Washington State DUI Felony Vs Misdemeanor

Depending on the circumstances of your driving under the influence (DUI) case, you may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense. Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony, you could face serious penalties if you are convicted, including jail time, probation, community service, fines, increased insurance costs, and a driver’s license suspension. As a result, you should speak with an experienced DUI defense attorney immediately if you are facing drunk-driving charges.

In Washington, you can be charged with DUI if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 or higher. A first offense is typically charged as a misdemeanor. However, depending on the number of prior offenses on your record or whether other people were injured during an accident, you may be charged with DUI felony.

If another person is injured or killed as a result of an accident where the driver is arrested for driving under the influence, the driver may be charged with vehicular assault or vehicular homicide, respectively.  These felony offenses involve lengthy prison sentences upon conviction, in contrast with a gross misdemeanor DUI for which the maximum incarceration is 364 days in jail.

If you have a felony on your record, you may be ineligible to work for a school, government agency, or any company that deals with classified information. Convicted felons are also prohibited from owning firearms.

In Washington, you may also face increased penalties if your BAC was .15 or higher, or you have prior DUI charges on your record. If you refuse to take a chemical test, you may also be subjected to increased penalties, including a lengthy driver’s license suspension.

If you have recently been arrested for drunk driving, you should speak with an experienced Washington DUI defense attorney to learn if you are facing felony or misdemeanor charges. Your attorney can also explain the DUI process to you, as well as the potential penalties you may face if you are convicted of driving under the influence.

Contact Callahan Law today to speak to a skilled DUI attorney who will aggressively fight for your rights during this difficult time.