DUI Defense/Misdemeanors:
Action Steps after a Washington State DUI Arrest
There likely are two separate legal actions pending against you:
- In criminal court, where you will be charged with the crime of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI), and
- In the Department of Licensing (DOL), where, by "administrative action," the DOL seeks to suspend or revoke your license (no matter what happens in court).
Court Basics
If you received a ticket, check it now to see if there is a date, time, and location listed for you to appear in court. In some Washington State jurisdictions the first court appearance can even be on a Saturday. This is particularly true of a Seattle DUI in Seattle Municipal Court.
If you did not receive a ticket or if a court date is not written on your ticket, then the court will likely mail a notice of your court date to your address of record.
At your first appearance in court you will enter a plea of "not guilty" and the court may set bail and impose restrictions on and conditions of your release.
Department of Licensing (DOL) Basics
If a hole was punched in your driver's license, it means the DOL intends to suspend or revoke your license effective 60 days from your arrest.
Administrative license penalties vary according to the driver's record and include suspension for 90 days or revocation up to two years plus three years of SR-22 (high-risk) insurance.
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