Drunk driving defense is a very specialized area of law that almost always requires an experienced DUI law attorney to assist you with this serious legal problem.
In Washington state, drunk driving cases are most commonly referred to as DUI cases (Driving Under the Influence); sometimes the case is referred to as a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated).
If you drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .
08% or greater, you may be convicted of a DUI in the Washington.
You may also be charged with a DUI if you are under the influence of substances other than alcohol such as illegal drugs or even prescribed medications.
Washington is known for having some of the toughest DUI laws in the nation, and the state actually lowered the legal limit to .
08 in order to make it easier for prosecutors to win DUI convictions.
This change has resulted in many productive citizens of society, with absolutely no prior criminal record, having to deal with the life-altering and possibly career-ending nightmare of a DUI (with the help of their attorney).
If you are pulled over for a suspected DUI in Washington, there are many things you should know to help your chances of not being convicted.
If the police officer punches a hole in your driver's license, you are officially on notice that the Department of Licensing (DOL) intends to suspend your driver's license just for being suspected of DUI.
If you refuse to take a breathalyzer test, your license will be revoked for at least one year.
Your car insurance will then go up for three years, the same as if you had been convicted of the DUI charge.
For your first offense, the judge can impose up to a year in jail and a fine of $5,000.
Most often, however, the judge applies the mandatory minimum in DUI cases, which can be one day in jail, a fine, probation, and a longer license suspension.
If convicted of a DUI, the punishment can include any or all of the following: jail time, fines, suspended or revoked driver's license, ignition interlock, and electronic home detention.
Ignition interlock is a breath-testing machine that is connected to the wiring in your car and prevents you from starting your car if you have alcohol on your breath.
This mechanism can be required for as long as five years after your very first DUI conviction.