When a person is cited for DUI in Washington State, he faces the prospect of losing his privilege to drive. If the person is ‘convicted’ in a criminal court for DUI he will lose his privilege to drive in Washington, and if he either (1) losses an administrative hearing held by the Department of Licensing, or (2) chooses to forego a hearing with the Department of Licensing, he will lose his privilege to drive. It is the law.
If the person’s license is suspended based on losing the DOL Administrative Hearing (or because the person failed to request a hearing) he will be required to have SR-22 Insurance for three (3) years upon his eligibility to reinstate his driving privilege. If six (6) months later that person is able to get a reduction in the criminal court to Reckless Driving (which also results in a license suspension, albeit for a shorter period.) the person will have another three (3) year SR-22 requirement for that ‘conviction’. The suspension periods can, and generally do, run concurrent to each other, but the costs for SR-22 Insurance may be a bit different because a ‘conviction’ may cause the monetary amount to increase.
Be smart when arrested for DUI. Immediately seek the assistance of a Seattle DUI lawyer. A qualified and trained Seattle DUI attorney will sift through the myriad and numerous defenses in a Washington DUI case. So if facing a DUI, do not go it alone, and do not just hire some ‘general’ practitioner. Washington DUI laws are far too complicated for any ol’ attorney to handle. Be smart … hire a qualified and skilled Seattle DUI attorney when arrested for DUI in Washington State.
