Seattle DUI Attorney

DUI Laws in Washington:
Unlike the majority of courts in the United States, if you are arrested for a DUI in the state of Washington you will be required to appear before a state court within 48 hours of the next business day. Washington prosecutors typically request substantial bail and pre-trial release conditions on all Washington DUI cases, which may include: mandatory attendance in AA classes, an immediate installation of interlock ignition devices and abstinence from alcohol. If you have been arrested for DUI in the state of Washington, you must contact an experienced DUI attorney to protect your legal rights. 

The state of Washington possesses “per se” law; any driver may be convicted for driving under the influence in the state if the driver is operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level above .08. 


DUI Laws for the Seattle Municipal Courts:
The Seattle Municipal Court system is one of the busiest in the state; the court system implements a number of unique procedures and policies related to DUI arrests. As a result, it is imperative that you retain a qualified Seattle DUI attorney who is familiar with the local policies and the acting prosecutors. 

In Seattle, first-time DUI offenders or those with no prior DUI offenses in the last 7 years and a breath test registered under .15% if one taken will be subjected to the following punishments:
• At least one day in jail; one year maximum or 15 days with home confinement 

• A minimum fine of $823 and a maximum fine of $5,000

• 90 day license suspension

• Probationary license active for 5 years after reinstatement

• Ignition interlock may be ordered by the court system and may be placed on the violator’s vehicle for up to 5 years

• Alcohol treatment and evaluation classwork as determined by the court


In Seattle, first-time DUI offenders or those with no priors in the last 7 years and a breath test above .15% or a refusal to take the test will face the following punishments:
• Violator faces a minimum of 2 days in jail, a maximum of 1 year or 30 days in Electronic Home Detention

• A minimum fine of $1,078 and a maximum fine of $5,000

• One year license revocation

• Up to five years monitored probation

• Ignition interlock for no less than one year

• Mandatory participation in alcohol evaluation and treatment as determined by the Seattle Court

• Probation monitoring for up to 5 years


In Seattle, those individuals with a prior DUI offense in the last 7 years and a breath test less than .15% or no breath test applied, but not a refusal, will face the following punishments: 
• A minimum of 30 days in jail; one year maximum with an additional 60 days of Electronic Home Detention

• Mandatory passing of driving and knowledge exams

• Probationary license for five years following reinstatement

• Up to five years of monitored probation

• Installation of ignition interlock for at least one year

• Alcohol treatment and evaluation classes as determined by the Seattle Court

• Probation monitoring for up to five years


In Seattle, those individuals with one prior DUI offense in the last years and a breath test above .15% or a refusal to take the test will face the following punishments:
• A minimum of 45 days in jail with a maximum sentence of one year plus an additional 90 days of Electronic Home Detention

• $1,503 total minimum fine; up to a $5,000 fine

• 900 day license revocation

• Probationary license for 5 years

• Up to five years of monitored probation

• Ignition interlock for no less than one year

• Alcohol treatment and evaluation classes as determined by the Seattle Court

• Probation monitoring for up to five years


In Seattle, those individuals with two prior DUI offenses in the last 7 years and a breath test less than .15% or no breath test applied will face the following:
• A minimum of 90 days in jail with a maximum sentence of 1 year plus an additional 120 days of Electronic Home Detention

• Three year license revocation

• Minimum fine of $1,928 with a maximum fine up to $5,000

• Knowledge and driving exams

• Ignition interlock installation for at least 1 years, 5 years if interlock was previously applied and 10 years if two interlocks were installed

• Mandatory participation in alcohol evaluation and treatment as determined by the Seattle court

• Probation monitoring for up to 5 years


In Seattle, those individuals with two prior DUI offenses in the last seven years and a breath test .15% or higher or a refusal to take the test will face the following:
• Minimum jail sentence of 120 days, with a maximum sentence of 1 years and an additional 150 days electronic home detention

• A minimum fine of $2,778 or a maximum fine of $5,000

• Four year license revocation

• Knowledge and driving exams

• Installation of an ignition interlock device for no less than 1 year if interlock device was not previously installed, 5 years if one was installed and 10 years if two were installed

• Participation in treatment and alcohol evaluation courses as determined by the court

• Probation monitoring for up to 5 years


Do I Need a Seattle DUI Attorney?
In the state of Washington, all criminal cases require the prosecution to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, the difference between circumstantial and direct evidence is essential to understand when evaluating DUI cases in Washington. Direct evidence refers to such things that are directly observed, whereas, circumstantial evidence refers to interferences that may be drawn from other presented evidence. A DUI case is wholly circumstantial; evidence of the sobriety test, poor driving and the driver’s physical characteristics are all circumstantial to evidence of the driver’s impairment. Because of these provisions and because of the stringent penalties attached to DUI violations in the state of Washington it is imperative that you hire an experienced Seattle DUI attorney if charged with a DUI in the city.