DWI or DUI Court Referral Programs in Washington

If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in Washington there are a few things that you can do to help stay out of jail and hopefully, avoid a life-changing DUI conviction. Depending on the type of charges you have, you may be required to complete a DWI or DUI Court Referral Program in Washington. Deferred prosecution, is an agreement by the State Dept. not to prosecute a person for a DUI charge, in exchange for the defendant’s agreement to complete a two-year intensive outpatient alcohol or mental health treatment program. The Deferred Prosecution Program is only available to people who believe alcoholism, drug addiction, or a mental health problem caused the behavior leading to their DUI arrest.

A DUI or DWI conviction in Washington is not something to be taken lightly. It can have serious life-altering consequences far-reaching into many areas of your life. We have helped thousands of people over the years avoid significant jail time, fines, and license revocation periods. Getting help for underlying alcohol addiction will help the courts determine if you are taking full responsibility for driving under the influence and breaking the law. Call us today and let us help you with your drinking and driving arrest and help you find an alcohol recovery program. Addiction No More ® can not give legal advice however if you are looking for rehabilitation for addiction we can help you find treatment in your area or anywhere in the country. Give us a call today and we can help. 

1-800-513-5423

What to do if you have been arrested for drinking and driving

Drinking and driving in Washington can be a serious offense and the consequences can have life-changing outcomes. If you have been pulled over, make sure that you know your rights and remain courteous at all times. Being compliant and courteous can affect the outcome of the court’s layout as punishment.

Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence (DUI) Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI). These are the common terms used to describe operating a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Washington, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.

DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in Washington are very familiar with the court-mandated treatment requirements that the courts have imposed for their court-ordered alcohol rehab centers. Some court-ordered DUI deferment programs will include alcohol evaluations and at the very least, alcohol and drug classes for first-time offenders. This can cost anywhere from $1000-2500 dollars with the fines, not including lawyer fees and bail.

If this is your second offense, getting involved in a treatment program for alcohol abuse will not only help your ongoing DWI-DUI case but benefit you as well. You should always enter into an alcohol treatment program knowing that there is a need for a change before something worse happens. Driving and Drinking can cost you your life or even worse someone else life. Treatment programs in Washington for criminal justice clients will work with the court system to handle all the requirements for treatment to be considered time served. Once all the financial consequences are paid by the defendant and community service is completed if any Washington district courts may terminate the probation period.

Driving under the influence can damage many people’s lives other than yourself. Getting treatment for your alcohol dependency can help you understand that the risks of drinking and driving heavily outweigh the rewards. Sometimes, all it takes is to talk to someone who has had the burden of having someone die due to their alcohol consumption and driving under the influence. Our counselors are ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1-800-513-5423

DUI First-Offender and Diversion Programs

Getting a DUI or DWI in Washington starts as a gross misdemeanor for the 1st offense. 1st conviction results in 7 years if your BAC is under 0.15%, fines between $ $866-$5,000, and 1 to 364 days in jail. The court will also require the defendant to undergo substance abuse treatment as a condition of the sentence. Such recommendations will range from completing an Alcohol and Drug Information School to enrolling in a two-year intensive outpatient program (IOP).

The laws are different in each state for DWI offenses that allow for deferment programs in place of jail time. Some states, depending on the circumstances, will mandate treatment and community service. Some of these mandates can be handled while in treatment for alcohol abuse. Washington has a deferment program for first-time DWI offenders as long as there are no injuries, accidents, or drugs involved. If you have been arrested for your second DWI/DUI in Washington, it is highly recommended that you give us a call to find out your options for a deferment program instead of jail time. This will help with the possible consequences that the courts may impose on you. Drinking and driving can have serious outcomes including vehicular homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and other very serious charges. When a minor is involved, there are more serious outcomes that the courts in Washington can impose on the offender. If there has been an accident or death due to drinking and driving there will be significant jail time imposed as well as the knowledge that your indulgence cost someone their life.

Penalties for drinking and driving in Washington State

Washington has a progressive BAC level DWI penalty model higher than a .15 BAC and the courts will impose stiffer penalties as well as minimums for sentencing being higher. Washington also has the option to court order the offender to install an interlock device on the vehicle or vehicles for a period of up to a year for the first offense. Subsequent convictions can result in 10-year monitored driving using the interlock ignition system.

First Offense: First-time DWI conviction in Washington can result in fines up to $5,000 with a minimum fine of $350, and up to one year in prison. Your driver’s license can be suspended for up to 90 days

Second Offense: A second DUI conviction within seven years of a previous conviction can result in 60-90 days of home electronic monitoring ( house arrest) and up to one year in prison. Being convicted of a second DUI in Washington state and the courts will suspend your driving privileges for a period of up to 2 years and fines up to $5,000 with a minimum of $750 in court-related fines.

Third and Fourth Offense: 3rd or 4th conviction for drunk driving in Washington state within 7 years of a previous conviction and the courts will impose 90 days up to one year in county jail and up to 120 days of electronic house monitoring (House Arrest). The Washington presiding Judge has the flexibility to impose fines ranging in severity from $1,500 up to $5,000. The courts also will revoke your driving privileges for a period of up to 4 years.

Washington has specific drinking and driving laws and penalties for people who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI. There are minimum and maximum fines and penalties that are at the discretion of the judge and prosecuting attorney depending on many different factors and circumstances surrounding the case.

Find Deferred Prosecution Rehabs Near Me

Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in Washington is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. All that is needed to start the process is to either fill out the free online assessment form provided below or call us toll-free for a quicker response. Not all information is required for a response from us which usually takes 24-48 hours. We can help you find the best Drug Rehab Center for alcohol addiction today. Addiction No More ® is an Addiction Treatment Center locator service. For immediate service, please call one of our counselors 24/7.

Auburn, Washington Alcoholism Rehabs
Bellingham, WA. Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Everett, Washington Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation
Marysville, WA. Substance Abuse and Alcohol Treatment
Olympia, Washington 30/90-Day Treatment Centers
Seattle, Washington Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Programs
Spokane, WA. Treatment Centers for Addiction
Yakima, Wa. Alcohol Detox Centers, and Rehab Facilities

Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in Washington is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. If you have an open DWI case in Washington, call us and we can help you locate a deferment program in your county that works with DUI and DWI offenders. We can help you find the best rehab center for alcohol misuse today. Addiction No More ® is an Addiction Treatment Center locator service. For immediate service, please call one of our counselors 24/7.

Sources
Therapeutic Speciality Courts
WA State Court Research
Court Sentencing Grid
DUI

Erik Epp – Content Author