DUI Penalties in Washington State

Understanding the Penalties for DUI in Snohomish County, WA

The penalties for a DUI conviction can be extremely severe in our state, even if it is only your first time being convicted of such an offense. At DUIHeroes , we employ a team of skilled and trusted Snohomish County DUI lawyers who offer proven legal defenses in the event that you have been charged. We understand that you may be frightened and confused, especially in light of the possible DUI penalties you might be facing. Our intention is to defend you as aggressively as possible against your DUI charges and win the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Our founding attorney became a DUI specialist after law school, providing him with a level of insight and understanding few other defense attorneys possess. In fact, attorneys from around the country have read his work or attended his seminars on DUI defense. Our trial team also includes two former prosecutors, who bring their own insight about the state’s prosecution strategy as it pertains to your case. Thanks to our skills and resources, DUIHeroes has a 95% average success rate in getting first offenses dismissed or reduced*.

Continue reading to learn more about DUI penalties in Washington State, as well as how our Snohomish County DUI defense team can help you fight your charges. Call (425) 296-9358 to request a free, confidential consultation.

The Impact of DUI Penalties in Washington

If you either plead guilty or are convicted of DUI in Washington, you will face certain minimum penalties that include jail time, fines, a suspended or revoked license, and a criminal record. For anyone with prior DUI convictions, the penalties increase dramatically on both jail time and length of license revocation.

If your alcohol concentration was at least 0.08% but not more than 0.15%, the mandatory minimum penalties for a first-time DUI offense include:

• One day in jail or 15 days of electronic home monitoring
• A minimum fine of $990.50
• License suspension for 90 days
• Installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle for at least one year
• Alcohol or drug counseling if ordered by the court

Washington State DUI penalties can be increased substantially if your breath or blood test indicates that your alcohol content was above 0.15%, or if you refuse to give a breath or blood test. If convicted of DUI with a BAC over 0.15% or a refusal to take the BAC test, the penalty minimums increase to two days of jail time and a one-year revocation of your driver's license (but it can be revoked up to two years). Additionally, the penalties for DUI in Snohomish County and throughout the state are far more severe if the DUI resulted in the injury or death of another.  

DUI penalties also escalate in severity if you have one or more prior convictions within the last seven years. Even if your BAC is less than 0.15% or there is no test, you could face up to 90 days in jail depending on prior convictions.

A second DUI offense could result in:

• A minimum of 30 days in jail or 60 days of electronic home monitoring
• A minimum fine of $1,245.50
• License revocation for a period of two years
• Installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle for at least one year
• Alcohol or drug counseling if ordered by the court

If you are arrested for a DUI, you should speak to a lawyer immediately before choosing whether or not to take a mandatory breath or blood test; only a lawyer can give you the best advice at that time—which is why we urge you to call DUIHeroes as soon as possible.

How a DUI Can Affect Your Career

If you have recently been charged with a DUI, you may be wondering how a conviction could affect your future. How long will a DUI stay on your record? Will an employer be able to see the charge on your background check? 

The short answer is, yes, if you are convicted of DUI in Washington State, you will have a permanent criminal record that will show up on background checks, including those conducted by your current employer or any potential employers in the future. 

Will a DUI Arrest Show on a Background Check?

A DUI will only appear on a background check if you are convicted; merely being arrested does not necessarily mean that an employer will be able to gain access to that information. However, if you are convicted of DUI in Washington, your employer (or any future potential employer) can find out by conducting a background check. 

Checking someone’s background in Washington State is relatively easy—an employer (or any individual) just needs to write into the Washington State Patrol. After they’ve paid the fee, they’ll have the results within two weeks.

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Washington?

A DUI is a criminal conviction that will only show up on your background check if you are found guilty of the charge. As this is part of your public record, the charge is permanent. When a prospective employer does a background check, they will see the DUI listed, no matter how long it has been since your arrest and conviction. 

Washington State Background Check for Employment

If you've been arrested for DUI, you may be wondering, can I be denied employment due to my DUI? According to the American Civil Liberties Union’s Guide to Criminal Records and Employment in Washington State, “employers should not ask about convictions unless they are (1) related to the job and (2) occurred within the last ten years.”

Also, a Washington State employer cannot deny employment solely based on a prospect’s criminal record. Instead, an employer must consider:

• The nature of the conviction
• Whether it relates to the posted job requirements
• How much time has passed since the incident

Can a DUI Be Expunged in Washington State?

According to Section 9.96.060 of the Revised Code of Washington, DUI convictions cannot be vacated or expunged from a person’s record.

If you’re on the job hunt, you can always obtain a copy of your record to see how the charge will appear. However, the best way to protect your rights and your future is to employ the help of a DUI attorney who can fight your case and work to lower your charges.

Call (425) 296-9358 to learn what you need to do next. Ideally, we’re the call you make when you’re still in custody, before you’ve submitted to a mandatory blood or breath test. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can reach us at any time.

How a DUI Lawyer Can Help You During Sentencing

During sentencing, your DUI lawyer can argue to have your penalties reduced or modified. If you are medically or physically incapable of serving jail time, you may be able to serve time under electronic house arrest at your own expense. The amount of your fine may be able to be kept close to or at the minimum amount prescribed by law. 

If you have any prior DUI convictions, such leniency becomes much more difficult to obtain, as Washington courts are very tough on repeat offenders. You should have experienced legal representation by your side during sentencing to avoid the harsher penalties that the court could choose.

The Importance of Hiring a Washington DUI Attorney

Just by the simple fact that you are facing DUI charges in Washington State, your chances of conviction may be inordinately high; Washington DUI laws and standards typically facilitate guilty verdicts. In order to overcome this inherent disadvantage, and possibly avoid life-altering penalties, you need to retain the services of a reputable Washington DUI attorney who can ensure that your rights are fully upheld for the duration of your case.

Our firm has represented DUI defendants throughout Washington, including but not limited to:

• Bellevue
• Everett
• Kirkland
• Lynnwood
• Marysville
• Medina
• Mukilteo

Our Firm Has the Qualifications to Help You

There is no substitute for professional legal experience. This is why we constantly strive to gain a better understanding of DUI defense developments. We continue to attend national-level seminars to stay on the cutting edge of DUI defense, and our founding attorney is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, an organization that shares our passion for protecting the rights of the accused.

Our founding attorney has completed the same DUI training that police officers receive to enhance the quality of our defense strategies, providing us with the ability to create innovative case strategies for each of our clients. This level of dedication has earned Attorney Dichter a variety of accolades, including a 10/10 Superb rating from Avvo every year since 2009. If you were arrested for driving under the influence, call our office today to receive a free case evaluation.

Contact a Washington DUI attorney at (425) 296-9358 if you have been charged with driving under the influence, as you may be facing serious penalties that include fines, license suspension, and jail time.