Being arrested for a DUI in Olympia is emotionally draining and humiliating , but it’s nothing compared to the devastating effects of a conviction and the mandatory penalties that accompany it. Each Washington State drunk driving offense has its own sets of penalties, which are based upon the severity and nature of the crime. Your Olympia DUI attorney will help you look for ways to minimize these penalties in whatever way possible.
If you've recently been arrested for a DUI crime, you should speak to one of our Olympia lawyers immediately. They will help you better understand which Washington State DUI penalties you could be facing, if convicted. Building a defense is never easy, but it starts with an understanding of the law and then applying that knowledge to your Washington DUI case.
Understanding Washington State DUI PenaltiesDepending on the nature and severity of your Olympia drunk driving crime, you could be facing mandatory and discretionary Washington DUI penalties. A number of WA drunk driving convictions include jail time, so one of our highest priorities is to fight for your freedom. A Washington DUI conviction will incur a mandatory jail sentence of up to 364 days, and subsequent DUIs can mean even more days behind bars. Obviously, this should never be taken lightly.
Drivers convicted of an Olympia DUI will also face Washington DUI penalties that mandate expensive fines, some of which are as high as $5,000. An inability to pay a court-mandated fine is not a valid excuse, so failure to pay could lead to other penalties.
An Olympia drunk driving conviction also incurs a driver’s license suspension. Losing your license can make it extremely difficult to go about your daily life, and the duration of your driver's license suspension will vary depending on the DUI crime or violation. Additionally, Olympia drivers are required to carry SR-22 insurance for three years after their license is reinstated - an expensive proposition.
Many agree that a DUI conviction's most serious side-effect is the acquisition of a criminal record. For young Olympia drivers charged with a minor DUI, it can hinder their ability to get a good job, apartment, or even a line of credit, in the future.
Other discretionary Washington DUI penalties can be enforced by a judge, so it makes sense to do whatever you can to protect your legal rights, according to Washington State law. Our Olympia DUI lawyers will aggressively defend your interests and act as advocates for your character, using every legal tool at their disposal to minimize punishments in whatever way the law allows.
How Do to Resolve Your Olympia DUI Case?If you've been charged with an Olympia DUI, more than just your reputation is at stake. You may also lose your freedom, driving privileges, and possibly even your job if your employment hinges on being validly licensed. The stakes couldn't be higher - act quickly to minimize any Washington State DUI penalties with help from our team of experienced litigators.
Our Olympia DUI attorneys offer a free case evaluation so that you can get some reliable information about the penalties you’re facing. We will answer your questions and discuss ways we might mitigate your punishments by building an aggressive defense based on the law.
Start fighting for your rights with help from our qualified Olympia DUI lawyers, and do everything in your power to minimize the penalties that a DUI conviction in Washington can cause.