In Washington, a conviction for DUI carries significant penalties. The new DUI regulations in force as of 2022 continue the trend of increasing the severity of punishment for a conviction.
New Penalties for DUI
The new DUI laws in Washington state impose much stricter penalties than the old laws. For a first-time DUI conviction, the new penalties are as follows:
- A minimum of 24 hours in jail
- A maximum of 364 days in jail
- A fine of up to $5,000
- A one-year driver’s license suspension
- Mandatory alcohol or drug treatment
- Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device
For a second DUI conviction within seven years, the new penalties are as follows:
- A minimum of 30 days in jail
- A maximum of 45 days in jail
- A fine of up to $10,000
- A two-year driver’s license suspension
- Mandatory alcohol or drug treatment
- Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device
For a third or subsequent DUI conviction within seven years, the new penalties are as follows:
- A minimum of 45 days in jail
- A maximum of 90 days in jail
- A fine of up to $15,000
- A three-year driver’s license suspension
- Mandatory alcohol or drug treatment
- Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device
New Administrative Penalties for DUI
In addition to the criminal penalties for DUI, the new laws also impose new administrative penalties. These penalties are imposed by the Department of Licensing (DOL) and can occur even if you are not convicted of a DUI in court.
The new administrative penalties for DUI are as follows:
- A 90-day driver’s license suspension
- A requirement to complete an alcohol and drug evaluation
- A requirement to install an ignition interlock device
New Procedures for DUI Cases
The new legislation also alters the process for DUI prosecutions. These changes are meant to make it harder for DUI offenders to avoid punishment.
The police may now legally demand a blood sample from anybody they have probable cause to suspect of drunk driving. In the past, law enforcement could merely request a breathalyzer.
Another major shift is that the motorist is now responsible for covering the price of the blood test. Before this change, the state was responsible for covering the expense of breathalyzers.
New Defenses to DUI
New legal protections against driving under the influence have been established. The purpose of these defenses is to shield innocent persons from wrongful DUI convictions.
The “lack of voluntary intoxication” argument has emerged as one of the most important new avenues of protection. If the accused can prove that they were not willfully inebriated at the time of the crime, the charges of driving under the influence (DUI) will be dropped.
The “ineffective assistance of counsel” argument is also noteworthy. If the accused can prove their attorney did not adequately defend them, they may use this argument to have their DUI charges dropped.