subject: What is the Law on DUIs in Washington State? [print this page] What is the Law on DUIs in Washington State?
If you've been charged with a DUI in Washington State, or you think that you may be charged with one, your first question might be, "What is the law on DUIs in Washington State?" This is a valid question and it's important to know that the laws in Washington State regarding driving under the influence can be severe. Depending on how many times you've committed the offence, the punishments will vary. But you can probably count on getting your license suspended, being put on house arrest, paying a large fine, and possibly even going to jail.
DUIs in Washington State are considered to be a gross misdemeanor for individuals over the age of 21 and a misdemeanor for those who are under the age of 21. The first DUI offence will definitely carry a large fee and possible suspension of your license. . Attending an 8-hour program at a DUI school will probably also be served as part of the sentence and probation and community service might also be part of the penalty.
Second offence DUIs in Washington State become much harsher than when a first offence is committed. While a first offence may not see any jail time at all, a second offence will most likely see jail time and that could be anywhere from thirty days to one year. The fines for a second offence in a DUI in Washington State could also carry very high fees, ranging from $500 to $5000., and there are very strict laws about license suspension which could last as long as two years.
The law in Washington State regarding DUIs does vary from case to case and from person to person. The penalties are nearly always likely to be harsh, no matter how many DUI offences you have in the past. Washington State DUI lawyers are available to help see you through the complicated process and understand the legal jargon that you may hear while going through court and jail for your DUI. Mark W. Garka is one Washington State DUI lawyer that will be able to help see you through the court hearing and also help protect your rights. He'll not only make sure that you understand what's going on throughout the entire process, but he'll also make sure that the police followed proper procedure. With Mark W. Garka, it might even be possible that your DUI charges get dropped.