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Is a DUI a Felony in Washington?

Posted by Russell West | Jun 15, 2017 | 0 Comments

You can be convicted of a DUI at any time. You might be coming home from a night out on the town or maybe even from having a few glasses of wine at a bar while at a meeting for work. You could also be stopped at a sobriety check point or if an officer believes there is probable cause to suspect that you have been drinking. Whatever the case may be, being convicted of a DUI can affect your personal and professional life and can lead to some harsh consequences upon conviction.  

A conviction for any crime will be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on what type of offense you have committed. So, is a DUI in Washington state considered a misdemeanor or a felony? If you or a loved one have been charged with a DUI in Washington state, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Spokane DUI attorney so that we can help you strategize about the best possible outcomes for your case.

Is a DUI a Misdemeanor or Felony?

The short answer to this question is both. A DUI conviction in Washington can be considered a misdemeanor or a felony depending on your situation. In Washington, it is against the law to illegally operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Generally, a DUI conviction will be considered a misdemeanor. However, there are circumstances in which a DUI can become a felonious charge. In Washington, if you have a prior conviction of a DUI and vehicular assault or vehicular homicide and get a new DUI charge, that charge can be considered a felony. A DUI will also be considered a felony if the person charged with a DUI has four or more prior offenses or DUIs within a 10-year time span. If you have been convicted of a felony DUI, the penalties will be much harsher than if you were convicted of a misdemeanor DUI, and you could lose your license indefinitely as well as face imprisonment and fines. Because of this, it is important to seek legal advice and representation if you have been charged with a DUI to help minimize any damage that can be done to your criminal record as well as mitigate any consequences that you will incur.

Need Legal Advice?

When you are convicted of a felonious DUI, you will likely face harsh penalties, and you may not be able to drive at all, affecting your personal and professional life. However, you also may have defenses applicable to your case, so seeking legal advice and representation can be invaluable. If you or a loved one have been charged with a DUI, contact an experienced DUI attorney to help. Contact the West Law Office online or call at 509-993-0748 today.

(image courtesy of Tomasz Zagorski)

About the Author

Russell West

Russell West from West Law Office, located in Spokane, Washington represents clients in areas of criminal traffic, misdemeanors, and personal injury. DUI’s, Reckless Driving, Negligent driving, Hit and Run, and Driving with Suspended license are the majority of criminal traffic violations. Drug Charges, Theft, and Domestic Violence account for most of the other criminal cases Russell handles.

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West Law Office - Russell West Attorney

Spokane Attorney Russell West practice areas include: Auto Accidents, Personal Injury, Motorcycle Accidents, Slip and Falls, DUIs, DOL Hearings, Criminal Traffic, Expungement/Vacating Records, and Insurance Bad Faith

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