Strict Penalties Under Washington State DUI Laws

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Strict penalties under Washington state DUI laws include fines, jail time, electronic monitoring and license suspension. A court may pass the sentence if it is satisfied with the evidence in the case. Hiring an able lawyer to represent them is the best course of action anyone charged under DUI may take.

If you are charged for DUI in Seattle, be prepared for harsh penalties. A court sentence can impose jail time, home detention with electronic monitoring and order to deposit a monetary sum. In addition to sentences, an offender would also be required to pay for the rental of electronic monitoring equipment. The rental does not replace a fine imposed in sentencing. A DUI arrest is evaluated on the severity of the charge, the blood alcohol content and if another DUI arrest occurred within the past seven years.

A key element of a DUI charge is based on the blood alcohol content level. A police officer administers a Breathalyzer test to determine the blood alcohol content. If the blood alcohol level is over a limit as determined by Washington state law, then a DUI violation is charged. For a person under twenty one years of age, a blood alcohol content over 0.02% is in violation.

At twenty one years of age or older, a blood alcohol content over 0.08% is in violation. For commercial drivers, it is 0.04%. Stricter fines and sentencing are imposed for a blood alcohol level of 0.15& or higher. A person stopped for potential DUI has the right to refuse the Breathalyzer test with Washington's implied consent law.

The refusal to test for blood alcohol content results in an automatic suspension of driving privileges for one year. The evidence of refusing the Breathalyzer test can be used as evidence in a court of law. Taking the Breathalyzer test and being convicted of DUI can result in only a ninety day license suspension. If an arresting officer has probable cause of a person driving under the influence, then a sentence of license suspension is automatic with or without a Breathalyzer test.

Washington state DUI laws have an implied consent law where an alleged DUI offender faces automatic license suspension and a fine. The first offense brings in an automatic license suspension. The second offense invites a two year license suspension and a high likelihood of a fine. The third offense results in an automatic three year license suspension and a guaranteed fine.

The jail time may be substituted for home detention with electronic monitoring; however the time at home is much longer than the time in jail for the equivalent charge. Explore here how you can find the best lawyer in Seattle who can help you in the legal procedures.

The arresting officer will present a Breathalyzer test and notify the alleged offender the right to refuse it. The offense results in one day in jail with a blood alcohol content under 0.15%. If it is greater, then the mandatory jail time is two days. Electronic Home Monitoring can take place of jail time, however it is fifteen to thirty days for a first offense. The second offense results in jail time up to 45 days. The third offense is 90 days in jail with a blood alcohol content under 0.15 percent and 120 days if it is more than that.

The least you can do is to find DUI attorneys in Washington state that can represent you efficiently in court and escape with the least sentence possible, or even better, get it dismissed.
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