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