You likely have many questions and concerns if you have recently been charged with a Seattle DUI. One of the primary worries may be whether you will lose your driver’s license.

As with all states in the United States, it is illegal to operate a vehicle in the state of Washington while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your blood alcohol content was 0.08 percent or higher, or you had a concentration of five nanograms or more of THC per milliliter of blood, you can be charged with a Seattle DUI.

You will face criminal penalties if convicted of your DUI charges and penalties from the Washington Department of Licensing that can affect your driving ability. Even if your DOL hearing goes well and the decision is in your favor, that decision only applies to the suspension resulting from your DUI arrest. In other words, if you win your Washington DOL hearing, your license won’t be automatically suspended at the 60-day mark, but you must still face criminal charges.

If you are criminally convicted of the DUI charges, the court will notify the Washington Department of Licensing to suspend your driver’s license for a specific period. While the precise penalties you will face depends on whether this is your first DUI—along with the circumstances and facts related to your charges—in general, you could face the following driving penalties:

• When arrested for a Seattle DUI, you will be given a notice of license suspension for a minimum of 90 days, up to four years, unless you ask for a DOL hearing.
• This suspension begins 60 days after the date of your DUI arrest.
• You have only seven days following the date of your DUI arrest to request a hearing—if you do not request the hearing within that window of time, your license will be suspended at the 60-day mark.
• The state of Washington requires that you fill out the request form for the DUI hearing (HRNG-525-001)
• If your DOL hearing results in a favorable outcome, you can drive until your criminal charges are determined—if the outcome is not favorable, your license is suspended at the 60-day mark until the outcome of your DUI criminal charges.
• If you are convicted of a first DUI with a BAC of 0.08 percent up to 0.15 percent, your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days.
• If you are convicted of a first DUI with a BAC of 0.15 percent or higher, your driver’s license will be suspended for one year.
• If you refuse a chemical test, your driver’s license could be suspended for two years.
• A second DUI conviction will result in a minimum license suspension for two years.
• A second DUI conviction with a BAC at 0.15 or above or a chemical test refusal can result in a license suspension from 900 days to 3 years.
• A third DUI conviction will result in a license suspension of three or four years for a chemical test refusal or a BAC of 0.15 or higher.
• For a first DUI conviction, the courts will require you to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for at least a year. For a second DUI conviction, the courts will require you to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for up to five years. For a third DUI conviction, you will have this device on your vehicle for up to ten years.

Seattle criminal and driver penalties for DUI are potentially very harsh. It is imperative that you speak to an experienced Seattle DUI attorney as quickly as possible to minimize these penalties.

Contact Our Seattle DUI Defense Lawyers Today

Did you or someone you love get arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol? You could face significant consequences in Seattle if you do not act quickly. Our Seattle DUI attorneys are here to protect your rights and your future.

The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Lewis & Laws, PLLC, have defended clients in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, and throughout the state of Washington. Contact us today at 206.209.0608 or fill out our confidential contact form. We know how to fight serious criminal charges and can protect your future. Call us today!