. If your current auto insurance company doesn’t find out about your DUI conviction, one way to keep your current policy is to buy minimum liability with another provider with an SR22 insurance.

That way, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would be satisfied because you have made your filing and since you current auto insurance company has not found out about your DUI offense, you’re able to keep your current policy. This would be especially helpful when you have full coverage, higher liability limits, other family members/vehicles or coverage on a valuable vehicle, where the rates on a standard policy could be very high. This website can gladly provide a free online rate quote for you.

We are preparing for the possible costs that my son has to pay if he gets convicted for his DUI charge here in Washington. What are the things that we can expect to pay for and do you know how much total cost would it be?

Bunny

Lakewood, WA

The national average for costs in relation to a first offense DUI conviction could exceed $20,000. Like some things, that cost could be much higher in the state of Washington. The absolute cost could include posting bail, vehicle towing, car damage (your car and anyone else involved), property damage, DUI fines, lost wages due to jail or prison, attorney fees, hiring expert witnesses to testify at trial, appealing the case if your son receives an unfavorable verdict and higher insurance rates. If your son gets convicted for DUI in Lakewood, Washington, the costs would be any of the aforementioned or it could also be all of them.

The most important thing on that list would be the higher insurance rates because this is a long-term cost. Motorists generally pay high insurance rates after a DUI for at least three years. Let me remind you that your son’s best weapon would be a competent DUI attorney. He needs a DUI attorney who not only knows the game, but also has already perfected his strategy at winning it.

I was recently charged with DUI in Washington and I had a prior DUI. I was advised by someone that I should just take a deferred prosecution. It has already been explained to me the things that I should do if I will enter into the contract. Would it make sense if I agree with the deferred prosecution?

Anders

Tahoma-Maple Valley, WA

A deferred prosecution would make sense if you had a prior DUI conviction within the last seven years and if you are accused of other crimes that happened within one week of the DUI charge. So in your case, since you were recently charged with DUI in Tahoma-Maple Valley, Washington and you have a prior DUI conviction, it would make sense if you agree with the contract of having a deferred prosecution.

A second DUI conviction within a seven-year period, as you can see by looking at the mandatory minimum sentencing requirements, would carry a significant amount of jail time. For example, having a high blood alcohol content would have a requirement of 45 days of jail followed by 90 days of home detention and a driver’s license loss of 900 days (almost three years). The judge may impose more jail time, but not less. Most people could not financially survive this type of sentence. This is the main reason why a deferred prosecution could make sense if you are accused of DUI because the potential penalties could make the deferred prosecution worthwhile since DUI could be included within the deferred prosecution contract.

As I was driving home from work, I was caught drunk driving two weeks ago in Washington. I have already weighed all the consequences if I will be convicted for DUI. Aside from jail time and paying fines, what other things should I expect that could happen to me?

Gael

Graham-Thrift, WA

We all know that you may lose your driver’s license after your DUI charge in Washington. And you may think that your job would be safe, right? Think twice because it is a distinct possibility with any DUI conviction that you could lose your job.

DUI may have a domino effect, not only that you have to serve time in jail and pay stiff fines, you may also be assigned to do community service which could mean that you have to take time from work, and your boss would not like that. So, you might as well lose your job sooner than you think. And after losing your job, you have to be ready to apply for something new. You now have to worry about the DUI charge showing up on background checks which is a common routine when completing the employer’s application process. So, with the threat of losing your job and having a hard time finding another one, only a qualified DUI attorney will fight for you when no one else will.

My son has been arrested because of a DUI offense in Everett, Washington. Many have emphasized about the importance of getting a lawyer to represent him on his case. But what can a lawyer do in my son’s case if they have hard evidence against him?

Fallon

Everett, WA

You should take your chances on your son’s case, Fallon, even if you think they have hard evidence against him. That’s more reason to get a good DUI lawyer to defend your son on his DUI case in Everett, Washington. The laws in the state of Washington are constantly under review and augments and revisions are constantly pending. You have to keep in mind that the consequences for DUI conviction have become very onerous so the old adage of “get a good lawyer” still holds true. Just think hard about this, your son’s financial well being, maybe including yours, as well as his mental well being is at stake.

Your son is risking much more than a differential in paying higher fines. He could be risking his liberty and his driving rights for many years, if not permanently that’s why having a qualified and competent Washington DUI lawyer is very critical at this point. Finding a DUI lawyer is not difficult and even negotiating a competitive rate is attainable because they know you can go just down the corridor. The bottom line here is the end result and the status of your son’s life going forward.

I was arrested for DUI in Washington and I am just waiting for my first court date. I wanna be prepared and all and I have already talked to my lawyer regarding the defenses that we will use. What I need to know now is where will my court hearings take place?

Trevor

Spokane, WA

When you are arrested for DUI in Spokane, Washington, your case will be heard in a particular court. The specific court your case is docketed in depends on some factors including which police agency arrested you and how many DUI convictions you have. If this is your first or second DUI charge, the case is still a misdemeanor and your case will be in either a municipal or district court of the county where you were arrested. Your case is a felony if you have three DUI convictions and you will be scheduled for a preliminary hearing in the District Court of the county where you were arrested. Depending on how you were charged, a DUI felony conviction may also be heard originally in the Circuit Court of the county you were arrested.

Your case will be heard in the municipal court of Spokane if you are arrested for a DUI in a municipality by a municipal police officer if Spokane has a municipal court. Municipal courts and district courts have no power to hear DUI felony cases. However, a district court can have preliminary hearings in DUI felony cases.