Washington's DUI Sentencing Guidelines

Washington DUI offenders will be sentenced to jail time.

Washington sentencing guidelines for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) is based on the number of prior offenses and the level of blood alcohol content (BAC) of the offender. Washington enforces electronic home monitoring (EHM) after the sentence is served.

BAC Less Than 0.15

An individual convicted of a first offense will serve a mandatory minimum sentence of 24 consecutive hours up to a maximum sentence of 365 days. The court may order 15 days of EHM in lieu of the minimum sentence. For the second offense, an offender will spend a mandatory minimum of 30 days to a maximum time of 365 days in jail with 60 days of EHM. Offenders with two or three prior offenses receive a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 90 days, with a maximum sentence of 365 days and 120 days of EHM.

BAC at Least 0.15

First offenders serve a mandatory minimum sentence of 24 consecutive hours with a maximum sentence of 365 days. The court may order 15 days of EHM in place of jail time. For second offenders, the mandatory minimum sentence is 30 days and the maximum time is 365 days with 60 days of EHM. Offenders with two or three prior offenses receive the mandatory minimum of 90 days, with a maximum sentence of 365 days and 120 days of EHM.

Prior Offenses

Offenders with prior offenses within seven years of the date of arrest, will serve the minimum mandatory sentence. This term cannot be suspended or deferred unless the court finds the sentence poses a significant risk to the physical or mental well-being of the offender.

References

• Washington Courts: Court - DUI Sentencing Grid
• Washington State Legislature: Alcohol Violators - Penalty Schedule