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 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.

I’m concerned that my sister would be greatly affected after her DUI arrest in Washington. What would be the emotional and financial costs of DUI on her?

Vern

Kennewick, WA

After being arrested for DUI in Kennewick, Washington, your sister might be ashamed of telling everyone about the DUI arrest. It would also be shameful for her on having to go to court and dealing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). She also might feel shame of having to tell her boss about the DUI arrest. The psychological and emotional costs of DUI are actually different for everyone but it would be the same when it comes to financial cost.

Even if your sister decides not to fight the DUI charges against her, her finances would still take a big hit. The initial costs would be the fines, penalties and surcharges. If it would be required for her, it would also cost money to do the sheriff’s work program. She would also have to pay a fee to choose, within certain limits, when she serves her jail time so that it is the least disruptive to her life. There would also be a program fee for enrolment in the alcohol classes and she would have to pay the DMV for reinstating her driver’s license.

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 nephew is on probation in Washington because of a felony theft. Unfortunately, he was arrested yesterday for DWI, and worse, it is his second DWI in 4 years. Will his probation for felony theft automatically be revoked? Can a legal representation would be of any help?

Jason

Bellevue, WA

Of course, getting a lawyer would be of big help so I suggest you do so the soonest time possible. It would be an automatic court ordered Motion to Revoke probation (MOR) and a minimum of 30 days of jail time if you are on probation in Washington State and get arrested for any case. An attorney is the only one who can be able to negotiate jail time. Your nephew will get a copy of the letter sent to the court that placed him on probation to revoke his probation and the date he and his attorney will need to attend the hearing. It would also include all previous probation requirements not met including payments. Expect him to serve jail time since he has a previous criminal record and this is his second DWI in Washington.

My advice is that for him to hire an attorney who has a good reputation over DWI cases. A little warning, though, it may cost you a small fortune to do so. If he was bailed out of jail for the arrest and later finds out that he cannot afford to hire a lawyer before the first court date, the court would likely not allow him a Court-Appointed lawyer. That is because if you can bail him out of jail, you can hire a lawyer as well. If you really plan to help your nephew, you need to make sure that you have the financial resources and, mind you, a very strong level of patience.

Here is the situation; my dad was driving drunk on his way home to our Lakewood’s residence. A police pulled him over and charged him with DUI. Now, he is on trial waiting for his conviction. I want to know what are the possible punishments with regard to DUI in Washington.

Justin

Lakewood WA

Hi ya Justin,

Kinda a sad situation knowing about your dad facing a trial for DUI charges. My mom who loves to drink, was in the same footing with your dad right now. As far as I can remember, the Washington DUI lawyer that my mom hired told us, that the possible punishments that she will be facing will be the following:

1. Jail time (one year for first time offenders)
2. Fines ($5,000 for first time offenders)
3. Suspension or Revocation of Driver’s License
4. Electronic Home Detention
5. Ignition Interlock

A lot is at stake when being charged and convicted of DUI, right here at Washington. Just like my mom, she was a first time offender. She was in jail for a year and even had a fine of $5,000. If your dad is a first time offender, there is a greater chance of having same punishment as my mom did.

Don’t lose hope, your dad had a chance not to be convicted if he has the best Washington DUI lawyer to defend him and make sure to have all the possible remedies and apply the laws into your dad’s side. Winning the case is just a step away only if the Washington DUI lawyer your father hired is a competent one.