| Drunk driving is an offense that no state in the US | | | | conviction of vehicular homicide or vehicular assault, |
| takes lightly. If you are pulled over for suspected drunk | | | | either in the state of Washington or anywhere else in |
| driving and are determined to be incapable of safely | | | | the nation. |
| operating your vehicle, then you will be charged with | | | | Felony DUI is considered to be a Class C felony, which |
| driving under the influence, or DUI. While each state has | | | | is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of |
| different punishments for DUI, it is typically always | | | | $10,000. |
| penalized as a misdemeanor offense. | | | | Vehicular Homicide |
| In the state of Washington, first, second, and third time | | | | Vehicular homicide is not necessarily a result of DUI, |
| DUI offenders will face the following misdemeanor | | | | although drunk driving is one of the main driving factors |
| punishments: | | | | behind this offense. If an intoxicated or reckless driver |
| · A jail sentence of up to 1 year | | | | kills another person as a result of his or her negligent |
| · A $5000 fine | | | | actions, then he or she has committed vehicular |
| · Driver's license revocation for up to 4 years | | | | homicide. This is considered to be a Class A felony, |
| · 5 years of probation | | | | and it is punishable by up to life in prison and/or a |
| · Up to 10 days of electronic home detention | | | | $50,000 fine. |
| · Possible treatment for alcohol abuse | | | | Underage Drinking and Driving |
| Fourth time offenders, however, as well as those with | | | | The state of Washington, like many other states |
| more than four convictions, will be charged with felony | | | | across the nation, supports a zero-tolerance policy |
| DUI and will face much more severe punishment. | | | | with regards to underage drinking and driving. Anyone |
| Felony DUI | | | | under the age of 21 who is caught operating a motor |
| Felony DUI in Washington is committed when an | | | | vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level above |
| offender is convicted of four or more instances of DUI | | | | 0.02% will be charged with Minor DUI. The penalties for |
| within a ten year time period. DUI offenders can also | | | | committing this offense are a fine of $1,000, 90 days in |
| be convicted of felony DUI if they have had a previous | | | | jail, and a year-long driver's license suspension. |