Washington Drunk Driving Laws

Although most drivers think they are aware of the drunk driving laws in their state, it is only after being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) that it becomes clear that they knew far less than they thought. Indeed, while the term “drunk driving” seems self-explanatory, when it comes to its legal meaning, things aren’t quite so simple. Under Washington drunk driving laws, a driver’s level of impairment is based entirely upon blood alcohol content (BAC), a complex ratio that is used to measure the amount of alcohol found in your bloodstream. Unfortunately, this means that if you don’t your BAC, you could be legally intoxicated and not even know it.

The only way to find a person’s BAC is through chemical testing. Therefore, if an officer suspects a driver is under the influence of alcohol, a breathalyzer or blood or urine test will be administered to determine his or her impairment level. According to legal officials, a driver is deemed impaired when the amount of alcohol in his or her bloodstream reaches a percentage of 0.08% or more. This means that, even if your ability to drive is not affected, you can be charged with DUI if you operate a vehicle with an illegal BAC.

Along with the 0.08% BAC limit, Washington lawmakers have passed a series of legislation to further restrict the amount of alcohol underage drivers and commercial vehicle operators are permitted to have in their systems. Under these guidelines, a person under 21 can face arrest for driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, while anyone who operates a commercial vehicle (such as a bus or tow truck, for example) is deemed impaired once his or her BAC reaches 0.04%.

Due to Washington’s “Implied Consent Law,” every driver—regardless of his or her age or vehicle type—is legally required to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample if a member of law enforcement requests a chemical test. If you refuse to perform the test, you will not only be arrested and charged with DUI, but also face the same penalties as a driver who was arrested with an illegal BAC.

If you are convicted of driving under the influence in the state of Washington, the penalties for your offense will be based primarily upon your prior record of DUI. As a first-time offender, this sentence may include up to $5,000 in fines, a 90-day license suspension, and a maximum of one year jail time. For a second or subsequent conviction, however, these penalties increase exponentially, and the court may also impose additional punishments if you had an extremely high BAC at the time of your arrest (0.15% or higher).

In light of the penalties you face if you are convicted of driving under the influence, it is more important than ever for you to seek legal counsel if you are arrested for DUI in Washington. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to get your charges reduced or dropped in court.

To determine the ideal strategy for your case, submit your information online today to receive a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced DUI defense attorney in your area.