Washington State has some of the toughest DUI penalties in the country, even for a first offense. Drivers in Port Orchard can face mandatory jail time, steep fines, license suspensions, and ignition interlock device requirements. Repeat offenses bring harsher penalties, including long term license revocations, extensive monitoring, and the possibility of felony charges. Financial costs can also pile up quickly, from court fees to higher insurance premiums. Acting fast is essential because you only have seven days to request a hearing to protect your license, and working with an experienced Kitsap County DUI defense lawyer like LaCross Law can help you understand your rights, challenge evidence, and build a strong defense.
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If you’ve recently been pulled over and charged with a DUI in Washington State, you’re probably overwhelmed, confused, anxious, and unsure what’s going to happen next. That’s completely understandable. A DUI arrest isn’t just a legal issue; it’s personal. It affects your job, your driver’s license, your finances, and your reputation.
At LaCross Law, we understand how high the stakes are, and we know how important it is to act fast, understand your rights, and have a knowledgeable legal team in your corner.
What Is a DUI in Washington?
In Washington, you’re facing DUI charges if you:
- Record a BAC of 0.08% or higher
- Drive under the influence of alcohol, prescription medications, marijuana, or a combination of substances
- Are found to have “physical control” of a vehicle, even if you weren’t driving at the time, while impaired
Keep in mind: the state doesn’t need to prove you were swerving or speeding. Just being impaired and behind the wheel (or in control of a vehicle) is enough. That’s why it’s so important to work with a Kitsap County DUI lawyer who is experienced in these types of cases and equipped to challenge every part of the case against you.
First DUI Offense in Washington State: Serious Penalties Ahead
Many people assume that a first DUI comes with just a warning or minor consequences. That’s not the case in Washington. Even a first conviction comes with real penalties:
- If your BAC result is less than .15 or there was no test result:
- A minimum of 24 hours in jail
- Fines ranging from $990.50 to $5,000
- A license suspension of 90 days
- Required installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- If your BAC result is .15 or higher (or you refused the test):
- A minimum of 48 hours in jail
- Fines ranging from $1,245.50 to $5,000
- A license revocation of 1-2 years (depending on whether you refused the BAC test)
- Required installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- Note: additional jail time, higher fines, and longer license suspension time apply if there was a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle.
That’s just for a first offense. The penalties can be worse if you’ve had a DUI before.
Second or Third DUI in Washington State: What Are the Penalties?
If you get a second or third DUI in Washington, the minimum penalties increase dramatically:
- Second DUI:
- If your BAC result is less than .15 or there was no test result:
- Minimum 30 days in jail
- 60 days of mandatory Electric Home Monitoring (EHM)
- Fines ranging from $1,245.50 to $5,000
- 2-year driver’s license revocation
- Required alcohol/drug assessment (additional treatment may be mandatory if the assessment indicates it’s needed.)
- Required installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- If your BAC result is .15 or higher (or you refused the test):
- Minimum 45 days in jail
- 90 days of mandatory EHM
- Fines ranging from $1,670.50 to $5,000
- A 900-day to 3-year driver’s license revocation (depending on whether the BAC test was refused)
- Required alcohol/drug assessment (additional treatment may be mandatory if the assessment indicates it’s needed.)
- Required installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- Note: additional jail time, higher fines, and longer license suspension time apply if there was a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle.
- If your BAC result is less than .15 or there was no test result:
- Third DUI:
- If your BAC result is less than .15 or there was no test result:
- 90 days in jail minimum
- 120 days of mandatory EHM
- Fines ranging from $2,095.50 to $5,000
- 3-year driver’s license revocation
- Required alcohol/drug assessment (additional treatment may be mandatory if the assessment indicates it’s needed.)
- Required installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- If your BAC result is .15 or higher (or you refused the test):
- 120 days in jail minimum
- 150 days of mandatory EHM
- Fines ranging from $2,945.50 to $5,000
- A 4-year driver’s license revocation
- Required alcohol/drug assessment (additional treatment may be mandatory if the assessment indicates it’s needed.)
- Required installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- If your BAC result is less than .15 or there was no test result:
Note: additional jail time, higher fines, and longer license suspension time apply if there was a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle.
At this stage, the court is no longer seeing you as someone who made one mistake. You’re being treated as a repeat offender, and the penalties reflect that.
Felony DUI in Washington: What Happens After a Fourth Offense?
If you receive four DUIs within a 10-year span, you could be charged with a felony. Washington State classifies felony DUIs as either Class B or Class C felonies, depending on the circumstances of your case. The consequences for a Class B felony can be:
- Up to 10 years in prison
- Up to $20,000 in fines
- Felony record with long-term consequences for housing, employment, and more
License Suspensions and Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs)
In addition to jail time and fines, a DUI conviction almost always results in some type of license restriction. Washington requires ignition interlock devices even for first offenses:
- No previous restriction: One-year IID requirement
- Prior 1-year restriction: Five years with an IID
- Prior 5-year restriction: Ten years with an IID
Driving without a valid license or without an IID when required can lead to additional charges and further penalties.
What is the Financial Cost of a DUI in Washington?
The financial cost of a DUI goes well beyond fines. Here’s what many people don’t consider:
- Towing and vehicle impound fees
- Court costs and legal fees
- Ignition interlock device installation and monthly maintenance
- Alcohol or drug assessments and follow-up treatments
- Skyrocketing insurance premiums
- Potential job loss from missed work or loss of a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
How LaCross Law Can Help You
At LaCross Law, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter defenses. We get to know you, your background, and the exact circumstances of your arrest. Here’s how we defend DUI cases in Port Orchard:
- Immediate Action: You only have 7 days to request a hearing to try to keep your license. That’s a short window, but we make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
- Review of Police Conduct: We examine whether the stop and arrest were lawful and whether field sobriety and breath tests were properly administered.
- Challenge the Evidence: We look for technical errors, faulty equipment, and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.
- Negotiations: In some cases, we push for reduced charges or alternative sentencing options.
- Trial Readiness: If needed, we’re ready to take your case to court and fight for your rights.
We bring not just experience, but real courtroom skill and a commitment to listening to every detail of your story.
Contact the Kitsap County DUI Defense Attorneys at LaCross Law Today
If you’re facing DUI charges in Port Orchard or Kitsap County, don’t delay in seeking the help and advocacy you deserve. Let LaCross Law help you navigate the process, protect your rights, and start building a strong defense today.
Contact us now for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What qualifies as a DUI in Washington State? A DUI can result from having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher, using drugs or alcohol while driving, or being in physical control of a vehicle while impaired.
- What are the penalties for a first DUI offense in Washington? Even a first offense can bring jail time, fines, license suspension, and installation of an ignition interlock device. Penalties increase if your blood alcohol concentration is 0.15 percent or higher or if you refuse testing.
- How do penalties increase for second or third DUI offenses? A second or third DUI comes with longer jail sentences, larger fines, extended license revocations, mandatory monitoring at home, and treatment requirements.
- When does a DUI become a felony in Washington State? A DUI can become a felony if you receive four DUI convictions within a ten year period or if there are aggravating factors such as injuries or prior felony convictions.
- What is an ignition interlock device and how long must I have one? An ignition interlock device is a breath testing unit installed in your vehicle. The required time period starts at one year and can increase to five or ten years depending on prior restrictions.
- How soon should I contact a DUI defense lawyer after an arrest? You should contact a lawyer immediately. You have only seven days to request a hearing to try to keep your license, and a lawyer can begin building your defense and protecting your rights right away.
