Higher BAC DUI Penalties
In the state of Washington, there are regular minimum and maximum penalties for those arrested for drinking and driving. However, if a driver’s blood alcohol content is extremely high, that individual may be subject to more severe penalties. The legal limit of intoxication in Washington is a BAC lower than 0.08%. To incur these increased penalties, a driver must be caught with a 0.15% BAC.
If you have been found to have a BAC higher than 0.15% during or immediately after a traffic stop, it is vital that you seek experienced counsel and representation immediately. For a consultation with a legal advisor regarding your rights as a defendant, contact the Seattle DUI lawyers of Cowan Kirk Gaston today by calling 866-822-1230.
Increased Minimum Penalties
BAC is determined through a number of different measurement methods. However, the breathalyzer test is by far the most common method used by police officers on the road. If possible, urine and blood tests may also be employed. Although these machines are not necessarily reliable, their measurements are used by the court to determine the penalties for a DUI charge. The following punishments may be sought by prosecutors:
- Jail sentences between 48 days to 1 year
- Up to 30 days of electronic home monitoring
- Up to 2 years of license suspension
- Up to 1 year of ignition interlock device use following a license suspension
- Up to 5 years of probation
- Up to $5,000 fine
With each additional offense, the penalties become more severe. Although prison maximums do not necessarily increase unless additional criminal offenses occur, license suspension and mandatory interlock device use can greatly rise.
Contact Us
Courts often rely on technology that does not always accurately measure an individual’s level of intoxication. If you have been charged with a DUI, the consequences can destroy professional aspirations and strain personal relationships. For help protecting your rights and to learn more about your legal options following a DUI arrest contact the Seattle DUI attorneys of Cowan Kirk Gaston at 866-822-1230.
