Washington State DUI Penalties
Mandatory Minimum DUI Penalties
The State of Washington considers Driving Under the Influence a serious criminal offense carrying a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5,000.00 fine. Washington also requires imposition of mandatory DUI penalties for every DUI conviction. Mandatory DUI penalties are DUI penalties that cannot be reduced. The court cannot reduce the Washington DUI penalties.First time offenders are subjected to mandatory jail, fines, and driver license suspensions. The first time offender will also be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device on any vehicle they operate. The mandatory DUI penalty schedule considers all “prior offenses” within the past seven years from the arrest date of the current DUI charge.
DUI Prior Offenses
Prior offenses include:
* Any conviction for DUI, Physical Control, Vehicular Assault (DUI), or Vehicular Homicide (DUI);
* Any conviction of Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment, or Negligent Driving in the First Degree that was amended from an original charge of Driving Under the Influence.
* Any deferred prosecution granted for a DUI or Physical Control charge.
Each prior offense will increase the DUI penalties. The Washington DUI penalties are also increased if you provide a breath / blood sample of .15 or higher, or if you refuse to submit to the breath / blood test.
